DM elearning or shop learning

[1070man]

Am at 150+ dives and am looking to work on PADI DM through my local dive shop. The owner talked to me and said I could start either by doing the e-learning or coming by the shop for the academics portion and get a book (or books). He didn't seem to mind either way. When doing this type of learning, I have always favored having a physical book to study, highlight, and be able to make notes in. I know some some tablet based allow this too, but have like having a "real" book in my hand to look at.

For those that have done PADI DM, let me know the pros and cons of what you did, either e-learning or physical books.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[happy-diver]

The internet is exceptional for learning as you will find out as your enquiry is answered here
and congrats on your choice to do DM, to interact and share knowledge with your students

For some things the internet may not cut it

 

[steinbil]

Am at 150+ dives and am looking to work on PADI DM through my local dive shop. The owner talked to me and said I could start either by doing the e-learning or coming by the shop for the academics portion and get a book (or books). He didn't seem to mind either way. When doing this type of learning, I have always favored having a physical book to study, highlight, and be able to make notes in. I know some some tablet based allow this too, but have like having a "real" book in my hand to look at.

For those that have done PADI DM, let me know the pros and cons of what you did, either e-learning or physical books.

Thanks,
Brian

To answer your question:
If you like using books and in person learning, go for that. I was not super-impressed by the PADI online materials when I took my OW. It's ok for people wanting to breeze through it, but didn't seem very helpful for deeper learning/understanding. It was the OW and not the DM theory though, so I can't speak to that specific part of the online training. And if the instructor is good, you can learn much more from them in person than what's in the books/online.

As a sidenote:
Make sure you really want to go into the professional side of Scuba before you start your DM training. A lot of mainstream agencies push the DM and instructor classes as the "next step" simply to sell more classes, and traditionally they didn't offer much in terms of skill development and more technical training. If you simply want to improve as a diver and keep progressing, but don't envision working in the industry, there are much better options than doing DM and instructor training, such as intro to tech classes or something like a GUE fundamentals class. Not trying to dissuade you, just want to make sure you know your options and that you're making an educated decision. If you DO want to work in the industry and want to guide and possibly instruct, then go ahead as planned.

 

[1070man]

To answer your question:
If you like using books and in person learning, go for that. I was not super-impressed by the PADI online materials when I took my OW. It's ok for people wanting to breeze through it, but didn't seem very helpful for deeper learning/understanding. It was the OW and not the DM theory though, so I can't speak to that specific part of the online training. And if the instructor is good, you can learn much more from them in person than what's in the books/online.

As a sidenote:
Make sure you really want to go into the professional side of Scuba before you start your DM training. A lot of mainstream agencies push the DM and instructor classes as the "next step" simply to sell more classes, and traditionally they didn't offer much in terms of skill development and more technical training. If you simply want to improve as a diver and keep progressing, but don't envision working in the industry, there are much better options than doing DM and instructor training, such as intro to tech classes or something like a GUE fundamentals class. Not trying to dissuade you, just want to make sure you know your options and that you're making an educated decision. If you DO want to work in the industry and want to guide and possibly instruct, then go ahead as planned.

Thanks for you info. And I definitely understand what you mean on the side note. At our local quarry I help with the instructors at times when they have new students and have always enjoyed helping others (am a volunteer firefighter also). I've helped before, at the request of instructors, acting like a dive guide at the quarry when new people come to the quarry, so I figure go for the title. Am thinking about retiring in a few years and possibly using this to move into a retirement-career type job. May want to teach one day, if I found the right place.

Thanks for your input.