Page 8 - Jim Stone Book Beginner

―Not only is unguided instruction less effective, but there is also evidence that it may have negative
results when students acquire misconceptions or incomplete or disorganized knowledge. Teachers
should provide their students with clear, explicit instruction rather than merely assisting students in
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attempting to discover knowledge themselves." -Paul Kirschner

The student-centered approach to instruction, also referred to as "constructivism," is not entirely the
coach's fault. Constructivism" encourages the individual child to "construct" their own education,
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based on her instincts and powers.

A significant number of school systems have also instituted a student-centered approach to public
education. The teacher has taken on the primary role of facilitating a learning atmosphere. In this
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role, teachers are not "the sage on the stage, but a guide on the side." Unfortunately, as the graph
below shows, the academic results using the student-centered model, implemented in many school
systems in the1960's, are trending in the wrong direction.

The alternative to constructivism is a knowledge-based learning environment. This system places a
focus on the acquisition of specific knowledge that is deemed critical to student development. There
is also a focus on an objective assessment of what the student is learning at every level. A
knowledge-based curriculum is a model used in many charter schools with positive results. When
coaching volleyball, a knowledge-based environment mandates a level of expertise on the coach's
part. The coach must have an understanding of the principles they are imparting to the athlete. The
coach must be involved in every aspect of the learning process and taking responsibility for the
results. The student will be responsible for understanding the components of the skills and team
systems.