Powered by ProofFactor - Social Proof Notifications

Strategies for Meeting Individual Learner Needs in Education and Training

by | Jan 20, 2023 | Essays | 0 comments

Analyze your role and use of initial and diagnostic assessment in agreeing individual learning goals with learners

Initial and diagnostic assessment involves the process used by trainers to get to know the learners and making a healthy relationship with them. Gravells and Simpson (2010) provided that the initial assessment occurs when learners are introduced to new learning programs. It is a comprehensive approach whereby the trainer and the learner begin to create a picture of their achievements, interests and skills. The learners also build up their learning experiences and needs correlated with their goals. The diagnostic assessment assists in identifying specific learning needs and strengths. It evaluates the learning targets of students and suitable teaching and learning strategies essential in achieving the set goals (Gravells & Simpson 2010).

Related Posts

As an educator, it is imperative to initially assist the learners set achievable goals depending on their abilities as well as desires, and have them write those goals down as a reminder. This aids in mapping the learners’ future progression. It is also essential to evaluate their skills and achievements, and correlate them with their intended target. Carrying out this evaluation would enable the trainer to understand the task ahead and how to meet each learner’s requirements.

Explain how your own planning meets the individual needs of learners

As a trainer, relating to real life circumstances and situations is one of the simplest means of making learning more accessible to both the learners and trainers. This context provides a more perceptive framework for learners’ skills and enhances additional learning (Petty 2009). Besides, allowing the learners to review the literature of the taught subjects enables them keep the information fresh in their minds. This promotes additional learning in the fact that the learners improve their ability to maintain currents skills and create new skills.

Planning provides an opportunity for the implementation of curricula reforms in light of the dynamics and the characteristics present within a group of students, finally resulting to an enhanced learning experience. Educators should plan various strategies depending on the learning environment and the nature of the study. For instance, in case of a technical subject I would allocate more time to practical lessons during planning compared to theoretical as it aid in developing application skills and provide a better understanding of the content. shared the history, views and values and whose sign language is the first language. In Saudi Arabia, classification of the Students adapting to this approach not only focus on the literal aspects of learning but also on the underlying concepts, and their main interest is the task at hand. The further see integration to widen their understanding of a subject across disciplines.

Explain ways in which teaching and learning can be adopted to meet the individual needs of learners

Most classrooms consist of different learners with a wide range of needs, which the trainers have to consider while case study in Los Angeles. Los Angeles: School of Architecture and Urban       planning, teaching and assessing their students. The most effective teaching and learning plans must have clearly stated objectives that the learners should learn. Gravells and Simpson (2010) explained that teaching and learning plans consist of an introduction to the lessons, the engagement of learners in learning activities that enable them understand the content of the lesson, and the opportunities for learners to participate in providing the feedbacks on the lesson learned.Hence, it is paramount for a trainer to know the strengths of every learner, and how they can be assisted to develop their talents, skills and knowledge. While designing teaching and learning plans, it is also important for any trainerto consider the specific learning needs of all the learners (Petty 2009).

Differentiated instruction is another way to be adapted to meet learners’ needs. Learners are different, and they do not learn in the same ways. Withtrainer’s teaching and learning plans in mind, it is essential to know how the students learn and create a design instruction which accounts for the different types of learners (Gravells & Simpson 2010). The trainer has to assess the current knowledge of students on the outcomes, and he or she is likely to evaluate that learners have diverse skills on the planned learning outcomes. Petty (2009) stated that the trainer should also present teaching in different instructional experiences. This can be achieved by making small group of learners and providing them with assignments and projects.

Identify opportunities for Learners to Provide Feedback to Inform Inclusive Practice

Allowing self assessment enables the learners to provide feedback on their learning and development. According to Petty (2009), self-assessment outlines major areas that need improvements and enhances knowledge and skills among the learners. Inclusive learning provides individual needs of the learners; therefore allowing the trainer to develop lesson and activities associated with learner’s needs. Learners’ feedback is more constructive than trainer’s feedback because it only focuses on negative aspects of learning outcomes (Gravells & Simpson 2010). Peer assessment also provides positive effects towards the development of learner cohorts and inclusive learning practice. In relation to the proximal learning theory, learners gain knowledge for each other and this is one of the productive ways of learner feedback.

