EVALUATIONS

　

　

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course__IDE 4_____ Dates_____10/2-4_______ Location___Ocean City, MD________

Instructor Trainer(s)__Tom Nickels, Mitch Mitchell___________________________________

Your name (Optional)__________________________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

　

Poor

Adequate

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Concern for safety

1

2

3

x

5

Knowledge of subject matter

1

2

3

4

x

Professionalism

1

2

3

4

x

Interpersonal skills

1

2

3

4

x

Teaching ability

1

2

3

4

x

Paddling skills

1

2

3

4

x

Additional comments:

　

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course

1

2

3

4

x

Organization of course

1

2

3

x

5

Accommodations

1

2

3

4

5

Comfort of teaching areas

1

2

3

4

x

Pre-course information

1

2

3

4

5

Usefulness of classroom presentations

1

2

x

4

5

Usefulness of on-water sessions

1

2

3

4

x

Additional comments:

　

　

　

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes. The venue is great and offers opportunities to work in a variety of skills in varied conditions. The instructors were solid and knowledgeable.

　

　

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

To reinforce the requirement (I was narrowly focused on the skill presentation) to review group safety of the given skill or scenarios from the start, to the close, of the activity or skill. From a skills perspective, working on reverse beach landings.

　

　

　

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Due to injury, I have not paddled very much the past year. Therefore, just about every aspect of the course was beneficial. However, I suppose, yet another explanation of charts is of less value.

　

　

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Always come back to group safety. A specific example is to focus less on ferry angle when crossing channels, and to focus more on the group crossing the channel most efficiently.

　

　

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Pay closer attention to group safety (boundaries when delivering instructions) and group communication. Spend time reviewing specific attributes, and associations/connections, of paddle strokes and maneuvers.

　

　

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

Wasn’t sure if there should be a protocol if a swimmer goes in at the mouth of the inlet. Should the whole group remain? Of should the partner take care of the swimmer, while the group moves inside the inlet (reverse eddy) and can observe assist as needed. Wasn’t sure if hanging at the mouth with the whole group, due to boat traffic, was the best idea.

　

Thank you for your feedback!

____________________________________________________________________________
　

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course_L4 Sea kayak Certification Dates_Sep 30-Oct 4_ Location_Maryland_

Instructor Trainer(s)__Tom Nickels and Mitch Mitchell__________________________________

Your name _____________________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

　

Poor

Adequate

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Concern for safety

1

2

3

(4)

5

Knowledge of subject matter

1

2

3

4

(5)

Professionalism

1

2

3

(4)

5

Interpersonal skills

1

2

3

(4)

5

Teaching ability

1

2

3

(4)

5

Paddling skills

1

2

3

4

(5)

Additional comments:

- Used humor to keep things light which also aided in learning

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course

1

2

3

(4)

5

Organization of course

1

2

3

(4)

5

Accommodations

1

2

3

(4)

5

Comfort of teaching areas

1

2

3

(4)

5

Pre-course information

1

2

(3)

4

5

Usefulness of classroom presentations

1

2

3

(4)

5

Usefulness of on-water sessions

1

2

3

4

(5)

Additional comments:

- Pre course information was a little messed up due to many changing schedules. The final schedule was useful once it was set and passed around.

　

　

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

This was in par with what I expected for the course. The instruction was great and useful given the time allowances we had.

　

　

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Although I didn’t get the L4 certification, I actually think that was the most useful part of the course as I learned so much from that section where the previous few days I felt I already knew the stuff and was just learning the best way to present it.

　

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

The first two days were pretty basic and while I likely learned some stuff, it was definitely the slower days of the entire course.

　

　

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

I will try to get out and become more comfortable in larger water, and I will also try to fix my roll which seems to need work as well as try to keep my elbows in more to protect my shoulder.

　

　

　

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I will try to go through a more logical progression as I tend to forget a point then jump back to it. Experience will help more with that as well.

　

　

　

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

The course was great and I really had a great time. I feel I really learned a lot the last two days which were dedicated to the L4 level. Everyone was great. I wish the last 2 days had been over three days just so the material didn’t seem rushed but this was more to demonstrate our knowledge then for us to play.

　

Thank you for your feedback!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Course Evaluations

　

Course_PotomacPaddlesports_________________ Dates________________ Location_______________________

Instructor Trainer(s)___Tom Nichols, Mitch___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

　

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible.　 Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

　

1.　 Instructor Trainers　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　 Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

　

Poor

Adequate

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Concern for safety

1

2

3

4

　

Knowledge of subject matter

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Professionalism

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Interpersonal skills

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Teaching ability

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Paddling skills

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Additional comments:　 Both instructors were excellent role models during the entire length of the course.

