‘Horsing around with iPads’

Julie Swain – University of Plymouth Colleges Faculty

Dr. Hayley Randle – Duchy College, Cornwall

A Horse!

An iPad!

Context

• Delivered by Duchy College in partnership with Plymouth University

• FE in HE – internal progression to HE

Research Masters (ResM)

• As part of the FD work closely with employers – Jon Pitts – Fit to Ride Programme

• Engage students in employability agenda and environment

• Support and enhance rider performance • Jon's teaching focusses around reflective practice and

motion action• Had previously used video cameras – record and

capture and playback

New technologies

• The Equitation Science Team with Jon Pitts began to start exploring the use of from video camera to iPad technology• Aim to capture moving image to analyse

and evidence to show engagement and work on improvement and performance – more interaction and flexibility and instant playback

‘You can’t fix what you can’t see!’

Other apps…..

Key instant Benefits of using this technology:

• Record rider movement – slow motion• Use tools – landmark points mapped onto footage • Identify seat position and immediately assess balance• Audio – record voice over from trainer for reflection• Riding relies on balance and alignment with the horse – any change can horse • direction and performance• Sharing with others and use within the classroom with wider audiences

Horse Welfare• Health and welfare of horse is paramount

• Riders have for a long time been perplexed and not able to visualise what their trainer is explaining. Often they simply cannot ‘see’ and therefore understand what the trainer is telling them, particularly in relation to the behaviour and locomotion of the horse

• Apps like Coach’s Eye give immediate feedback whilst the rider can still ‘feel’ the error made or movement that they just conducted.

• Reflect on practice, review and improve

• One of the most useful aspects is to manipulate the pressure points to look at potential movements and impact on saddle engagement. It can then be played in slow motion so that the rider and audience get the opportunity to reflect on the movement and gain a further understanding to improve their riding position

“It was really useful to actually be able to see what Jon (the trainer here) was talking about. When you are riding you don’t necessarily feel wonky. Having viewed the footage on the ipad I could immediately see the effect it had on my riding and the way the horse moved and could therefore start making changes/improvements as soon as we started working again. “Kelly Elvidge - rider

Changes to the Teaching & Learning

• Assessment brief now revised to include and embedding these technologies

• Planes of RIDER movement – which can be actually seen, stored and shared using the iPad

• Linking to other technologies e.g Rein Tension• Building an archive of technology based applications and footage • Offering students more opportunities and experiences engaging with a variety of technologies• Encourage innovative thinking through Utilising technologies• Wider – social network horse profiles! • Building communities!

Wider Staff Impact and Use of Technologies:Alison Abbey – Olympic (2012) coach of South African eventer Paul Hart has been using video capture to allow immediate feedback and reflection with those she trains.

Andrew Counsell - International, olympic level World Equestrian Games senior driving judge trains British Horse Driving Trials judges using video footage – with a particular interest in the subjectivity and objectivity of scoring for all phases of Horse Driving Trials using apple products

Dr. Hayley Randle has accumulated various technologies for capturing specific equitation related measures –for example rein tension in both ridden and driven pursuits and secured funding to investigate the merits and complementarity of qualitative and quantitative assessment within equitation including being invited to talk on the role of education within International Society of Equitation Science (July 2012).

Future Developments

• Linking technologies & disciplines • Carriage driving & rein tension – using the iPad to capture and monitor rider tension • Use features of coach’s eye to inform and develop practice e.g. slow motion recollection• Allowing students the opportunities to engage with technologies• Explore opportunities to support and enhance rider performance & share with a wider audience

Benefits of working with employers on the student experience:

• 2012 saw the pilot of this work with Ellen Forster working in Oxford with one of

Jon's eventing clients and the development of Fit to Ride practitioner status with

2011 BSc (Hons) Equitation Science graduate Katie Allin, who herself won the

prestigious International Society for Equitation Science student poster award at

the ISES 2011 international conference in The Netherlands at the Global

Dressage Forum.

• You have to see to improve and using these technologies endless opportunities

• Does not require large investments as have a small (2) bank of iPads, iPhones

• Could link to android appsif you have them • Gives value added to each student – offers

extended opportunities to embrace technologies

‘You can’t fix what you can’t see!’

Using technology to improve…….