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see Mark's previous Archived Motivator
Articles
In November 2003, I posted The
Perfect Class, an article reflecting my pursuit of
more perfect instruction.
In order to teach a more perfect class,
ultimately you must go to the source, the students.
What do students really want?
In
order to find out, I surveyed my classes hoping to
elicit as many responses as possible.
My methodology would make a true pollster
shudder. With
less than 30 surveys returned, the sampling is rather
small. Furthermore,
the survey is essay style, rather than multiple-choice.
I wanted students to speak from their hearts,
rather than rate, rank, or choose.
The surveyed students attend my classes, which
may prejudice some of their responses toward my style of
teaching, but all of them currently attend, or have
attended other instructors’ classes.
The polling may not be perfect, but the comments
are priceless!
The first question asked
respondents to write down their top three expectations.
In other words, what do you expect from class?
The number one expectation listed by 60% of
respondents was “TO GET A GOOD WORKOUT.”
The surveys tell a story of students wanting to
be challenged with a vigorous, upbeat workout that
includes options for intensity and intricacy.
Make note, many of these comments came from
senior citizens! The comments from seniors basically state, “Don’t hold
back! Give
us challenging options and we will choose the
appropriate fitness level to get the workout we need.”
“ I expect a hard workout, and when I’m
done I want to feel invigorated and
energized.”
Mildred, 78
“ I want to work hard and be positively pushed to
work a little harder.”
Barbara, 40
The #2 expectation was “TO HAVE
FUN!” The
surveys revealed that 72% of the respondents listed having
fun somewhere in their list of top three
expectations. According
to the responses, a class incorporating a variety of
exercises, paired with instructor humor and enthusiasm
is a class that is fun!
Upon reviewing the surveys, nearly everyone
had the word fun somewhere in their comments.
This is a powerful statement.
Bottom line, if the students have fun, they will
keep coming. If
they keep coming, we can make a difference!
“ I expect an awesome workout, and to
have fun at the same time. I don’t
want to watch
the clock because I am bored.”
Gina, 36
“ A fun-loving instructor who makes the
workout fun.” Mary,
56
The third most frequently chosen
response was a bit of a surprise to me.
57% of all respondents listed “FEELING GOOD
AFTER THE WORKOUT,” somewhere in their top three
choices. Apparently
our role expands beyond a one-hour class.
In retrospect, it makes perfect sense.
I think of my own workouts, and how amazing I
feel afterwards. I
love that feeling, and clearly, our students love that
feeling too!
“It is important to leave with an upbeat
feeling that sets the tone for the day.” Judy,
65
“My biggest expectation is to feel good at the
end of class.” Betty,
67
The next question on the survey
asked students to name three instructor qualities that
are most important to them.
Once again, the students replied with a
three-letter word.
F-U-N!
The first choice listed by 47% of the respondents
was an instructor who is upbeat and fun.
“Instructors need to be peppy and convey a
positive tone. This makes the class
fun and encourages you to
attend, and look forward to it.”
Alyssa, 23
“I like an instructor who has a sense of
humor and makes class fun and
invigorating.”
Jane, 75
The Aquatic Exercise Association
will be happy to know that the second quality chosen by
respondents was KNOWLEDGE.
The responses indicate that students prefer an
instructor who is certified, current, and who makes an
effort to educate them with fitness tips and facts.
“I prefer an instructor who keeps up to date on
fitness training, adjusts the class
for different fitness levels, and
prompts students on good technique.”
Candice, 38
“An instructor
who knows how to work all of the muscle groups.”
Judy, 65
Finally, the third quality picked
by respondents was INSTRUCTOR INTERACTION.
The students want to be acknowledged by the
instructor. Such
a simple thing to do, and yet so overlooked in our
everyday haste.
“I like an instructor who is interested in
knowing our names and seems to want
to know us better.”
Nancy, 49
“A friendly hello.”
Mildred, 78
“ Friendly and approachable.”
Joanne, 45
I also wanted to give students a
chance to sound off.
I asked them to list any pet peeves they
had, regarding classes, instructors, or pools.
Fortunately for instructors, the surveys indicate that
students get more ticked off at their peers, especially
peers who GET IN THEIR WAY!
“One thing I hate is people in my way that
have no sense of where they are in
the pool.”
Judy, 52
Surely, we can all relate.
I
think about all the times I’ve been in crowded classes
or IAFC sessions with overzealous participants, and
thought to myself, “LISTEN ANNOYING PERSON, if you
flail into my spot one more time, you’re going to get
a HUGE shove in the middle of your back!” Fortunately,
good will, common sense, and a modicum of restraint seem
to prevail in the pool!
Pet Peeve #2 also had nothing to do
with instructors. In
a virtual tie for second place, the surveys reveal that
students do not like DIRTY LOCKER ROOMS, and they do not
like COLD POOLS!
“Wet and dirty locker rooms, and distractions
like poor head sets and
equipment that isn’t working
properly.” Barbara,
40
Pet Peeve #3 did have something to
do with instructors, specifically UNPREPARED
instructors.
“ My pet peeve is when an instructor has no
routine and doesn’t seem like they
quite know what to do next.”
Carla, 35
“ Instructors need to create a workout that is
organized. They
can’t just shout
out things off the top of
their heads because it won’t flow.”
Alyssa, 23
Ultimately, our students are
reminding us that we ARE teachers and that teachers work
with a lesson plan.
I don’t remember any of my teachers or
professors winging the class with whatever they felt
like doing that day!
Next up on the survey was music.
I asked how important music was to a class, and
to list their favorite type of music?
Brace yourselves, because 80% of the respondents
said music was VERY IMPORTANT!
I’m glad I haven’t spent my entire fitness
career being a Music Freak for nothing!
On the kind of music played in class, the most
popular music was 70’s and 80’s pop, and the least
favorite was rap music.
I was somewhat dismayed that a few of the older
participants stated that they did not care for
“oldies” music.
Naturally, I just spent a fortune on a bunch of
“oldies” CD’s!
“I am a baby boomer, so I love the music of the
60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s.
I
don’t care for pre-50’s music at all,
and I hate country and rap.”
Judy, 52
Finally, the student’s were asked
if they could design their perfect class, what would it
include? Summing
up the responses, here’s the perfect class designed by
students.
“A
fun well- planned routine that includes
variety and good music.”
In the end, the students really
aren’t asking for much.
Their desires are simple, achievable, and can be
implemented immediately. Actually, there was one more request for the perfect class.
KICKBOXING!
“I enjoy
EVERYTHING about kickboxing.
Kick it up a notch!”
Cheryl, 49
“Kickboxing is a
lot of fun!” Jane,
75
“I enjoy the
kickboxing moves.”
Nora, 73 (Nora also mentioned that one of her
top three instructor qualities was
“nice buns.”)
Yes, these are my students, and
yes, I’ve created a kickboxing monster. I have been typecast in a role that I can’t break out of.
No matter what spectacular routines I create with
swing, salsa, or disco, my students always get out of
the pool and say, “That was fun Mark, but we are
going to do kickboxing next week aren’t we?”
Finally, the students have spoken,
and here’s what they said.
Smile, have fun, be prepared
with a routine, know your muscle groups, learn their
names, have fun, crack jokes, work them hard, play
upbeat pop music, have fun, make eye contact, laugh at
yourself, laugh at them, correct their form, have fun,
validate their efforts, motivate them with fitness
facts, have fun, send them off with positive feelings…
and whatever you do… DON’T FORGET TO THROW IN SOME
JABS AND KARATE KICKS!
And you thought you were supposed to just teach a
class? HAVE FUN!
Stay Fit and Motivated!
Mark
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