Professional educators as scuba instructors?

[Trisha]

Are there any scuba instructors out there who also have credentials as professional educators? Bachelor's degree or above, state certification, years of classroom experience....
If so, how does this influence your delivery of information in OWD or other classes? What do you find yourself adding or subtracting to the standard materials as presented by your agency?

 

[Scottri]

I am not an instructor but I work with one that has a degee in physics. It helps him to teach the physics portions of the classes but it doesn't really crossover anywhere else in his teaching. The students respond to the instructor personally. If the instructor is knowledgable about the subject matter he or she will be a good teacher. If they are not confident in their knowledge of the material it will show.

 

[nessum]

In my highschool there were 2 bio teachers that are also PADI instructors. They didn't really work for the LDS but arranged something through them & kids could take "discounted" dive lessons through the teachers (the discount in a single LDS city is about the same as regular price here in Vancouver). I don't know why I didn't take up Scuba then. I wanted to, & I had a few friends that did. They all got their AOW & went on a "field trip" to the Caymans. *jealous* Very few have done much diving since. One of these friends went to Mexico last month & didn't dive.

 

[perpet1]

I have been a technical trainer in the high tech field for the last 6 years and in Nuclear Power before that. I have been a NAUI Instructor for the last 6 years as well. I feel that the two compliment each other rather well. To date I think the most fun train the trainer program I have done is the ITC I did with NAUI and that combined with more formal training makes me IMO a much better trainer in both areas.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I'm not a degreed educator but I went through the public school system so I learned first hand from them how not to teach. LOL

Oh, I dive a little too.

 

[GQMedic]

I'm not a "Professional educator" nor do I play one on Television. But I DO teach SCUBA to HIGHSCHOOL kids, (Prerequisite: NAUI Instructor Cert and a full stock on asprin)

As far as adding to the course, I found myself adding "Dog" to the end of many topics and when I ask if everyone has understood, I substitute "are ya feelin' me"? ie. Ascend no faster than 30 feet per minute or no faster than your smallest bubbles, Dog. Are ya feelin' me? Praise is accomplished with "Dog, that's pretty dope".

All this can be learned in my new NAUI EBONICS FOR DIVE LEADERS course. So, while you're chillin', consider learning how to speak "teenager", take this course and you too wil be able to "throw the mack down" on your lectures, dog! Get down wit yer bad self.

We also offer "Diving for Homeys", One homey brings in a bunch of other homies in a relaxed innercity environment, The instructor using the techniques learned in NAUI EBONICS FOR DIVE LEADERS will be able to slash through the language barrier without a strap, subjects include "reef tagging".

DISCLAIMER: There is no such thing as a NAUI EBONICS FOR DIVE LEADERS, so for those who were actually thinking of this specialty (as there inevitably are), YO perish the thought! It's all in jest, DOG!

 

[gr8lakesdiver]

I am a dissertation meeting away from a Ph.D. in Child and Family Ecology, a program that covers human development. And in doing so, includes principles of early childhood education and adult learning. Scuba was simply a hobby that grew until I reached instructor.

It would be a waste if all the training and mentoring I recieved being prepared to teach at a collegiate level was not being transferred to my scuba students. I have an ease that many of my colleagues don't have when instructing. I find it easy to adapt the material to a broad range of learning styles. It is easy for me to seperate the wheat from the chaff. I have an ability to make every class the students' not mine.

Having been prepared in another field, certainly made it easier to teach scuba in the beginning. There is not a shortage of bad instructors/teachers. Being an excellent instructor doesn't take an advanced degree, but rather the ability to be responsive to students' needs. Over time and with practice you will develop your own style and be able to produce fine students.

Having said that, the skills that my education provided would be useless without an in-depth understanding of scuba principles, a respect for agency standards and an active dive lifestyle.

 

[kramynot2000]

I teach in a graduate program at a University and am also a PADI divemaster (on my way to instrutor, hopefully). What I've found is that the interpersonal skills are the biggest thing to cross over and be useful in SCUBA training. Although the subject is much different, it seems like students have very similar personalities, anxieties, etc. so you can deal with those issues all in the same way.

 

[IndigoBlue]

I'm not a degreed educator but I went through the public school system so I learned first hand from them how not to teach. LOL

Oh, I dive a little too.

I would not take a scuba class from any of my high school teachers or college profs.

Next question?

 

[IndigoBlue]

Are there any scuba instructors out there who also have credentials as professional educators? Bachelor's degree or above, state certification, years of classroom experience....
If so, how does this influence your delivery of information in OWD or other classes? What do you find yourself adding or subtracting to the standard materials as presented by your agency?

Trisha, there is a beautiful mountain lake called Lake Elmer Thomas just north of Ft Sill Oklahoma. If you get a chance go down and dive there.

Its cold so you will need a wetsuit.

Its crystal clear, with lake grass along the bottom of it, and lots of perches and bass fish to swim with you.

Bring a buddy, and your tanks and gear with you from OKC.

Have a great dive.