Having completed both the Distance Learning and Preparation Courses, The PADI Instructor Development Course was off to a flying start for the A Team.
Istvan gets to grips with teaching RDP Table
First off we discussed the techniques and philosophies of effective teaching in the classroom. It was good to learn that much of the criteria we do quite naturally in our everyday conversations. However it was also good to learn that as simple as it is, the very same communication skills are taught in major corporations around the world.
Ian explains by showing a regulator to his class
Everyone felt a rush of adrenalin as they took their turn at standing at the front of the class to teach their own assignment, but with the team around them and knowing we were just talking about diving, it wasn’t so bad after all.
A dry run through to learn the moves
The next day we adapted our teaching techniques to teach skills in the confined water environment.
There was excitement in the air as the confined water is situated just off the beach at Shark’s Bay and we would be having a few days at the seaside.
Saad Teaching in Confined Water for real
At the beach we practised teaching skills, had a go at demonstrating a rescue and we even went for a dive or two.
After a few days of training at the beach, we discussed how we would adapt the same learning system to teach in the deeper, open water. Again we had a few days practicing this but by now it was feeling quite natural. The Instructor Exam is still many days away, but the team are already at the “Bring it on” stage!
We even had time for a dive or two
We spent another day in the classroom to discuss how we might teach the core PADI courses, including standards and procedures and ratios etc . After all, it won’t be long before everyone will be qualified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors and will be able to teach these courses!