In addition, use of feedback evaluation forms, question and answer discussion do provide ample opportunities for providing inclusive practice feedback. Requesting learners to freely discuss their thoughts concerning the course as well as the learning approach, and suggest areas they feel need improvement, modification or eradication. This helps the educator evaluates the effectiveness of their learning approach and make amendments where necessary for the benefit of future learners.

Analyze ways in which minimum core elements can be demonstrated in planning inclusive teaching and learning

Proper integration of minimum core elements of language, literacy, numeracy as well as information and communication technology are very vital in the learning process in regard to planning, and the teaching process. Therefore, knowledge and good comprehension of these skills by educators is very crucial since they are fundamental in the effective learning of students as implied by Gravells & Simpson (2010).

A suitable comprehension of language and communication skills by an educator would be useful in writing proper reports and keeping records free of grammatical and language errors concerning learners’ performance and progress. This assists in establishing an effective individual learning plan for learners taking into account the difference in learners’ level of understanding with references to the reports as explicated by Keeley-Browne (2014).

Mathematical knowledge aids in time management and development of a suitable lesson plan that achieves all the learning requirements without putting pressure on both the learner and the educator for the academic year. Mathematical skill does help the educator assists student prepare their own study timetable as well that incorporates all learning activities including teacher consultation period thus improves the learning process ((Keeley-Browne, 2014). Information and communication technology skills make writing and keeping of learners’ performance records easier thus assessing and planning for learners’ needs.

References

Gravells, A & Simpson, S 2010, ‘Planning and Enabling Learning in the Lifelong Learning

Sector’, Exeter, Learning Matters

Keeley-Browne, L. (2014). Achieving Your Award in Education and Training. Milton

Keynes: Open University Press.

Petty, G 2009, ‘Teaching Today’, 4th Edition, Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes

5/5 - (1 vote)

Exploring the Key Distinctions between Democracy and Other Forms of Government

by | Jan 18, 2023 | Essays | 0 comments

Introduction

A government is a group of people governing a unit or a community. It administers and sets public policy and exercises political, executive and sovereign power through laws, institutions and customs within a state (Benoit 23). There are different forms of government, and they include democracy, monarchy, republic, aristocracy and dictatorship among others. Generally the governments are responsible for enacting and enforcing laws, protecting he populace from internal and external threats, managing currency, set tax rates and regulate the country’s investments practices (Haugen, David and Susan 61).

Related Posts

Differences between democracy and other forms of government

There are different forms of governments in place in various countries in the world including democracy. Democracy according to Benoit is the rule of the people (19). Democracy is a political system where the populace or the people in the country have a say in the matters and issues that affect their lives because they have power of electing their representatives who lead them and also remove them from office when they do not satisfy their aspirations (Moore 44). Democracy is also referred to as the rule of the ballot where people go in elections to elect their leaders or candidates whom they believe are right ad can run the country’s administration. Despite the fact that democracy worldwide is the preferred form of polity, other forms of governments are followed in other countries. Other non-democratic political structures or forms of governments are referred to as non-democracies.

The first difference between democracy and other forms of governments is that a democracy is a form of government that is of the people, by the people and for the people. Elections that are free and fair are the democracies hallmark where people vote and elect their representatives governing them through a rule of law. Therefore, people have a say in the passage of legislation and development through their representatives elected (Benoit 107).

According to Haugen, David and Susan, another notable difference of democracy and other forms of government is the feature of the rule of the majority (39). For instance, in a two party democracy, the party having the highest number of elected representatives or the majority party forms the government and rules. Similarly, in a multiparty democracy, the parties that are like minded forms a coalition and the coalition having the highest number of representatives elected choose a candidate amongst them when they are in power and the candidate becomes the head of the government.

