Case study: Psychology for Soccer Level 1
FA Blends it Like Beckham!
The soccer stars of tomorrow are currently playing for kids's soccer
clubs around the world. Careful coaching is needed to nurture this
budding talent. Parents, too, need to be able to handle the particular
challenges faced by young people aspiring to football stardom.
However, the culture of coaching at this level too often focuses
on technique at the expense of how soccer fits into a child's development.
As a result, many potential Beckhams and Ronaldos are driven away
from the game.
Why blended?
Responding to this problem, the Football Association (FA) turned
to Epic to create an accredited blended learning course (centred
around e-learning) aimed at coaches, parents and teachers of 7-12
year olds on soccer psychology.
A blended route was chosen to give the widest possible reach for
the programme while giving ongoing support to the learners; a scalable,
sustainable learning solution. Integrated within the content designed
by Epic would be links to online e-mentoring at key points during
the programme.
| Online learning content |
5 modules, 20 sessions,
totalling over 8 hours worth of content |
| E-tutoring |
3 months support from qualified
FA tutors |
| Collaborative learning |
Classroom-specific online discussion
forums
Global online discussion forums |
| Online knowledge
resources |
Over 100 subject-relevant articles
and web links |
| Online assessment |
All successful students receive
a FA Qualification in Psychology |
The blended solution
E-learning - The e-learning was created using a goal-based approach
on the theme, 'Turning the club around'. The course engages the
learner with a strong storyline and a setting recognisable to the
target audience.
A childrens' soccer club is failing due to the attitude of the
ex-coach. Learners must address a range of tasks, and situations
like 'the petulant parent' and 'the children struggling to learn'.
Depending on the learner's performance, the club loses or gains
members.
Successful completion of the course leads to Level 1 accreditation,
and allows learners to move on to the higher levels of qualifications.
E-Tutoring - In addition, users get access to tutors via telephone
or email. At milestones in the programme, users are prompted to
contact the tutor to ask questions and reflect on their progress.
Epic ran workshops in online mentoring for the 30 FA mentors who
would be supporting learners through the programme.
He shoots... he scores!
Psychology for Soccer Level 1 was launched on 13 January 2004,
the first ever online qualification to be launched by any governing
body in world football. In its first four weeks alone, over 450
students enrolled.
'I completed the final assessment on Monday night and just
wanted to say thank you to all those involved for what I found to
be a most enjoyable and informative course. I have already made
use of some advice given through the forum ... which worked really
well and hope to get help and advice when needed.'
Nick Morgan, Billericay Youth Football Club, Essex
'I find it absolutely brilliant, especially the setting of
the whole situation (as a coach in a club) ...'
Michelle Chai, Deputy Director Media & Communications, Asian Football
Confederation
'The FA Psychology qualification sets the standard for all
of us to follow. Its realism, ease of navigation, logical progression
and support tools are an outstanding model.'
Jim Sheldon, Executive Director, National Soccer Coaches Association
of America
To find out more (or to enrol on the course!) visit www.TheFA.com/FALearning
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