Blogg assignment 1:  Ski day: Observation tasks:

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20-01-15 First practice

The first practice of cross country skiing was on a flat area next to the university. We started indoors with waxing the skis and tried to ski to the flat area without any instructions about how to use the skis. On the flat area we stood in a circle and the Teacher Len gave set instructions like put your leg up, put your leg down. This was to get comfortable with the skis on jour feet and get used to them. We played around in an area with some little hills and got instructions about the basics of skiing: how to put on your ski’s properly, how to move forwards, how to get up hill and how you go down. At the end we did a little race in 5 groups.

22-01-15 First little ski trip

Our first trip was to Jegenberg. We walked from Spicheren around the lake in Jegenberg and there we putted our ski’s on. The first practice was on a flat track go 600m forward turn around and go back. After the first round we got instructions about how to move your feet and practice some more rounds. A little bit further on the track it went a bit uphill. We practiced the walking again and when you glide down you’re not doing it right or your wax wasn’t good. After some practice we went on a track around the lake. There were some steep up and down hills and we had to wait for each other. At the end of the group the teacher said we had to put off our skis and walk because it took too long.  We arrived at an open area had a break for lunch and did some practicing with going downhill at the open area. Children were playing at the open area and moved around like they are born with ski’s on their feet. Some of them asked us how we were doing in Norwegian, but I don’t know how to respond in Norwegian yet. With practicing downhill we made a row and went down after each other. We had to go without sticks and tasks like touch your feet, step aside, go underneath a stick, throw your beanie. The instructions we get was mostly like stay calm. After the practice together we split up in two groups, the experienced and the beginners. The beginners (including me) went with Len and practiced some rounds on a track around the open area. After three rounds we went back home.

Area: 

The first area we used was a flat open area without any obstacles. The second area was a place with some more obstacles like, threes and little hills. Qualities of these areas: Easy for beginners, flat no obstacles, enough space for everyone to move around. The second area good to try techniques like going uphill and downhill. The second day we went to Jegerberg and followed a track. They make special tracks for cross country skiing on the main tracks what makes it easier to focus on the “walking” technique. The beginning of the track was rather flat. In the middle was a steep downhill and a steep uphill what was to difficult for the beginners and caused a traffic jam. We practiced going downhill on an open area where children were playing. The hill we used was not very steep and the downhill track we used ended on a road we used for going uphill again.

The role of the (vei)leader:

The (vei)leader on the trip was Len Atkinson, he’s also the main teacher of the international friluftsliv course. Len Lead us through Jegersberg and told us which way to go like a guide. Although he did take care of safety and assist people to independent problem solving like a veileder. During the first practice and at the end on the open field the leader took more the role of instructor by giving the group instructions about how to use the ski’s.

The teacher used situated learning method by taking us out in nature with different environments. The teacher also used the method of discovery learning. “Discovery learning is an active process of inquiry-based instruction that encourages learners to build on prior knowledge through experience and to search for new information and relationships based on their interests.”Jerome Bruner (1967) The teacher used this method by letting us experienting with the skis and discover for ourselves how to use them. After some trying the teacher gave us explenation about how the ski’s work and how to use them on a propper way. You could transfer this stadia to the theory about learning phases of Fitts & Posner (1967):

• Cognitive phase – Identification and development of the component parts of the skill – involves formation of a mental picture of the skill
• Associative phase – Linking the component parts into a smooth action – involves practicing the skill and using feedback to perfect the skill.
• Autonomous phase – Developing the learned skill so that it becomes automatic – involves little or no conscious thought or attention whilst performing the skill.

The teacher kept an eye on the weather forecast and took us on a trip when the conditions looked good enough to try cross country skiing for the first time. The teacher probably chooses the easiest track without steep hills for our first trip. And used the open area for teaching some skills. The teacher is well known with the environment it could be that the day was organized ad hoc.

The role of the students:

We were doing free play on the first skiing day. The first ski trip was mostly organized play. The route was set. The teacher let us focus on one particular part like walking to go forward and bend your knees by going downhill.

I think all the students were motivated, probably with different reasons. This was the first experience with cross country skiing for some of the participants and there were people with more experience. The experienced people were able to help the beginners and gave them tips.

Evaluation of the day:

This was my first time on skis and I feel already more confident with these strange things underneath my feet after the first day of skiing. I really enjoined the skiing, even though I need a lot of practice. I really liked to see the children play on skis and with sleds, they act like they are born with the skis. Some of them tried to start a conversation with us, but the conversation died when they noticed we didn’t understand what they were saying. I was a  little bit afraid at the open area to hit one of the children because I don’t know how to make a curve, but I didn’t hit anyone. It’s not possible to compare the skiing here with skiing in the Netherlands because we have no snow and hills. What I did notice is that the children in Norway play outdoors even when it’s freezing and I didn’t see any parents looking after them. In the Netherlands the children stay indoors and play computer games and when they go outdoors a parent keeps an eye on them.