Democracy compared to other forms of government that are non-democratic such as aristocracy, autocracy, authoritarianism, communism, military rule among others has significant differences. The fundamental difference between other forms of government and democracy is that in a democracy people enjoy a lot of freedom and equality unlike other non-democratic forms of government. Moreover, unlike other forms of government, in a democracy, people have a say in a legislation passage (Benoit 27).

a) Democracy verses Monarchy

In Democratic form of government, the governing power is derived from the people while, in monarchy, an individual referred to as monarch has all the political power and is the head of state. The origin of democracy is traced in Greece while monarchy has no clear definition of origin. Democratic governments are headed by representative elected while in monarchy including the constitutional monarchies such as Thailand and United Kingdom are not elected but inherited. This implies that individuals in the bloodline and heritage get the position and power (Haugen, David and Susan 91).

Another difference according to Moore is that in a democracy, all people are equal before the law while, in monarchy system, the monarch is the law (65). Lastly, in a democratic form of government, the citizens are promised in terms of freedom and equality while, in monarchy, freedom of individuals is so restricted to the privilege depends on monarch’s considerations.

b) Democracy verses dictatorship

There are significant differences between democracy form of government and dictatorship in terms of their concepts and methodologies. For instance, in a dictatorship, the dictator enjoys and has an absolute rule in a state or a country while, in a democracy, the choice of creating laws lies with the people. Similarly, another difference is that in a democracy, there is a self-indulgence where the people chose for themselves what is best. In contrast, in a dictatorship, someone else chooses to the people what he or she thinks is good (Benoit 33).

Dictatorship government frames laws are governing people’s rights and the economy, in addition to outlining governing laws of private property. In contrast, in a democracy, the power of creating laws lies with the people (Haugen, David and Susan 112).

Moore stated that in a dictatorship, citizens are unhappy with anything then they will continue being unhappy for the rest of their lives (82). In contrast, if the citizens are unhappy in a democracy with something, there is a chance of changing it to make it right because there is people’s involvement.

Benoit observed that in framing laws dominating certain sections, dictatorship is very much efficient (35). On the other hand, there is no place in a democracy for creating dominating laws on certain people or sections or to oppress certain groups. Similarly, in a dictatorship, personal liberties and freedom have to be sacrificed completely. On the contrary, in a democracy always there is respect of people’s personal liberties and freedoms. In fact, democracy safeguards and encourages freedom of speech, expression to every citizen in the nation. Lastly, in a dictatorship, the time taken for implementing decisions is fairly fast whereas in a democracy, the decision implementation process is slow (Haugen, David and Susan 112).

c) Theocracy verses democracy

Moore (85) pointed out that in theocracy, which is a form of government with a supreme religious leader, who has the power of ruling by decree and is also above the rule of law has great difference with democracy. Despite the fact that in a theocracy elections are held similar to democracy, the supreme leader has the power of dismissing even the president chosen if he desires. A classical theocracy case is in Iran

d) Democracy verses republic

Republic form of governing involves election of a legislative body, an executive, a judiciary to recognize individual rights and uphold justice in a nation. The first significant difference between democracy and republic is that in a democracy, there is majority rule while in a republic there is the state chief, usually a president at the helm of affairs (Benoit 41).

According to Haugen, David and Susan, both republic and democracy governments are elected by the people. However, in the democracy case the majority rules while in a republic the government rules in accordance to the law (110).

The best system of government

There are various systems of governance in many countries and states of the world, but the most preferred one is a democracy. However, there are also other forms of governments that are non-democratic in the world. The essay believes that Democracies is the best system of government because it is characterized by equality and rule of law and freedom of the people unlike other forms of government that are non-democratic. The non-democratic forms of government have less equality and freedom for the people.

Work Cited

Benoit, Peter. Forms of Government. , 2014. Print.

Haugen, David M, and Susan Musser. Democracy. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Print.

Moore, Barrington. Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy: Lord and Peasant in the Making of the Modern World. Boston: Beacon Press, 2013. Print.

