BLOWN AWAY!

So one of the biggest days of the year for our Biomechanics Coach? learners is their practical assessment. Even after 5 months of training, the discomfort of being observed for how skilled you are as a practitioner is clear for most learners.

After the 5 x 2 day workshops this is their ‘qualification’ that they are ready to do their 12 weeks of case studies.

As an assessor I perceive their nerves as a good sign because it demonstrates how much they care. The degree of nerves isn't always indicative of how skilled they are though!

In fact often it is those who put the most pressure on themselves that perform the best and can show they understand the system better.

Now when a learner passes it feels great for both of us! 

As an assessor I can see how well the information has been passed over during their training. The learner feels success from being able to demonstrating effectively what they have learned and retained over the period of the training.

But what about when someone isn't quite hitting the expected criteria?

Having to tell someone they haven't quite made it can be emotionally tough for both people involved. For myself, as the assessor, having to tell the learner the didn't make it is hard but I am also aware I want to do it without crushing their confidence. 

The learner is obviously going to be disappointed, having to hear the news and knowing they aren't quite good enough yet and also then having to go back home and tell loved ones they didn't pass.

I find it an interesting thing that we can feel so personally judged by our performance in these situations. For example; I am terrible in exams, I get nervous and I even lose some of the common sense I have because of those nerves, often making dumb mistakes!

WHY?

No one is going to love you less, no one will think you’re a bad person, no one will stop talking to you!! And yet it can be really quite upsetting cant it?

It seems that we are seeking approval that we are good enough, that we have achieved something and surpassed where we previously were and demonstrated we have moved into a higher plane of understanding. 

As I said earlier the feelings we have, show that we care about how others see us and how they perceive our ability and our performance. It represents the hard work we have put in and time spent studying and practicing and honing our skills.

As a tutor, I really feel a huge sense of responsibility when my learners are being assessed. Their performance is based on things the academy has taught them. Either myself or one of the Master Trainers I have trained to deliver the education.

WOW that is a MASSIVE responsibility!!

So when one of my ‘flock’ doesn’t quite make the grade I really feel it and I also feel responsible for it. 

What more could I have done to get them ready for this moment? How am I going to ensure they reach the target next time? 

Now believe me, I am going to do everything in my power to support them in reaching the standards required and that we expect of our Biomechanics Coaches?. 

While not unreasonable, the standards we expect are very high and it is one of the things we are passionate about maintaining as we continue to teach these programmes. This is what creates the value, the reputation and therefore the confidence in those who pass through our academy and become qualified Biomechanics Coaches?.

However I constantly question how I personally deliver, the methods used, did I do enough as a tutor? have I failed my learners in any way? should I have done more? could I have done more?

These thoughts all go into my reflective journal and allow me to work on areas for improvement of my own contributions to the learner experience. 

Then yesterday I received this email…..

Just a quick email to say a BIG thank you for helping me through the Biomechanics Coach? modules and assessment today. I have really enjoyed it so far and can't wait to get using the system with more confidence and see how people develop.

You have an excellent delivery style which suits the qualification content, you re-re-re-(!) emphasise the H&S considerations and exactly where the Biomechanics Coach? system fits so that learners really can't be mislead. There is plenty of flexibility to meet learner needs, you are easily approachable and highly supportive to everyone attending and considerate to individual situations. A major strength is your coaching style delivery of questioning learners and flipping questions back to the learner, it doesn't stop people questioning things but it helps learner led learning. There is plenty of "stretch and challenge" through resources and references learners can use from the manuals and you constantly give links to other professionals supporting this further. The practical content and receiving your feedback is invaluable.

BLOWN AWAY!!

The learner who sent me this email is an assessor and internal quality assurer for another fitness training provider company so her feedback how huge value. Especially after I had to tell someone they didn't quite make the grade.

(If this happens we create an action plan together and the learner simply re-sits for free when we both feel they are ready)

So if you have been wondering whether the Biomechanics Education academy is for you, rest assure WE as a team will do everything in our power to support YOU in reaching a standard to be proud of!

Register your interest HERE today!