OWI failure rate

[raymond peck]

Looking at statistics for OWI failure rates around 15-20% fail practicals. Is there any feedback available of a general nature as to the reason for this?
We have 3 members doing OWI two have passed the Practical Lecture Instructor and one failed.
They are now off to do the OWI practical so any extra tips etc. would be appreciated.
Ray Peck
Diving Officer
BSAC 1771

[terryh]

Looking at statistics for OWI failure rates around 15-20% fail practicals. Is there any feedback available of a general nature as to the reason for this?
We have 3 members doing OWI two have passed the Practical Lecture Instructor and one failed.
They are now off to do the OWI practical so any extra tips etc. would be appreciated.
Ray Peck
Diving Officer
BSAC 1771

Assuming that the basic list of 20 odd skills and lesson
plans etc are all ok.

In my experience of the exam itself and those that we've put
through, nerves are a major factor. Although the examiners
are aware of this and allow a bit of leaway, they cant do that
if the demonstrated skill is wrong or dangerous.

Its easy to create exam type conditions and you can even use
the same or similar venues. See if you can get an outside
AI to act as an examiner.

This "mock" goes a long way to get students to appreciate
what its going to be like rather than just tell them.

TerryH

[nick kay]

Not an Instructor Trainer, so can't provide "empirical evidence". However, a number of suggestions:

1. Practise, practise, practise - in front of an NQI (preferably as per Terry's suggestion, an AI from a 3rd party club/branch)

2. In advance of the exam, go and teach a lesson at the PIE location - understand the site geography, where you could teach what. If you "know" the site, then this'll help reduce nerves on the day

3. Prep the lessons...
a) Have a "generic lesson plan" that covers all the stuff leading up to the lesson proper (SEEDS, buddy check etc) and also the stuff after the lesson proper (REAP etc). Leave a gap on the slate for:
b) Have a lesson plan for each potential lesson: 1st CBL, tow, etc
OK, this ISN'T cheating - its preparation. If you don't need it fine, but again it helps to take away the nerves "oh s**t - what does REAP stand for?" etc

4. Practise, practise, practise

[Dave Sydenham]

Looking at statistics for OWI failure rates around 15-20% fail practicals. Is there any feedback available of a general nature as to the reason for this?
We have 3 members doing OWI two have passed the Practical Lecture Instructor and one failed.
They are now off to do the OWI practical so any extra tips etc. would be appreciated.
Ray Peck
Diving Officer
BSAC 1771

Candidates will fail the exam if they fail to meet one or more of the 4 essential criteria which they will have been taught on the IFC and OWIC, i.e. lessons must be Safe, Technically Correct, Effective and Progressive...the acronym STEP. If the lesson meets these criteria then they will pass, the rest is the icing on the cake which gets you a merit. Candidates are given feedback with their results as to how they could improve their lessons and if unsuccessful will be given the reasons why.

My advice is for your candidates to prepare every lesson they are likely to be taught and to prepare slates for each one. This takes the pressure off on the day as they are prepped for every lesson and should therefore be ready to go as soon as they know their lesson rather than having to rush off to prepare a slate, they can the utilise their time better to think through their lesson and to set it up as they want.

Also they should practice teaching each lesson and get feedback to ensure that each lesson covers the essential criteria and to self-assess to see how they can improve their performance.

Once they are sure they have the key areas of the lesson covered then they should consider the 'other' areas - my best advice here is don't do anything without teaching it, e.g. do your brief using SEEDS, dry run, teach the kit-up, buddy check, fitting of fins, entry, travel to site, main lesson, travel from site, removal of fins, exit, dekit, then debrief using REAP.

Examiners are very aware of the fact that candidates will be nervous and do allow for the odd brain fart here or there, after all we've all been there! It is usually very apparent those who have put the preparation in and those who haven't.

If you need any advice try contacting your Regional Coach who should be able to give advice or put you in contact with a member of the ITS team who can advise.

Best of luck to your guys!

Cheers!

