Among the drawbacks are time and money. They prevent most aspiring coaches from attending a residential program. Furthermore, residential programs may offer a high volume of information but there typically are low levels of retention or transfer of learning. The learning occurs in a bubble. It is hard to remember everything that is taught during training sessions. Other modes of development should be considered when designing an effective training program.
Mode Two: Distributed/Residential Programs
This second mode is widely used because of its convenience for busy adult learners. Furthermore, with program offerings being distributed over several sessions, there is time between sessions for participants to try out their newly acquired skills and knowledge. This mode maximizes retention and transfer of learning.
There are shortcomings. First, there may be certain skills and knowledge that a coach-trainee must acquire before engaging in coaching. In most instances, the first sessions of distributed modes of development should be used for the transmission of “essential” skills and knowledge. It is unfair to set neophyte coaches out on the street without adequate preparation. There is a second drawback. The distributed mode is not very efficient when compared to Mode One. All training programs require a warmup period during which participants are getting back into a learning frame of mind. Warmup reduces the amount of time devoted specifically to new content to be learned or skills to be acquired. Furthermore, information that was conveyed in previous sessions typically must be reviewed during follow-up sessions. This increases the retention of previously learned information but further reduces the amount of information conveyed in any one session.
How are these drawbacks addressed? The initial session can be rather lengthy, like in an intensive program, and the follow-up sessions can be rather brief or individualized. Rich learning that occurs in the intensive programs can be coupled with transfer of learning that occurs when additional sessions are distributed (often by means of coaching) over an extended period of time. In the future, we are likely to see more frequent coupling of intensive training with follow-up coaching—and with the third and fourth modes of coach development to which I now turn.
Mode Three: On-Line Programs
This third mode of development is intended not just as a convenient source of coach training, but also as a vehicle for efficient and effective transmission of information. This mode allows for and even requires clarity of learning objectives, solid and consistent course content, and thoughtful sequencing of this content. Participants can usually learn at their own pace, repeat lessons, and clarify their learning by interacting with other coach- trainees in small virtual groups. Mode Three typically includes an extended orientation session, observation of “masterful” coaching, and a self-study guide. Extensive use is made of online media, interactive software, and group mentoring.
Download Article 1K Club
