7/13/2006 - Which course?
Which dive course that you completed did you find the most rewarding? Why?
Which dive course that you completed did you enjoy the least? Why?
Which did you get the least out of? Why?
What was it about the courses you enjoyed most that made you enjoy them above the other courses?
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Why all the questions? I'm just curious what students are looking for and enjoying most in their courses. I could ask my own students, however most people tend to tell their teachers/instructors that "yes, I had a good time. Thank you, I enjoyed it."
It's very rare that you'll get someone honest and tactless enough to stand in front of you and spell out what sucked and what rocked.
Personally? My favourite course was my IDC, followed closely by my Divemaster course. I loved the DM because it was my 'intro' into the professional world of diving. I was challenged and got to work with a lot of other DM candidates and learn together. My IDC was fun fun fun fun fun. My CD was brilliant and he challenged us in terms of theory and driving us to know what was important in our student's education.
I hated my rescue course. The instructor I had was the same instructor for both OW and Advanced (which I enjoyed to no end) but the course itself was woeful. I came out of it feeling as though I'd learnt nothing and would remember even less by the time I got the wetsuit off.
Basically what I'm getting at is what are the things you look for in a course? What things do you want from an instructor? Do you expect your courses to be intense and action packed with learning and learning and learning or do you expect to have fun in your courses while learning in a fairly relaxed manner (still covering all required info, but maybe not as intense in terms of drills and skills and repitition?).
It's so easy to run a thorough course where you over-bombard students with information and skills. And it's even easier to underteach. It's very hard to find a spot in the middle that works the students and teaches them what they need to know, challenging them a little and making them enjoy what they're doing. I'd appreciate any comments just to see what other people think (whether they are instructor's or students).
And while I have your interest - if you're an instructor, or someone who's completed a Rescue course specifically, your comments would be most appreciated. This is the most contentious course to teach, in my opinion, because there is so much in it. What works for you, what doesn't, and what's your preferred method of teaching it?
Thanks in advance,
Grace
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