It is Finished

I am happy to say that the two candidates are now Scuba Instructors. Their six months of hard work have payed off.

Now comes the real learning!

The card is just a piece of plastic, you are what is important. How you conduct yourself, the knowledge you command and the way you share it with others is the measure that is seen. Represent yourself well, represent those who trained you, well.

All eyes are upon you, everyone will be listening with keen ears. You can no longer dive without being viewed as a professional, an open water scuba instructor. Make sure what people see, is something they want to be.

Think back now to the beginning, to the time you wanted to learn of the underwater world. Remember the awe and pure joy! Share this and your love of diving with your students. If you do this, you can't go wrong.

Congratulations John and Arbrey! I expect you to be better, better than me! Be Safe and have Fun!

Day 7 Academics

This night the students evaluated one another's recorded presentation and their own.  They were most critical.

A lot of insight was obtained with the stress of the camera and being evaluated.

Following the evaluations, teaching theory and instructional techniques was completed.

Student to instructor ratios confined water and open water were emphasized.

As it is the holiday season, the pool is closed.  Next academic session will be another assigned topic presentation.

Day 5 Academics

The day started with an instructor presenting with student critique. Everyone followed with a new presentation. Immediate feedback was not given to the student as it was video recorded. The student will do a critical evaluation of the presentation and report back next session. The instructors will also critique the presentations at the next meeting.

This was followed by covering Teaching Theory and Instructional Techniques. This could be the driest reading, but the class discussion was better.

Empathy, Eye Contact; Pitch, Pace and Pause

Humor and the Hammer were all discussed.

Next session will finish teaching theory and instructional techniques.

The students are all "Crazy Cats"!

Day 2

Classroom

Reviewed requirements for Scuba Instructor Training.  Reviewed tasks to be accomplished prior to evaluation and evaluation standards.

Each student did a Teaching Presentation.

One at a time, the presentation was critically evaluated with suggestions for improvement.

Reading assignment made, new presentation topic selected.  Students will also re work first teaching presentation and present it again.