17 Feb 2021
No CommentsThere are several learning methods. Traditionally, education has been given in person. Ever since we were enrolled in elementary school to start our education, we have known this method. This modality consists of a group of students sitting in front of a teacher and listening to their lesson. In this type of learning there is a great exchange of knowledge and ideas.
In 1977, the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) was created. Its learning method challenged the traditional method since it uses a distance modality where the pupil buys the learning material and studies it during the week and then goes on Saturdays to a face-to-face lesson. This session resolves your doubts and strengthens what you have learned.
UNED’s great challenge was convincing future students that they were able to learn without direct supervision. Its success was such that there are currently 45 academic centers of this university in different locations of Costa Rica. But the story does not end there. Thanks to the technology and invention of the Internet we are getting to know a new method of learning: virtual lessons.
The year 2020 brought about major worldwide changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One such change was that change from face-to-face to virtual education.
At Mundo Acuático, we never imagined that we would be teaching this way, since after forty years in the diving market we always kept the face-to-face mode. Our instructors still think that their students will learn more easily if they get together in person, because they believe that it will be easier for students to develop trust faster with each other, this way. However, the challenge of the pandemic has led us to adapt to the new reality, and at this time, in addition to face-to-face diving courses, we also offer our online diving courses.
This is why the theoretical part of our Open Water, Advanced, Nitrox and Underwater Rescue courses can now be carried virtually through platforms such as Zoom, or face-to-face, but with the recommended safety standards and with a small number of students. The student decides which of the two modalities he/she prefers.
Once the student enrolls in the diving course, he/she receives an email with the link of the book. The student downloads it to his smart device and can take a tour before receiving his first lesson. He/She can choose the language and the depth measurement of the decompression tables in feet or meters.
By the time the virtual lesson arrives, the student has already navigated a little and will be able to ask all the relevant questions, which will be answered to his satisfaction.
It is important to highlight that this system does not allow the course to be recorded or downloaded to more than one device. Also, once downloaded, the user’s name cannot be changed, as it is a personal code.
This virtual modality is only used for theoretical lessons as swimming and open water diving practices are done in the traditional way.
This comment may seem redundant, but as much as technology is getting us closer and closer to reality it can never be compared to live activity. With a 3D virtual reality device, it is possible for you to visit the sea floor sitting in the living room of your house, but the experience is definitely not the same as diving in person in the underwater world.
In conclusion, we can say that through face-to-face or virtual lessons, our students will always enjoy our diving courses in an effective, safe, and fun way!
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