I would like to suggest a new topic for a discussion forum. In addition to “All Things Chess,” “Chess Clubs,” “Chess Tournaments,” “Chess Life Articles,” and “USCF Issues,” I would suggest a forum called “Coaches Corner” (or something similar) which was devoted to the discussion of teaching ideas and methods.
Steven Craig Miller (chess coach)
I like this idea. I don’t coach and am not coached, but I’d probably read it.
It also would not be a bad idea to have a list of links/sites where there is free teaching material available. Also, sites with instructional games that are available for free. I believe some of the material on chessworld.net is accessable for free.
Larry S. Cohen
If you are a member of WCL or ICC, you can view many hours of free video instruction. On WCL, you get mostly videos from Dan Heisman. His instructional videos are very helpful and professionally produced.
Also, I believe you can still get a 6-month free membership to WCL if you are a USCF member.
I avoid ICC like the plague! The other is a possibility, but I do not pay for internet play or content. Even without paying I get plenty of access at a number of sites.
Larry S. Cohen.
I avoid ICC like the plague! The other is a possibility, but I do not pay for internet play or content. Even without paying I get plenty of access at a number of sites.
Larry S. Cohen.
I can probably count on one hand the number of threads dealing with coaching in the last year.
Is there a reason to believe that having a separate forum for coaching would significantly increase the number of coaching-related threads?
Nolan writes: “Is there a reason to believe that having a separate forum for coaching would significantly increase the number of coaching-related threads?”
Perhaps I’m wrong about others being interested in this topic. On the other hand, you might find people would use such a section if there was a topic devoted to it. I don’t know how much trouble it might be to add another topic to the discussion list, but I can think of one important reason for doing so: coaching is a very important topic. And having knowledgeable coaches is important to chess.
Or how about a section called: “Coaching and Chess Improvement” since the two ideas go hand in hand.
I’ve been a chess coach at various schools now for nine years. Currently I’m coaching students at Lincoln-Way West High School & Liberty Junior High in New Lenox, Il. I’m always trying to come up with new ideas to teach chess. Some of them work, and some of them fall flat. I would love to have a forum where I could discuss various coaching ideas with other coaches.
Steven Craig Miller
You could start a blog or a UBB and link to it in your forum signature.
Frankly, I too avoid ICC. Don’t see any benefit to paying their fees. I dislike playing anything faster than 15 minutes per game, and slow games provide unreliable opponents (computers and such). But I do enjoy the extras that come with those memberships: Chess.FM coverage of major tournaments; instructional videos; and some honest, human opponents. I referenced ICC because you get free access to Dan’s instructional videos for being a member of that site. Didn’t want to show favoritism.
Although WCL has a rather small active membership, I have utilized the site for a lot of good for my 6-month free membership. Fees are more modest and the vast majority of the small membership seems honest, too.
What’s stopping people from starting threads about coaching today??
Obviously nothing. I would think that a message board would only consider creating a new group if there were sufficient numbers of specific posts that would warrant the creation of such. Remember, you would need to have enough moderators willing to participate in the new group, and, I think, you need sufficient traffic to “complicate” your message board. Right now, the posts on coahing topics seem as if they fit comfortably within the “All Things Chess” group.
I have seen the general subject of additional group creation go through careful examination on other message boards before adding them. Evidently, it does strain resources and the patience of participants/readership when many groups are created.
Just an observation.
I would like to know of some kind of lesson plan resource. If I coach my grandson’s 6th grade gifted class, they already have been playing for a few years–the citywide tournament is held sometimes in February.
Can anyone suggest a resource that would be challenging, not too far over their heads, cover a number of sessions, and (hopefully) be inspiring? TIA
FWIW, I retired as a Class A player and have a demo board.