The FINAL blog

So this is the end of 632 and I have to say it has been quite a journey. This course began with a mountain of information and I started to think I was getting in way over my head. However, all the information eventually started to make sense, maybe week  5 or 6, but it did eventually make sense haha. I think once everything was organized in terms of the PLE’s and all the logistics it became more of a habit, rather than a chore, to update our blog each week. By the end it was almost easier to gather my thoughts on the blog than anywhere else. This allowed everyone to see where each classmate was and it was always good know that you were never too far behind others in the class.

The mid-term came around fast and it seemed to bring doom and gloom to most in the class, but, for me it was the motivation I needed to gain a good understanding of the course content. I spend a good week going over all the modules and from that everything seemed to fit together. Plus its great to know you’re on top of things when you pass the exam….almost makes the rest of the course a little easier.

The model was a very long and worrying process lol. At first I had what I though was a good idea but when you start to map it out over the first few weeks you realize how much is actually involved in designing a model. Each week we would go over new areas relevant to instructional design, which seemed to just make me more confused lol. Like I said before though, after the mid-term everything seemed to come together and my model took some drastic changes. After a meeting to discuss the direction of my model I left with some fresh ideas and a good plan for improvement. Over the next few days I was finally on the right track and managed to put together a new model, which is very similar to my final model. I had another meeting, which helped with some final decisions, and a week or so later I had my final model.

The final assignment took me a bit longer than I expected but it was nice to have the time to not rush through it. Once all my other classwork was done I was free to focus on the final and hopefully it justified my model quite well. I’m glad to have it done now but I would love to work with this model more in future classes. The class has taught me so much and has helped put everything together from the past semester and this semester. 

How is the Model effective for Continuous development?

So as already explained my model is designed to help teams ensure continuous development.

The model is derived from my background in playing Field Hockey and is even more relevant to me no that now that I’m involved in various levels of coaching the sport. Although my background is in Field Hockey this model can be implemented by and sport , team or individual, and at any level. I say at any level, however, it would be more suited to the style of development at a higher, more competitive level.

It would be useful for coaches at this more competitive level to use a model like this to ensure the team is continuously improving throughout the season. For this reason I would suggest that the front-end analysis part should be conducted at the beginning if a new season, including the off season and then continued throughout that season.  For example the team should start the model before pre-season and then after every implementation the model cycle should be repeated. This is vital for improvement after each training session or game. Therefore an analysis stage could be carried out numerous times throughout a season. This is where the continuous development is emphasized and I felt important to try and portray in the model itself. 

Here is each section in more detail....

So it's the final week and I'm looking forward to bringing my model into its final stages. I have the model itself done but there are a few areas which might need adjustment when it comes to writing the assignment. I tried to keep up with the assignment as the model went on but it took a huge direction change a couple of weeks ago so I now need to ensure everything fits. But here is what I hope to be my final model.......

The following image shows the finer details which is what may change in the next few days.