Interactive Learning Section

I used to recommend that sports and ocean diver trainees had a go at the interactive section on the website before doing the theory exams, but it still shows the old training system and many of its questions are a not really relevant IMHO and has really ceased its usefullness.

As its 2 1/2 years since the old sylybus was changed, are we due for an update?

I used to recommend that sports and ocean diver trainees had a go at the interactive section on the website before doing the theory exams, but it still shows the old training system and many of its questions are a not really relevant IMHO and has really ceased its usefullness.

As its 2 1/2 years since the old sylybus was changed, are we due for an update?

I used it before both my ocean and sports diver exams and passed both with 97%... I know the questions are based on the old syllabi cos i found stuff on there that i definitely wasn't taught, though most of it can be worked out from first principles. I found this facility exceedingly useful, and used it several times to reassure myself that i did understand a few things when the panic set in at exam time!

I have to agree it might be time for an update though - surely a question of removing the questions which are from the old syllabi, and adding a selection of random questions from the new exam papers? If only a few are added off each paper it shouldnt be too difficult to avoid problems with the current exam papers...

From to time someone makes the extremely valid point that this section of the bsac.org website is out of date and in need of replacing with items from the new syllabus. I usually take the opportunity presented to ask for volunteers to take on the task of preparing an updated list of questions and answers. Sometimes I get an offer of help - but so far I have never had anyone deliver anything. All it needs is a dedicated instructor, or a group of instructors, familiar with the current syllabus to devise a new set of questions and let me have them in a text file.
We are now programming a complete overhaul of the bsac.org site and this presents the perfect opportunity to bring this project to the surface again. Is there any out there who is able to devote some time to this project, ideally in the near future? If you have any queries about what is required just drop me a line at <a href="mailto:webmaster@bsac.com">webmaster@bsac.co m</a>.

Thanks,

Mike

:=I used to recommend that sports and ocean diver trainees had a go at the interactive section on the website before doing the theory exams, but it still shows the old training system and many of its questions are a not really relevant IMHO and has really ceased its usefullness.
:=
:=As its 2 1/2 years since the old sylybus was changed, are we due for an update?

I used it before both my ocean and sports diver exams and passed both with 97%... I know the questions are based on the old syllabi cos i found stuff on there that i definitely wasn't taught, though most of it can be worked out from first principles. I found this facility exceedingly useful, and used it several times to reassure myself that i did understand a few things when the panic set in at exam time!

I have to agree it might be time for an update though - surely a question of removing the questions which are from the old syllabi, and adding a selection of random questions from the new exam papers? If only a few are added off each paper it shouldnt be too difficult to avoid problems with the current exam papers...

Hi Mike,

Shouldn't the NDO take ownership of this?

Allan

From to time someone makes the extremely valid point that this section of the bsac.org website is out of date and in need of replacing with items from the new syllabus. I usually take the opportunity presented to ask for volunteers to take on the task of preparing an updated list of questions and answers. Sometimes I get an offer of help - but so far I have never had anyone deliver anything. All it needs is a dedicated instructor, or a group of instructors, familiar with the current syllabus to devise a new set of questions and let me have them in a text file.
We are now programming a complete overhaul of the bsac.org site and this presents the perfect opportunity to bring this project to the surface again. Is there any out there who is able to devote some time to this project, ideally in the near future? If you have any queries about what is required just drop me a line at <a href="mailto:webmaster@bsac.com">webmaster@bsac.co m</a>.

Thanks,

Mike

:=:=I used to recommend that sports and ocean diver trainees had a go at the interactive section on the website before doing the theory exams, but it still shows the old training system and many of its questions are a not really relevant IMHO and has really ceased its usefullness.
:=:=
:=:=As its 2 1/2 years since the old sylybus was changed, are we due for an update?
:=
:=I used it before both my ocean and sports diver exams and passed both with 97%... I know the questions are based on the old syllabi cos i found stuff on there that i definitely wasn't taught, though most of it can be worked out from first principles. I found this facility exceedingly useful, and used it several times to reassure myself that i did understand a few things when the panic set in at exam time!
:=
:=I have to agree it might be time for an update though - surely a question of removing the questions which are from the old syllabi, and adding a selection of random questions from the new exam papers? If only a few are added off each paper it shouldnt be too difficult to avoid problems with the current exam papers...

Shouldn't the NDO take ownership of this?

Allan

Why?

Surely if, as Mike has suggested, anyone with time to do it puts forward some questions then the NI with responsibility for that section of the DTP could quickly check it for accuracy and then let Mike add it to the resource section (this could be done on an ongoing/cummulative basis....so that it stays up-to-date and/or grows as a resource for branches to pick random qustions out of to make in-house exam papaers)

I see no reason to make it a formal NDO (or NDC) matter. The NDO (and NDC) have far more strategic priorities than this one.

