Sunday, February 22, 2009

Two Coaching Tips

Two major tips to improve your coaching ability instantly:
  1. When you ask a group if there are any questions, wait in awkward silence for 10+ seconds before moving on. Most coaches (teachers) wait for a 1.5 second count and move on. Kids just don't muster the courage to ask that "dumb" question in that amount of time. If you're not willing to wait 10 seconds for someone to ask, don't make the request in the first place.

  2. Never ask questions of the type "does anyone not understand?" Fact is, it takes a courageous individual to admit to not "getting it." Always phrase your poll in the form "raise your hand if you understand." People are proud to show off their understanding. And for those who don't yet comprehend, their inaction can be easily detected by you, without running the risk of embarrassment for them.
Now go do it.