Dave
:o)

[raymond peck]

Looking at statistics for OWI failure rates around 15-20% fail practicals. Is there any feedback available of a general nature as to the reason for this?
We have 3 members doing OWI two have passed the Practical Lecture Instructor and one failed.
They are now off to do the OWI practical so any extra tips etc. would be appreciated.
Ray Peck
Diving Officer
BSAC 1771
Thanks everyone for the sound advice
Ray

[James Lutener]

:=Looking at statistics for OWI failure rates around 15-20% fail practicals. Is there any feedback available of a general nature as to the reason for this?
:=We have 3 members doing OWI two have passed the Practical Lecture Instructor and one failed.
:=They are now off to do the OWI practical so any extra tips etc. would be appreciated.
:=Ray Peck
:=Diving Officer
:=BSAC 1771

Candidates will fail the exam if they fail to meet one or more of the 4 essential criteria which they will have been taught on the IFC and OWIC, i.e. lessons must be Safe, Technically Correct, Effective and Progressive...the acronym STEP. If the lesson meets these criteria then they will pass, the rest is the icing on the cake which gets you a merit. Candidates are given feedback with their results as to how they could improve their lessons and if unsuccessful will be given the reasons why.

My advice is for your candidates to prepare every lesson they are likely to be taught and to prepare slates for each one. This takes the pressure off on the day as they are prepped for every lesson and should therefore be ready to go as soon as they know their lesson rather than having to rush off to prepare a slate, they can the utilise their time better to think through their lesson and to set it up as they want.

Also they should practice teaching each lesson and get feedback to ensure that each lesson covers the essential criteria and to self-assess to see how they can improve their performance.

Once they are sure they have the key areas of the lesson covered then they should consider the 'other' areas - my best advice here is don't do anything without teaching it, e.g. do your brief using SEEDS, dry run, teach the kit-up, buddy check, fitting of fins, entry, travel to site, main lesson, travel from site, removal of fins, exit, dekit, then debrief using REAP.

Examiners are very aware of the fact that candidates will be nervous and do allow for the odd brain fart here or there, after all we've all been there! It is usually very apparent those who have put the preparation in and those who haven't.

If you need any advice try contacting your Regional Coach who should be able to give advice or put you in contact with a member of the ITS team who can advise.

Best of luck to your guys!

Cheers!

Dave
:o)


Can anyone give away what the possible lessons might be for the exam?

I have mine this Sunday and have prepared about a dozen lessons but wouldn't want to miss any out.

Thanks

[Dave Sydenham]

:=:=Looking at statistics for OWI failure rates around 15-20% fail practicals. Is there any feedback available of a general nature as to the reason for this?
:=:=We have 3 members doing OWI two have passed the Practical Lecture Instructor and one failed.
:=:=They are now off to do the OWI practical so any extra tips etc. would be appreciated.
:=:=Ray Peck
:=:=Diving Officer
:=:=BSAC 1771
:=
:=Candidates will fail the exam if they fail to meet one or more of the 4 essential criteria which they will have been taught on the IFC and OWIC, i.e. lessons must be Safe, Technically Correct, Effective and Progressive...the acronym STEP. If the lesson meets these criteria then they will pass, the rest is the icing on the cake which gets you a merit. Candidates are given feedback with their results as to how they could improve their lessons and if unsuccessful will be given the reasons why.
:=
:=My advice is for your candidates to prepare every lesson they are likely to be taught and to prepare slates for each one. This takes the pressure off on the day as they are prepped for every lesson and should therefore be ready to go as soon as they know their lesson rather than having to rush off to prepare a slate, they can the utilise their time better to think through their lesson and to set it up as they want.
:=
:=Also they should practice teaching each lesson and get feedback to ensure that each lesson covers the essential criteria and to self-assess to see how they can improve their performance.
:=
:=Once they are sure they have the key areas of the lesson covered then they should consider the 'other' areas - my best advice here is don't do anything without teaching it, e.g. do your brief using SEEDS, dry run, teach the kit-up, buddy check, fitting of fins, entry, travel to site, main lesson, travel from site, removal of fins, exit, dekit, then debrief using REAP.
:=
:=Examiners are very aware of the fact that candidates will be nervous and do allow for the odd brain fart here or there, after all we've all been there! It is usually very apparent those who have put the preparation in and those who haven't.
:=
:=If you need any advice try contacting your Regional Coach who should be able to give advice or put you in contact with a member of the ITS team who can advise.
:=
:=Best of luck to your guys!
:=
:=Cheers!
:=
:=Dave
:=:o)


Can anyone give away what the possible lessons might be for the exam?

I have mine this Sunday and have prepared about a dozen lessons but wouldn't want to miss any out.

