Had my first student today

[wetb4igetinthewater]

When I was teaching we used many avenues for demonstrations, but only the certified instructor could evaluate the student and their skills set. This includes classroom work and field work. For the MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) we used meat puppets to demonstrate on. They did nothing except hold whatever position we put them in to better show the students how to perform the move.

And they charged with the banana. You have grown a beard and lost your English accent since this video was made of your course.

 

[ofg-1]

I do not apologize for demanding adherence to teaching standards.

I guess my question is: Who the hell are you to demand anything?

Standards are a contractual relationship between an instructor and their agency. If you think standards were violated, your only valid recourse is to file a complaint. Your solution is to whine on Scubaboard. I guess you could track these people down and kill them, but that may be a bit harsh.

I investigated numerous complaints back in day. Get in touch with the agency, tell them you want to file a complaint based on a post made on Scubaboard. Those guys probably need a good laugh.

 

[L13]

I think you're overlooking what demonstrate means. The DM/DMT is allowed to demonstrate skills. They are not, however, allowed at assess the skill being repeated by the student. They are essentially a puppet for the instructor to use for demonstrations while the instructor evaluates the student.

Did the OP ever claim to do any assessment? Were any of the attacks on the instructor for allowing the DMT to assess?

I never suggested that the a DM or DMT could assess, only that they could demonstrate (at least some things). Most of the attacks on the instructor that I saw were for allowing the DMT to demonstrate (or anything else other than observe).

 

[ginti]

Oh Turk . . .sigh . . . I was referring to you when I talked about delivering the good news first. My point was to lead with your compliment on his enthusiasm and then deliver the bad news. You did it backwards. Your appreciation for his enthusiasm probably fell on completely deaf ears by the time you'd finished delivering the bad news.

I will maintain my point that everyone blasted him before bothering to ask questions and dig deeper to make sure it was all as taken.

I have to say that people here tried to help, which is remarkable - and I hope they (we?) will continue doing it.

But I agree with you that some improvement in the communication could (should?) take place.

To be fair, a great approach is the sandwich one. First good news (the reader is happy and will probably pay attention to the following part), than feedback (in a polite and calm way, and only after clarifying any missing information), then good news again (the reader will leave happy enough to work on whatever he needs to improve - if they leave angry, they won't consider the feedback). This approach works with almost anyone, except narcissists and people who are extremely task oriented (in this case, your approach is far superior)

I think communication would work way better with this approach. Which combined with the great supportive attitude of most users here, would be a blessing for the diving community.

Anyway, whatever you people choose to do, please don't lose your willingness to help others. That is truly amazing (no sarcasm here - I wouldn't be a member of this community otherwise)

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

To be fair, a great approach is the sandwich one. First good news (the reader is happy and will probably pay attention to the following part), than feedback (in a polite and calm way, and only after clarifying any missing information), then good news again

When I did my IDC, we called that the PADI sh!t sandwich!

 

[noserider]

No need for this mate, you are showing your troll skils, a decent teacher would be looking to deescalate the situation but...................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Such a pity. You made so many friends here so fast I was hoping you’d share some of those people skills you learned in math class.

 

[TMHeimer]

Yes there is a difference between simply demonstrating a skill to a class vs. teaching it to an individual-- correcting mistakes, etc. The first may be done by a DMT, the latter can be done by a DM. I did the first as a DMT and both as a DM.

 

[Boarderguy]

Did the OP ever claim to do any assessment? Were any of the attacks on the instructor for allowing the DMT to assess?

He insinuates it here that she was only present in the water and that he ran the entire dive.

She was sat a short distance away watching

Oh she was in the water kneeling with us not far away.

As a trainee divemaster I had my first student today and I took her through open water 2.

As previously described, having the DMT direct any part of the training is more than is allowed for demonstrating. The instructor should have initiated each skill and had her dive puppet demonstrate so she could watch and assess and the entire time. Puppets don't direct, the dance when told to.

She seemed a little nervous so we talked about the skills that we were going to do during the dive, what hand signals I would use and the steps of each skill.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I have to say that people here tried to help, which is remarkable - and I hope they (we?) will continue doing it.

But I agree with you that some improvement in the communication could (should?) take place.

To be fair, a great approach is the sandwich one. First good news (the reader is happy and will probably pay attention to the following part), than feedback (in a polite and calm way, and only after clarifying any missing information), then good news again (the reader will leave happy enough to work on whatever he needs to improve - if they leave angry, they won't consider the feedback). This approach works with almost anyone, except narcissists and people who are extremely task oriented (in this case, your approach is far superior)

I think communication would work way better with this approach. Which combined with the great supportive attitude of most users here, would be a blessing for the diving community.

Anyway, whatever you people choose to do, please don't lose your willingness to help others. That is truly amazing (no sarcasm here - I wouldn't be a member of this community otherwise)

You are quite correct. Sandwich is best!

 

[L13]

Yes there is a difference between simply demonstrating a skill to a class vs. teaching it to an individual-- correcting mistakes, etc. The first may be done by a DMT, the latter can be done by a DM. I did the first as a DMT and both as a DM.

Again, why is a DMT not able to do anything a DM can do as long as they are under close supervision by the instructor? Why are DMTs the only trainees not expected to practice the activities they will be expected to perform once certified while being closely supervised by an instructor?