Submitted by Matthew Brown, Director of Career Pathways for ELLs
Growing up in North Carolina, where basketball is almost a way of life, I learned lessons on the court that have influenced my approach to education, particularly in the context of the IELCE program. In basketball, as in education, there are elements we can control and others we can’t. Just as in a game where I couldn’t always control if my shots would fall or if my dribbling was off, in education, especially with adult learners, there are myriad variables beyond our control. However, the key lies in focusing on what we can control – much like how I could always control my defense and the effort I put into the game.
In basketball, controlling your defense and effort is about adapting to the play in front of you, staying focused on the game’s many moving parts, and being ready to pivot as the situation demands. This is directly applicable to creating an effective learning environment for adult learners. We may not control every aspect of our students’ lives – their work schedules, family responsibilities, or personal challenges – but we can control how we structure and deliver our educational programs to accommodate these variables.
Relevance and Practical Application:
This mirrors a basketball game’s strategy, where understanding the game and the opposing team’s tactics is crucial. Similarly, in education, we must align our content not only with real-world applications but also with the specific workforce needs of the area. By tailoring course content and pathways to address local industry demands and focusing on problem-solving skills that are immediately applicable in the local job market, we ensure that the education provided is relevant and practical. This approach keeps adult learners engaged and equips them with the skills needed to effectively navigate and contribute to the local workforce, like a basketball player who skillfully reads the game and adapts their play to the team’s advantage.
Flexibility and Accessibility:
In basketball, you must be flexible and ready to adapt to the changing pace and strategies of the game. Similarly, flexibility in scheduling and program structure is crucial in education, especially for adult learners. Offering classes at different times, formats, and pace options is like adapting a basketball player’s strategy to the opposing team’s offense. This flexibility helps in accommodating the diverse schedules and commitments of adult learners.
Respectful and Inclusive Environment:
Consider a basketball team, where each position – from point guard to center – demands unique skills and plays a specific role. Similarly, in an educational setting, diversity is our strength. Just as a successful basketball team needs various players with different abilities and roles to win games, our classrooms thrive when they recognize and value the diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences of adult learners. By fostering an environment that encourages collaborative learning and ensures that materials and discussions are culturally sensitive and inclusive, we create a dynamic educational experience. Each learner, like each basketball player, brings a unique set of skills and perspectives that enrich the learning environment, contributing to the group’s collective success.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, much like in basketball, where a player’s control over defense and effort can significantly sway the game’s outcome, in education, especially with adult learners in IELCE participating in an IET program, focusing on what we can control is vital. This includes ensuring our content’s relevance and practical application, which aligns with the goals of IELCE and IET programs in providing learners with skills directly applicable to the workforce and civic participation. Additionally, the flexibility and accessibility of our programs are crucial in accommodating adult learners’ diverse needs and schedules. Finally, creating a respectful and inclusive environment is key to fostering a supportive learning atmosphere where all students feel valued and can thrive. By focusing on these areas, we can profoundly impact the success of our learners, much like strategic plays in a basketball game lead to victory.
