View Full Version : Using Technology
How often do you use technology as a learning aide in your practice? This can involve from anything such as E-Budo to video recording your class. Is it distracting or are we in an age where we really are dependent on this stuff to help us.
conskeptical
11th May 2006, 11:40
i don't think we should be dependent on this stuff at all. What is pair-form and group training for? I like to think that that provides most of the benefits of recording and hi-tech stuff. Also, how did people get good in the good 'ol days? I would contend that most of us these days haven't reached greater levels of proficiency than people who didn't have the dubious benefit of high technology.
I guess the question of whether high technology can accelerate attainment of proficiency is interesting, and I guess it probably could.
I know that I intend on getting a punch bag some time soon (so I can do some aspects of training alone, and have an easy route into various things that might be too hard/dangerous to do otherwise: up to now I've used no technology, but then I am only a lowly green belt!), but they're no substitute, in my opinion, for training with people you know and trust and respect. (and i'm not sure that low-tech things like that are really what you're talking about)
In my view video recording and stuff would only be good for awesomely good people whose level of proficiency is beyond their level of perception: but i tend to try to live by the rule that it's best if your level of awareness exceeds your level of ability... and you'd have to be careful not to let your awareness rot if you were augmenting it too freely with technology.
my feeling is that technology should be viewed critically, and used sparingly in training. from my old maths classes: don't use the calculator, and especially not the computer, until you can do your sums with pencil and paper!
interesting thread!
conskeptical
11th May 2006, 11:45
er... that came out rather one-sided. more so than i intended it to. there's a lot of scope with 'technology' i guess.
i can imagine that seeing your own actions on video might help with mental visualisation, and that chatting on e-budo would help expose you to more opinions.
so yeah, i guess technology has loads of potential for being awesome. but loads of potential for being counterproductive too.
Rob Gassin
11th May 2006, 12:22
The main problem with technology is that you can take too much time looking at it instead of practicing. On the other hand, it can be a great tool. I have been able to correct many errors in my form just by watching myself on video. Technology also improves exposure to the masters such as Kawashima, Aosaka and Mizuno sensei who most of us do not have the opportunity to learn from in person.
Technology should complement not replace traditional training.
jailess
11th May 2006, 12:58
If mirrors count as technology then yes, we do use them in Glasgow. It's good to see yourself in the mirror (especially if you're a handsome sort like me), so you can correct the obviously wrong things you're doing.
But for me, I think SK should be done with the bare essentials - a partner, pads/focus mitts, sparring equipment, nothing else.
Whilst I enjoy watching videos of the masters, It motivates me more than anything else. I can't discern the differences in my form from theirs by watching them; you have to train with them to get that.
The main problem with technology is that you can take too much time looking at it instead of practicing. On the other hand, it can be a great tool. I have been able to correct many errors in my form just by watching myself on video. Technology also improves exposure to the masters such as Kawashima, Aosaka and Mizuno sensei who most of us do not have the opportunity to learn from in person.
Technology should complement not replace traditional training.
I think this is my overall concern. I am by profession a technologist which means I can really get into this stuff but I am also the first to admit that it can be incredibly overwhelming. Yes it is a great tool but when I hear my fellow kenshi say, "I'll just look it up on the DVD", then I can't help but asked, "well why don't we just work it out here instead." At that point I realize there is also a flip side to this. I think this is the current culture and it has me wondering. I wonder if this stuff should be used in a way that forces you to ask more questions rather than try to provide answers. For example when I look at Kenseikai's web site, the animation at times is so vague that I am force to ask my seniors. This is not a bad thing.
Tripitaka of AA
11th May 2006, 18:15
Kenseikai is a great example. It could help as a reminder if you forgot something but is useless for someone rying to copy a technique that they haven't been taught yet.
I come from the days of pre-internet and precious few published training aids. Having said that, Jee Sensei was The Man with a Video Camera (the recorder was a separate full-sized unit worn over the shoulder!). Somewhere at my Mum's house in London there is a copy of the BSKF group trip to the 1985 Taikai at the Budokan in Tokyo. The scenes of Japanese High School and College Dantai Embu remain an inspirational sight.
As for Wish-technology;
I always fancied a life-sized robot Randori partner that could be programmed with different skill levels and favourite techniques. You could download your favourite partners' brainwaves and test your skills even when the real people were unavailable.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.