REFLECTION ON LEARNING

You may see your reflection in the Scope Creep Creek, a man-made outdoor swimming pool, any time. It has a zero entry point on one end. Don’t get fooled! If you’re not paying attention, you find yourself in deep water very soon. You learn to swim by treading water here. You’ll find the best swim coaches in the deep end.

EXT. SCOPE CREEP CREEK SWIMMING POOL — DAY

A hands-on SWIM COACH stands in the pool, helping kids practicing the right moves. A MOTHER drags along his skinny TEENAGE SON to the pool. She keeps her distance from any splash.

 

 

MOTHER

Are you the coach?

 

SWIM COACH

Yes, M’am. I am.

 

MOTHER

Good! So, you’re an expert at how to teach kids to swim?

 

SWIM COACH

I’m doing my best…

 

MOTHER

I need my son to learn how to swim.

 

SWIM COACH

Perfect place to be. (to the Son, smiling)

Hi, I’m Coach. What’s your name?

 

MOTHER

Do you know need to know his name in order to teach him to swim?

 

SWIM COACH

Well, I usually like to know a little bit about my audience…

 

MOTHER

Elmo!

 

SWIM COACH

Elmo is his name?

 

MOTHER

No. Elmo stands for: enough, let’s move on! How long does it take usually? To learn to swim?

 

SWIM COACH

It depends how you measure…

 

MOTHER

You don’t seem  to be an expert at this thing.

 

SWIM COACH

It depends on prior skills and…

 

MOTHER

Not even a bath.

 

SWIM COACH

No problem. Usually, twice a week, for four weeks is a good base…

 

MOTHER

No, no, no! We’re going on a river cruise, and he needs to be able to swim by then.

 

SWIM COACH

Okay. When is the trip?

 

MOTHER

We’re actually on the way there. I heard about this thing: microlearning. Can you do that for 15 minutes?

 

SWIM COACH

Wow. Then let’s hop in and maybe we can work on some survival basics?

 

MOTHER

Hop in where?

 

SWIM COACH

Into the water.

 

MOTHER

No, no, no! I don’t want him to get wet.

 

SWIM COACH

Then how do you want me to teach him to swim?

 

MOTHER

It feels like I’m not getting the value for my money here. I was thinking of a showme, testme micro approach. You would swim a couple of laps, commenting on what you’re doing, and then my son would answer 5 multiple choice questions. Or do you have a free tip-sheet? Only if laminated!

From the book Engage the WORL&D!