Rate this post

An Analysis of the Coherence between Aims, Design, and Methods in a Study of Feedback

by | Jan 16, 2023 | Essays | 0 comments

The study applied stratified random sampling approach in which 12 resident participants (7 men, 5 women) were interviewed. The residents were from Maine Medical Center Internal Medicine residency. The researchers used interview method in data collection where the interviewees were asked five questions. Moreover, the researcher’s audiotaped the interviews and the transcribed them before analyzing the transcripts using qualitative techniques

Related Posts

The coherence between the aim, the design, and methods

Aims

The title of the study was “Receptivity of Feedback Tempered by Sender Credibility.” The stated aims of the study were “To characterize the perceptions of the residents of the effective feedback” and “What are the sender’s aspects causing the residents to discount such feedback.” The aims of the study was not coherent with the stated aim of the study. The most significant area that the study was to look at the researchers was the credibility of the sender, but the study digressed to other aspects hence on focusing on a small amount of the credibility of the sender.

The given approach the study used is also not coherent to the aims of the study. This is because it did benchmark in the study where the aims is to be placed in the paper. It makes the assumption that the introduction’s last sentence is the aim. From the study, the key aims of the study all have the feel of the interpretivist, and they include perception, characterize, aspects of the sender, and effective feedback.

Moreover, it moves on to stratified random sampling which is more consistent with the positivist. This section shows high coherence between the aim of the design and method of study. To begin, the study used stratified random sampling approach in selection of the resident participants. This approach ensured inclusiveness both vertically amongst the postgraduate students from year one to year three, moreover, gender balance was paramount with five women and seven men from the Maine Medical Center Internal Medicine residency

Method

The study used closed question survey that has restricted options. “The positive feedback is powerful.” The question is what makes it powerful while the closed questions in the survey prevented it from being explored, hence no coherence.

Coherence was also shown from the study title and the methods of data collection. The researchers used structured quests in interviews. Coherence is shown from the content of the interview questions which was majorly about “Feedback,” such as the definition of feedback, how to now that they are receive , an document he feedback, what cystitis an effective feedback. Moreover, other questions also asked about how what would cause an individual to perceive a person giving feedback as a source that is unreliable, and lastly how a person can improve their performance if they are given an effective feedbacks. All these interview questions are related to the aim of the study and hence shows coherence.

Moreover, the methodology has been thorough in collecting of the data needed for the study. For instance, the study used variety of methods in data collection such as the use of interviews, audio tapes and then transcribed the respondents. By using interviews, the researchers were able to get firsthand information which was helpful in the data analysis. Moreover by using the audio tapes, the researchers were able to record the responses of the interviews for future references and for clarification in any case there was daunts in the data provided. This shows robustness and vigor of the methods use in the study.

The study also used the survey methodology and at the same time used interview survey methodology. This according to International Conference on Travel Survey Methods, Stopher & Stecher (2006), are interchangeable. However, the study could have used analytic or descriptive methodology instead of survey methodology because it is about relationship between something such as fixed population (Fowler, 1993). Similarly, the methods for data collection are fixed, meaning that they are collecting data from the same population to see if there is a relationship between something or if the thesis an association. There was no causal relationship that is some sort of relations between two things that they wanted to find out about.

Findings

From the findings of the study, they were full of robustness also. The researchers categories the findings from their interviews into three core themes which included first, the perceptions of the residents of effective feedback, second, the areas that impacted on the sender’s credibility, and lastly n the factors that facilitated the performance of the residents from the feedback. However, something does not seem right as the study tries to characterize the perception, under the theme where it looked at feedback and perception. This is because, as American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (2013) argued, studies using stratified random sampling approach is to allow generalization in most instances.

Moreover, the closed interview questions above needed more information to decide their content. For instance, n question one, it was phenomenology, “what is the feedback and what does it entail? “In question two, it is ethnographic about their peers. Moreover, rate applied grounded theory was not appropriate as the respond dens had the and already in their hand and hence were not generating any new theory

From the close examination of the interview questions and the findings, there is no coherence. This raises the question of the main point of the research. Moreover, interview question four compared to the aim of the study was very complex. Moreover, the question has strong assumption that the respondende5s discount feedback this are given back to them. Moreover, a close examination of the last question has very little to do with the stranded aim of the study

Briefly, from the aims, methodology, and the findings, the researchers did not achieve their aims since they did not take the pass tons not accent. Moreover, the researchers did not have any understating of the social science research. Therefore, they need to be more transparent so as to demonstrate rigor in their studies.

