DIR- GUE GUE e-learning platform

[DCN]

We recently signed up for fundamentals, and are well on our way working through the new elearning course content. We find it to be quite extensive, very thorough and a fantastic way to learn with continuous feedback and the opportunity to go back and refresh your knowledge. Spending more time up front at home will free up loads of time for applying our newfound knowledge in practice during the class.

To be honest, we'd probably not be able to handle all the theory while at the same time concentrating on practical skills. Splitting up theory and practice is perfect for us, we can do the theory at our own time and pace, and as a result, learn a lot more than we otherwise would be capable of in a classroom setting.

We did PADI e-learning for our OW, and while we thought it was good at the time (except the obvious marketing fluff), this is at a different level, even though it's supposedly in beta.

Anyone else using the new GUE elearning platform? What are your thoughts?

 

[iliketopetsharks]

I had the opportunity to try it out, even though my fundies was 2 years ago.
There's a few quirks left to kink out and of course a ton of content to be added, but so far it's great! Much more streamlined and user-friendly than the PADI e-learning system.

 

[xan]

I've been using it as well, and I have prior experience with the previous eLearning platform GUE used. I much prefer this new one.

I like they've applied some of the modern research around spaced repetition and other Learning Mastery concepts (many have been discussed in various Quest and/or InDepth articles) as well as what to me seems to be significant integration of the Human Factors curriculum in discussing preparation and accident prevention.

I appreciate the flexible learning paths, i.e., depending on experience the platform will tailor the depth of content, or possibly just go directly to the questions to review material, rather than force going through every slide. The diversity of quiz formats is really nice, too.

I think some of the material could be improved in terms of visual aids—somewhat unhelpful to have stock photos of divers in certain slides when a diagram or similar might help more. It's not a big deal though, and perhaps something that'll improve with time (I've already shared this feedback via the platform.)

To be honest, we'd probably not be able to handle all the theory while at the same time concentrating on practical skills.

The new platform/approach seems to further front-load learning more theory online ahead of class, to allow for more practical time when with the instructor(s). Another point for it IMO, but this might depend on the kind of learner you are (e.g., needing to have someone readily available for questions rather than studying a bit more async like this.)

 

[DCN]

I think some of the material could be improved in terms of visual aids—somewhat unhelpful to have stock photos of divers in certain slides when a diagram or similar might help more. It's not a big deal though

To nitpick, there are certain things that can be improved, i.e. videos that contain references to other chapters in a video series (probably gue.tv content?), and you have no clue why those references are made, and wonder "What did I miss here?", until you realise the video you just watched is not specifically made for this course.

To nitpick some more, the answer you give to certain questions must be 100% correct in wording. One of several examples is writing "30m" instead of "30 meters" or "30 m" The answer is correct either way you spell it, but only one way of writing it is accepted. That is unneccessary.

We still haven't completed every module, so it's too early to draw conclusions, but overall, we think it's very good. We're sure all minor details will be perfected as it is used more and more, and the good thing is that you can actually report any errors on every slide and quiz.