PADI 2 day OW class

[Karibelle]

That was the problem. I dunno what PADI calls for, but I think that with a group that big, 10 or so students, the instructor should have an AI or a DM who actually works with students be in the water with him. The group is too big to be able to deal with people who don't just get it right away.

You're right, you know. But you have another option. You say you don't know what PADI calls for. Have you tried calling them, and asking? You may be surprised what your courses of action are, should you have chosen to do that.

kari

 

[Wayward Son]

I took the PADI class with her as a refresher for me, as I had not been diving in a long time. Having been taught at a young age & taught well, I didn't really need anything past the 1st night in the pool, which was what it turned out I got.

Since getting her card, she's turned out to be a pretty good diver & really enjoys it. If she had listened to the 1st guy, we would have missed out on that.

 

[jbd]

Well, if she had been in my class, that's not what would have happened. In my class when there's a DM, that is his role - to work with students who need extra help with skills. I prefer, rather than use a DM, to team teach with another instructor, so students requiring extra time and attention can get that attention from an instructor.
kari

Why not have the DM supervise the practice of those who are getting it and you as the instructor focus some time on the person having difficulties. Technically the DM isn't really qualified to train or teach skills that haven't been learned. The DM can supervise students who have satifactorily been taught th skill and just need some practice time to develope mastery.

 

[Wayward Son]

You're right, you know. But you have another option. You say you don't know what PADI calls for. Have you tried calling them, and asking? You may be surprised what your courses of action are, should you have chosen to do that.

kari

No, we just dealt with the store manager. Ultimately that meant changing to a different instructor, which actually became 2 new ones due to things that came up for them & they swapped around some. Both of those did better with her, but by then I had already solved her problems. With the 1st guy she had made it as far as going to the 1st day of OW dives, in a spring & having him tell her she wasn't ready after 20 minutes in the water of doing nothing but swimming around the spring.

So we got a new guy & they had a med emergency & the pool session was cancelled, then the building had problems & was closed, then the other new guy met her for an afternoon in the pool. He went over the skills with her, agreed she was ready & the next day we went for OW dives & she did fine. Day 2 he finished up. then we pretty much quit dealing with that shop, but that was really more due to the fact that I have some Scubapro gear & they couldn't service it & the other one can.

 

[Karibelle]

Why not have the DM supervise the practice of those who are getting it and you as the instructor focus some time on the person having difficulties. Technically the DM isn't really qualified to train or teach skills that haven't been learned. The DM can supervise students who have satifactorily been taught th skill and just need some practice time to develope mastery.

Once all skills are evaluated, this is what happens. Before that happens, we go through the process... once the skill is demo'd we begin evaluation. If student #2 has problems, I may call on the DM to work with student #2 while I continue on with evaluation of other students. Should we successfully complete the evaluation of that skill with the remaining students, and are moving into "practice" (i.e. no more skills to do in this session) then yes, it makes sense for DM to supervise practice while the instructor goes back to work with student #2. Note that once the student has been successful in working through their issues with the DM, I would go back to evaluate that student's mastery of the skill. Am I making sense?

kari

 

[Wayward Son]

At the other shop, Dan was always called "the DM" but for all I know he's an actual AI who's functioning as a DM for the classes. I never asked. I do know that he's good & is good at teaching skills.

I did ask why he didn't become an instructor & he said he just didn't want that level of responsibility in certifying people. he was happy doing what he was doing. Right after that class, he moved to Atlanta. Not sure who's been doing the job since then, we have several who are qualified.

 

[jbd]

Am I making sense?

kari

Yes. I understand your description however(not a slam on you or your method) I would use a different approach. In the scenario you gave I would turn student # 1 over to the the DM or AI and keep student # 2 with me as I worked with each of the remaining students in turn. I would have student # 2 observe each of the remaining students perform the skill being addressed. For those that get it right, #2 sees it done correctly and can start mentally processing the skill. For each one that has minor issues which call for a repeat # 2 can follow me through another demo to the current student and watch that student do the asked for repeat. As each completes the skill sucessfully they are turned over to the DM or AI to continue practicing the skill to develope mastery. Then I would specifically address # 2 with a review of the skill followed by another demo and then have # 2 attempt the skill again. If not sucessful then move on to another skill and after class discuss the possibility of setting up some one on one time with # 2.

It is a balancing act to give people the time they need and yet not slow down an entire class, especially if its a large class.

Another solution would be to have the DM or AI supervise the student(s) that are falling behind in a particular session while they practice skills they can do sucessfully but may benefit from extra practice time. The instructor moves on with the reaminder of the group and then turns them over to the DM/AI and returns to work on the skills that need remediation of the others students.

Just some food for thought.

 

[Karibelle]

Yes. I understand your description however(not a slam on you or your method) I would use a different approach.

Interesting - will consider this approach next time I am in that situation (next class, perhaps!). Thanks for the perspective.

kari

 

[cmdiver]

I dont' think it has to do with the number of days, as much as it does the student and the instructor. I know a instructor that teaches the course over two days. The student gets the books ahead of time and completes the home study. They can call and visit with the instructor over the phone if they have any questions. Then they complete a academic review, and head for pool. Spending most of the morning in the pool running through the skills. Then head for the boat for a late afternoon set of checkout dives on a shallow reef. Once returning to the dock they sit down and go over more of the days events. The next morning they are allowed extra practice in the pool if they'd like and final dives that afternoon. This seems to work for her and her students, and it is primarily to fit into someone that is on a very limited schedule. The same skills are taught, the same tests given, and the same number of dives, so I think it just depends on the students ability and the quality of instruction. Really, why swim around in a pool for hour after hour, when you can demonstrate you have mastered the skills....this isn't brain surgery, it is common sense, and knowing not to stay to long, come up to fast, and don't exceed your personal limits!

 

[jbd]

cmdiver-that system might work well with a private student or two but I doubt its sufficient time to work with 8 to 12 students. People might be doing it but I would be willing to bet there is are significant differences between the actual diving skills of the two types of groups.