Session planning: Differentiation - video 3

Video transcript

Jo:

During every session it is important to have a challenge for everybody. We had a range tonight from forth dan, right the way down to a novice who was only in his second hour. So it's important to find something that, one, the black belts are going to find is interesting enough to keep them entertained as well as giving the novice something that he feels he can get his teeth stuck into. So it's being able to break an exercise down. One of the techniques we did, I gave the lower grades an option where they can step outside of the punch, the black belts were challenged that they had to go attack that punch.

The important side of it is being able to move and get out of the way, so it's your foot position and how you are going to block the technique that we are going to concentrate on. Okay, so from your end Vinnie I want you to get out of the way of it and not get hit. Black belts it is about the speed and getting in the right place and getting that counter punch in as fast as you can. And scoring with it and not making it a push. Everybody understand?

Students:

Yes Sensei.

Jo:

Everyone happy?

Students:

Yes Sensei.

Jo:

So you're going to go to the side, block, and return. So again, side, in and back out. Whole of the target. Okay senior grades think about what we would build on that, if we were to make it an advanced technique. Where you going to go? What is it going to lead to?

You can set levels on the same technique, you can set a variety of different levels and it's just a case of giving people the opportunity to push themselves that little bit further.

Voice over:

Did you notice how Jo:

  • explained what learners at different levels were expected to aim for
  • checked that every learner understood
  • gave a clear demonstration of what was required
  • showed this from two different angles; and
  • challenged more advanced learners to develop their technique further?

Think about how to ensure that in your own sessions all learners are suitably challenged, no matter what their level.

Tutor, Jo, talks about the importance of making sure that in a group where learners are at a wide range of levels, every learner is challenged fully to develop their skills and techniques. She explains how she approaches this with her karate class. Then we see them in action. See what elements of good practice you can spot, and compare them with how you differentiate by level.