Scuba classes on the Internet??

[MNScuba]

Budgy,
You bring up a great point here... By asking a question online you have the opportunity to get multiple opinions versus just one you would get from an instructor.

And as far as the expressions go... there isn't as much as a need for them online because people won't sit there with the deer in the headlight look, they'll ask. I'm the perfect example, I must have asked hmm, lets see (347 posts so far in 3 months) 300 questions so far!

 

[Diversauras]

I am afraid that this could lead to fatal mis-understanding. I don't believe that you can learn to fly on the internet, and I think this sport is more like flying than any other comparison I can make.

The instructor should be looking at the students duting training, a good one can tell whether or not understanding is happening. I don't like video as "THE" instructor either, same argument.

Greg

and I am now thinking "Old man" more appropriate...:doctor:

 

[Diversauras]

Originally posted by Murdock325
Perhaps the real issue here is that fact that the textbook part of the course is often overlooked as being the basis of scuba education. I get the feeling it's looked at as just something that has to be done as a technicality so we can get to the fun part and be in the water. I for one feel that the classroom portion is rushed way too much and a lot more time needs to be spent there.

If this is your impression of dive instruction, after having taken a course, then you got cheated, and your instructor failed to do his job. The other possibility is that you didn't feel the text worth while so you elected to see it a technicallity.

Greg

 

[MNScuba]

I still believe it has its place. I'm hesitant to put a percentage on it, but a lot of people really don't care about the reading material and just want the certification so they can dive on their trip in Mexico with their buddies... In my class, this percentage was pretty high, like 70%!

Is this right? No, but that's just the way it is. Most people on this board have a passion for diving or a strong desire to learn. What's on this board versus the people I see in class are two different things.

You honestly think you cannot learn the classroom skills from a website and CD's? Then you obviously haven't seen a well done online course. They are very informative, easy to follow and thorough. You can go back to sections you don't understand and review it as many times as you want, and ask questions. Honestly, how many people would ask the same question more than once (if even once) in a classroom setting?

I am NOT saying that an online course is better, because it's not... for many reasons. What I am saying is that I think it has its place and can be just as effective for those chosing it. No matter which route you take you STILL have to get in the water to complete the certification.

Furthermore, with dive shops breaking even or sometimes taking a hit by doing classes in hopes of selling dive gear, how much additional time and resources do you think they're going to want to spend to make sure Student X understands everything? Should they be expected to go above and beyond for the student that didn't do the prepwork like they were asked to? Will they hold that student back and make them retake the course? Probably not...

 

[Diversauras]

Originally posted by Murdock325

Furthermore, with dive shops breaking even or sometimes taking a hit by doing classes in hopes of selling dive gear, how much additional time and resources do you think they're going to want to spend to make sure Student X understands everything? Should they be expected to go above and beyond for the student that didn't do the prepwork like they were asked to? Will they hold that student back and make them retake the course? Probably not...

I agree that a good web site can be easy to navigate and helpful as for the info it provides. I'll even give you that it is maybe better than video, but the other (unmotivated) student may just ask the question that triggers some tidbit of info that otherwise wouldn't come out, etc.

What I really want to address is the quote I clipped. I've been teaching 20+ years, diving 35 or so. I've worked in dive shops and independently and taught all over the world. IF the instructor is not going above and beyond, and he/she is issuing C-cards, then he/she is at risk. His/her ONLY job in front of a class is to do whatever it takes to make sure EVERY student has everything it takes to be a safe diver. When I first started, and I have never modified my thinking on this, the standard was if I would let my own (novice) son / daughter / wife / girlfriend dive unsupervised with this person. If the answer is no then either it is more training before the C-card or no C-card, and there are no exceptions!

If sights are set for lower standards, then that is surely what one will get.

Greg

 

[MNScuba]

Believe it or not, I agree with you 100%

That IS what scares me, as I've posted in another thread here:

How Did They Pass?

 

[devilfish]

As with this question and many other good questions on this forum, the answer is evident in the amount of replies. Two pages so far of replies to this simple question. It is difficult to answer a question with a one liner or even a paragraph. What is misleading is the variety of opinions that can become very confusing not answering the question. Usually it requires elaboration. So much for video or cd-rom learning to dive. Nothing replaces a good knowledgeable instructor. To answer this question if internet courses are a good or bad idea would require to write a book. However the final chapter would be, “learn from a mentor not a robot or a pc”.

 

[Mad_diver]

My son and I will be taking the OW class in a couple of weeks. And we have been up and down and all over the meterial given to us to prepare...... Every page of the Module offers tons of information and the self quizzes are pretty simple.
I quick test online would be a big help in evaluating progress......... Like many have said before, the material isn't hard to grasp but it would be nice to take a test covering ALL it to check how well a person is retaining the information.

I wouldn't replace me instructor with an online course, and definately wouldn't double the price to do it. But would like to get MORE info...... as always.

Anybody know of a site that has a test covering OW? I'd like to check it out.


Thanks