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rkw@da*.ne* (Richard Wackerbarth) wrote:
>ts064@mc*.co* (Jeffrey Weidner) writes:
>>One way around this (at least in some colleges) is to "test out of a
>>certain class" Take a test see how much you really know and if you pass
>>by an acceptable measure go on to the next level. Why not pressure the
>>agencies to do the same
>
>I think that this is one of the more constructive suggestions.
I agree. Another option I've seen, in the case of nitrox classes, was an
instructor teaching a combined basic/advanced class for substantially less
time and money than if the two classes were taken separately (since part
[most?] of the advanced class is really just a review of topics covered in
the basic class).
This could be applied to other types of courses as well, provided the
student doesn't need to gain experience at one level before proceeding
to the next (a cave diving instructor suggested to me, for example, that
taking cavern right through full cave classes all at once might not be the
best way to go, because students are supposed to practice at one level
before taking the next class).
>If you fail to make a superior grade on the exam, you agree to take the
>course that you failed to "place out". If your score is acceptable (better
>than just "passing"), you agree to take the following course and are
>permitted to do so.
I like this -- should make the idea easier to swallow for the instructors.
I'd imagine they could even collect the full class fee up front as a deposit,
and refund all but the "testing" fee if the student does indeed perform well,
if they were worried about folks weaseling out of the agreement.
I'm sure there are all sorts of "gotchas" and "what ifs", but it has been
my experience as well that a good instructor will work with students to
teach what the students want/need to learn, rather than going strictly by
the book. This seems to be even more true, and probably more acceptable,
in the techdiving realm than with basic SCUBA skills.
--tab
--
Tracey Baker tab@pa*.co*
*** NJ SCUBA Diving Info at http://www.panix.com/~tab/scuba.html ***
"I don't think safety is the main issue here...
You'd be stupid not to be safe." - J.Comly
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