Pilates as One of the Sport Branches - Article Example

A Brief Introduction The would throw light on a specific teaching group like Pilates, and contrast various learning methodologies to that fit the requirements of the class. The author would also identify certain factors which affect learning in an ordinary individual before evaluating and explaining at least two learning theories in detail. The author would then throw some light on the activities, skills and resources which are used in this inclusive practice session. The author would also include some new technologies and discuss their theories with regards to the principles of learning and communication which can then be applied to promote inclusive learning. In the latter half of the research paper, the author would justify the teaching and learning theories and strategize ways and means of applying them to good use. The author would also discuss their future development with regards to the various organizational and statutory requirements. Thereafter, the relationship between learning and communication in planning and enabling inclusive learning would be explained in brief. The module is based on learning and communication theories with special reference to Pilates exercise for the adult learners who fall in the age group of 20 to 65 years of age. The class is divided in two halves. While the first half is complete beginners to this exercise routine, the second half is familiar with Pilates, yoga, aerobics and other exercise forms. The author would also try and ease the suffering of people having knee or back trouble, which may have been caused owing to age or injury through Pilate's program. Nonetheless, the author would not go into detail and limit ourselves to the role of learning and communication in our daily lives. Explanation And Evaluation Of Two Learning Theories The author would begin this chapter by evaluating and learning two learning theories. Learning theories, with special reference to cognitive theories, are not related to humanist, behaviorist or biological base and are considered theories of perception. Based on the researches of Kohler and Koffka (Sahakian, 1970), cognitive theories are problem solving in nature and are based on how the human brain perceives or reacts to a specific problem. These theories are also influenced by the development of psychology of Piaget, wherein the assimilation dialect is considered useful for improving the understanding of adult learners. Cognitive theories, with special reference to the Pilates coaching class, are interested in how well the students relate the study material provided and their aptitude and capacity to learn the designed program. This constructive model is based on the teaching through the means of a Pilate's coaching class. (Kolb, 1997) Jerome Bruner's Theory (Bruner, 1977) Jerome Bruner contributed to the development of the curriculum theory. He also contributed to the process of education through the means of informal educators which lead to the process of lifelong learning. Based on the concept of functional orientation, Bruner's theory lays emphasis on the cognitive development of children with respect to various forms of education. He also helped formulate the landmark MACOS project which dealt with drawing a comprehensive curriculum on the basis of various behavioral sciences. The three basic questions addressed by MACOS were What is the single most unique quality of a human being' How did it come into being' How could they be made more so' Jeromy Bruner's Cognitive theory was based on environmental and experimental factors. According to Bruner, an individual's intellectual ability is developed through the means of a step by step process, which in turn is influenced by the amount of thought and practice applied to fulfill a particular task. James Hartley's Theory (Hartley J. E., 1998) (Hartley J. E., 1997) James Hartley formulated a theory in the year 1998 which dealt with some of the key features of cognitive Psychology. In his own words, "learning results from inferences, expectations and making connections." Out here, the importance is not laid to acquiring habits but on how to plan and strategize through the means of prior knowledge. James Hartley's cognitive theory states- (Hartley J. , 1998) The instruction material needs to be well structured. It has to be well organized and easy to learn. The relationships between different topics need to be based on clear cut principles. The key ideas and procedures have to be logical in nature. Learners need to be shown different aspects of the environment. This would enable them to learn and understand a problem in a better way. Prior knowledge is imperative. Therefore, students who have had prior exposure to a Pilate's coaching class It is important to have differences between individuals as it affects learning. Likewise, different methods of cognitive styles and approaches influence the learning procedure. Cognitive feedbacks allow a learner to understand their strong points and drawbacks. Connection Between Learning And Communication Learning is directly proportional to the communication process. If the author are to take cue from the above statement, it would not be incorrect to state that various well known and lesser known theories have been known to aid communication in planning which in turn assists in inclusive learning. For example, social learning precedes development, the end results of which result in consciousness and cognition. Unless you have the ability to learn and then put your learning into communication, it would be very difficult to improve your inclusive learning skills. An important learning method, through which one may gather our lost or elusive skills, is the Pilates teaching program. (Gagn', 1985) An Evaluation Of The Communication Theories Whenever one predicts facts or make an observation on the basis of a generalized principle, one are stated to be following a theory. Although a theory can never be considered concrete, one almost always tries and follows a theory because it has been repeatedly tried and tested. An effective means of applying communication theory is the Pilates exercise. There are numerous communication theories which are widely practices in various cultures. Some of the major communication theories include Attribution theory, ACT theory, Argumentation theory, Contagion theory, Classical Rhetoric Theory, Elaboration Likelihood Model, Expectancy Value Model and numerous others. You can study a communication theory through the means of a- Mechanistic Approach-a mechanist considers communication as a perfect means of transferring a message from one person to another. (Kolb, 1997) Psychological Approach-over here, besides sending a message, the view also considers the feelings and thoughts of the receiver. (Kolb, 1997) Social Construction-over here, communication is a result of sharing messages and deriving a meaning. (Schunk, 2007) Systemic-through this view, messages are transmitted to various parties who interpret the meaning in different forms. (Kolb, 