Nicholas Skelton 
Hat Trick Training Academy, 3 Columns – Nicholas Skelton
This is an outline for the first semester at Hat Trick Training Academy (HTT). HTT is a student/athlete focused learning environment. The acquisition of knowledge for all our students/athletes is our primary goal. With the correct skillsets of knowledge, our students/athletes will be able to achieve their own personal goals, school goals, training goals and life goals not only inside but outside of the HTT learning environment. At any age level we want to establish a base of self-confidence with the student/athlete. Without a solid base of confidence, learning difficult tasks in the future can lead to tremendous training deficits within the student/athlete. We will achieve these foundational goals by incorporating Blended Learning, which will utilize both real life scenarios and virtual simulations with a more “hands-on” approach.
Learners will use a Virtual Reality with deliberate practice to build a fundamental set of skills that will help establish confidence in hockey at the competitive level.
Learning Environment & Situational Factors to Consider
1. Specific Context of the Teaching/Learning Situation
Hat Trick Training Academy is a sports school geared to educating middle school to high school student athletes. HTT has a maximum number of students 25, as this will keep the ratio of facilitators to learners to a minimum. Educational blended online classes will start at 8am and run through 11am Monday through Thursday, while physical training will run 12:30pm-4:00pm. Fridays are reserved for off campus activities including but not limited to travel for the learners to their respective team and community outreach.
2. General Context of the Learning Situation
HTT learners are expected to do their very best in all their academics and physical training. Academically HTT will follow state mandatory guidelines on requirements for accreditation and graduation. Hockey training will follow USA Hockey guidelines on progression as well as numerous coaching to the appropriate level of skill. Physical training will follow the NHL Fitness Test for measurement of progression.
3. Nature of the Subject
Sports academies are a growing option in education. HTT would like to separate itself from the other academies by integrating virtual reality training. SenseArena has developed a VR tool to help build a player’s hockey sense by immersing them into a set environment that can be setup in seconds. This takes the learning curve of a traditional practice from years to weeks. There is no time wasted on setup and all drills can be done continuously for repetition to insure adequate understanding and muscle memory.
4. Characteristics of the Learners
Learners at HTT come from all backgrounds socially, economically, family setting and culture. One thing all leaners have in common is a love to become better at their sport to help them move on to higher levels and go to college.
5. Characteristics of the Teacher
HTT facilitators have an education
first mindset with a certain level of high standards. All facilitators are
college educated and well versed in multiple subject matters. Physical training
coaches are experienced coaches who have worked with youth and aspiring
athletes. Specific coaches have worked in the hockey industry understanding and
breaking down the kinesiology that is required to attain certain skills.
Questions for Formulating Significant Learning Goals
At the end of the 1st semester I would like the learners to have a level of self-confidence that will allow them to understand it’s okay to fail as long as they are learning. To move on into the program confidence is a must.
Learners will use a Virtual Reality with deliberate practice to build a fundamental set of skills that will help establish confidence in hockey at the competitive level.
Foundational Knowledge
Learner will build a base of fundamental and rudimentary skills: stick control, puck handling, passing, accepting passes and shooting, using Sense Arena Virtual Reality.
Application Goals
Learner will possess adequate knowledge of online education for academics while all learners in the training program will become acquainted with an overall training regime.
Integration Goals
Learners will work with others and will work as a team while building a better self and team foundation, moral and ethical skills in sports and life, introduction to sports psychology.
Human Dimensions Goals/Caring Goals
Learners working as a team, will acquire information on a better self and team foundation, moral and ethical skills in sports and life, introduction to sports psychology.
“Learning-How-to-Learn” Goals
Learners will acquire the importance of education, training and why athletes train.
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