One of the great things about a TAGteach seminar - attendees go straight home, put the techniques into practice and see success right away.
Below is an example of how fast you can implement TAGteach in your lessons.
From Dagmar, an attendee form a seminar in Switzerland:
Dear Theresa:
This morning, I had great success using the things I learned at the TAGteach seminar in Sornetan.
It was the second lesson with the handler of two young dogs (16 and 18 weeks old). I knew her from a seminar I gave about calming stressed dogs.
We worked on a holding the leash in a manner that may help calm her dogs. Several behaviors including: taking hold of the leash, standing on one point, and relax as you hold the leash were put together and called "Standby". To simplify her focus, I attached a green piece of tape to her leash hand, and another piece of tape on her stomach. When she performed the "Standby" sequence, she just had to touch the two green pieces of tape together to have the perfect leash position.
The instructions were: "Standby" and The tag point was "green to green". First, I demonstrated and tagged myself, then I let the client tag me, and finally they tagged themselves.
First she felt a bit strange as she came from the hardcore dog training in German and Swiss dog places (Schutzdienst)...but then they realized how easily THEY learned the skills. I was so happy.
I repeated the mantra: “green to green” and as the students became more relaxed with their behavior, the dogs also began to settle.
Dear Theresa, dear Joey (Iverson), I thank you so much for opening up a world of giving training.
TAGteacher Joey Iverson has successfully introduced TAGteach to the tennis world, although she said it’s for selfish reasons. “I want to be the best tennis player I can be and that will happen faster if my coach uses TAGteach!”
"I
explained a few of the tools to my coach Grant Grinnell (USPTA) and he was
willing to give it a shot. After just a few tries, he was totally sold on the
value of TAGteach and the powerful learning it facilitates. He commented that
there was more improved play in my game within a single lesson. He also
noticed that although it was easier to get information to me with the marker,
it also required a different focus. In a group lesson he is usually trying to
take in what each of the players is doing. To tag me for the skill, he
had to momentarily keep his focus on just me or he would miss the marker
timing. Both of us had complete focus and that brought about immediate
improvement."
It seems Joey’s coach is as excited about
TAGteach as she is:
“I love
everything about what you've taught me. I love the tag, I love the
positive reinforcement. I love no negative connotation. I love the focus of
what I need to do and I love the focus of what students can do if they are
tagging somebody else. I love everything about it, it's fantastic and I plan on
using extensively in my teaching in the future.”
The word is spreading fast. After watching
a TAGteach session between Grant and Joey, another coach, Chad Smith USPTA
wanted in. It wasn’t long until he found exactly why TAGteach worked for
him.
“TAGteach worked for me because I could
mark the exact point I need my students to feel in my lessons. My students
quickly associated the tag with what I was trying to get them to understand in
their technique. It made my instructions that much more effective.”
Thank-you Joey for spreading the word
effectively and kudos to Grant and Chad for being coaches that are open to new
concepts that improve learning for their students!
USPTA Tennis Coach Grant Grinnell Talks About TAGteach
Join us for a webinar with TAGteacher Joey Iversen on May 20, 2014 where we will learn about strategies for helping to transform your instructors, teachers or coaches so that they can begin to teach the way YOU want to learn. Click here for more information or to register.
BONUS! Register for this webinar and you will get a discount code for 25% off our recorded webinar: Sport Coaches: 4 Thing Your Athletes Wish You Knew. This webinar covers specific details of TAGteach for Sport Coaches.
DOUBLE BONUS! Register for the Sport Coaches webinar recording and you will get a free pass for your coach or instructor.
They say it’s good to move outside your comfort zone. Over the years, I’ve had a terrific time pushing that zone wider and wider. I’ve also found that when you team up with new people, the comfort zone is infinite.
Comfort Zone Expansion - Case History #1 Commercial Fishing Crew and Management
The world has gotten a sneak peek at commercial fishing operations through cable shows such as "Deadliest Catch". The drama on these shows is heightened with editing, but the dangers and difficulties of working in close contact and difficult conditions are real. Training is primarily for safety purposes and is often antiquated. Injuries and poor quality control can sink a ship, but employee training on dangerous onboard machinery is virtually zero. Tim Mientz, the former owner of “the Seafisher” describes his early attempts to bring productive training aboard his ship.
“I spent many thousands of dollars, got my crew together from around the world and brought in a professional suit-and-tie trainer. After two days, all I got from him was a suggestion that the guys take more time off and have some sort of Kumbaya picnic on an island somewhere. Are you kidding me?”
Tim realized his industry urgently needed specialized training and decided to get the ball rolling. Banding together with his safety regulations consultants, Amy Duz and Erika Seather (IWorkWise) the group did some research which led them to TAGteach International and Terry Ryan of (Legacy Canine and chicken training camps). Tim and Amy tasked us with creating a three day training program for crew and management, which would focus on the specific needs of commercial fishermen and processors. In some aspect or another, we were all about to go outside our comfort zones.
The TAG Team
The TAG Team, as we have come to be known has been around for 6 years and we have certainly broken the ‘suit and tie’ mold. The training looks something like this -
Fifteen to twenty men and women from every position on and off the ship arrive from points around the world. There are at least four native languages and some that don’t read or speak English. Graciousness is the first thing you notice. Everyone is on-time, sitting in seats, looking forward, and ready to go. After an introduction by Tim that includes attendees wining cold hard cash, the first eight hours is a crash course in clicker training chickens! Terry dives in and takes the group through the foundations of operant conditioning by teaching them to recognize and shape discrete behaviors in chickens. The group learns that trying to force a chicken to acquire a skill is frustrating and a waste of time. Using the knowledge of the science of behavior to identify and change both the behavior of the chicken and that of the teacher is the path to success. That lesson crops up throughout the entire three days.
Introducing TAGteach
On the second day of training, I introduce TAGteach. We make the transition from shaping chickens, to communicating and training people. The connection comes early, and the Aha! moments come in tidal waves.
It’s not about the life form of the student; it’s about the teacher providing information the student can consume.
Yelling won’t make someone understand, especially since many of the crew speak English as a second language.
Nagging is a waste of energy. Energy is a precious resource on the ship.
Creating clear criteria during skill acquisition and providing timely reinforcement is far more likely to result in success.
The day is full of finding ways to incorporate TAGteach tools, especially the focus funnel into training.
Application of Behavioral Principles to Commercial Fishing Issues
The third day is led by Tim, Amy and Erika and once more the focus is on transition. It’s a day of safe and open discussion about applying the information from the workshop to specific applications on the ship. The discussions can get heated, but they are tempered by shifting the focus back to problem solving instead of problem blaming.
The three days are intense, but peppered with time for brain rest, smoke breaks, meal times and communication opportunities for the crew. We use real poker chips from the local casino to inspire participation and fun. The poker chips can be used at the casino after training or turned in for cash. We’ve seen real success stories as crew and management have used the class as an opportunity to tackle issues of the past and set up for success in the future.
Way Out of Our Comfort Zone
The commercial fishermen came into a classroom full of chickens and thought, “Way out of my comfort zone”. But after proper introduction, they were cooing and petting the chickens as if they were family dogs. At the end of the workshop they were still in conversation about potential applications of TAGteach. “We can use this here.” “I can see that will help there”. They had successfully increased the comfort zone.
I came into a classroom full of commercial fishermen and thought, “Way out of my comfort zone.” But I was soon talking behavior and audible markers with the captain of the ship as we created training plans together. Together with Tim, Terry, Amy and Erika, I had kicked the edges of my comfort zone.
What’s next and who wants to go with me?
If you can't make it to a live seminar, you can take our online course from the comfort of home at your own pace.
Chicago March 2011
Upcoming Seminars
Detroit MI (5/7-8/2011)
Milpitas CA (5/18-19/2011)
Portland OR (6/11-12/2011)
Calgary AB (10/1-2)
Solothurn, Switzerland (10/22-23/2011)
San Diego CA (11/05-06/2011)
Recent comments we have received about TAGteach...
"Absolutely fantastic. Great mix of backgrounds- human behavior analysts, dog trainers, musician, teachers of all backgrounds... lead to a very enriching environment" - Colleen Koch (veterinarian)
As always, love the practicality of TAGteach. We have time to work through our own scenarios and are ready to use TAGteach when we return to the educational environment the very next day. Sheila Smith (special education - Arkansas)
"Just how do you adjust what you know about clicker training an animal to make it successful with human learners?" was the question asked by Janet Velenovsky in her article for the July/August issue of APDT's Chronicle of the Dog. Her answer was, "attend a TAGteach seminar!".
Now you can build on your clicker training knowledge and turn it in to an advantage in every field imaginable: teaching, business, parenting, physical therapy and of course animal training. Experience how an audible marker, strategic reduction in language, and a preset point of focus is transforming the human learning experience.
Register now for an open TAGteach Certification Seminar or contact Theresa at t@tagteach.com to schedule a personalized seminar for your group.
Upcoming Seminars
Brisbane, Australia (9/11-12/2010)
Christchurch, New Zealand(9/18-19/2010)
Hamburg, Germany (10/16-17/2010)
Los Angeles, CA (11/6-7/2010)
Tampa, FL (12/3-4/2010)
Franklin, IN (2/12-13/2011)
Glastonbury, CT(3/11-12/2011)
Comments from a recent TAGteach seminar:
"The response from all attendees was unanimously positive. It is rare that professionals from different educational disciplines (teachers, OTs, consultants) all feel that the information from the training will be useful professionally. I clearly saw the benefits that can result from using TAGteach for both teachers and students. "
Maureen Bradshaw, MS-Director, ARLearn-Arkansas Department of Education
"It truly was one of the best trainings I have ever had the opportunity to attend. Thanks so much!"
Sheila Smith-Behavior Intervention Consultant
"Definitely was one of the best 2 days of training in 15 years." Laura McKenzie Cooke-Arkansas Department of Education
"I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and I heard about TAG at a conference presented by Julie Vargas. I have been using it for my students with autism and it has work well for every single one of them. I have used it for teaching a student to stay with his family as they walk around a track, have used it to teach games to children with autism, have used it to shape writing behavior, and have used it to teach gross motor skills. I have not tried it with social skills yet, but I would think it would work for that as well! The thing I'm so impressed with about TAG is how fast the kids learn the target behavior. I have been working in the field of autism for over 13 years and have never seen anything work so quickly to shape behavior"
Jerusia Chasse
Jerusia will be hosting a TAGteach seminar in Glastonbury CT on Mar10/11, 2011
The birds are singing, your first shot speeds straight down the middle of the fairway and life is good! Suddenly, out of nowhere, unbidden and unwelcome, like a serpent choking the joy from your day comes... unsolicited advice. “Stand a little straighter ... open your stance ... close the club face a smidge ... take it back a bit further”. This well-meaning and often contradictory advice from golf buddies and spouses is rarely helpful and leaves you feeling frustrated and perhaps even a tad homicidal. Renowned golf teacher Fred Shoemaker in his classic book “Extraordinary Golf - The Art of the Possible” advises that spouses and friends can coach each other on the golf course if three rules are followed: 1) coach only when asked; 2) coach only what you are asked to coach; and 3) coach only for a specific amount of time.
A new coaching method called TAGteach™ provides a structured means of implementing Fred’s sage advice. TAG™ stands for Teaching with Acoustical Guidance and uses positive reinforcement to identify and strengthen successful performance. Correct moves or positions are marked with an acoustic tag (a click sound made by a mechanical device activated by the teacher). The teacher (formerly known as the nagging spouse) chooses one aspect that needs correction, helps the student find the correct position and then tags when the student performs correctly. The tag means “yes, that was correct”, the absence of the tag means self-assess and try again. There is no need for the teacher to provide any feedback other than “tag” or “no tag” to allow the student to learn.
The teacher using the TAGteach methodology sets the student up for success by increasing criteria in manageable increments and limiting unsuccessful attempts. If the student does not receive a tag within three tries, it is the teacher’s responsibility to create a tag point that is within the skill level of the student. In all cases, tag points are addressed one at a time and the student does not receive commentary on other errors even if these occur. Other issues will be addressed in future tag points. Because the criterion for success is the attainment of the single tag point and not the completed perfected skill, the athlete and student can focus on multiple incremental successes on that never ending road to perfection.
TAGteach has great potential to help children with autism learn complex skills. This new technology is built on an entirely positive approach so learners feel successful while being taught important life-long skills. Every teacher and parent (of children with and without autism) would benefit from learning about TAGteach!
I just completed the e-learning TAGteach program and I was extremely impressed! I believe the e-learning program is very comprehensive and a great starting place to learn more about TAGteach. After completing the course I feel I'm ready to use Tagging in many different areas of my life including helping my 13-year-old son with autism write better and my 11-year-old son improve his soccer skills! I feel every parent, teacher, and coach would benefit from the TAGteach e-learning program.
Click here to read an article about Mary's work with autism and the verbal behavior approach.
I was invited to visit the James River Correctional Center for Men and the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in Virginia to introduce TAGteach to groups of specially selected inmates. These groups of men and women are involved with the Pen Pals program in which they are paired with a shelter dog to train. Since they use clicker training to train their dogs, they are familiar with the principles underlying the TAGteach approach. Even so, I was a bit concerned that going into a maximum security prison to teach inmates to communicate and be nice to each other might be somewhat of a challenge.
The inmates were very cooperative and enthusiastic about TAGteach. In fact they were the politest, most attentive group I have ever worked with. The women were kind enough to take the time to provide written comments after learning about TAGteach. Some of these are framed below in terms of the TAGteach principles they embody:
Because a core component of TAGteach is to highlight success, leaders become proficient at looking for what is right, instead of focusing on what is wrong. Building on success is a skill that generalizes into a lifestyle.
"It has made me be on the lookout for my teammates’ TAG points, which encourages them while helping create a habit of observation in me.” Theresa- Inmate at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women
“It also made me realize that I need to start looking at the positive in my teammates.I have to rearrange my way of thinking and even communicating.” Tracey- Inmate FCCW
"We are so apt to notice the bad things in people that we overlook the positive.” Denise - FCCW
TAGteach is also designed to prevent confusion and build trust between leader and learner. Condemnatory language inherent in punishment based teaching is replaced with a collection of nonjudgmental tools like, “the tag point is” to initiate behavior, and a non-verbal marker to highlight it.
“In this type of setting, it’s difficult to receive feedback without looking for judgment and/or negativity. The neutrality of the TAGteach technique makes it possible.” Theresa- FCCW
“It’s not so much a compliment – which can be hard for us to accept – but more of an affirmation that we are being mindful of our actions.
"It has really helped me to focus on my issues, and instead of feeling bad when I do wrong, I now feel positive about myself when I do something right.” Denise - FCCW
The program provides a platform upon which anyone can create achievable goals with clear beginnings and well defined endings. The audible marker component provides a non-judgmental method of marking, magnifying and instantly reinforcing any targeted response. The marker also adds an element of fun, encouraging repetition of success.
“Having taught more than half my life, I’ve always believed any learning should be fun. TAG is fun.” - Janice FCCW.
Success is guaranteed from the first moments as every first tag point is a point of success, something that is already within reach. This reinforces the leader’s goal to look for the positive while setting up a safe learning environment for the student. Each challenge subsequently builds from this point of success and moves towards a finished product.
“Learning TAGteach is a great self-esteem builder and positive reinforcer. I would suggest that everyone try it.” Tecia - FCCW
“Positively reinforced teachers seeing success in their students due to TAG become more dedicated teachers.Students being positively reinforced by pointing out (tagging) their successes will be more dedicated students. It’s a wonderful positive circle!” Janice – FCCW
"On the next day at work (teaching math and computer aided drafting), I found myself thinking, How can I TAGteach this? Instead of fussing…I started discussing. The immediate result…improved performance and mood. At the end of a fraction session, I had several women tell me this was the first time they hadn’t hated math or felt stupid when dealing with it.” Theresa – FCCW
The men were willing to let us videotape their comments:
Here are some comments from the participants from the second seminar held for Cascade Fishing Company workers. They had implemented TAGteach in real life situations on the boat and had come back for a more advanced seminar to learn more.
"Now other commercial fishing companies are hearing about it and they are considering the same training."
"Train a chicken?! It was amazing I learned you can't force something or someone to learn, I have to work with them."
"It gives you patience to solve a problem instead of getting angry and yelling."
"It taught me to look at myself every time I train. Never blame the person you are training. I never saw it like that before this seminar. That's why we came back for a second seminar and brought back more people."
"I believe it's beneficial for any company that trains people to do anything."
"It just streamlines the idea of teaching and understanding "This is really good stuff"…Theresa said that!