Thanks

Ah, now that would be telling! ;o)

But seriously, I don't think I'd be giving too much away to say that the lessons can be taken from any of the skills up to Dive Leader level. Have a think about all the lessons in the current syllabus that you can teach in open water. I reckon if you have a dozen prepared you are on the right track. Think not only about underwater lessons but also surface lessons such as some of the rescue skills or compass. Also consider those involving extra equipment such as shot lines and how you might utilise these for your lessons, also SMB's, DSMB's etc. Importantly, remember how you were taught to teach all these lessons on the OWIC and you shouldn't go far wrong.

Best of luck!

Dave
:o)

[Ben Field]

Not an Instructor Trainer, so can't provide "empirical evidence". However, a number of suggestions:

1. Practise, practise, practise - in front of an NQI (preferably as per Terry's suggestion, an AI from a 3rd party club/branch)

2. In advance of the exam, go and teach a lesson at the PIE location - understand the site geography, where you could teach what. If you "know" the site, then this'll help reduce nerves on the day

3. Prep the lessons...
a) Have a "generic lesson plan" that covers all the stuff leading up to the lesson proper (SEEDS, buddy check etc) and also the stuff after the lesson proper (REAP etc). Leave a gap on the slate for:
b) Have a lesson plan for each potential lesson: 1st CBL, tow, etc
OK, this ISN'T cheating - its preparation. If you don't need it fine, but again it helps to take away the nerves "oh s**t - what does REAP stand for?" etc

4. Practise, practise, practise

All good advice but hang on... (OK- I only just did my OWIC but still qualified to comment)

IMO if you're going for OWIC, PIE or TIE you really ought to have been teaching (supervised) under IFC/ITC for some time first, if you haven't taught you will find OWIC/PIE/TIE difficult, if you have taught I don't think you'll find them anywhere near as hard?

Now, admittedly you have "exam nerves" and the pressure of another instructor over your shoulder but if the PIE is only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th time you've taught a skill then I would be concerned as to why you think you need to be at a PIE?

Again, I agree with the above posts suggestion of preparing a slate, maybe even a special PIE slate with REAP and SEEDS written "large" or something but if you've reached this stage of teaching without have your own teaching slates or using the BSAC OW/Pool slates I say again- what are you doing/are you ready?

Okay maybe my oppinion is old fashioned, but in terms of both diving and instructing I think you should- A. Need to do the course, B. Be ready to easily pass the course and C. Have been diving/teaching right up to the level BEFORE you go for the test.

I see too many divers and instructors trying to pass qualifications beyond their diving before they are ready (at all levels) and it makes me sad that their club/DO/TO hasn't tactfully steered them onto a different path, trying and struggling at your "hobby" is only going to result in you being a bad instructor/diver or you not enjoying it.... At the end of the day you are supposed to ENJOY this :-)

All IMVHO.
BEN

[Taff Griffiths]

My advice for any potential Instructors is;

1. Know your in depth knowlege, don't assume that you know it!

2. Practice your teaching skills under the watchful eye of various different qualifed Instructors (balanced view of your techniques), and remember your core teaching competencies.

3. Take on board other peoples advice but carefully choose what you use. Speak to Instructors who have just completed the course to gain insight of how it is conducted.

4. Accept that you will get nerves on the day regardless of prior preparation. If you fluff something reconise that you have fluffed it / missed it out and go back to it.

5. If you fail, you will get a comprehensive de-brief on why you failed. So take it on board and try again.

Regards

Taff

[paul rosendale]

Hi,

I agree 100% with Taffs Number 4 item. If you forget or demonstrate something wrong, "STOP". Retrace your steps to before the error and carry on. Make sure your students are aware of your error and that you have gone back. Theres nothing wrong with making a mistake,(not a dangerous one obviously) and been able to correct yourself.

Dangerous could be a CBL beneath a moored boat above. I've seen that one. After an hour in the water with other candidates it was his turn to do CBL. Unfortunatly the wind above had shifted and swung a boat moored on a long line to overhead , no clear surface. Very unlucky but classed as dangerous. In great hind sight if he had looked above he could have moved the group to an area with a clear surface.

You will be nervous, every one is, but dont forget Item number 4 from Taff

Good Luck.

Paul

P.S. I think if you have 12 lessons prepared you have pretty much covered all the bases