By Dr. Donald L. Green, 28 February 2023
There is a saying that you don’t know what you don’t know. Unfortunately, my curious mind does not allow me to accept not knowing when the topic interests me, whereas there are other topics I am ok with not knowing. So, this last week I was lured into trying to find some initial research done in rider education to clarify how we have changed and improved over time. Needless to say, as always, I’ve learned a lot…
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
– George Santayana
1) ONE of the most revealing things I found this week was the problems associated with motorcycle rider education in the early 1970s continue to be relevant and still need attention and focus. Despite decades of effort and contemporary research consistently uncovering solutions to problems, the issues continue because the answers have yet to be utilized methodically and systematically to achieve the desired outcomes. In addition, the revolving door in administration and funding at state levels of rider education programs continues to exacerbate the issues of implementing systematic approaches using tested and researched solutions.
2) The more I explore the research, the more I consider scaffolding as the method, the foundation for current knowledge. The difference is the information is coming from multiple levels up the scaffolding, and what has been forgotten is the foundational information everything has been built upon. When we teach foundational skills to our students, each task must build upon another to form the schema of TWO skills. Whether a motor skill or the decisional skills associated with operating a motorcycle on the road, we must start at the beginning. Imagine skipping the foundational skills with a rider and going to the advanced skills of racing Moto GP. We may have begun to do that in rider education programs when we forget the research from the past.
3) There are THREE things we can do to change our current situation in rider education: Become more informed and curious, share knowledge with others, and create more like us. We have to be curious and seek out all information that will help improve rider education with passion- not to do so only hurts our community. Sharing the history of the past, including thoroughly researched solutions with our peers and programs, will only improve things – knowledge is power. As we look to create new coaches and administrators, we should be selective, not accepting warm bodies or unproven administrators with little to no rider education experience. We must move forward with strategic precision and systematic approaches that will only better the product our students/customers deserve.
I hope the ruminations inspire you to “put it out there” and seek more. If it interests you, try Tribe Talk Happy Hour on Wednesdays, you never know where we will go with the discussions.
Have a great week!
– Don
