Why do you say that? Would you expect your local university or college to offer free courses just because they're online? (And do you think your own paycheck is ugly or a thing of beauty?)Originally Posted by acelockco
Distance education via the internet has been going on for quite some time, and scuba is just now making an entry into that mode of learning. It's not just PADI either. In fact, I think SDI is a bit ahead of the rest.
Well, the bottom line is $ because they now want to cut out the middle man (instructor). They want everyone to get their online training. I feel that the training is very lacking to begin with, and this only makes it worse in my opinion. It is not about the course being free at all, but more about dive instructors not getting paid! They spent a lot of their hard earned money to become scuba instructors, to have the carpet pulled out from under them.
As far as my paycheck, I work for myself and my paycheck is good as the money I make came from helping others.
It is nothing against PADI in anyway, it is just showing how the world is. I miss the good old days when you would learn from your teacher, not the book and a video or the internet.
I guess Queros feather's got ruffled...too bad
OW is already a joke because even the non swimmer can become certified so putting it on the net will make it just that much better
Yea more divers that have no clue what they are doing
Not really a case of ruffled feathers. I just have precious little patience for hyperbole and sweeping statements spouted by people who set themselves up as speaking with authority when they actually have the facts wrong. (I've been told by the OP that it's called "humour" and I guess it is pretty funny to see him make himself look like a git. ROFL)
As I said, I'm not a huge fan of e-learning (probably because I have a personal preference to do my own learning in a face-to-face setting), and I agree that it can hurt independent instructors or those who (like me) work for schools that are not PADI shops and don't qualify for e-learning. But OTOH I can see that scuba instruction, like all other coursework, is moving in that direction. If it's possible to do some of the work for an MBA online, why not scuba? The information that students need to assimilate isn't *that* complicated.
Actually, some of my students come to me as referrals, and I'd just as soon have them do the knowledge development via e-learning before they show up here in Thailand as have them search around for a shop in their town to do face-to-face classroom work with (and possibly simply sit through hours of powerpoint lectures anyway).
I'll still get a chance to talk things over with my e-learning referral students before it's time to get in the water, because, in fact, e-learning does NOT mean (as the OP asserted) that a diver can get certified without even getting wet.
Anyway, Rick, welcome to the board, and I hope your subsequent postings actually contribute to discussions rather than just trying to stir things up.
Last edited by Quero; 07-02-2007 at 11:02 AM.
# I don't see myself as having been made a git at all.
# Also I did not at any time mention that I was speaking with authority
" I just have precious little patience for hyperbole and sweeping statements "
My post was to mention a genuine PADI direction, in a light hearted way, and it seems it was seen that way by others.
I am a PADI certified diver, and have also certified under the club system with BSAC (in 1974), so I have seen both types of Diver eduction ... the long detailed, but low cost non-profit making club method, and the pure business approach of PADI.
Having been invloved with both - I am happy to pass comments - but as a diver, not as someone who as you say "set themselves up as speaking with authority"
In my post the only facts I quoted are correct ... that PADI offer e-learning, and teh full face mask speciality, the rest was jest.
I received an email yesterday prompting me that I had joined the forum, but never made a post, and invited me to do so.
I did, and it seems I am castigated for my first post - should I have just meekly paid homage to somebody first ?
I understood that unmoderated forums were places for people to discuss what they wanted to, (diving related) and readers could choose to read or ignore.
I dive for fun, not for income, and I take part in various forums for fun & information exchange. (and sometimes education), and banter.
Other forums welcome such people ... if this forum is only for 'serious exchanges' .. then I don't belong here and I'll happily delete my subscription.
Only 4.9% of people in the UK live in Wales - the rest just wish they did.
Don't let Quero scare you off.
We all must remember this is an forum where everyone is invited to state their opinion. It does not matter if you are the CEO of PADI or someone that has never gone diving before. There is no prereq. for this forum, and you don't even need to be a certified diver which is a great thing. We are here because we love diving, love to talk about it, love to think about it and love to discuss it.
There are always going to be differences of opinion here, and even a little poke or prod here or there is cool. Just never take it personally! We are all dive buddys and really should look out for each other. Maybe if we are lucky our relationships here will allow some of us to actually dive together.
Remember it is our differences of opinion that allow us to learn from each other. Personally I feel we have a great group here. I value all of your opinions and welcome you all to come dive in my local dive spot any time.
I also belong to a lot of scuba discusion lists, and only one of them is unmoderated: (I have deleted the URL because of friction between that site and this one--Q) Maybe you should check it out?
On all of the others, without exception, agency bashing considered poor form.
Anyway, I'm not a mod. I just call it like I see it. You didn't put your post in the "jokes" or "chat" forum of this board, but rather in a "basic scuba" training forum. I don't know about you, but I take training seriously, and I take jokes in the spirit they are offered. Your post was an agency bash, no matter how you frame it.
Last edited by Quero; 07-02-2007 at 11:14 PM.
So having an opinion on an agency is bashing?
Well I don't think so!
I also believe that it is only considered poor form in your mind. Bottome line is Argonaut told it like it is and added his/her sarcasm. 100% allowed.
Considering you are in instructor, you should be even more concerned as in a few years you may be out of a job.
Oh yea' you are NOT a mod like you said, so your 'rules' only apply to you.
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