From the study, one of the researchers stated that the double coding analysis used in the study were nor sent back to the individual interviewees for checking. This affects the r credibility and truthfulness of the study, rigor of the study and interval validity. According to Gray (2004), there are three methods of ensuring internal validity in the social science eraser. They include, member checking, deviate cases or investigate people and therefore the other researchers should be encouraged to code it so as to increase the validity. Lastly, is looking at the triangulation data that is looking at the same phenomena and examining his receptivity to feedback but also spending some time in class observing them.

To look for the truth ad top ensure reliability, another person should also be gotten to code the data so as to increase its reliability. Bing-You Paterson & Levine (1997) stated that the lack of transparency between the researcher conducting study and their relationship and compromised the quality. In general, the findings of the study lack robustness. It could have been useful including the themes in data frequency. Moreover, it should have been interpretivists that are discussing theme development. In content analysis, the study is more of the quantitative approach to language because sometimes the lines are blurred

Strengths, flaws and deficits in the study

The first strength of the study is that they used semi-structured interviews which were good in obtaining richer data. The semi structured techniques; the interview is very effective since in interviewing takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour (Fowler, 1993). Secondly, by discussing feedback is itself a strong, when the views of the students are considered. Moreover, the themes were also strengths of the study since the discussion of the findings tended to focus on the discussion of the themes.

The balanced narrative of both negative and positive responses took not accusing avoids views. This was helpful as it led to authenticity ad to its transparency. According to Gray (2004), a researcher can see quotes that which is unhelpful especially if it does not have anything to do with the theme.

The study also strived to be reliable by using due to coding. Lastly, as much as the study did not mention rate of response from the participant, the assumption is that there was 100% rate of participation. The only deficit of flaw in the study was that given that there’s study cannot be reproduced, there are concerns about the methodology used.

Assumptions made by the researches in the study

(i)         the following are some of the assumptions by the following paper.
ii) From the title of the reticle, the essay assumes that the researchers think that by research they he “perfect sender.”

(iv)The study did not, mentions anything, about the title of the paper, “tempered by server’s credulity” was not mentioned little time the end.

(v) One of the author’s n the study had already developed guidelines, therefore, the assumption I that the researchers designed a theory and came up with a theory he had developed

(vi) The essay assessed that the tiny effect of the sender’s perceptions is negative. Going into the study looking for negative feedback and not open minded. Going in with pre-determined thoughts

References

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. (2013). Stratified random sampling. New York: AICPA.

Bing-You, R. G., Paterson, J., & Levine, M. A. (January 01, 1997). Feedback falling on deaf ears: residents’ receptivity to feedback tempered by sender credibility. Medical Teacher, 19, 1, 40.

Fowler, F. J. (1993). Survey research methods. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

Gray, D. E. (2004). Doing research in the real world. London: Sage Publications.

International Conference on Travel Survey Methods, Stopher, P. R., & Stecher, C. (2006). Travel survey methods: Quality and future directions. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

5/5 - (1 vote)

Understanding the Essence of Courage

by | Jan 14, 2023 | Essays | 0 comments

As we grow up, we tend to define courage hand in hand with action heroes. Courage seems like a concept left for firemen, policemen who chase after robbers and once in a while the average man who risks his life for another. Courage is indeed encompassed in all this. Courage is the utmost sacrifice for an individual one whom you do not even know. In the past, I too held courage in the same level as fancy luxury cars or even yachts. They are designed and owned by a select few. To me, courage was something that required newsworthy attention and was therefore an acronym whose meaning was known to a select few.   There are many who agree with me, that courage is beyond the normal things of day to day life.

