Posted by MHK on June 18, 2001 at 15:43:26:
In Reply to: My thoughts posted by Wayne on June 18, 2001 at 13:33:18:
Wayne,
I've long since signed off on the fact that you are the Butros Butros Gali of this list and I appreciate the gentlemanly manner with which you conduct yourself. I hope you join us when we do the Casino Point demo because I believe whole heartedly you are a genuinely nice guy that I would enjoy meeting.. That being said, we have a difference of opinion here which I hope you'll respect rather than view as an attack... Furthermore, I want you, and other's, to understand where I'm coming from. PADI *teaches the world to dive* and as such has the responsibility to set the standard, not lower it to gain market share. Much like the recent Eurpoean Summit, the USA leads the world, and as was pointed out ad nausem, we have the responsibility to lead, we can NOT, nor should NOT, abdocate that leadership role.. In that same vein, PADI is issuing 964,000 certification per annum, that bears a responsibility not an abdocation...
Look at what is going on, and look at what is being suggested, taught and defended.. In the name of shorter, and more economical classes, which coincide with annual family vacations, PADI is reducing the entrace vig to the lowest common denominator and you are suggesting that in class, while under the supervision of the paid instructor, they get taught the wrong way with the expectation that they miraculously learn, practice and master the skill elsewhere...
As I've noted above, I don't expect that the student will be 100% proficent at the end of the class, but I do expect that they will, at a minimum learn what they should/need to learn.. I reject in toto the notion that they should be demonstrated, taught and signed off on the notion of mediocrity.. Teaching someone the wrong way in class with the hopes they'll figue out the right way post cert is simply an absurd notion in my view and I'd expect better from the *way the world learns to dive*...
Would you accept your daughters being taught the wrong way to do math, with the expectation that when they actually pay for something in the real world they'll figure out the store clerk screwed them????
Wayne, I don't mean to be harsh on you because I think you are a good guy, but I steadfastly believe in my point of view and I'm fearful of what I see happening right before my eyes.. Moreover, I'd add that the first step of recovery is recognizing that there is a problem and until such time I'll keep harping on it...
Later
Posted by Wayne on June 18, 2001 at 13:33:18: