There is plenty of 'buzz' about the PADI eLearning program. We are certainly excited about the potential of this program at Seascapes USA. We anticipate that there will be plenty of questions about this program from students, customers, and visitors to the Seascapes USA website. We have assembled some of the frequently asked questions here and have provided the most accurate answers we could find.
What is eLearning?
eLearning is a general term that describes the entire battery of training and education using the power of the internet as the primary medium for knowledge acquisition. eLearning is now an integral part of obtaining a college degree in almost any subject, including accounting, engineering, mathematics, and many other subjects. The PADI eLearning program you are now exploring or considering is simply the application of these same internet techniques to the subject of scuba diving certification. While no agency or scuba training school can teach you to dive on the internet, the PADI eLearning program provides you with the most interactive, media-rich home study option available for the development of the academic knowledge necessary to continue to the water skills development portion of your diving class. Using the PADI eLearning program, you advance to your Seascapes USA confined water and open water class segments with full confidence that YOU number among the most academically prepared students in any scuba diving class, anywhere.
How is PADI eLearning different from traditional home based study options for scuba training?
PADI student divers have always had access to the finest academic study materials in the industry. The PADI Open Water Diver Student Crew Pack, used for years by PADI students, is considered the most progressive and scientifically based study materials for learning the academic knowledge important for scuba diving training. When used along with the PADI Open Water Diver companion DVD, the PADI materials represent the most complete materials kit offered by any scuba training agency. PADI eLearning is a natural extension of the core academic materials necessary for scuba diving education, upgraded to take full advantage of the interactive, multi-media capabilities of the internet. The manner of presentation and the full battery of media available with the PADI eLearning program radically enhances the natural learning process that has been the cornerstone of the PADI learn-to-dive program for over 25 years. With PADI eLearning, we feel that the home-study portion of your training experience will be more comprehensive, more complete, with higher levels of material retention, than ever before. PADI eLearning is simply the natural evolution of the patented PADI training process.
Why has PADI decided to change to eLearning from the older, traditional methods?
As a training organization, PADI has developed a great reputation for change and continuous improvement. As the leader in world-wide dive instruction, they are constantly making changes to the materials, support services, skills standards, and teaching techniques for scuba education; all designed to improve the learning process and make you a better scuba diver. Changes are important to incorporate the latest information and understanding about diving. Their past changes to allow more flexible classroom presentations made scuba diving education available to many people who could not fit into a 6 or 8 week class due to their work schedules. Their introduction of the PADI Go Dive Student crew pack made home-study a true and viable option for the academic learning. All of the changes, both large and small, in teaching techniques for both academic and water-skills teaching methods are text-book examples of continuous improvement. This latest change to add eLearning to the battery of available methods for academic instruction represent nothing more than a further advancement in the continuous improvement model they have always used. A newer generation of prospective scuba divers are already comfortable using the internet for many things in their current lives; the addition of scuba education to this medium is perfectly natural. Most important....PADI believes strongly that eLearning will be an IMPROVEMENT in the delivery of academic learning for scuba training. The result will again be better, safer divers through improved training techniques. That, more than any other reason, is driving PADI eLearning
What compromises did PADI make in the class content in order to implement eLearning?
Absolutely none! Each professional PADI scuba instructor has always been responsible for ensuring that every open water scuba class is conducted in full compliance with all published teaching and performance standards. There have been no changes in the teaching standards to accommodate eLearning. The PADI teaching method is a performance-based course of instruction. That simply means there is no set number of hours of classroom or predetermined number of hours of time in the water. Students of a PADI diving class must demonstrate mastery of the academic concepts, water skills, and water safety requirements outlined in the standards for the class, regardless of how little or how much time that takes. This is what performance-based training is. The PADI eLearning program simply does not require any changes to current performance standards. There is always been flexibility in how the academic material is presented; eLearning is simply another choice in the battery of available methods. We are fairly confident that eLearning will be a MORE complete and comprehensive learning method than those currently available to us. We always want you to remember one very important thing........NO changes will ever be made to a Seascapes USA/PADI class that shortcuts any crucial learning element, or reduces the level of skill development you get, simply for the sake of expediency or profit. The Seascapes USA classes will always be comprised of those skills and learning segments necessary to make you a fun and safe scuba diver for life!
