My thoughts and actions are a reflection of the measurement world because I grew up very competitive. For example, what is the grade that every student wants to earn because it is the highest grade? Of course you already know the answer. We grow in a world where intelligence is measured by numbers (percentage) and richness is measured by accumulation of “stuff.” (I am referring to stuff as property, money, cars, etc.) It is very hard to step out of the competitive educational expectation, because it is “all invented” for us to be aggressive and competitive by nature.
Here is where it hurts me most because I have realized that I measure my expectations for my martial art students based on their ability to execute perfect techniques. I have been struggling to stop this way of thinking for many years, but it is hard to stop. I keep thinking that if I can do it, then my students should be able to do it too. So, in that sense, I am measuring my students to myself.
I coach martial arts for two different aspects: “martial” combative side and “art” the artistic side. Most people see martial arts for the combative side because of the increased popularity of mixed martial arts, UFC, IFC, etc. But, what most people do not see martial arts for is its beautiful artistic side. I coach my students the “art” before I coach them the “martial.”
Thourn-
ReplyDeleteAwesome perception of the reading. I can defiantly agree with you about how you feel whenever you teach martial arts. I was a cheerleading coach and I would do the same thing. I thought because I could do it when I was there age, they should be able to do it. Also, talking about the measurement world, that is how I lived my life. I would like to be able to think outside of the box. This is making me think on how I perceive life. It has created a new way of thinking.
@Thourn - Sports are necessarily a part of the measurement world, because scores and points are objective ways to compare performance. The duality of Martial Arts makes this less so, as each person can improve their skills individually, but there are still external evaluations in place. Progressing to higher levels and winning competitions bring this artform into the realm of measurement again. I like your method of judging student ability based on how much intent they have. Even though it may still be in comparison to yourself, this can be a way to "get into their heads" and understand their internal focus by using yourself as a benchmark. It is tough to measure trying vs. achieving. This balance of considering the internal intensity together with the external movements, as well as turning your student mistakes towards yourself as a teaching opportunity make you an excellent coach.
ReplyDeleteIt’s in our nature to use ourselves as a standard, its not until we come across someone or something that we perceive to be more skilled or more knowledgeable that we even start to consider a different measuring stick.
ReplyDeleteFor example the first time you threw a baseball, you probably said to yourself WOW, that was fast. Until you joined a little league team a noticed that there were other kids that can throw the ball harder and faster than you.
The fact that you set yourself as the standard could either mean that you are really good or really bad. Knowing you, coach, I am going to assume that you are really good. But just think if beauty id defined by perception then the art or martial arts is viewed differently by different people and the true skill has been all invented.
Everyone has competitiveness inside of them. That is what motivates us to be successful, and competition is a great thing. It may not be the best perception to measure your achievements to your students. I personally believe that there shouldn't be a standard measurement for success. Rather measure the amount of achievement that person is working toward success. I say this because, everyone is different as well as abilities to do certain things. Just because Johnny got the concept in 10 mins doesn't mean that Bobby isn't successfully because he got it a week later. We as teachers need to measure their success in other ways. Ways that measure their achievement to help them be successful.
ReplyDeleteThourn, I think it's second nature for us (humans) to measure ourselves against one another. However, this is unfair to those who do not perform at our level. This strategy also backfires whenever someone out performs us. I agree with Lizzie in that we as educators have to find other ways to measure success.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting problem, how does one correctly assess a student's skill level and it not be about the world of measurement? I think that part is to recognize self-worth and worth as being something completely separate from a skill set achievement. I care about my students because of who they are in themselves, not because of what they can do. At the same time, we need to agree that they need to achieve certain things to move on from my class. Whether they succeed or fail doesn't change my disposition of them.
ReplyDeleteDepending on the age level one is working with, the younger the more likely the students will not be able to separate the idea of succeeding in a task and having the support or approval of one's educator/teacher. So it isn't about measuring one student against another, or offering approval connected with success, but we're all in this together to achieve the need skill set and approval is connected with the journey.