Institute of Martial Arts & Sciences

Promoting professionalism and quality in the martial arts worldwide

Instructors College

Introducing the Principal of the IMAS Instructors College:

Prof.Scott Buckler, BEd (Hons), MEd, MSc, CPsychol, AFBPsS, FHEA, FIMAS, PhD

Scott is a principal lecturer in education at Newman University (Birmingham). He has previously worked as a senior lecturer in education at the University of Worcester (2002-2015). Scott’s background is as a primary school teacher before pursuing a career in academia. He is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Specifically Scott’s academic background is in applied education and applied psychology, whereby he has worked with students from a variety of professions (teachers, headteachers, lecturers, Police trainers, NHS trainers, security professionals). Scott has trained in the martial arts since 1981, originally in Bujinkai, then Shotokan Karate. He has coached Jiu Jitsu and has been involved with Wing Chun since 1995. His PhD was awarded by Coventry University in 2010 in which he explored the history, philosophy and psychology of martial arts, specifically Wing Chun Kuen. He has presented at national and international conferences, published international research and authored several textbooks including ‘Psychology for Teachers’ and ‘Your Dissertation in Education’.

About 

The Instructors College is a specialist school of the IMAS. It has come into being in order to promote good practice in the field of martial arts teaching and coaching and offers instructors the chance to gain officially recognised qualifications. These qualifications carry with them credits at the under/post graduate level which can be used towards further university studies. The IMAS Instructors College is run in partnership with the Teaching and Learning Academy. The Teaching & Learning Academy is autonomously led by a consortium of Universities and offers a professional award at two different levels for anyone involved with teaching or coaching the martial arts . Engaging with the TLA enhances professional practice and demonstrates your commitment to further the education of your martial art. Through enhancing your practice, the martial arts can continue to thrive in being professionally recognised. The TLA like the IMAS is a professional membership organisation which offers a flexible professional development framework for the wider educational workforce. The TLA offers a flexible professional learning framework which provides the opportunity to engage with small-scale practice-based projects and either gain national recognition and/or credits for the work undertaken.

TLA AND IMAS - BENEFITS

Key Benefits

The benefits of the TLA are as follows: Supports individual learning and development | Encourages reflective practitioners | Helps to fill the knowledge gap | Supports your organisation's improvement | Provides a common professional framework for educators (teachers, governors, instructors, coaches, etc.) | Supports a more personalised approach to professional learning | Provides a structure for reflecting upon and evaluating learning | Encourages independent thinking | Enables the sharing of professional practice within and between organisations | Instils a self-improving culture | Supports small-scale projects that can have a huge impact on practice | Endorses your professional martial arts experience

TLA AND IMAS

PARTNERSHIP

Although many martial arts have instructor programmes, the TLA provides a sector-endorsed qualification and recognition demonstrating your commitment to teaching and learning. Through The Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the TLA, we are delighted to offer the TLA to members and instructors nationally and internationally.

TLA courses are referred to as "Recognition Projects". There are two recognition projects that you can engage with through the TLA.

The difference between Recognition 1 and Recognition 2 is that the latter requires a thousand-word assignment which utilises literature to provide a supporting knowledge-base. Additionally, Recognition 2 involves: A wider sphere of influence A longer time scale Greater depth of enquiry, reflection and analysis

01

RECOGNITION PROJECT 1

Recognition 1 is aimed at either junior instructors or those with limited academic experience. There are three elements to Recognition 1: Preparing for the learning journey Planning the learning journey On the learning journey

The Six Core Dimensions

Engaging with knowledge Coaching and mentoring Planning learning Carrying out the plan Sharing your learning Influencing practice Each of these is discussed under 'Constructing your recognition project'.

Qualification

Upon completion of the Recognition 1 project the instructor will receive a TLA certificate and be entitled to use the letters AMTLA (Associate Member Teaching and Learning Academy) after their name. You will also be provided with a transcript of the TLA award that you may use for Accreditation for Prior Learning should you wish to engage with further study.

02

RECOGNITION PROJECT 2

Recognition 2 is aimed at senior instructors and those who want to engage with a higher academic challenge. There are four elements to Recognition 2: Preparing for the learning journey Planning the learning journey On the learning journey The learning breakthrough (1000 words reflective account)

The Six Core Dimensions

Engaging with knowledge Coaching and mentoring Planning learning Carrying out the plan Sharing your learning Influencing practice Each of these is discussed under 'Constructing your recognition project'.

The Learning Breakthrough (1000 words. (Recognition Level 2 only) The learning breakthrough is a thousand word reflective account which focuses on a critical aspect of your learning. The breakthrough needs to explain: The impact on your learning How the plan and practice were affected The importance to the learning of learners and/or colleagues (i.e. other instructors) Next steps taken References

Qualification

Upon completion of the Recognition 2 project the instructor will receive a TLA certificate and be entitled to use the letters MTLA (Member Teaching and Learning Academy) after their name.You will also be provided with a transcript of the TLA award that you may use for Accreditation for Prior Learning should you wish to engage with further study.

Duration, Cost and How to Enrol

The time taken to complete the course is 3 to 6 months on average, however this will vary from student to student.  Teaching, Learning and Assessment is all completed online and the cost is £450, payable on ernollment.  

To find out more or to book your place please contact admin@instituteofmartialartsandsciences.com