How long does it take to complete the PADI eLearning home study program?
Simply put, it takes as long as you make it! The PADI eLearning system is a totally self-paced training solution. This is the most important part of the program. You get to spend as much time as you desire on each section. You are free to listen, read, review, and repeat any section or subsection of the material as you need for full comprehension. Throughout the PADI eLearning program, there are video and audio components to explain almost every important academic element. You spend the time that is necessary to fully comprehend each element. You are then tested with section and chapter quizzes to determine what you know and what you need to learn more about. At each testing phase of the program, remedial training steps are built in to make sure you complete the necessary learning. When you are completely finished with all of the material, a final examination is administered and immediately scored to allow you to remediate your training and move on to the water skills portion of your training. Once you register for eLearning, you have one year to complete your academic study. Of course, most people will finish in a very small fraction of this time. After all, the real fun begins when you complete the eLearning program!
What if I get stuck and need help from a real instructor?
While you may sign up for a PADI eLearning program, you will be a student of the Seascapes USA scuba training department. Our staff of full-time instructors will always be available to assist you with any problems or questions. Just as we have always done, we welcome you in for one-on-one instructions on any subject that is delaying your progress. With Seascapes USA, you are never training alone. We are always here to help you.
How do I sign up for the PADI eLearning program?
That is the simple part. You can click any of the PADI eLearning banners on the Seascapes USA website, or you can visit our retail showroom and we will assist you with the sign up process. When you sign up for the PADI eLearning program, you will create a My PADI account on the PADI website and provide the information necessary to establish your credentials as a PADI eLearning customer. At this stage of the process, you will provide your credit card information and PADI will reserve your seat in the virtual eLearning classroom. You can then immediately begin your study process or you can wait until later to begin. Seascapes USA and PADI have made this extremely simple for you.
Do I have to do my eLearning study from the same computer I used to sign-up initially?
Absolutely not! You can access your PADI eLearning program from any computer that has internet access. This means you can study at home, at work, while on vacation, or anytime you have a few minutes available and have access to the internet. The structure of the PADI eLearning program does not install any cookies on any computer, does not require the recognition of any particular IP address to function properly, and does not demand any particular amount of time for any study session. You work where you want, when you want, for as long as you choose.
How do I know if my personal computer has all of the "stuff" necessary to run the eLearning program correctly?
PADI has designed the initial sign-up process to accomplish many goals, among them being testing your computer for compatibility with the eLearning program. Almost all modern computers will be well-equipped to use this program. During the sign-up process, PADI gives you a sample demonstration of how the eLearning program works. This is your opportunity to determine if you have everything present to make the program work correctly. This computer-test phase of the sign-up process is just another example of the degree of professionalism built into the eLearning platform
Can more than one person use the eLearning program to do the home study?
No. Each student must have their own PADI eLearning account and each individual must pay the eLearning fee to PADI. The eLearning program measures progress, maintains records, and validates test results for each student independently. More than one family member can study from the same computer, but each family member must have an individual account and an individual "seat" in the virtual PADI eLearning classroom. Unfortunately, due to internet privacy laws, students must be at least 13 years of age to enroll in the PADI eLearning program. Students between the ages of 10 and 12 must use the standard student printed materials for academic training.
Why can't my 12 year old use the eLearning program?
The eLearning program would be perfect for the younger students. Unfortunately, the sign-up process requires the transmittal of personal information about each student that might be a violation of federal and state laws governing internet information and minors. For this reason, we are forced to restrict access to the eLearning program to students who have already achieved the age of 13. The younger students can still take advantage of the patented PADI home study process using the printed PADI student crew pack.
Isn't it easy to cheat on an internet based training class?
Well of course it is. Cheating is always the easy way out. However, you come to us to learn to scuba dive. We make the assumption that you are serious and really want the knowledge of how to dive safely. The home study portion of your dive training forms the foundation upon which you build all of your diving skills. The information you learn during your home study is essential to you continuing dive education. The PADI eLearning program is based on your commitment to learn the material to provide a solid base for your water skills training. Your commitment to learning to dive will require you to complete the course properly and require you to dedicate the time necessary to complete all aspects of your learning experience, including the eLearning program. Along with the exams and quizzes integrated into the eLearning program, we administer a short version of the written examination prior continuning with the practical portion of the course. We know that you are eager to continuing your scuba diver education and are willing to dedicate the time necessary to do it properly.
How is the testing done to determine if I have properly learned the eLearning material?
The PADI eLearning program depends heavily on student examinations, response scoring, and remediation training to ensure that the eLearner is retaining the knowledge necessary to proceed to the water skills portion of the training. There are Quick Quiz-Self Assessments sprinkled throughout the eLearning program. These self assessments appear immediately after the associated material segments are presented. Each multiple-choice or true/false question requires you to pick an answer and submit the response for immediate feedback. If incorrect answers are given, the student is shown the proper answer and guided to the specific section of the program for a review of the learning content. At completion of entire sections (chapters), you progress to the Knowledge Reviews for that section. These examinations have a variety of question forms; multiple-choice, mix and match, true/false, one word fill-ins, and other question forms. You answer and submit these questions one at a time and are given immediate feedback. Dialog boxes appear indicating whether the answer is correct or incorrect. For incorrect answers, an explanation is given for the correct answer, including where you must go to get the information on the correct answer. You MUST review the previously covered material before moving forward. After completion of the entire material in the eLearning program, you take a Final Exam. If any questions are missed, you will have the opportunity to review the missed questions, along with the material in the appropriate section that covers the answer. You will retake the exam until you are able to demonstrate mastery of the academic skills. Upon completion of the successful Final Exam, your record will be stored and the eLearning Completion Referral document will print.
What proof do I have that I completed the PADI eLearning program?
When you complete the entire eLearning program and register a passing score on the final examination, you will print out a PADI eLearning Open Water Referral document. This document can be presented to any PADI Dive Center or PADI professional dive instructor and serves as proof that you have met all of the training standards for academic study. This will be all you will need to move directly to the water skills portion of your dive training. Prior to being awarded your PADI Open Water Diver certification card, you will be required to take one additional written Quick Exam, proctored by your PADI dive instructor. Of course, the PADI USA offices will always be able to provide proof of your eLearning completion should you loose or misplace this referral document.
What is eLearning?
eLearning is a general term that describes the entire battery of training and education using the power of the internet as the primary medium for knowledge acquisition. eLearning is now an integral part of obtaining a college degree in almost any subject, including accounting, engineering, mathematics, and many other subjects. The PADI eLearning program you are now exploring or considering is simply the application of these same internet techniques to the subject of scuba diving certification. While no agency or scuba training school can teach you to dive on the internet, the PADI eLearning program provides you with the most interactive, media-rich home study option available for the development of the academic knowledge necessary to continue to the water skills development portion of your diving class. Using the PADI eLearning program, you advance to your Seascapes USA confined water and open water class segments with full confidence that YOU number among the most academically prepared students in any scuba diving class, anywhere.
How is PADI eLearning different from traditional home based study options for scuba training?
PADI student divers have always had access to the finest academic study materials in the industry. The PADI Open Water Diver Student Crew Pack, used for years by PADI students, is considered the most progressive and scientifically based study materials for learning the academic knowledge important for scuba diving training. When used along with the PADI Open Water Diver companion DVD, the PADI materials represent the most complete materials kit offered by any scuba training agency. PADI eLearning is a natural extension of the core academic materials necessary for scuba diving education, upgraded to take full advantage of the interactive, multi-media capabilities of the internet. The manner of presentation and the full battery of media available with the PADI eLearning program radically enhances the natural learning process that has been the cornerstone of the PADI learn-to-dive program for over 25 years. With PADI eLearning, we feel that the home-study portion of your training experience will be more comprehensive, more complete, with higher levels of material retention, than ever before. PADI eLearning is simply the natural evolution of the patented PADI training process.
Why has PADI decided to change to eLearning from the older, traditional methods?
