New article added

I've posted a new addition to The Kenpo Instructor's Handbook in the Members section of my website at http://www.leewedlake.com/. Here's an excerpt.

Group versus private instruction



There is no doubt that private instruction is of great value. Tutoring is a service touted in all areas of skill-building endeavors. Group instruction is cost- and time-effective. Mass instruction spreads the expense of the facility and teacher amongst the students (or their parents/benefactors).


I had lots of private time with Ed Parker and other teachers. I used it to ask the questions I always wanted to and the discussions that would often go with the answers were valuable. In a group that opportunity is often missed due to time constraints or the composition of the group. When a mixed class of white to black is working and the black belt has a question, it often requires an in-depth answer. That may not help the white belt and lack of time may not satisfy the black belt. If there’s no time after class to talk the learning opportunity can be lost. And this is the point of the article. While private time is perceived as being the best vehicle for learning, that simply may not be so.


That said, I am a fan of the semi-private or small group session. I like to tell people that two or more brains are better than one. You can have the “fertile, prepared mind”, take notes furiously, and ask great questions. Yet when you have that other brain there, that perceives things differently, it may generate a question you may never have thought of. That question can open up a whole new line of thought, bring to light facts you never considered and the like. That’s the value of group instruction. It touches more than one individual, spreads cost, allows input and discussion from more than one source and triggers other insights. Peer pressure tends to make those involved stay involved. If you’re going to take privates you have to accept the responsibility that goes with it.

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