 Poster: A snowHead
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What sort of topic would you as skiers like to have researched? I have to, at some point write my skiing project for BASI. This is a 3 to 4 thousand word essay on a topic/title of my choice.
I would like something that is a prominent issue in skiing. Alternatively is there anything you have noted on numerous occasions that just seems lacking in terms of ski teaching. But (as stated below) it must in some way be of benefit, or at least relate to the profession of ski instructing.
Quote from BASI site
"The subject matter for your project needs to relate to the Snowsport industry, but it also needs to be something that would be useful for your peers to read and should relate in some way to the profession of Snowsport teaching"
Just off the top of my head I could write about...
'The Relevance of European Speedtests For Ski Instructors'
Any other suggestions are appreciated and I will consider them. I think the whole Eurotest and test technique business could make for good reading, although it has been done a lot before maybe my opinion of it possibly differs to a lot of peoples. It must be a subject where I can produce figures and data (hence why racing is good!) produce graphs, generally make it look good and presentable.
I hope it isnt too good (not sure on the likelihood of that though!), BASI own it once I am finished so I dont think I can share it with anybody!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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R555MAC, reflecting the discussion on the thread about heart attacks, perhaps you could research what physical preparation people do before their ski holidays?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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R555MAC, is it actually supposed to be research, or a discussion/analysis?
Another possibility - the reasons why people do, or do not, take ski lessons when on holiday.
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pam w, that's a good idea. In fact R555MAC could gather the research from Snowhead people in a poll or questionnaire or something. You've got all sorts here ranging from people that go one week a year to people who do full seasons every year or some years. Should be easy to find out how much exercise people do and what kind, ski specific, weight lifting etc.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Factors which influence the decision to take or not take ski lessons.
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pam w, again the ski lessons and whys is a good idea. You're a haven of suggestions pam w  . Some people might think it's obvious why people have ski lessons (i.e. they want to improve their skiing), but some people have lessons because they could be a different level skier to their partner so it means they can find others of similar level to ski with rather than always being last, or something. Some people book their kids into ski school so they can have skiing time to themselves etc.
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R555MAC, Piste safety, provision of 'quiet pistes' for beginners etc. The risk of collision with fast moving, overtaking, skiers when on a blue piste is my biggest concern.
Good for a bit of questionnaire analysis - never fails.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| Factors which influence the decision to take or not take ski lessons. |
and what persuades experienced skiers to seek out good quality teaching for their skiing development 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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BASI will own the copyright of your paper?
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Why there is a need to produce 3-4000 word essays for BASI. Hilarious.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Whether rocker works/is of benefit? You'd have to test lots of funky new skis as a bonus too 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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An analysis of potential customers personality type and learning style, as well as establishing which suit each instructor in a ski school at any given time, in order for them to get the most out of their tuition.
I've never had a ski instructor or potential ski school ask anything more than how experienced the potential skiers are, and whether they have special requirements. When I tell them my special requirement is to have an instructor who we can take the p1ss out of plenty, takes the p1ss out of us, and who can laugh at themselves, most struggle to actually take it seriously. Plus asking if they can actually drink, not just drink like a seasonnaire, we need them to be able to drink like an 18 year-old. But not be an 18 year-old. We can't have that
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"The ethical dilemma of a ski instructor bagging off with birds they have been teaching, even the fat ones" - it will be a study in discrimination in the workplace
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You know it makes sense.
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| achilles wrote: |
| Why there is a need to produce 3-4000 word essays for BASI. Hilarious. |
+1
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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3000-4000 words is not a lot in essay terms, so it's going to have to be something quite simple otherwise he's going to be going over the word limit.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| achilles wrote: |
| Why there is a need to produce 3-4000 word essays for BASI. Hilarious. |
I agree with your question, which would benefit from a question mark. I could imagine that a highly-skilled and personable ski instructor could operate with very limited reading/writing capabilities, and I'd be in favour of that.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The perception of punters of ski instructors and their qualifications - does the average punter know about ski instructor levels of qualfication or care?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Does the cost of safety gear act as a barrier to widespread uptake and use (avi gear, helmets, etc.)?
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What happens to old ski instructors - longer term career development prospects. Going forward.
or maybe it's backwards?
or downhill, at any rate?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| David E Goldsmith wrote: |
| achilles wrote: |
| Why there is a need to produce 3-4000 word essays for BASI. Hilarious. |
I agree with your question, which would benefit from a question mark. |
No it wouldn't. It isn't a question. Swap round "there" and "is" and it would be.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Wow this thread seems fairly popular!
https://www.basi.org.uk/content/alpine-written-project.aspx the 'Written Project' outline, also there is a 'click here' in the final line of the page, it has some further information about the criteria in a PDF file.
One key point is this
"The project will form the basis of the 15 minute interview with the Director of Training or the
Chief Executive Officer."
So I have to pick something which I have a genuine interest in and could discuss clearly and concisely.
| pam w wrote: |
R555MAC, is it actually supposed to be research, or a discussion/analysis?
Another possibility - the reasons why people do, or do not, take ski lessons when on holiday. |
I would raise the point/issue, discuss it and conclude.
So using my speedtest example. What are they? Define...discuss advantages/disadvantages side with whether or not they should remain present in the system. Amongst all of this, numbers who pass/fail etc, how realistic the target times are based on WC/Europa cup athletes. May also include a comparison of the teaching quality in the countries who use the test (Austria France Italy) compared to the rest of the world, is there a significant difference in teaching standards as a result of speedtesting? (that's the big question really) Also analysing the validity of test. For example average pass rates for the ET are around 6%, yet occasionally 80% will pass at one test.
This is why I am thinking speedtests, so much to discuss, although we have heard a lot of it before I expect.
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As mentioned above 3-4000 words is not a lot to play with, depending on subject choice.
