Site under Construction - May 2023
For Discussion Purposes - Work-in-Progress
------------- TAM email - 1st May 2023 -------------------
Enthusiastic Bridge members/teachers needed to develop free online Beginners course to u3a members.
We have developed a comprehensive u3a Beginners online course, using
-zoom sessions for information and tutorials,
-dedicated website with online videos, handouts and practice exercises,
-online learning facilities.
-supervised play sessions online (Realbridge).
We are looking for u3a members to join a small group of Bridge enthusiasts to promote our game to a wider audience of u3a Bridge Beginners/Improvers.
You do not need teaching experience, only an enthusiasm for the game and a willingness to spend some time helping others learn / improve Bridge.
For more information go to the Bridge Subject Adviser’s page at u3a.org.uk/learning/subjects/bridge
And look under the heading NG34Bridge.
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Other items to be added ?
Here is my 4 minute introductory video: https://youtu.be/7pZKWqRCVFo
And here is the link to the Sky Bridge Club website: https://skybridgeclub.com/
Competitive friendly foursomes on BBO.
More goodies!! Check it out! https://youtu.be/A-LU0KPrV8o.
------------- Option 1 -------------------
National u3a Beginner Bridge scheme
Preparation
1. Central coordinator needed – registration, fee collection, support costs (website, ….), promotion, communication with bridge groups etc.
2. A few weeks in advance, need to inform local F2F bridge group leaders so they can request that their beginners join the RealBridge sessions (subject to capacity).
3. Enough beginners enrolled to start the on-line course.
- need 16, maximum capacity of 20 per group
- Initial Registration fee paid (£20)
4. Four volunteer RealBridge trained coaches in place, (TG and PS in support.)
to provide cover for holidays, illness, dropout etc.
Initial Course.
1. Zoom Introduction to the NG34Bridge website and NoFearBridge website.
2. Those enrolled
-obtain registration for the NofearBridge website (using the 3 month free trial period negotiated by U3A.
-complete the minibridge certificate from No Fear bridge (obligatory).
3. Beginners will have 8-12 weeks playing Minibridge
- the first two weeks will involve getting participants set up to play RealBridge and iron out technical bugs.
- the sessions will be held once or twice a week, using the specially constructed EBED hands on Realbridge.
- after the initial problems have been sorted, the remaining sessions will be lightly supervised. One coach per 2 -3 tables.
By week 12, a 25% dropout can be expected.
Main course begins.
1. Further Registration fee (£?).
2. Full No Fear registration obligatory once free trial ends.
3. New Bidding topic every three weeks.
15 in total, 12 on bidding 3 on play).
4. Zoom briefing sessions as necessary.
5. Supervised RealBridge practice sessions once or twice weekly, (coaches taking turns etc)
5. Ad hoc repeats by arrangement, including MiniBridge revision of selected ‘play topics ’and MiniBridge Teams matches.
Depending on demand and availability of additional RealBridge trained coaches, it may be possible to run a phased second programme (say starting March 2024).
-------- Option 2 -----------------------
Possible Scenario for a National u3a Beginner Bridge scheme
Preparation
Enough beginners enrolled to start the on-line course. (16 – cap at 20); Initial Registration fee paid (£20)
Four volunteer RealBridge trained coaches in place (TG / PS support). This is needed for holiday cover, illness, dropout).
Central coordinator needed – registration, fee collection, support costs (website, ….), promotion, communication with bridge groups etc.
Course Preparation
Inform local F2F bridge group leaders so they can request that their beginners join the RealBridge sessions (subject to capacity).
Zoom Introduction to the NG34Bridge website and No Fear.
No Fear registration (3 month free trial) and certification (obligatory)
8-12 weeks playing Minibridge (EBED hands). Once / twice a week. Lightly supervised. One coach per 2 -3 tables. The first two weeks will involve getting participants set up to play RealBridge and iron out technical bugs.
By week 12 expect 25% dropout.
Main course begins.
Registration fee (£?). Full No Fear registration obligatory once free trial ends.
New Bidding topic every three weeks. ( 15 in total, 12 on bidding 3 on play). Zoom briefing sessions as necessary, then two formal RealBridge practice sessions (ideally a different day of the week), with coaches taking turns to host and assist (coordinated).
Ad hoc repeats by arrangement, including MiniBridge revision of selected ‘play topics’ and MiniBridge Teams matches.
Depending on demand and availability of additional RealBridge trained coaches, it may be possible to run a phased second programme (say starting March 2024).
------------- Option 3 -------------------
u3a On-Line Beginner Bridge Course
Outline
Overview of Course Format
The course consists of a comprehensive set of lessons on Beginner Level Bidding (Acol) and on play techniques for declarer and the defence. Each lesson has two elements:
1: Individual self-learning resources (streamable video lessons, lesson notes and ‘test yourself’ practice exercises).
The central course resource ‘hub’ is located on the NG34Bridge website, which has direct links to excellent learning materials on the No Fear website. https://www.ng34bridge.com/beginnerbridgecourse
Students must subscribe to No Fear as a condition of course enrolment. The u3a has negotiated a special free 3 month no-risk trial, no credit card required.
2. Supervised lesson practice sessions on RealBridge.
For every lesson on the course there will be at least one formal supervised practice session. Dates and times of all sessions will be published and available at enrolment stage.
One coach per 2 -3 tables.
Each session consists of a set of prepared deals and an accompanying guide sheet for coaches. Each table progresses at its own pace. Kibitzers can watch and chat and take turns at playing.
After each board has finished players can review (trick by trick):
a) their own play trick by trick,
b) how other tables played the board,
c) view the recommended play.
d) View on screen the guide notes for the board.
Students can (with training) be given the facility to host their own ad-hoc foursomes replaying prepared hands.
Pre-Enrolment
To enrol for the Beginner Course applicants must have completed the No Fear MiniBridge Course and obtained the Completion Certificate.
A subscription to No Fear is not required for the MiniBridge section.
Stage 1: Supervised MiniBridge Practice on RealBridge
8-12 weeks of supervised learning fundamental declarer and defence techniques
- the first two weeks will involve getting participants familiar with RealBridge and ironing out technical bugs
- Practice sessions will be held once or twice a week, using specially constructed EBED MiniBridge hands https://www.ng34bridge.com/develop-your-minibridge
Stage 2: Main Acol Beginner Bridge Course
1. Zoom briefing sessions as necessary.
2. Supervised RealBridge practice sessions once or twice weekly, (coaches taking turns to host, etc., one coach per two/three tables)
5. Ad hoc practice session repeats by arrangement, including MiniBridge revision of selected ‘play topics ’and MiniBridge Teams matches.
Depending on demand and availability of additional RealBridge trained coaches, it may be possible to run a phased second programme (say starting March 2024).
Can you help?
We will need to have a volunteer team (4+ ) in place to host RealBridge lesson practice sessions and help with administration: course registration, fee collection, promotion, communication with u3a bridge groups etc.
What’s in it for you?
RealBridge training and mentoring support; learn how to use this brilliant platform for teaching in your own u3a group and participating in cross-u3a teams events
Free access to the NG34Bridge improver level course, with streamable video lessons, student notes, practice exercises and prepared deals for upload to RealBridge: https://www.ng34bridge.com/blank
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