Related Posts

However, today I can say I am more learned, knowledgeable and perhaps more experienced in the matter of courage. Courage I have come to find is not just dashing forward sword in hand into a battle with several other sword caring men. Courage can be found in the pursuit of dreams and in small sacrifices for the benefit of others. In fact based on this definition, we have all shown courage in the face of various challenges in our lives. Courage exists in each and every human being, however, because of our misconceived notions on what courage is, we tend to forget that we posses this trait. According to Ambrose (1996), Faced with major challenges, fear creeps in and dashes out courage. It is to be noted that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to ignore crippling fear, fight it and in the end rise above it. Surprisingly, courage is one of the easiest traits to find and grow.

I draw this definition from my recent stint volunteering at a children’s hospital. The hospital is full of despair, you little gems fighting desperately for a chance to live. Loss of the little ones is common, and after one week I was teetering on the border of depression. Yet, despite these dismal circumstances nurses come in everyday, bond with the patients and take very good care of them. They read them stories; sing to them when they are in pain even when they know that fighting for them is only a matter of time. They cry over the loss of a loved child in the closet, and then smile to the next little one promising them that it will get better. Day after day they report to work with a smile, even when faced with the suffering of the most innocent. They try harder on a daily basis to give their patients even a little joy and comfort for the time they are with them.

In my pursuit to find myself, I have often questioned the paths I have chosen and allowed crippling fear to encroach.  Courage is however, not about my dreams, valid as they maybe, it is about the dreams of another one who may be unable to work towards and achieve said dream. An eagle when put in cage remains just a bird, but when allowed to soar it is the most magnificent creature on earth. Everyone has a shred of courage, we only need to open the door and allow such courage to manifest.  Courage is the gem needed to make this world a better place for everyone.

 

Work Cited

Ambrose, Stephen E. Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West. , 1996. Print.

Rate this post

Gaining Hands-On Experience at the Kenya YMCA’s Central Branch

by | Jan 10, 2023 | Essays | 0 comments

Introduction

Given that internship is a academic equipment and regarded as a unit in the university, my application to do internship at Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was accepted and was based at the central branch.  I worked in the fitness center and at the swimming pool during my internship period.

Background information about YMCA

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) is a global organization with about 125 national associations and 57 million beneficiaries. YMCA was founded by George Williams in 1844 in London with an aim of putting Christian principles into practice to develop healthy spirit, mind and body, and that formed the three pillars of their emblem.

The local YMCAs are affiliated voluntarily through their national organizations, which in turn are part of both Area alliance and also the World Alliance of YMCAs. The main motto of the World Alliance is “empowering young people” and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Kenya YMCA

The Kenya YMCA is a subsidiary national branch of the global YMCA. The Kenya YMCA has 23 branches nationwide.  The main secretariat and the Central Branch of YMCA is located along State House Road Nairobi, next to United Kenya Club.

The organization is charitable and is committed to the improvement of the of the life quality both in urban and rural areas. It is non-profit, non-denominational, and voluntary organization. This means that it has members from every race, religion, men and women, the old, and also recognizes the human race brotherhood and experience richness of coming together to share resources, experiences and information for mutual benefit.

Mission of Kenya YMCA

To facilitate and develop the physical, mental and spiritual well being of youth to enable them become responsible citizens

Vision

To empower young people for Africa renaissance

The commitment of YMCA is to pursue social and economic justice for all with a greater emphasis on youth, women and the children. To achieve this,  the organization provides training opportunities and support the development projects for the communities as a way of enhancement of the economic survival chances for the vulnerable and the marginalized groups in the society. The organization seek to avail the opportunity to many people to realize their full potentials, and live full life with a belief that it is the Christians missions core. YMCA has many different activities and programs for the youth and these activities include:

Youth programs

These programs range from Hi-Y clubs which assists in educating the youths on values, to develop different skills in addition to offering platform for motivational speaking. They include;

  • Provide wide variety of recreational activities for the youth
  • Youth programs such as dance and drama
  • Development of programs for job creation
  • Mentorship and leadership programs
  • Reproductive health programs
  • Environmental conservation activities,
  • Entrepreneurial activities
  • Hi-Y clubs in schools
  • Outdoor activities such as outings and hiking
  • Sports and recreation

Some of the sporting programs and activities YMCA offers include both outdoor and indoor sports. The outdoor activities include; soccer, basketball, badminton, swimming, camping and hiking. Similarly, the indoor activities include gym, tennis, aerobics, darts, taekwondo and karate.

