E-learning + 2 days

[oly5050user]

A friend of mine has signed up for this class. I seriously don't know how they can fit everything in. It must be all the pool work in one morning, then 2 OW dives in the afternoon. Then 2 more OW dives the next day. I suggested a longer class, but she's not interested; she's a busy woman.

I know I'm not the only one here who will be shaking their head over this kind of course. But I'd like to hear from divers who've done one. How did you go? Did you pick up the skills OK? How did you feel at the end of the class, confident and keen to dive, or uncertain or discouraged? Overall, are you happy with the experience?

It can be done ..Depends on the student and the size of the class..If a person is a comfortable swimmer , then the confined skills modules go smoothly and easily for both the student and instructor.
Student watch video at home and complete knowledge reviews before class-if the student does required reading before class room time aqgain this can go smoothly.
BUT, if you get a student who fails to read/understand material at home ,does not complete knowledge reviews correctly and is a marginal/poor swimmer,this is not the schedule for them to be on.
To answer "PVTSTASH: you question that the fees should be less expensive on a express schedule ,my answer below:
As to what the costs are for the student it would be correct for the instructor to charge a HIGHER FEE for this schedule.You tie up his entire weekend(Fri nite-Sat-Sun),and the class is generally intentionally smaller/less students. .The pool fees are expensive,especially more during the weekend.Get 1 student that does not get it and you will be spending your time getting them up to speed after the express class is over,meaning another day or two ,more pool time(that costs $).
Standard ow course locally here around $239. for standard 3 week schedule meeting 2 times a week."Express""Executive" schedule is $269. Private schedule is charged almost 2 1/2 to 3 times those rates. oW training can be then scheduled or student given ref. letter.

 

[Gary D.]

If classes are going to be offered online does that mean Bill Gates is a diving instructor by proxy?

Gary D.

 

[ratown]

I'm doing a 3 day certification. I already did the elearning which is really good. You still have to know the information. There are tests and quizzes. We are doing pool work on a Friday and open water dives Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. It is just 4 of us, and we are paying $169 tuition + $80 rental each.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Classes are not supposed to be cheaper. PADI's position is the LDS charges the same amount as usual. Customer is paying for the convenience of not benefitting from instructor input during the academic learning process. I'm waiting for the online rescue course now. IDC will soon be done via teleconferencing since skills are not as important as getting alot of new instructor tuition checks.

 

[PhilEllis]

We have had quite a number of e-Learners in the past year. In my opinion, they come to class slightly better prepared than students who use the traditional materials for home study. In the morning academic reviews each day, the e-learners seem a little more up on the material than do others. That being said, e-learning has NOTHING to do with basic scuba training.....it still requires instructor interaction in the classroom and of course, the pool work.

Phil Ellis

 

[plumbcrazy]

Unfortunately it seems as though all education is going this way. The faster we can get done the faster we can move to something else. Soon we will be able to throw away the encyclopedia because we know every thing.

 

[deepblueme]

She is going to die 'specialy if shes not using a backplate wing bc.

Not.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Even before e-learning the 3-day class worked fine, for strong swimmers with natural athletic skills and prior ocean experience. There are even a few with only two of the above requirements that also did fine, but all of them had to have the homework done before the 3-days started or the schedule is no good.

I have only had a couple e-learning students and they did seem to have the material comprehension part down better than the students trying to read the book a couple days (or one) prior to the class. No matter how you do the academics, if you are not comfortable in the water before you start, you will not get comfortable in just 3-days!

Some can learn things like this quickly and some can not. Unfortunately, many of the ones that can not seem to think it is their right to learn as fast as the ones that can, so they refuse to put in the time and effort necessary for their own slowness, and demand to do the fast / cheap class. If all the instructors actually made students follow standards (master the skills) most divers would be much better divers, but most students can not master the skills in 3 days, partly because many instructors do not know how to instruct (teach)!

 

[PhilEllis]

To be honest, I don't know why there is such a viseral reaction to e-learning. It is NOTHING more than a different way to deliver home study material. To my knowledge, PADI has NEVER avocated using e-learning as a way to skip instructor interaction on academic issues. We treat our e-learning students exactly as we treat our traditional book and dvd learners.

Phil Ellis

 

[DiverBizz]

I enjoyed the interaction with the instructor and his assistant during the classroom. Being able to ask questions, look over the lessons taught, process the information and talk to the instructor the next class. I loved my OW class experience.