I am currently doing my PADI OW course and I have completed the confined water section. So far, I have done all of the dive manual learning myself and I've had no classroom sessions. I feel confident enough to pass the knowledge quizzes and exam but should I have expected classroom sessions as part of the course?
Am I getting what I paid for?
- Thread starter Deanofish
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
ajduplessis
Contributor
Yes, classroom session are nice and interactive and gives the students and instructor time to "bond", explore further questions and elaborate on important topics and techniques. Some instructors like to go through the material during surface intervals at the dive site. No sure what yours have planned??
DevonDiver
N/A
The minimum course standard requires the instructor to check your knowledge reviews and then provide remedial teaching on any questions that are incorrectly answered, to ensure that you understand the theory correctly.
Technically, if you don't get any of the knowledge review (or exam) questions wrong - then the instructor doesn't have to provide any further 'teaching' of the materials.
That describes the absolute minimum standard though.
Some instructors let students complete the knowledge reviews first, and then use those reviews to expand upon the basic teaching (so you may get more 'tuition' later). Other prefer to teach the materials first, and then confirm understanding when you complete the reviews afterwards. A minority do neither and are content for students to entirely self-educate using the manual.
It'd be worth asking your instructor if they will be going into any further detail with the theory study. Ideally, the instructor should have explained the structure of the course at the beginning, so that you would have a clear idea of what to expect.
Will you get what you paid for? Sure... you'll get at least the minimum that PADI says you should have.
Will you get value for money? Dunno
Technically, if you don't get any of the knowledge review (or exam) questions wrong - then the instructor doesn't have to provide any further 'teaching' of the materials.
That describes the absolute minimum standard though.
Some instructors let students complete the knowledge reviews first, and then use those reviews to expand upon the basic teaching (so you may get more 'tuition' later). Other prefer to teach the materials first, and then confirm understanding when you complete the reviews afterwards. A minority do neither and are content for students to entirely self-educate using the manual.
It'd be worth asking your instructor if they will be going into any further detail with the theory study. Ideally, the instructor should have explained the structure of the course at the beginning, so that you would have a clear idea of what to expect.
Will you get what you paid for? Sure... you'll get at least the minimum that PADI says you should have.
Will you get value for money? Dunno
You should expect grading and review of your knowledge reviews and administration of a final test. You should expect an opportunity, not rushed , to discuss questions and get clarification from your instructor on any issue you care to raise. I think you should ask your instructor when they are going to check your knowledge reviews and administer the final. It is a good way to make sure the instructor gets all required paperwork done. They work for you. They need to be responsive.
DivemasterDennis
DivemasterDennis
unless you are doing elearning , the instructor is required to go over materials with you and administer a quiz for module 1-2-3-4..module 5 is a final exam.
I have students watch dvd-read text-do knowledge reviews at home before the course starts.When they come to class there is a presentation-we review the kr's and then a quiz.We then review the quiz and then off to the pool.Academics take about 45min to 1 hour to complete this way.
With elearning you show up on the first day,take a "quick review " exam of like 19 questions and then off to the pool.
I find many newer instructors sadly do not feel comfortable presenting material the way it should be and take too many shortcuts.Bad for the students and bad for the lds that they work for as it limits any sales possibilities. An educated consumer is good for the business and develops an element of trust that only the instructor can do.
I have students watch dvd-read text-do knowledge reviews at home before the course starts.When they come to class there is a presentation-we review the kr's and then a quiz.We then review the quiz and then off to the pool.Academics take about 45min to 1 hour to complete this way.
With elearning you show up on the first day,take a "quick review " exam of like 19 questions and then off to the pool.
I find many newer instructors sadly do not feel comfortable presenting material the way it should be and take too many shortcuts.Bad for the students and bad for the lds that they work for as it limits any sales possibilities. An educated consumer is good for the business and develops an element of trust that only the instructor can do.
snowdog
Contributor
Will you get what you paid for? sure.
All the previous posts are correct. I would add, there are four (at least) factors in getting what you paid for:
1. The instructor (quality is a major factor here)
2. The training materials. (it is what it is)
3. The other students (bring their experience to the discussions)
4. You :cool2:
All four components are needed to turn the certification process into an experience of a lifetime.
All the previous posts are correct. I would add, there are four (at least) factors in getting what you paid for:
1. The instructor (quality is a major factor here)
2. The training materials. (it is what it is)
3. The other students (bring their experience to the discussions)
4. You :cool2:
All four components are needed to turn the certification process into an experience of a lifetime.
Ask yourself if yo uwould be ok with letting one of your kids dive with you with the level of knowledge you have. Would you know how to be a proper buddy to them? Would you know how to rescue them if they needed it? Would the two of you be able to plan from start to finish a dive including how much air you will need for it and what to do in case of emergencies, then carry out that plan and return safely from the dive without any help from a dive professional? By the end of your course this is what you are supposed to be able to do. If you are not able to do that when the instructor hands you your card and be confident in being able to do that, I'd say no. You are not getting what you paid for. Just my opinion as all of my students are able to do that once they are finished with my course or they do not get a card.
As for classroom, I have to spend a minimum of 12 hours face to face with a student with 16 recommended by my agency standards, the same time in the pool, plus the checkout dives.
As for classroom, I have to spend a minimum of 12 hours face to face with a student with 16 recommended by my agency standards, the same time in the pool, plus the checkout dives.
Standards require that you do the quizzes and the test. (They don't require that you turn in the knowledge reviews.) So there HAS to be some classroom time, if the class meets standards.
As far as getting what you paid for . . . did they tell you you were going to have classroom time? I think a common problem with scuba classes is that people don't ask what the money they are paying actually covers. If they didn't advertise classroom time, then you really can't complain -- but if you don't do the quizzes and test, then the class doesn't meet standards, and THAT you can complain about.
As far as getting what you paid for . . . did they tell you you were going to have classroom time? I think a common problem with scuba classes is that people don't ask what the money they are paying actually covers. If they didn't advertise classroom time, then you really can't complain -- but if you don't do the quizzes and test, then the class doesn't meet standards, and THAT you can complain about.
- Messages
- 312
- Reaction score
- 14
- # of dives
It's what you pay too. Unless its an eLearning course. If your confident with the quizzes and exams. That's good. Some class won't hurt either.
Have fun and enjoy!!!
Have fun and enjoy!!!
Similar threads
