Not all IDCs are the same. Not all PADI Course Directors are the same. This is a daily blog from a past student.
PADI IDC - Prep days
I was filled with nervous apprehension as I walked into the Dive Centre for the first day of my PADI IDC. I had heard stories about the PADI Instructor Development Course from past instructors in my life, I had heard words like: Stress, hard work, anxiety, late nights. These were common words. Nobody ever told me that their PADI IDC was FUN! But I was about to find out that Fun, Friendship, Laughter and Fantastic teaching tips would turn out to be a far better description of the course.
Top Tip No 1
Do it with PADI Course Director Prior !! Seriously!! I mean it!
I did my PADI DM course with them following a very strong recommendation from Dan, a Dive Guide in the Red Sea who was also taught by them.
On the first morning, I felt like I should not have signed up! The thought of meeting up with new people attending "School" was very daunting. However, I was soon to discover that the PADI IDC was going to be the best couple of weeks of my diving career, and that I'd take memories, experiences and most of friends for life.
Introductions? we didn't need introductions! PADI Course Director had formed a "forum" over the internet, and over the past few weeks we had all shared our emotions before we even got here.
Top Tip No 2
Be Prepared! By knowing dive theory, standards and skills beforehand will make your course much easier.
All of us had taken PADI Course Director's Distance Learning preparation course, so we knew that we were ready for the IDC.
When I arrived at the Classroom, all of the desks were pulled together so that we sat facing each other. People were talking, smiling.. Was I in the wrong room? I was a bit confused, this didn't seem too bad at all!.
We had all brought our laptops, so as soon as PADI Course Director had settled us down, the first thing that we did was to get familiar with the computer software that we would have to use on the IDC and IE
Top Tip No 3
Relax! and let the course wash over you. Just enjoy yourself. I was amazed at home much we all learned during this IDC - seeing that we seemed to spend the whole time laughing and mucking around!
Of course I was a bit apprehensive about the written exams! You know? Physics, Physiology and all that Scary stuff? Well Over the past few weeks, PADI Course Director had been preparing us. He sent a series of 5 mock theory exams and 4 mock standards exams via email. He was always just an email away.
He was always quick to give encouragement and give excellent tips on how we could improve.
Highlight of my IDC
Theory was behind us! We did the IDC theory exam on the very first day, and apart from a few last minute "niggles" it was all over! We could now really relax and get ready for the rest of the IDC. I can sleep tonight!
It was no surprise that we all passed the exams with flying colours! Of course there were still one or two issues that we wanted more help with.
I wondered if PADI Course Director ever got annoyed with us. Over the past few weeks, he must have received over 250 emails from us! He was always quick to reply and give encouragement and brilliant tips.
He wanted to make sure that we were as prepared as we could be. (He even reminded us about sun tan cream!)
Top Tip No 4
Read every word of the questions. If you know the answer - all well and good. If not, save it up and ask! that is what your teacher is there for.
A mistake that people make, is dwell on the subject, and "invent" an answer. This causes confusion. You then need to "unlearn" before you can replace it with the correct information.
PADI IDC - day 2
On the second day we were in the pool. PADI Course Director gave us time to get comfortable before starting a Skill Circuit. At the beginning, some of the class were a bit nervous, but soon, we were all laughing and getting excited about new ideas on how to perform skills. Not for the first time did we heard the words "Cut the Crap!"
This is all to do with the way that people learn today! Technology has changed the way that we all take in information. The modern student, just want's to get on with it!
Highlight of my IDC
PADI Master Instructor was brilliant today! Her "Skills Master Class" not only gave us great tips for skill demonstrations, but also on where to position yourself and your class for maximum effect.
By the end of the pool session, we were all very excited and all very pleased that we had chosen to do our IDC here.
PADI IDC - day 3
Today we spent most of the day in the classroom. We were given an outline for the course , and things that we would need to complete.
The whole class was involved in discussing several topics, from the business of diving to the different steps in the PADI system. The hours flew by, we were all so relaxed, it seemed like we were just "chatting" but we learned so much that day!
We learned that the modern mind can only retain 4 items of information at one time! It used to be 7, but Information Technology has reduced that to 4!
Who would have known that!
Highlight of my IDC
I really loved this way of learning! The whole group was involved the whole time. It was clear to us that we were learning how to teach the people of today's world. That didn't just mean to make use of modern technology like tablets etc. but also in the way that our brains work these days. With apps like Google, we now tend to filter out more information that we take in.
PADI IDC - day 4
Public Speaking!! Oh no! This was the lesson that everyone was dreading! However, as soon as we started, the atmosphere in the classroom returned to it's usual friendly and relaxed self.
Again we had a joint discussion about what we should include into our presentations. Then, well, it sort of just "happened" It's hard for me to explain how we learnt to teach in the classroom.
PADI Course Director kept telling us that we were learning to teach in the real world, rather than just passing an exam.
Top Tip No 5
Teaching is very natural. Don't try to "Be" an Instructor! Just pretend that you're someone's friend, and that you're explaining something to them.
You don't have to stand in front of the class if you don't want to, you can just sit at your desk and talk!
PADI IDC - day 5
Today we all had one skill to teach in confined water. We worked in a team taking it in turns to be "Instructor", "Student" or "Assistant"
We had learnt how to make our briefings "brief" and our demonstrations "realistic" we now had to put everything together. We had to control our class, deal with any problems and then debrief the skill.
This was just like the real world! This course was fast becoming one of the best things ever! I constantly felt like I was achieving great things but with little effort.
Top Tip No 6
The art of the demonstration is to go slowly, and at the same time imagine that you're talking to your class. Imagine that you're describing every step of the skill, while using your hands and arms to explain the steps. Remember to communicate with your Assistant during the lesson. Picking the right moment to do this is a skill in itself!
PADI IDC - day 6
Today we were given another chance to teach in a classroom. We each had different assignments to teach.
We put into practice the same methods as before.
The amazing thing was that we all spoke with self assurance.
I had heard that some people on other IDCs were spending 4 or 5 hours to prepare their presentations. We were taking less than 45 mins, and they sounded so realistic!
Highlight of my IDC
One thing that the whole group had noticed was that each of us was growing in confidence. Not only confidence with their teaching presentations, but confidence as a whole.
This truly is a wonderful course that teaches lots of "life skills" that people can use in their daily lives.