The PaddlerUK magazine July 2015 issue 3 | Page 62

P D L RUK 62
A DE

Capturing learning

Thinking back on sessions from when I was
working in outdoor centres and talking
through with those in outdoor education then
the ability to capture the learning of whatever
the task happens to be is critical for the
personal development of the learner. How
often at the end of a days boating do we
capture the learning from the tasks that we
were involved in?

This can be from successful and unsuccessful
outcomes. Spend time to talk this over in a way
that can shape what you do with the
information. Sharing the experience and then
planning to do something with the new
knowledge the next time out builds the
patterns and schemas required to move in our
ability. Too often we share what happened but
don’t turn this into knowledge that can be
accessed at a later date.

Reflections

The pr evious article looked at ‘if’ and ‘then’
questions as way to be reflecting on the activity.
This works well within the transfer of learning.
What we can also look at though is critical
thinking where in our own time we have the
opportunity to make clear and reasoned thought
out observations of what happened during the
performance. Using this as a plan going into the
next performance and then reflecting on both of
these aids in the decision-making process and
build up this bank of knowledge.

With these reflections it gives the opportunity
to challenge your thoughts against the different
environments and / or different paddlers. This

aids in pattern recognition and what works in
one place gives the start of the problem solving
for another situation.

Going boating!

That’s what it’s all about after all! Get out there
and gain knowledge / experience. Paddle the
same rapid a few different ways. Work the river
or flow and see what the outcomes are. Then
using some / all of the ways described earlier
to add to your knowledge.

Without having experience we will struggle to
reflect. To ‘see further’ we need to get the
information that is available, use it then
importantly challenge it and own it! It needs to
be yours to move on not just what someone
else has said.

Take the practices that you have been shown /
working on and put them into context. If the
skill should be used on a journey – do a
journey. Does it work?

If you are coaching then look to set practices
that put the skill into the context of where it
will be needed.

Summary

Coaches – what do you do to aid your paddlers with
transferring existing knowledge / practices / learning
into the new or current task?
Tap into your existing ‘rules’ or ‘guidelines’ and use
these to help you problem solve new areas as they
unfold.

Happy Paddling!

Dave Rossetter
Dave is the full time paddlesport instructor at Glenmore Lodge – Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre.
He has been involved in the development of the new awards and provides expert advice throughout the
industry on all things to do with coaching, safety, leadership and personal paddling. He is passionate about all things
paddling and specialises in white water kayak and open canoe where he will most often be found. He is
supported in his paddling adventures and coaching by Pyranha Kayaks, Mad River Canoes and Palm Equipment.

http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/ http://www.pyranha.com/
http://www.palmequipmenteurope.com/ http://www.madrivercanoe.co.uk/