Achievement

Achievement as an outcome is the act of attaining new skills and abilities. Learning is the process or experience of gaining knowledge or skill. Learning can be likened to the journey towards a destination, with the student questioning, reflecting on and adapting what they are doing as they continue their journey.

Achievement refers more to the successful completion of something (especially by means of exertion, skill, practice or perseverance). It can be likened to arrival at a destination.

A sense of achievement and accomplishment is critical to ensuring that students become passionate, lifelong participants in the sport.

These are all common phrases that you will hear from adults and/or children who really feel like they have achieved something in your lesson.

Here are some common phrases that you will hear when students DO NOT feel like they have achieved something in your lesson.

The difference between these example comments or phrases usually comes down to personal goals. The instructor needs to take the time to establish these goals and make an effort to give individual attention to each person.

It’s important that students feel like their instructor is helping them to achieve their goals and not just giving a stock standard lesson that isn’t personal to them. Make students aware that everything in the lesson is going to benefit them individually.

Celebrate the Small Goals that are Achieved

Achievement without recognition can be very limiting in its effectiveness. This recognition can take multiple forms: High-fives, handshakes, woop woops, arms in the air; these are all ways to let a student know when they achieved something.

Making students aware of a feeling they get when they do it well, is a way of recognising their own, internal achievement. Some people like to compare themselves with others to track their own progress and aim to be the best in their group. Achieving the next level of group lesson is a way for students to recognise their progress. Certificates and report cards can be useful to remind kids about the specific skills they’ve achieved. For some, simply being less tired at the end of a run can be the big achievement.

Having children tell their parents about the most fun parts of the lesson gives you the opportunity to discuss their achievements.

Photos and videos are a great way of recognising achievement and students being able to see their own goals being met. Make time for taking video, or allow students to take pictures of themselves and each other, this will foster their sense of achievement.