The AGA Mentor Program
FAQ (frequently asked questions)
Evan Behre
<evanb@clark.net>
Contents
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1. What is the AGA mentor program?
2. When was it started? (and why)
3. Who are the participants? (updated monthly)
4. How can I join the AGA mentor program?
5. How can I join the AGA? (added 8/26/96)
The AGF Grant to the AGA moentor program
1. What is the AGA mentor program?
The AGA mentor program is a way to coordinate and facilitate the teaching
of go on the internet. You can think of it as a "match maker" service
where teachers and students are paired for lesson games. Strong players
teach middle level players, who in turn teach beginners. No matter
what level you are, there is a place for you. Participants in the program
refer to a list of other participants and choose an appropriate teacher
or student. Once assigned, the two agree to a time and place to meet
and play out their lesson. Typically, lessons are played live on one
of the go servers. During the course of the game, the student may ask
questions, while the teacher tries to answer the questions as well
as offering unsolicited commentary and advice. Less common are email
exchanges of game records wherein the student sends a record of one
of his/her games. In this case, the teacher reviews the game, adds
commentary, and returns to the student for study. There is another
resource for game reviews via email; it is called the "Go Teaching Ladder"
(GTL). This program uses email game records exclusively. The AGA mentor
program was designed to compliment, rather than to compete with the
GTL as we emphasize live teaching games on the net rather than email
game analysis. To find out more about the GTL contact: gtl@iicm.edu,
or visit the GTL web site
.
2. When was it started?
The AGA mentor program was initiated in February 1996. I started this
program after a middle kyu player had approached me on the go server
and asked for a lesson game. After the lesson, I thought that a program
which coordinates and facilitates similar encounters would be a service
to the go playing community. The response from participants has been
very positive and enthusiastic.
3. Who are the participants?
[updated monthly. inquire for details]
4. How can I join the AGA mentor program?
Joining the AGA mentor program is easy. Simply send email to me, evanb@clark.net
indicating your interest. Just as in other AGA events (e.g. tournaments)
if you live in the U.S.A. we expect you to be at least a limited member
to participate. Go players living outside of the U.S.A. may also participate
based on their membership in their respective national go association.
The AGA recognizes these memberships for such purposes.
5. How can I join the AGA?
To join the American Go Association
, visit their interactive application
.
To join by mail as a regular full member, send a check for $25 to:
-
American Go Association
P.O. Box 397
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0397
Please include your name, address, email address, club affiliation
(if any), and playing strength (if known). Sustainer ($50) and Sponsor
($100) memberships are also available and most welcome.
Limited memberships ($10/year) are available through your local AGA
chapter (local go club affiliated with the AGA).
The AGF Grant to the AGA mentor program
October, 1996
The AGA mentor program has been awarded a grant from the American Go
Foundation (AGF) which will allow the mentor program to hire professional
go teachers for the benefit of mentor program participants.
Specifically, mentor program participants who are rated at AGA 1 dan
or above, and who have taught at least 6 lesson games in the mentor
program are eligible to apply for a lesson game with a pro. The purpose
of these pro lesson awards is to drive increased activity, participation,
and recruitment near the top of the mentor program.
The AGA mentor program is looking for additional dan level go players
to serve as teachers to kyu players in the program. If you are a dan
level player, you are invited to join the mentor program, teach kyu
players in the program, and apply for a lesson/game with a pro.
Initially, the pro teacher is Yilun Yang and lesson games are 2 hours
long. The AGF has agreed to sponsor 6 of these lessons initially and
is interested in continuing this sponsorship if it proves to stimulate
interest and activity in the aga mentor program amoung amateur dan
players.
For more information about the AGA mentor program, contact evanb@clark.net
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