Motorcycle rider education is whole heartedly best when there is student-to-student interaction, but there is also the coach-to-student interaction or as its known in adult education circles the teacher-student transaction. It is important to dedicate effort toward these relationships to minimize student frustrations and it should be considered a coach’s responsibility to achieve good relations as part of the course. To assist, the following rules may be of some value:

Keep Students Motivated

As with all learning, those who want to learn understand the intrinsic value and personal payoff associated with being there. If a student is being forced to learn, chances are barriers will be emplaced that can have a detrimental effect to gaining from the course. Quite often students may not recognize why a particular lesson is important to achieving a goal, so the coach should develop a feel for when an explanation would assist in motivating a student. When a student can understand the benefit or purpose of an activity, their efforts and enjoyment will increase. A short learner-centered question to the class can sometimes be of great value in this type of situation.

Keep students informed

Not knowing what is going on or what is happening next can bring on feelings of insecurity or foreboding, especially if a student is already unsure of themselves. Coaches can minimize those types of feelings by providing schedules and information to students in a timely manner so they know what to expect next. There are many easy ways to do this, like course overviews or discussing the progress of the class as activities are completed. A technique is to bring students in on decision making about schedules to increase their participation and give them the opportunity to be a part (within reason of course). Most importantly give plenty of notice for assignments, examinations, and other key requirements.

Approach Students as Individuals

It is easy to limit thinking to the class as a whole group without considering the individuals who make up that group. To be frank, most coach interaction is done with a view of the average (normal) student in mind, which truly does not describe anyone I have ever met. Each group has its own personality which stems from the holistic interaction of its individual members. Key point is that each individual within the group has a personality too, which is unique and should constantly be considered.

Give Credit When Due

When students do something extremely well, they wish their efforts and abilities to be acknowledged and noticed. Success not otherwise validated can quickly become frustration and lead to mediocre effort. Praise and effort from the coach is usually a reward in itself providing incentive to do even better in the future to gain more kudos. As with everything, there is a balance and praise that is given too freely, becomes valueless. Ensure to acknowledge true success, not just meeting baseline objectives, to ensure dividends in student effort and achievement.

Criticize Constructively

Let’s face it, no one really likes to be criticized; however, it is extremely important to identify mistakes, shortcomings, and failures just as much as it is to credit success. The key to discussing errors, is to explain what is expected and why a student is not meeting an objective. If a student tries hard, giving honest effort, but is told they are wrong without explanation, frustration will be the outcome. From a risk perspective, errors not identified and explained will not be fixed and may continue to be perpetuated through faulty practice. If, on the other hand, a student is informed and assisted in the correction, progress and accomplishment can be achieved (it’s also a good time for that credit thing!).

Be Consistent

Students want to be successful and in the end, do what the coach asks. This element of control is similar to every other transaction where someone has influence over another but in coaching it can also be detrimental. Naturally students have interest in knowing what is required to please a coach. If there is a situation where something is acceptable once and not acceptable later, a student can become confused. This is a common happening if there is more than one coach, and each coach has a different perspective on how to fix an error, or emphasizes a different aspect of the error. The key is to be consistent and aware through communication with the student and other coaches if necessary.

Admit Errors

Believe it or not, no one is perfect and students have a good understanding of that. The coach can win much respect from students by simply acknowledging coaching or knowledge mistakes. If a coach attempts to cover up or bluff, students will sense and suspect the credibility of a coach; possibly destroying student confidence in the knowledge being passed. Truthfulness is always a bedrock in human relations.

So, these are but a few of the many attitudes and reactions that can help establish good human relations. The most important thing to remember is that good relations are essential to positive and effective learning environments. Next time we will begin a discussion on communications!

Until then, Ride and Coach Safe!

Originally Published April 16, 2017 on LinkedIn

© 2017, Donald L. Green, Rider Choices