By Dr. Donald L. Green, 15 November 2022
Paging through some professional riding materials during the last week began a process of categorizing levels of performance of students and RiderCoaches and how sometimes a mismatch of perceptions can cause friction or sometimes a loss of the transfer of knowledge. If RiderCoaches can recognize where the student is on their journey, the knowledge transfer could be much more successful. A phrase struck me as one book explicitly discussed “performance” riding on the street, and I had to take a step back and think about how riding performance could enhance or detract from safe street riding behavior. Since the more significant portion of motorcycle rider education in the United States is at the Novice/Basic RiderCourse level, it may be a good idea to think through some Basic RiderCourse performance levels.
1) The first level of performance we should consider is the Novice level. Probably the ONE most important fact is as a novice, the student is “inexperienced” in the skill and art of riding a motorcycle. Although corollary experiences may be available to the novice, students focusing entirely on the new situation can sometimes obscure the links to what they may already know. The RiderCoach then becomes the facilitator in exposing further information and linking it to previous student experiences. The RiderCoach must approach this type of situation with “The beginner’s mind” or risk over-coaching the student and confusing them even more. A novice student needs each gross piece of information in sequence to build understanding. The progressive and sequential relay of the curricular material moves the novice into the beginner’s position of having a basis for future learning. Skipping or missing the gross concepts can have long-term effects on the safety and well-being of our students.
2) The second level of performance is a rider who has one or both of the TWO forms of knowledge supporting the essential operation of a motorcycle, either from previous experiences or exposure to other types of information like videos, E-learning, or books. Because this student is not a complete novice, their performance is more informed yet still at a basic level. Basic levels of detail or coaching should be used to clarify specifics or improve current ability or knowledge; However, RiderCoaches should temper the depth and breadth of the information to ensure a thorough understanding of the primary basics, clarification of why the basics are essential, and how the behavior is necessary on the shared road. Although novice-level coaching is no longer always necessary, the basic-level rider is probably not ready for intermediate-level riding techniques, and caution should prevail (RiderCoach judgment).
3) The third and final Basic RiderCourse performance level would most likely be a student already at an intermediate level attending a course for the first time to attain a license or returning for a refresher. The student at this level will still learn from the content of the Basic RiderCourse but will mostly be Self-Directed and gain from RiderCoaches timely tips and feedback they would not otherwise receive from friends and circumstances. Coaching is again essential at this level to further the student’s abilities. Still, it should be provided individually without influencing other students unprepared for the precise and higher-level technique or detail. The level THREE student demonstrates automated skills with precision and consistency, showing sophistication and the ability to accept more detailed coaching in a group up to and beyond the novice (Level 1) and basic (Level 2) student. Once again, RiderCoach Judgment is an element in the success of the teacher/student transaction.
I hope this stirs thought and consideration of RiderCoach material and professional literature.
Have a great week!
-Don
