Scuba classes on the Internet??

[jetblast00]

So... Pan Aqua is now doing PADI OW classes over the internet. Well, the academic part anyway.
http://www.panaqua.com/ow_internet.html

Just thought I'd bring it up because I'm interested to know what people think about this.

 

[MNScuba]

I don't see anything wrong with it... wish I could have done it that way actually. As long as your questions are answered in a timely manner, I think it could go over well.

Downfall:
You miss out on a lot of the instructors personal experiences related to what you are learning.

 

[jbd]

wrong with. Its really no different than the homestudy with the videos etc.

 

[JamesK]

While I don't see anything wrong with it, I would not prefer that method. I feel that just being able to go through the class with others, and hear some of the questions they might have can be very beneficial. Even if your class was one on one, you still can gain valuable knowledge from the experience of your instructor. Besides, I would want to know my insturctor a lot better before I hop in the water with them. The classroom gives you that chance.

 

[jetblast00]

I dunno... I just think that in such an equipment intensive sport, you really need as much exposure to the gear/environment as possible, especially when first starting out...
And bad habits & misconceptions, when developed early on, can be very hard to shake later; I think that the later might be applicable here.

 

[Scottri]

Personally, I'm agains it. I help with training OW students and to me there is just too much to learn and who someone going to ask if they have questions. For some it would be ok but for others it isn't a good idea. I wouldn't want to learn CPR or First Aid over the internet.


Scott

 

[MNScuba]

You STILL have to get in the water... some people just don't have time, or there isn't an LDS nearby that teaches the class. I think this is an excellent way to get more people involved in the sport.

Yes, there ARE downsides... but I don't think it's anything that would make them less of a diver in the end. I posted something along these lines before and based on the classroom part of it there were only about 4 people out of 10 I would dive with in my class... It is virtually imposible not to pass the written portion of the course anyway... Just my two cents I guess.

 

[devilfish]

Why would anyone wish to learn something so wonderful and not want to attend a class? Scuba diving is a very involved and interactive activity. Taking a course via the internet would be ok if one wished to dive vitrual reality in the living room. There is more to diving than just reading a book. Go to class and participate. You will become a much more aware and safe diver.

 

[neil]

I have a few things to say about this.

1- PADI specifically requires the use of the textbook in the OW course, you aren't allowed to use just the CD-ROM anymore. (p. 1-4, Instructor manual)

2- In my humble-but-experienced opinion, those little dopey quizzes and exams aren't enough to adequately assess student knowledge. You have to be there to look 'em in the eyes, ask questions and see if they really understand.

3- There are a few things in the text that are either outdated, ambiguous, or (arguably) not quite correct. I like to be able to explain the finer points.

All this kind of learning does is ensure that these future divers have only the minumum knowledge needed to dive, IMO.

Neil

 

[MNScuba]

Seems to me like you're all talking about a perfect world where instructors drill the knowledge in to you as you listen closely, ask lots of questions and participate actively in the course. And all of your classmates have read the material carefully, answered all the questions in the book and watched the videos prior to the first class....

Yeah, right...

Reality is pretty much the opposite in my experience anyway. I can't believe some people in my class passed the first part of the course. They obviously and admittedly didn't read the book or go through the materials, and to be honest with you, wasted the rest of the classes time that could have been spent on more valuable issues instead of explaining why you shouldn't hold your breath underwater. Which by the way is explained about 10 times throughout the book. I am not trying to be harsh, but this is reality. I honestly believe I could have gotten 99% of what I got out of the class by doing this online course.

Sorry for the negativity, be lets face it... we don't live in a perfect world.