ARGENTINA The Learning Journey - Fear, Empathy & Snowboarding

By Kylie Dwyer

This clinic was presented primarily by Ismael De Vedia along with other members of the Demo Team from Argentina. The goal of the workshop was to have us remember what it was like to be a beginner snowboarder and the feelings associated with learning something new. With this experience, Ismael then tied in learning stages AADIDESS use to assist students in skill acquisition and addressing fears that may arise in the learning process. The AADIDESS learning stages, which include “Exploratory, Concentration and Automation stages” are very similar to the “The Learning Phases” model we use in the APSI.

Argentina’s key message: “Taking all this into account: the methodological principles of the Argentine Teaching System, the learning stages a student goes through and the different fears that may arise during a snowboard lesson, we will develop a fundamental quality that every instructor must have: EMPATHY. Empathy is a very useful tool that helps us to make a class more dynamic but also to resolve several difficulties that may arise over time.” The Learning Journey. Fear, Empathy and Snowboarding” Ismael de Vedia.

My key takeaway: We must understand that every student will experience stages of learning, whether it be beginner skills or one movement that will assist their carving. Understanding where your student is in the learning curve and being able to put yourself in their shoes, will assist you to have an empathetic approach. This will in turn, give insight on how to adjust your instruction to suit their stage of learning and fear levels. The overall result will be a deeper learning experience for both you and your student. Quick tip: Remember, this principle also applies to you as you learn through your snowboarding and instructing journey.

Please check out my vlog to follow the journey of APSI National Team supporters Erik Flekander and Jonathan Face during this outdoor workshop.