Remember that BSAC is a club...you generally get out in proportion to what you put in...it's about time the membership started supporting the Leadership!
(Allan, With your time served at the front line I'm sure that you can appreciate the value of support from grass-roots level)

John

John,

I didn't say that the NDO should do it, I said take ownershio which means deligation but with control. Basically, what you are saying but with the NDO in overall control rather than ad hok comments from well meaning members

Allan

:=Shouldn't the NDO take ownership of this?
:=
:=Allan


Why?

Surely if, as Mike has suggested, anyone with time to do it puts forward some questions then the NI with responsibility for that section of the DTP could quickly check it for accuracy and then let Mike add it to the resource section (this could be done on an ongoing/cummulative basis....so that it stays up-to-date and/or grows as a resource for branches to pick random qustions out of to make in-house exam papaers)

I see no reason to make it a formal NDO (or NDC) matter. The NDO (and NDC) have far more strategic priorities than this one.

Remember that BSAC is a club...you generally get out in proportion to what you put in...it's about time the membership started supporting the Leadership!
(Allan, With your time served at the front line I'm sure that you can appreciate the value of support from grass-roots level)

John

Alan,
I have been trying to get this section updated for two years now. I really don't mind who does it but I am not about to start turning down volunteers, and YES, I have actually had some very positive response.
Of course NDO and NDC can contribute and are most welcome but perhaps we can make better progress by getting the show on the road first. We can then give them a project to look at instead of our current sadly out of date section. The ownership concept is fine in principle but they seem to have plenty to do at the moment so I will continue to press ahead if the help is available.

Mike
NI1

John,

I didn't say that the NDO should do it, I said take ownershio which means deligation but with control. Basically, what you are saying but with the NDO in overall control rather than ad hok comments from well meaning members

Allan

:=
:=:=Shouldn't the NDO take ownership of this?
:=:=
:=:=Allan
:=
:=
:=Why?
:=
:=Surely if, as Mike has suggested, anyone with time to do it puts forward some questions then the NI with responsibility for that section of the DTP could quickly check it for accuracy and then let Mike add it to the resource section (this could be done on an ongoing/cummulative basis....so that it stays up-to-date and/or grows as a resource for branches to pick random qustions out of to make in-house exam papaers)
:=
:=I see no reason to make it a formal NDO (or NDC) matter. The NDO (and NDC) have far more strategic priorities than this one.
:=
:=Remember that BSAC is a club...you generally get out in proportion to what you put in...it's about time the membership started supporting the Leadership!
:=(Allan, With your time served at the front line I'm sure that you can appreciate the value of support from grass-roots level)
:=
:=John

From to time someone makes the extremely valid point that this section of the bsac.org website is out of date and in need of replacing with items from the new syllabus. I usually take the opportunity presented to ask for volunteers to take on the task of preparing an updated list of questions and answers. Sometimes I get an offer of help - but so far I have never had anyone deliver anything.

Please let me know if you don't get my email - should be enroute.

Ben

I am delighted to report several offers of help, including yours Ben. These will be coordinated shortly and you should be contacted by a project leader. All further offers of help most welcome - direct to me for the moment please at <a href="mailto:webmaster@bsac.com">webmaster@bsac.co m</a> .

Thanks

Mike

:=From to time someone makes the extremely valid point that this section of the bsac.org website is out of date and in need of replacing with items from the new syllabus. I usually take the opportunity presented to ask for volunteers to take on the task of preparing an updated list of questions and answers. Sometimes I get an offer of help - but so far I have never had anyone deliver anything.

Please let me know if you don't get my email - should be enroute.

Ben

Hi Mike
As someone who was heavily involved in the current (?? :)) edition of the interactive learning facility, can I just mention one thing that is imvho paramount when setting up the new database? Please ensure that the question makers agree up front which BSAC texts they are going to use as the basis for the q&a. Last time around we used the study guides exclusively and this worked well. The potential problem with not specifying a definitive source is that there is always slight variation between information given in the manuals and the study guides due to time lag in publishing, different authors etc. You need to be able to tell the candidates that the questions are based on (say) the Study Guide for the Grade. That way they know what to revise and in the case of any discussion over a particular question, it can be referred back to the exact piece of text in the study guide. It will save an enormous amount of angst if this simple principle is adopted up front, rather than everyone going their different ways and then coming up with a set of questions.

Really looking forward to seeing this very worthwhile section updated at last.

Allie