From the very start, International Coach Academy (ICA) has embraced distance and e-learning principles in delivering their professional coach certification training. In fact, ICAs programs are specifically designed to leverage the advantages of voice-to-voice training with interactive teleclasses delivered via telephone or technologies such as Skype. Our ICA students can work from anywhere, at their own pace, completing assignments based on their schedule and time constraints without ever falling behind.
The process is quite simple – you call into a teleclass using a specific bridgeline number, listen to everyone joining the call, check in with the trainer who then leads the class with an invitation to participate in the learning. We discuss and even debate thoughts, create ideas, share knowledge, practice skills, discover connections, build community, explore business opportunities. Your learning is enhanced a thousand times over (maybe an exaggeration but say 500 times over), trust developed and global partnerships formed since the virtual nature of e-learning (and therefore our program) encourages and supports the skills essential to coaching mastery – active listening, presence, focus, and non judgment.
Because there are no facial expressions, body language or gestures to ‘read’, voice-to-voice coach training heightens our coaching competencies as we learn to attune to what is said and not said, to tone, pitch, and energy, and even the message clues in a dry cough, a nervous laugh or an unusual pause. For many of us it is more difficult to reach this level of listening skills in a physical environment with endless distractions and pre-conceived perspectives based on what we see. We consider it a kind of “soul to soul” communicating. Our students have repeatedly told us they find the connection and community created within the classes to be as rich and robust as in any ‘bricks and mortar’ classroom, probably more so. We think anonymity also encourages trust and releases fear creating a safe, comfortable space maintained by both learner and teacher.
Students who enjoy distance learning are generally organized, self-motivated, and comfortable with basic computer skills such as email and Skype. And they are resourceful and creative relying on their trainers, our discussion forum, the support staff, and their fellow students to help them get the most from this powerful environment. As one of our students once said, knowledge is knowing, wisdom knows and understanding.
What to learn more about how e-leaning works at ICA? Click here
