A training session, a school deadline, and a competition trip can fall within the same week. For young female athletes, taking part in additional education often depends on how well learning opportunities fit around these commitments.
GENDERWISE’s focus on digital learning and dual careers brings this practical question into view: what makes online education useful and manageable for athletes with demanding schedules?
Flexibility That Reflects Everyday Life
Online learning can allow participants to choose when and where they study. That flexibility is particularly relevant when training schedules change or competitions involve travel.
Clearly organised learning units can help athletes plan their participation. Knowing what a lesson covers and approximately how long it takes makes it easier to decide when to begin.
Where the course format allows, participants should be able to pause and return without losing their progress. Clear deadlines also help them plan ahead when an activity must be completed within a specific period.
Designing for Mobile Access
A phone may be the most convenient device available during travel or between commitments. Educational platforms should therefore be tested on smaller screens as well as computers.
Text needs to remain readable, navigation should be straightforward, and buttons should be easy to select. Videos, documents, and assessment activities should work within the same experience.
Testing complete tasks on mobile devices can reveal problems that a visual check alone might miss. Opening a lesson is only one step; participants also need to move through its content, submit answers, and return to their learning progress.
Keeping Learning Units Focused
A manageable lesson needs a clear purpose. Participants should understand what they are expected to learn and how the activity connects with the wider module.
Focused content can help athletes study during shorter periods without making the learning superficial. Examples, reflection questions, and practical exercises can connect concepts with experiences from sport.
A lesson on communication, for instance, might invite participants to consider how they would explain a scheduling difficulty to a coach. Relevant activities give learners a reason to engage with the material beyond completing a task.
Considering Different Access Needs
Participants may use different devices, internet connections, languages, or assistive technologies. These circumstances should inform how educational materials are developed.
Captions, readable layouts, keyboard navigation, and clear instructions are useful considerations. Where appropriate, alternatives to large downloads or video-only content can provide additional ways to access information.
Language also matters. Translated materials should communicate instructions and educational concepts clearly, with consistent terminology across lessons.
Supporting Independent Learning
Learning at a flexible pace still requires guidance. Participants need to know where to start, which activities to complete, and how to ask for assistance.
Progress indicators and clear feedback can help learners understand what they have completed and what comes next. Assessment results should provide useful information about their understanding.
A visible support contact or an accessible way to report a technical problem can help prevent a small difficulty from interrupting participation.
Listening to Users During Testing
Testing provides an opportunity to learn how the platform works in participants’ actual circumstances. Young athletes can offer feedback on navigation, clarity, lesson length, and access from their preferred devices.
Useful questions include whether participants understood the instructions, could complete the activities, and knew how to continue after leaving the platform.
Organisers should explain the testing process and keep feedback requests focused. Reviewing recurring difficulties can help identify which improvements deserve priority.
How GENDERWISE Contributes
GENDERWISE supports young female athletes aged 14 to 26 through educational resources, digital learning opportunities, and mentoring. Its planned online learning content connects sporting experience with skills relevant to coaching, management, and leadership.
Making that content accessible involves attention to both educational quality and practical use. Clear structure, flexible participation, and feedback from learners can help shape an experience that fits different routines.
For BRAVO, supporting dual careers means considering how young women access learning alongside their sporting and educational responsibilities. Their experiences are valuable in assessing whether the opportunities offered work in everyday life.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
GENDERWISE is a 30-month initiative funded under the Erasmus+ Sport programme, bringing together seven partners from six European countries. The project promotes gender equality in sport and supports dual careers for young female athletes through educational resources, online learning, and mentoring.
Stay tuned as BRAVO continues sharing GENDERWISE activities and perspectives on creating more inclusive opportunities for young women in sport.
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