Lecture 11: Coaching Adult Athletes

Question 1

What is the difference between pedagogy and andragogy?

Answer 1

Pedagogy = The art and science of leading children.
- Instructor/Content directed learning.
- Unidirectional transfer of knowledge (teacher teaches student).

Andragogy = The art and science of adult learning.
- Self-directed (responsibility of the adult).
- Co-construction of knowledge (adults and teachers).
- Task or problem centered learning.

Question 2

Describe Andragogy in a practice model: what are the 6 core principles (NSP ROM)? What are the aspects outside of the core principles?

Answer 2

White Center = Core Principles of Andragogy

1. Need to Know (why, what, how):
   - Adults need to know why, what, and how they’re learning.
2. Self-Concept:
   - Autonomy and self-directedness, adults are controlling their own learning.
3. Prior Experience:
   - Adults have real-world experience.
   - Have a specific way of learning which shapes how they learn.
4. Readiness:
   - Need to know something that is related to them AND ready to learn something RELATED to them.
   - Needs to have a mediate, and real life value (something they will use in their lives).
5. Orientation:
   - How it applies to their problems and real world life. How they use it for problem solving.
6. Motivation:
   - Learn because they WANT to learn, not because they HAVE to.

Black Ring = Individual and Situational Differences
- Every learns in different ways and paces.
- Also learn within different situations.

Red Ring = Goals and Purposes for Learning
- Why are we learning? What are the goals to learn?

Question 3

How does one apply andragogy?
(DSD PLE)

Answer 3

1. Diagnosis of Needs = A mutual assessment to diagnose learning needs.
   - What does the learner need?
2. Setting Objectives = Mutual negotiation to set learning objectives.
   - What are the goals for the learner to have?
3. Designing Learning Plans = Mutually design plans to fit the learning context.
   - How to make the program so you can learn?
4. Preparing Learners/Climate = Prepare learners for their experience; appropriate setting.
   - What do they need beforehand so they can learn?
   - Where is learning happening?
5. Learning Activities = Implement the learning activities.
   - Doing the learning.
6. Evaluation
   Mutually evaluate the learning; re-diagnose needs.
   - What went well, what didn’t, and what can be improved?

Question 4

What is the relation between pedagogy, andragogy, and age?

Answer 4

• As you grow up, you get more dependent, don’t need parents as much.
• There’s a lot of pedagogy being used in adolescence and adulthood where andragogy would be preferred.

Question 5

What is the Adult-Oriented Sport Coaching Survey? What are the 5 things that are talked about in it?

Answer 5

The Adult-Oriented Coaching Survey is used to score both a coach and athletes frequency of practices. Used as a self-reflection/assessment tool.

1. Considering the Individuality of Athletes
   - The coach considers and tailors their approach to each adult athlete’s experiences in the planning, organization, and delivery of practice.
   - The Gatherer = Finds ways to get info on athletes experience, goals, and motives.
   
   • Uses the info when planning, organizing, and delivering practices.
2. Framing Learning
   Situations
   - The coach frames learning situations for their adult athletes through self-discovery, problem-based scenarios, modeling, and assessments.
   - The Inspirer = uses self-discovery, problem based scenarios, modeling, and assessments to monitor or find new ways of training.
3. Imparting Coaching Knowledge
   - The coach enriches the learning environment by sharing their own relevant athletic experience, coaching knowledge, and professional coaching development.
   - The Connector = Focus on upholding the coach-athlete relations and enhancing performance.
   - Shared and discusses resources.
4. Respecting Preferences for Effort, Accountability, and Feedback
   - The coach adapts their approach by considering how each adult athlete wishes to be held accountable for working hard and giving effort, and how they wish to receive feedback at practice.
   - The Diplomat = Creates time for each athlete to learn/discuss their needs.
   - Measures accountability, effort, and gives feedback.
5. Creating Personalized Programming
   - The coach considers and tailors aspects of scheduling (practices & competitions), season-long programming, and coaching support at competitions, to adult athlete’s needs and abilities.
   - The Tailor = accounts for each athletes needs, goals, and abilities.
   - Looks at scheduling/programming, and competition.

Question 6

What do adults want from coaches? What things do coaches typically say?

Answer 6

What adults want:
- Want to share their experience and knowledge.
- Want help in becoming more autonomous.
- Want coaches to display integrity in practices, reflected in their planning, structure, and training efficiency.
- Want them to make challenging and variable practice sessions.
- Want them to understand personal preferences for feedback delivery.
- Want them to explain rationale for certain training activities.
- Want them to cater to motives and personal/competitive characteristics.

What coaches say:
- Bi-directional communication (learn from each other).
- Athletes have maturity and prior experiences.
- Have them make personalized goals.
- Coaches use motivational strategies.