Thread Split - Unable to breathe

[DandyDon]

One student showed up late, with the expectation that all he had to do was write an exam. He was pressed for time as he was leaving the next morning on a dive trip (hence the class) and still needed time to pack. He was quite non-plussed that I was going to teach him dammit and it was going to take more than a couple of hours. I taught the class regardless. Who is at fault if he did not want to be there and may not have retained anything?

Bill

It seems to help to tell & remind each student that it's important to be on time, and how long to expect to be in class - but you may have, and he may have ignored that too.

My home bud likes for me to take care of trip details, tell & remind him, but he ignores me a lot. "I said we booked in US dollars; don't give me all of those pesos! Where are your water jugs for the ruins? How could you forget your ear meds?!"

 

[Jax]

Sorry ... I've had to have "the talk" with a student from time to time ... it usually starts out with the question "How badly do you want a c-card?" ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Therein may be the problem. Today, all anyone wants is the paper - c-card, sheepskin, name it.

What happened to people wanting the skills?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I think that's a bit of a generalization, Jax. Perhaps it's because my students are self-selecting ... but by far the majority are really looking for skills. That's why the skills workshops I'm offering now are becoming so popular ... they don't even come with a c-card.

With two exceptions, all of the "problem students" I've encountered in eight years of teaching scuba occurred during the two years I was teaching for a dive shop. As an independent, I just don't see it that much ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[FPDocMatt]

Unfortunately, that makes the instructor sound like a dumb-ass or the training materials sound like crappp... which may be the case but not definitely.

Good point.

But really, it's rude to tell someone he's a poor student, or didn't pay attention in class. There's no reason for such an assertion, even if it's true.

So if you want to say something like, "Since you're asking that question, either the class you took didn't teach you the concepts that you were supposed to be taught, or you weren't paying attention", well, you're just going to hurt the guy's feelings, that's all there is to it.

And what's the point of that? So you can feel superior?

All that's needed is for the newby's lack of knowledge to be remedied. He doesn't need to be made to feel like a moron in the process.

If the intention is to bring to light inadequacies in scuba classes today, I would suggest a separate thread be started.

 

[TSandM]

All that's needed is for the newby's lack of knowledge to be remedied. He doesn't need to be made to feel like a moron in the process.

Well said. Internet forums in general would be pleasanter places if everyone felt that way.

 

[FPDocMatt]

So, it wasn't the actual post that was the problem. You would prefer to have it presented in the way you express above.

The actual post was worded insultingly. So no, I did have a problem with the actual post.

If what you're asking is, did I not have a problem with the content of the post, just with the way it was worded-- Well, let me use an example to make a point:

Let's say one woman sees another's new dress and says, "Emily, that's a beautiful dress. It really slims you down!" Emily has just been insulted. But she'd have to admit that the explicit content of the communication was not the problem, but rather the implied content of the communication (that she has a weight problem).

So I would say that I have a problem with the implied content of the communication--that the OP has something to be ashamed of.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Let's say one woman sees another's new dress and says, "Emily, that's a beautiful dress. It really slims you down!" Emily has just been insulted. But she'd have to admit that the explicit content of the communication was not the problem, but rather the implied content of the communication (that she has a weight problem).

... of course, if Emily really does have a weight problem, and acknowledges it, then there's no insult ... the other lady just told her she looks good.

Sometimes it boils down to being honest with yourself ... and how you choose to receive feedback from others.

Nobody should need to grow a "thick skin" to protect themselves from rudeness, but by the same token, rudeness shouldn't be taken where none was intended either.

That axe cuts both ways ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[The Chairman]

Therein may be the problem. Today, all anyone wants is the paper - c-card, sheepskin, name it.

What happened to people wanting the skills?

I find the opposite to be true. My students love it when I add to the curriculum. Rather than complain about it, they rise to the challenge I present them. Karma is good to them too. This past Sunday, my star student was rewarded with a curious dolphin swimming in to say "Hello!" Her ability (on just her two first dives) to hover above silt allowed her to see creatures most miss.

 

[Doubler]

Matt, where I worked you would have been accused of sexual harrassment for commenting on the young ladies attire whether it made her look thin or not. Same ones that want off the sinking boat first but call you a pig for opening the door for them. Haven't figured that one out yet.
I was an electronics instructor for several years and believe it or not there are some students that can't be remedied. Every one in today's society seems to be " me First" I am all that matters, your time means nothing. What is rude is a student showing up late, what is rude is the same student thinking that I'm here so just give me my certification card I paid for. I would have given him his money back and told him to re- schedule when he could properly schedule his time.

 

[boulderjohn]

I don't think I have ever had a student resist learning what they were being taught, either in the classroom or in the water.

OK, I had a 13 year old who hadn't done a blessed bit of reading before class and who we (the parents and I) decided should wait a an additional injection of maturity before trying certification again.