As a training organization, PADI has developed a great reputation for change and continuous improvement. As the leader in world-wide dive instruction, they are constantly making changes to the materials, support services, skills standards, and teaching techniques for scuba education; all designed to improve the learning process and make you a better scuba diver. Changes are important to incorporate the latest information and understanding about diving. Their past changes to allow more flexible classroom presentations made scuba diving education available to many people who could not fit into a 6 or 8 week class due to their work schedules. Their introduction of the PADI Go Dive Student crew pack made home-study a true and viable option for the academic learning. All of the changes, both large and small, in teaching techniques for both academic and water-skills teaching methods are text-book examples of continuous improvement. This latest change to add eLearning to the battery of available methods for academic instruction represent nothing more than a further advancement in the continuous improvement model they have always used. A newer generation of prospective scuba divers are already comfortable using the internet for many things in their current lives; the addition of scuba education to this medium is perfectly natural. Most important....PADI believes strongly that eLearning will be an IMPROVEMENT in the delivery of academic learning for scuba training. The result will again be better, safer divers through improved training techniques. That, more than any other reason, is driving PADI eLearning
What compromises did PADI make in the class content in order to implement eLearning?
Absolutely none! Each professional PADI scuba instructor has always been responsible for ensuring that every open water scuba class is conducted in full compliance with all published teaching and performance standards. There have been no changes in the teaching standards to accommodate eLearning. The PADI teaching method is a performance-based course of instruction. That simply means there is no set number of hours of classroom or predetermined number of hours of time in the water. Students of a PADI diving class must demonstrate mastery of the academic concepts, water skills, and water safety requirements outlined in the standards for the class, regardless of how little or how much time that takes. This is what performance-based training is. The PADI eLearning program simply does not require any changes to current performance standards. There is always been flexibility in how the academic material is presented; eLearning is simply another choice in the battery of available methods. We are fairly confident that eLearning will be a MORE complete and comprehensive learning method than those currently available to us. We always want you to remember one very important thing........NO changes will ever be made to a Seascapes USA/PADI class that shortcuts any crucial learning element, or reduces the level of skill development you get, simply for the sake of expediency or profit. The Seascapes USA classes will always be comprised of those skills and learning segments necessary to make you a fun and safe scuba diver for life!
How long does it take to complete the PADI eLearning home study program?
Simply put, it takes as long as you make it! The PADI eLearning system is a totally self-paced training solution. This is the most important part of the program. You get to spend as much time as you desire on each section. You are free to listen, read, review, and repeat any section or subsection of the material as you need for full comprehension. Throughout the PADI eLearning program, there are video and audio components to explain almost every important academic element. You spend the time that is necessary to fully comprehend each element. You are then tested with section and chapter quizzes to determine what you know and what you need to learn more about. At each testing phase of the program, remedial training steps are built in to make sure you complete the necessary learning. When you are completely finished with all of the material, a final examination is administered and immediately scored to allow you to remediate your training and move on to the water skills portion of your training. Once you register for eLearning, you have one year to complete your academic study. Of course, most people will finish in a very small fraction of this time. After all, the real fun begins when you complete the eLearning program!
What if I get stuck and need help from a real instructor?
While you may sign up for a PADI eLearning program, you will be a student of the Seascapes USA scuba training department. Our staff of full-time instructors will always be available to assist you with any problems or questions. Just as we have always done, we welcome you in for one-on-one instructions on any subject that is delaying your progress. With Seascapes USA, you are never training alone. We are always here to help you.
How do I sign up for the PADI eLearning program?
That is the simple part. You can click any of the PADI eLearning banners on the Seascapes USA website, or you can visit our retail showroom and we will assist you with the sign up process. When you sign up for the PADI eLearning program, you will create a My PADI account on the PADI website and provide the information necessary to establish your credentials as a PADI eLearning customer. At this stage of the process, you will provide your credit card information and PADI will reserve your seat in the virtual eLearning classroom. You can then immediately begin your study process or you can wait until later to begin. Seascapes USA and PADI have made this extremely simple for you.
Do I have to do my eLearning study from the same computer I used to sign-up initially?
Absolutely not! You can access your PADI eLearning program from any computer that has internet access. This means you can study at home, at work, while on vacation, or anytime you have a few minutes available and have access to the internet. The structure of the PADI eLearning program does not install any cookies on any computer, does not require the recognition of any particular IP address to function properly, and does not demand any particular amount of time for any study session. You work where you want, when you want, for as long as you choose.
How do I know if my personal computer has all of the "stuff" necessary to run the eLearning program correctly?
PADI has designed the initial sign-up process to accomplish many goals, among them being testing your computer for compatibility with the eLearning program. Almost all modern computers will be well-equipped to use this program. During the sign-up process, PADI gives you a sample demonstration of how the eLearning program works. This is your opportunity to determine if you have everything present to make the program work correctly. This computer-test phase of the sign-up process is just another example of the degree of professionalism built into the eLearning platform
Can more than one person use the eLearning program to do the home study?
