With the final preparation done and dusted, we were ready to start our PADI IDC-at the end of it, we would be PADI Scuba Diving Instructors!
On the first day of the PADI IDC we were in the "Classroom." We were given an outine of the way that the course would be run and things that we needed to complete during our course. We spent a long time in fun discussion about all sorts of topics from business of diving to different steps in the PADI system. We spent the whole of the first day in the classroom preparing for the rest of the coursee. The whole day was relaxing and we didn't realise until later, just how much information we took in.
On the second day, after a short time in the classroom, it was time for our first pool session. We couldn't beleive it; so far this course had been far from what we were expecting! It was like a holiday! We did a big skill circuit during this first session. We sorted out what weights we needed and we got comfortable with our surroundings, and each other.. We were all a bit nervous about going in the pool so soon because, naturally you always feel like everyone is going to better than you or that you get asked to do a skill that you have never heard of!
Janet was brilliant today! She showed us her "Skills Master Class" which not only gave us great tips for demonstrations, but also where to position yourself and your class for maximum effect. By the end of the pool session it felt like we had been here forever, everyone felt comfortable with the company we were keeping, there was nothing over-whelming about the day. We were all looking forward to the next morning when we would be learning how to teach in a classroom.
The classroom presentation is the thing that I was most worried about.. just the words public speaking sent a shudder down my spine.
We arrived at around 8.30am. and at once the atmoshpere fell back to its normal friendly and relaxed self. It's hard to explain how we learnt to teach in a classroom. We had a joint discussion about what we thought should go into a presentation and it sort of "happened". It was as if it was our idea of how to format a lesson plan.
But it certainly worked. Steve kept telling us that we were learning to teach for the real world, rather than just pass an exam.
I gave my first ever classroom presentation. A better name for it would be "Janet Prior's Presentation"! I had so much help and guidance from Janet, it was unbeliveable. But it worked!! It was certainly a big confidence booster. Everyones "talk" sounded realistic and scored high marks. We laughed a lot!
Today we were going to learn how to teach in confined water. After our skill circuit we were all confident that we knew how to demonstrate our skills.
Just as before, we were given some Prior Knowledge materials to help us with our preparation. Soon we were ready to go. We had our briefings and de-briefings sorted. We were all aware of the importance of the Performace Requirements and whether to teach the skill in deep or shallow water.
We all had one skill each to teach and we all worked in a team to be "Instructor", "Student" or "Assistant". After our first pool presentation, Janet took each of us to one side and helped us to deliver our de-briefing. So! once again, we all gave a virtually perfect pool presentation...and it was only our first time. This course was fast becoming one of the best things ever, I just constantly felt like I was achieving great things but with little effort! Everyone agreed that they were having so much fun and were learning a lot. AND no homework!
My PADI IDC Highlights
We spent the whole of the first day in the classroom preparing for the rest of the course. The whole day was relaxing and we didn't realise until later, just how much information we took in.
Pool Skill Demonstrations
Remembering from my Divemaster Course, the art of the demonstration was not to just go slowly, but to talk through the critical steps of the skill, with your hands.
Teaching in Confined Water
Remembering to communicate with the student diver and the assistant in the pool was second nature after our dry practice session.
When to pick your moment was a skill that we developed as the course went on.
Getting a handshake from the Course Director was always a great boost to my confidence.
Pool Skills Demonstration
"This course was fast becoming one of the best things ever, I just constantly felt like I was achieving great things but with little effort!"