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The Diva's teaching test advice

Note: The Diva is handing out the knowlege, pay attention.  This is just as good with real students as it will be in an exam

Keep the class moving

Keep your explanations concise but understandable (avoid repetition other than reminding them of previous segments focus)

Have the group make at least 8 turns in each segment -- usually it takes one to two turns for someone to get into the rhythm and the idea is to get everyone comfortable and feeling the new movement pattern

Avoid traverses and garlands (slows the class down and is impossible at weekend locations)

Use VAK in your teaching (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic -- see, hear, feel)

Tell the group what you want them to do, show them what you want them to do, have them do it and feel it -- this works very well if you show them the movement you want them to try while stationary as it is easier for you to point out the effect of the movement pattern on the ski for example.

Ask the group if they noticed anything as a result of doing the movement while skiing -- e.g. did you feel that it made the ski easier to turn?

If using reciprocal (pairing up skiers), ask them what they saw in the skier in front -- you can often lead the answer by phrasing the question: Did you see.....?

Talk, show, and feel cause and effect -- e.g. I'd like everyone to roll their ankle down the hill, see how this flattens the ski, feel how much easier it is to steer the ski now that it is flat

Use different teaching methods
Mix up your segments with: ski to and passed me one at a time (sorry can't remember technical term for this), reciprocal skiing (pairing up), circle skiing (note: may not be possible or good idea on a crowded day -- also make sure you tell people not to stop in the middle of an intersecting trail), line skiing (follow each other down in a line), free or open skiing (let people ski down to a predetermined spot taking their own path -- this is good to end with when you bring your progression back to regular skiing as it allows people to experiment with their own turn shapes and can be more fun)

Teach a progression
Have a beginning, middle, and end

Everything should build on the element before -- don't mix apples and oranges

Own your teaching progression

Be able to demo anything you are teaching

Practice your progressions as many times as you can -- with your real classes, in clinics, or with other willing instructors

Give feedback
Give both general and individual feedback (only need to give feedabck to one or two people each time -- not the whole group and don;t forget to give feedback at you beginning stationary segment if appropriate, e.g. le't pretend this is a really heavy door and make the movement of your thigh/femur larger

Give positive feedback and feedback that suggest how a change might make the task easier (show that if appropriate), e.g. if you widen your stance you will find it easier to roll your ankles and get the ski flat/on edge. Let's all stand with our feet together and try rolling the ankles, now let's all stand with our feet apart and try it.

Check for understanding

Ask the group if they have any questions

Ask the group if they see it, feel it, understand it

Demo to the group and away from the group to make sure they see the movement pattern you are trying to teach

Be aware of and utilize the responsibility code

Remind the group to: look uphill and only take off when it is safe to do so, give the skier in front space, stop below the group, stop to the side in a safe place

Be clear where the group should ski to in each task, e.g. 4 turns after I stop, on the left by the orange fence

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