No. Each student must have their own PADI eLearning account and each individual must pay the eLearning fee to PADI. The eLearning program measures progress, maintains records, and validates test results for each student independently. More than one family member can study from the same computer, but each family member must have an individual account and an individual "seat" in the virtual PADI eLearning classroom. Unfortunately, due to internet privacy laws, students must be at least 13 years of age to enroll in the PADI eLearning program. Students between the ages of 10 and 12 must use the standard student printed materials for academic training.
Why can't my 12 year old use the eLearning program?
The eLearning program would be perfect for the younger students. Unfortunately, the sign-up process requires the transmittal of personal information about each student that might be a violation of federal and state laws governing internet information and minors. For this reason, we are forced to restrict access to the eLearning program to students who have already achieved the age of 13. The younger students can still take advantage of the patented PADI home study process using the printed PADI student crew pack.
Isn't it easy to cheat on an internet based training class?
Well of course it is. Cheating is always the easy way out. However, you come to us to learn to scuba dive. We make the assumption that you are serious and really want the knowledge of how to dive safely. The home study portion of your dive training forms the foundation upon which you build all of your diving skills. The information you learn during your home study is essential to you continuing dive education. The PADI eLearning program is based on your commitment to learn the material to provide a solid base for your water skills training. Your commitment to learning to dive will require you to complete the course properly and require you to dedicate the time necessary to complete all aspects of your learning experience, including the eLearning program. Along with the exams and quizzes integrated into the eLearning program, we administer a short version of the written examination prior continuning with the practical portion of the course. We know that you are eager to continuing your scuba diver education and are willing to dedicate the time necessary to do it properly.
How is the testing done to determine if I have properly learned the eLearning material?
The PADI eLearning program depends heavily on student examinations, response scoring, and remediation training to ensure that the eLearner is retaining the knowledge necessary to proceed to the water skills portion of the training. There are Quick Quiz-Self Assessments sprinkled throughout the eLearning program. These self assessments appear immediately after the associated material segments are presented. Each multiple-choice or true/false question requires you to pick an answer and submit the response for immediate feedback. If incorrect answers are given, the student is shown the proper answer and guided to the specific section of the program for a review of the learning content. At completion of entire sections (chapters), you progress to the Knowledge Reviews for that section. These examinations have a variety of question forms; multiple-choice, mix and match, true/false, one word fill-ins, and other question forms. You answer and submit these questions one at a time and are given immediate feedback. Dialog boxes appear indicating whether the answer is correct or incorrect. For incorrect answers, an explanation is given for the correct answer, including where you must go to get the information on the correct answer. You MUST review the previously covered material before moving forward. After completion of the entire material in the eLearning program, you take a Final Exam. If any questions are missed, you will have the opportunity to review the missed questions, along with the material in the appropriate section that covers the answer. You will retake the exam until you are able to demonstrate mastery of the academic skills. Upon completion of the successful Final Exam, your record will be stored and the eLearning Completion Referral document will print.
What proof do I have that I completed the PADI eLearning program?
When you complete the entire eLearning program and register a passing score on the final examination, you will print out a PADI eLearning Open Water Referral document. This document can be presented to any PADI Dive Center or PADI professional dive instructor and serves as proof that you have met all of the training standards for academic study. This will be all you will need to move directly to the water skills portion of your dive training. Prior to being awarded your PADI Open Water Diver certification card, you will be required to take one additional written Quick Exam, proctored by your PADI dive instructor. Of course, the PADI USA offices will always be able to provide proof of your eLearning completion should you loose or misplace this referral document.
295 Robbins Lane Syosset New York 11791
(516) 433-7757
(516) 433-7757
Seascapes USA
Long Island's Premier Scuba Diving Facility
Long Island's Premier Scuba Diving Facility
Store Hours:
Mon. - Wed. 12pm - 8pm Thurs. Closed Fri. 12pm - 5pm Sat. 10am - 5pm Sun. 10am - 3pm
Mon. - Wed. 12pm - 8pm Thurs. Closed Fri. 12pm - 5pm Sat. 10am - 5pm Sun. 10am - 3pm
