"Take the class" -- not really, not any more

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I tend to agree. I thought about looking at the Ratio Deco online classroom some time ago, but what I'd miss would be the interaction - not being able to ask questions would drive me nuts.... I'm doing Tech 1 in February, and have a whole list of questions already.
UTD offers an online classroom forum to let you discuss any questions you might have with instructors. It's not as good as a real class, but the ratio deco one has some interesting discussion that you might not hear in a real class, because the question bank is so much smaller.
 
Lynn, thanks for the info! This is actually a very good idea. I love the idea of being able to check out all the info before actually taking the class. That can actually motivate you to take the class in the first place. If the initial barrier to seeing the info is signing up for the class, it may get put in the "to do" stack in my brain for later in life... hopefully.
 
No, Rainer, I didn't mean to imply that one could do one of these on-line classrooms and SKIP the class. I just meant that, rather than brush off someone asking, "What will I learn if I do this?", you could point them to the online classrooms as a way to get a good preview of what the class is about and what kinds of skills and ideas are presented.

Nothing but diving teaches you to dive. :)
 
Lynn, this is a very valid point to a very good resource. I've also been reminded that I need to get back on their site and watch a couple videos...
 
I've never paid for the online classrooms because I'd rather do them if/when I do a UTD course, that way I know I should be using the up to date materials... Until then that few hundred dollars is a lot of fills.
 
Thanks for the pointer Lynne.

I've been to the UTD site before, but never realized that purchasing a "classroom package" was an option for people not taking the class. Even now after you've explained it, it's still not entirely clear to me what I'd be purchasing. That would be something to address on the site in both navigation as well as "item description".

I'm guessing buying web access to class material would give me access to a browser based Powerpoint presentation? Would that be with a sound track? How about the actual handouts/class reading material - is that included? All questions that if answered on the site, I think would make people more likely to buy in.

I like the idea of having that additional resource of information available. Good idea, and depending on how good the actual material is, most likely a great way to review and prep.

Henrik
 
sounds cool
 
We encourage all divers to explore and use our educational materials, as the principles we teach at UTD are the principles that guide all divers to become "thinking divers."

UTD classrooms are narrated presentations that include slides, illustrations, and video clips of the skills. The program is viewed online, and there are pdf files of each program to download. There is a free example class on the website: unifiedteamdiving.com/group/utdexampleclass.

With our in-water students, the UTD education is multi-fold. First, a student goes through the online classroom materials. For some students, this is the first time they are exposed to the material. For others, it's a review.

The second step is the live academic portion, where students and UTD instructors review the online classroom, then discuss and answer any questions about the material. This is the time we do the hands-on work and practice - gas planning and rock bottom exercises, ratio deco review and planning, etc.

Then we go to dry runs, where we practice the in-water skills on land. This is followed by in-water sessions, both confined water and open water, depending on the class.

So feel free to try an online class...the individual classes are $75 for a year's subscription. If you join UTD, which is $39.95, you also get access to the Member's Only material and free in-water class registrations for the year. $99 gets you both - one online classroom and a year's membership.

You can use these classes to prep for a UTD class, another agency's class, or just a review for yourself.

And, as always, if you have any questions, please contact us at info@unifiedteamdiving.com.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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