I do like that idea 'pam w'. And I am sure there are plenty of snowheads willing to help with questionnaires!
I also like the, what do instructors do when old age kicks in. That could be hard to research. But I am sure it could have some very interesting results! Plenty of content as well.
Plenty of interesting suggestions in there!
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| R555MAC wrote: |
I would raise the point/issue, discuss it and conclude.
So using my speedtest example. What are they? Define...discuss advantages/disadvantages side with whether or not they should remain present in the system. Amongst all of this, numbers who pass/fail etc, how realistic the target times are based on WC/Europa cup athletes. May also include a comparison of the teaching quality in the countries who use the test (Austria France Italy) compared to the rest of the world, is there a significant difference in teaching standards as a result of speedtesting? (that's the big question really) Also analysing the validity of test. For example average pass rates for the ET are around 6%, yet occasionally 80% will pass at one test. |
Far too difficult to do properly. Stick with something simple would be my advice.
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| Megamum wrote: |
| The perception of punters of ski instructors and their qualifications - does the average punter know about ski instructor levels of qualfication or care? |
Again, an interesting one. It is true that most people dont realise the effort required to work within France/Austria/Italy (I mean full time not 4 weeks at a time)
But I dont think I have enough interest in that topic and doubt I could produce an interesting report on it. It would be nice to have it better realised of course. The French is essentially considered a degree.
EDIT - Just re-read your point. That is pretty valid. You can only assume that the ski school will provide the appropriate instructor. Liability is passed to the school if they have permitted you to take a group off piste. I do not take lessons off piste and have not asked the ski school director if I can, if the situation arises I would not want to take a group on the majority of faces I ski, but bits of powder at the side of the marked runs, stuff that I regard completely safe and have been skiing for the past 10 years without seeing a single slide on it.
As a subject, I think it is relevant, but I cant really see myself spending hours writing about it.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Wed 1-09-10 23:32; edited 1 time in total
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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rob@rar, Its kinda is isnt it. But I have soo many ideas in my head for it! Its one topic that has been on my mind for almost 2 years now, so I feel like I have head start with it!
Whatever I do pick I will first layout a comprehensive plan of what content to include.
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achilles, I can only assume we are asked to do this as BASI does not only cover skiing teaching/technique/mountain safety but also focuses on the wider snowsports industry, perhaps they want to hear our personal insight into this, or steal our ideas. Maybe it is just designed to demonstrate a certain level of intelligence, or something  Not 100% to be honest.
Thats why some people favour the likes of the Canadian system who have a better focus on the skiing/teaching aspect. (I need BASI to work in France, the French system is certainly no easier!)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| R555MAC wrote: |
rob@rar, Its kinda is isnt it. But I have soo many ideas in my head for it! Its one topic that has been on my mind for almost 2 years now, so I feel like I have head start with it!
Whatever I do pick I will first layout a comprehensive plan of what content to include. |
I think you're running the risk of doing too much for this. Be a shame to get bogged down and delay ISTD qualification because you were too ambitious with the written report.
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You know it makes sense.
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rob@rar, thats why I am planning it now. I am a good 1/2 seasons from my first L4 exam I expect. Doing my entire L3 this coming season. Thought I could write this in my spare time, or even before this season really kicks off, and just have it ready. Maybe read back over it every now and then ready to modify anything accordingly before the L4. 'beanie1' has already informed me that I can hand the project in when I like, so as long as I keep a copy to read prior to the interview and refresh my memory it should help speed up the process I am hoping.
I certainly dont want to delay my ISTD, hence why I am planning so far ahead. Seems like I am almost over thinking all of this. I have skiing on the brain at the moment, fresh from booking exams and GS training, the season just cant come quickly enough!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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How about something on the adaptations necessary for teaching older beginner skiers. A 50 year old female beginner must have very different teaching needs to an 18 year old male. Presenting a paper on a non sexy subject like this would probably win lots of brownie points for showing you are serious about the 'teaching' side of the equation.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Megamum, I have read the other thread. All valid points raised. I've edited my earlier post, sorry but mis-read what you had written!
Spud9, It is a good subject, however it is covered (although briefly) in the BASI manual. I have certainly had my share of pupils to adapt to. Its not only age you find but the psychological differences (nervous skiers for example) also physiological challenges (I have taught people who were incredibly unfit) amongst some others. Its just one of those things that you seem to adapt to naturally when teaching.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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R555MAC, what are you doing as your second discipline, have you considered adaptive? Perhaps a topic related to that?
I expect the Eurotest is a popular topic for ISTDs, so it could be interesting to do something more unusual?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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The benefit of having tried both skiing and snowboarding to a users piste awareness
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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R555MAC,
Don't look around for something to write about - big mistake.
Just write about something you're interested in. I have never met you but I will gaurantee that you have an in depth knowledge about some aspect or other of snowports. Study up a bit more on that subject and then write it down.
Or, ask yourself a question "that you find interesting" and then find the answer (the real an answer). Then, write down the answer so that other people can understand it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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R555MAC, BASI is very weak on methods and techniques for teaching children, that could be one area to focus on... There has been a lot of analysis of the speed test and you would struggle to do something original and brief enough on that subject.
also like the suggestions on developing a simple tool or questionnaire to help determine personality types and or learning style . This is covered in detail within the L3 teach module but a cut down version for clients to use would be very useful
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The tendency of masters to prolong apprenticeships in trade guilds through the ages.
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Skiing is globalizing.
Look beyond the old world of UK and Europe.
Write something on how ski instruction is emerging in major developing markets like China or Argentina.
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laundryman,  How about "Slamming the door shut behind you"
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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How about " Why are qualifications for snowsport instructors so complex and varied " and then suggest a much simpler European wide system
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FAQ