Educational programs

They include environmental education, S2C and Hi-Y.  YMCA also has a primary school in Shauri Moyo that has baby class, nursery, pre unit and the primary school.

Community service

The community service activities include advocacy on climate justice, visiting children home, peace campaigns, advocacy on S2C, health programs and disaster risk reduction activities. They have affiliated volunteer youth groups such as CHANCE which has young talented elites from different professionals such as clinical officers, public relations, computer science, social and community development workers, peer educators and motivational speakers who aid orphans and the vulnerable children in the country.

Internship programs

YMCA offers many internship opportunities for youths from different educational programs for a period agreed. Because they had sports facilities and programs, I applied for internship at YMCA and began my three month internship program from 2nd may to 31st of July 2014. I was attached at the Central Branch of YMCA which has the gym and the swimming pool facilities for their sporting programs and activities.

Tasks

As an intern, I was closely working with my supervisors both in the gymnasium and the swimming pools areas. Basically there were no scheduled programs when I was to attend specific sporting area, be it gym or the swimming pool, but it depended on the client’s numbers and time of the day. For instance, in the morning, midday lunch hour and in the evening, gym used to have many clients and therefore my services was needed there. Swimming pool on the other hand had clients in the afternoon hours and the days the weather was favorable for swimming. I also had different tasks both at the gymnasium and the swimming pools

The gymnasium tasks

Generally, in the gym section I was assigned the supervision duty of the fitness center. The following were my duties in the gymnasium section:

  1. To welcome and to explain different programs and activities of the fitness center. This also included instructing the clients on the effective ways of using wide variety of the fitness and the cardio equipments by providing basic information on fitness.
  2. To monitor the operations in the gymnasium and ensure everything is in order. Monitoring also involved checking of the clients to ensure that there is smooth flow of clients through the exercise circuits.
  3. To develop health and wellness programs for the clients especially the new ones
  4. Provide instructions to the clients especially the new ones on how to use the fitness equipments and the cardiovascular equipments. This also includes aiding of the clients in the daily operations of the gym equipments and to answer their questions concerning the equipments.
  5. To maintain the health record of the clients and the users of the fitness rooms
  6. To ensure that the rules and the regulations, standards of safety and the sanitation requirements of the gym are followed to the latter by the clients. This involved communication with the clients about the policies of YMCA to protect its properties and the liability for their damage and warning against going against the rules and regulations of the gyms since YMCA is not liable for any injuries sustained in their premises.
  7. To assist in the implementation of the emergency action plan of the fitness center. This included offering first aid to whenever there were emergency cases in the gym.
  8. To provide assistance to the clients who comes to enquire on our services, rates and other questions
  9. To document and report all incidences and accidents in the gym to the fitness manager. Furthermore, I was to document and report all malfunctions of the equipments and the safety hazards whenever they occur to the fitness manager
  10. To assist in record keeping at the fitness center. This includes recording the payment receipts of the clients, issuance of the membership cards, ensuring that the clients fill the attendance register before entering the gym for their workouts. Record keeping also involved sharing of information about the membership rates and different payment packages of YMCA with the new visitors. Furthermore, I managed the check-ins and the check-out procedures for the existing members.
  11. To assist in aerobic classes wherever there was need such as absenteeism of the day’s aerobics instructor or he is committed somewhere and could not attend to his classes.
  12. To perform other assignments and duties as assigned by the supervisor within the gym settings