1997) Critical-this view supports the cause of social oppression and states that individuals are influenced through the interpretation of messages. (Kolb, 1997) If for example your training class consists of students who are in the age group of 20 to 65, and few, if not all, are suffering from a weak ankle or a sore back, you, as an instructor, need to treat them through the means of counseling and adequate exercise. You also need to understand the each patient is unique and has to be treated as a separate entity. Although the Pilates training exercise would function on a generalized term, you would need to make effective use of the various learning and communication theories by imparting your skills through physical exercise and class room lecture. While those, who are aware of different forms of exercise, such as yoga, aerobics and dancing, would prove to be quick learners, the learners who are new to the field of exercise would need to be trained in a more detailed fashion. Pilates training is ideal to treat knee and back injuries, which are often a result of old age or trauma and hence, the instructor needs to perform his/her duties with regards to the conditions of the students as well as the targeted age groups. The Developmental Needs In The Application Of Communication Theories If one are to apply these theories into practice, one need to be skilled enough to do so. Communication is often sub-divided into various levels or contexts. If the author is to throw light on the study of communication in the US, the author would realize that various departments of studies such as psychology, sociology and anthropology are derived through rhetoric schools. Social sciences have been known to have a sound impact on various communication theories and although the humanist approach makes it difficult to draw a scientific conclusion, it allows authors and researchers to reach an assumption. In order to ease the process of communication and to develop it further, Robert Craig suggested the use of the "seven traditions" in his traditional approach (Craig & Tracy, 1983). These include- Rhetorical-which is communicated through the art of discourse Semiotic-which is communicated through intersubjective meditation Phenomenological-which is communicated through the means of a dialogue Cybernetic-which is communicated through both living as well as non living objects Sociopsychological-which is communicated through mutual interaction Sociocultural-which is derived through an existing social order The Application of Minimum Core Specifications The minimum core specification with regards to learning, language, ITC and mathematics needs to be at par with the global standards. The teachers employed to impart this training need to be trained at a higher level and should have an ability to pass on their skills to their students to imbibe. A teacher, in order to prove effective, needs to listen to his/her students, speak appropriately, read extensively and have a clear understanding of written text. If we take the example of mathematics then various social and personal factors such as disabilities, common misconceptions and confusions need to be removed through the means of a trained administrator. Numbers and numeric operations, geometry, measurements, spatial awareness and statistics on how to formulate enquiries, inferences and arguments based on a set principle need to be followed to develop the basic learning skills of an individual. (Hartley J. , 1998) The areas of improvement would include literacy and language wherein the teacher needs to identify the various cultural and social factors that affect literacy and development, explaining the importance of a well written text, explaining the key features of spoken English, explaining the importance of spoken English, explaining the textual awareness of written language, breaking the barriers that interfere with the development of number skills, representing numerical data in a simplified form, making the class aware of measurements and different concepts of geometry and finally, enlightening the students with the basic concepts of probability. Hence, a program which is formulated with an aim of developing the skill set of a trainee is considered appropriate while the approach is termed developmental in nature. The program also enables a teacher to realize the basic skill set which is required to execute a job to perfection. Palliates training is highly skillful and easy to execute. It is also considered natural and is therefore free from the usual side effects of a hard core technical lecture. (Sahakian, 1970) Conclusion Learning and communication theories are vital to the process of inclusive theories. The author has discussed two major learning theories -the Experimental Learning and Problem Based Learning. Both theories encourage inclusive learning and although both have a different approach, in the end they conclude on a similar note. While Problem Based Learning allows students to have a free hand in tackling a problem by becoming active self appointed investigators, Experimental Learning works on a philosophical note and drives its result through the means of a cyclic method. According to the cyclic method of learning, a learner is first allowed to study a practical example before he recalls the entire experience in his own mind and draws a conclusion. In the last leg, the observer is ready to formulate his/her own theory which is based on his/her originally perceived model. Communication too works on similar grounds wherein predictions are made on the basis of generalized principles. If we are to benefit through communication and learning, we would need to apply this process through the means of an effective teaching module. If we are to discuss an effective teaching mode, then the Pilates teaching class is often considered an effective medium of expressing both modules with ease. (Schunk, 2007) Works Cited Bruner, J. S. (1977). The Process of Education: a landmark in educational theory. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Craig, R. T., & Tracy, K. (1983). Conversational Coherence: Form, Structure, and Strategy. Michigan: SAGE Publications. Gagn', R. M. (1985). The Conditions of Learning and Theory of Instruction. New York: Holt. Hartley, J. E. (1997). The Representative Agent in Macroeconomics. New York: Routledge. Hartley, J. (1998). Learning and Studying: A Research Perspective. New York: Routledge. Kolb, D. A. (1997, January 17). Experiential Learning (Kolb) . Retrieved November 7, 2008, from Learning-Theories.com: http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-kolb.html Pilates Health. (1999, January 25). http://pilates-health.ic.cz/images/pilates_logo_long.gif. Retrieved November 05, 2008, from pilates-health.ic.cz: http://pilates-health.ic.cz/images/pilates_logo_long.gif Sahakian, W. S. (1970). Psychology of Learning: Systems, Models, and Theories. Los Angeles: University of California. Schunk, D. H. (2007). Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective. Prentice Hall. Read More