Instructor resources and course run-sheets

As Instructors we are often the first point of contact for people who are new to our clubs and Discover Sailing Centres, our role as an instructor is to ensure that we provide quality participant experiences to individuals who take part in any of the courses and programs we deliver. 

The best way to ensure we deliver a quality participant experience is to deliver consistently, using best practice techniques to help the participant learn. 

We have several tools available for all Australian Sailing qualified Instructors to assist with this. These are all available in the Instructor resources section of the Australian Sailing website, and below we will detail some of these resources that you can use to assist with your course delivery. 

The first tool that all instructors should be familiar with, and understand how to use, is the course run-sheets, The run-sheets for each course are a critical tool for delivering consistent quality participant experiences.  

The run-sheets are based on best practice, which has been proven to aid participants to learn in the fastest way, whilst maintaining quality and enjoyment. The run-sheets provide a detailed schedule that outlines every aspect of the course, including the order of topics, the timing of breaks, and the distribution of resources. A run sheet is essential for ensuring that the course runs smoothly and that all participants receive a high-quality learning experience.  

Each course run-sheet is designed to consider the learning objectives of the course, the target audience, and the desired outcomes. The run-sheets also give you, the instructor, all the suggested resources you will need to deliver the course and help you to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, by breaking down the course into its component parts.  

The run-sheets include the time required that each activity would need, to ensure that the content is delivered appropriately to the learners' requirements, in bite-sized pieces, to aid them to succeed.  

The run-sheets help all instructors to be on the same page, and all deliver the same content in the same way, this is especially important if there is more than one instructor involved in the delivery of a course.  

As the run-sheets for each course are designed on best practice, instructors should aim to stick to the schedule and suggested timings as closely as possible, however as instructors, it is important to be prepared to adjust if necessary, and always be flexible and responsive to the needs of the participants.  

The run-sheets provide all the suggested instructor resources required to deliver a course, including which resource at which time during the delivery. The instructor resources provide instructors with a variety of materials and tools that are available to help them plan and deliver effective sessions, and include textbooks, session plans, worksheets, assessments, multimedia resources, and specific skills and activity cards which are designed to be used ashore and afloat during session delivery.  

Below are some tips and tricks for using the instructor resources which have been created for you, effectively:  

Understand the purpose of the resource: Before using any instructor resource, make sure you understand its purpose and how it is intended to be used. This will help you to use the resource effectively, and in a way that aligns with your session goals.  

Plan: Don't wait until the last minute to start using the instructor resources. Take the time to review the materials, and plan how you will use them in your sessions. This will help you to integrate the resources seamlessly into your instructing and will maximise their effectiveness.  

Adapt the resource to your needs: Not all the instructor resources will be a perfect fit for your instructing style. Take the time to adapt the resources to your specific requirements, making changes as necessary to better meet the needs of your participants.  

Use a variety of resources: Don't rely on a single instructor resource to teach a concept or skill. Include a variety of resources, such as, textbooks, worksheets, videos, and hands-on activities, helping your students to be engaged and learning in different ways.  

Reflect: After using an instructor resource, take the time to reflect on its effectiveness. Did it help your participants learn? Was it engaging? Did it align with your session goals? Use this self-feedback to adjust your use of the resource in the future. 

All Instructor resources, run sheets and more are available here, and are all designed to help you deliver high-quality participant experiences that meets the needs of your participants. 

We welcome any feedback about any of the instructor resources, so we can continually improve what is available, and to ensure that we are creating resources which are effective for you. For further assistance or information regarding any of the instructor resources and run sheets please contact your local Australian Sailing Club Support Officer.