The swimming pool tasks

  1. To assist in maintenance of the hygiene of the pool, that is I was engaged in cleaning of the swimming pool. Maintenance of the water included biological, physical and chemical factors for proper sanitation of the pool. Chemical maintenance of the water included testing and recording the water pH, calcium hardness, total alkalinity and the levels of salts. The physical maintenance of the water included circulation, filtration, temperature of the water and vacuuming of the swimming pool. For the biological maintenance, I was assisting in water shock treatments, disinfection and control of algae.
  2. During the annual maintenance shut down which was in mid June, I assisted in cleaning of the pool deck, bulk head and inside the pool. Similarly, filtration system was check during that annual shut down.
  3. To assist in the administration of first aid to casualties around the swimming pool area. This also involved performing resuscitation when appropriate.
  4. I also performed other tasks as assigned by the aquatic manager
  5. I assisted in checking whether the equipments and the machines are properly functioning
  6. I also assisted in record maintenance. This included ensuring that all the clients sign the attendance register before swimming, completing the duties checklist
  7. Ensure that the rules and regulations concerning the swimming pool are followed by the clients. This is to ensure safety of the clients. This I did by patrolling the pool and also ensuring that no client drown
  8. To assist the swimmers in water when they are in danger of drowning by giving them the long rod and pulling them out of water for their safety
  9. To offer customer care services to the new clients. That is to answer their enquiries concerning the swimming pool rates, checking the payment receipts and the membership cards before allowing them to use the swimming pool. Among the customer service duties, I also issued the swimming equipments as requested by the clients such as the swimming boards, floaters and the flippers.

What I gained and the lessons leant

During my three month internship period, I learnt and gained quite a number of things. Some of the important things that I gained and learnt include:

  1. I learnt how to handle different people regardless of the social or economic status in the society. This was not a theoretical unit but what a person learns in the field when interacting with different kinds of people.
  2. I also sharpened my organizational skills since during my internship period, I worked on scheduled time and on different activities. Therefore, high level of organization was paramount for the success o the assigned duties
  3. I was able to apply my knowledge of fitness testing, fitness programming in designing different programs to different clients. I learnt how to monitor fitness progress of the clients practically, giving recommendations advice on nutrition, lifestyle and exercises
  4. I also learnt how to operate and controls the settings of the training machines and equipments such as the automated treadmill, multipurpose training machine among others
  5. I learnt how to document and report any incidences and accidents that occur in a swimming pool or a fitness center. The information I learn was helpful in evaluation of risks of a machine or the health hazards in the fitness facility
  6. I also learnt how to take the measurements of the water such as the water pH, salt levels, water alkalinity and how to physically do cleaning of the swimming pool. These are some of the practical things that I was not taught in classes
  7. I learnt how to operate the swimming pool circulation machines and the filters. Knowledge of the operations of the equipments is useful as a lifeguard or a s professional in the swimming industry
  8. I also learnt the importance of record keeping. For the profits to be calculated, good record keeping is important during calculation. Furthermore, clients data are very crucial and must be kept properly and confidently.

 

What I introduced

During my internship period, I was able to introduce a number of things when attending to my clients:

Use of designed fitness programs

I was able to design training program for 10 of my clients who I worked with regularly. This was unlike in the past where the clients came to the gym for their aerobics or cardiovascular training haphazardly and go away. I ensured that the designed programs were followed to the latter during their training sessions, professionalism and good organization prevailed among my clients

Before enrolling into the program, I conducted fitness testing to the clients by measuring their BMI, calculating their waist to hip ratio, and their weight. Before completion of my internship, I did another testing and the program was promising. I hop professionalism and the trend I started will continue even after my exit

Application of the Nutrisurvey software in monitoring of the clients diets

Apart from the designed fitness programs, I designed good nutritional plan for the clients. I applied the Nutrisurvey software to monitor the amount of consumed calories by the clients. Given that the treadmills and the cross trainer were automated, the number of burnt calories was able to be calculated. This was helpful in measuring the input and output of calories and to monitor their progress.

 Conclusions

I conclusion, my three month internship period was fun, enjoyable and learnt a lot. I was able to interact with many clients, applied my theoretical knowledge practically and saw the results. I was also able to introduce some programs such as clients training through well defined programs, and monitoring of the clients’ calories using Nutrisurvey software. In general, the internship was successful and I gained a lot. 

References

McBride, T. (2009). [YMCA]. Canberra: Tye McBride.

Kenya YMCA. (2013). YMCA review: A quarterly magazine of Kenya YMCA. Nairobi, Kenya: Ofe-PR Services.

 

5/5 - (2 votes)