　

　

　

2.　 Planning & Logistics　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　

Pace of course

1

2

3

4

　

Organization of course

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

　

5

　

Accommodations

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

　

5

　

Comfort of teaching areas

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Pre-course information

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Usefulness of classroom presentations

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Usefulness of on-water sessions

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

　

Additional comments:


　

　

　

3.　 Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations?　 Please explain.

　

The quality of the instructional program was very good, as was the progression of instruction throughout the course.　 Instructors often had poignant info to give out before moving onto a new subject.　　　

4.　 What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Surf zone exercises.　 Rough water rescues.　 Instruction modeling and teaching tips.　

5.　 What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Other student instructor's presentations.

6.　 What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

More emphasis on proper technique.

7.　 What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Better group management skills.

8.　 Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Thank you for your feedback!

　

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course: Level 4 (OW) Kayak Instructor Update

Dates: Oct 3-4 2009

Location: Ocean City MD

Instructor Trainer(s): Tom Nickels and Mitch Mitchell

Your name

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

Additional comments:

　

　

Additional comments:

　

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes it did. The Ocean City inlet provided a tremendous variety of conditions and was an excellent venue: current, complex channels, surf, and open water conditions along with safe, easy to access beaches. The ITs took full advantage, managed the group well, and allowed us all to learn.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

In general, the ability to see other teaching styles and tricks of the trade.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

None that I can tell.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Not a whole lot…

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I will have additional options in how to teach many strokes and skills

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

One of the most interesting things that I found was the ‘style’ of the update component. Past updates that I have taken have treated the updaters as assistant ITs. In this case, the update attendees were treated more like students/candidates. It was good to get back into the student role…

Thank you for your feedback!

　

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

　

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

　

Course ACA Instruction Development Workshop Dates__26-29Jan2010

　

Location Saint Marys GA

　

InstructorTrainer(s):TomNickels,Travis Boch

　

Your name (Optional)_____

　

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

　

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

　

Poor

Adequate

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Concern for safety

1

2

3

4

X

　

Knowledge of subject matter

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Professionalism

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Interpersonal skills

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Teaching ability

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Paddling skills

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Additional comments: The most valuable angle of the instructors’ presentation was their using different teaching concepts or mnemonics to teach the same stroke or other technique. Sometimes what Tom said clicked, and sometimes it took Travis’ take on it to cause it to sink in. Good system.

　

　

　

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course

1

2

3

4

X

　

Organization of course

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Accommodations

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

X

　

5

　

Comfort of teaching areas

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

X

　

5

　

Pre-course information

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Usefulness of classroom presentations

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Usefulness of on-water sessions

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

X

　

Additional comments:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

　

Course: ACA Kayak level 1 and 2

Dates: February 18th and 19th

Location: Sweetwater Kayaks, Tampa Florida

Instructor Trainer(s) Tom Nickels

　

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

　

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

　

Poor

Adequate

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Concern for safety

1

2

3

4

5

　

Knowledge of subject matter

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Professionalism

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Interpersonal skills

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Teaching ability

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Paddling skills

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Additional comments: Tom’s teaching style was very hands-on and interactive

　

　

　

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course

1

2

3

4

5

　

Organization of course

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Accommodations: NA

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Comfort of teaching areas

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Pre-course information

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Usefulness of classroom presentations

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Usefulness of on-water sessions

　

1

　

2

　

3

　

4

　

5

　

Additional comments: The logistics of the off-water teaching area was informal and outside…okay but it was a bit cold and there were some distractions due to construction around the area. I think next year they can get the bugs worked out and it will work out great since the launch area is right there. I was lucky to have had a friend certified with ACA provide me with some materials (Essentials of Kayak Touring and the ACA Instructors Manual) from her course and it allowed me to do some pre-prep studying. I think these would have been good to supply to course participants even if an extra cost was incurred.

　

　

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain

Yes – I learned a lot from Tom with his breakdown of strokes and how he instructed on how we should approach our teaching to our students

　

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Learning how to do wet exits and rescues...something I had not done before but feel comfortable to do and practice with this spring (especially when the water gets warmer!)

　

　

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

I found all parts valuable…not sure I could pick out a negative part (maybe just the logistics of the classroom location and pre-prep materials (provide more!).

　

　

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Practicing with experienced friends and getting critical feedback. Continuing to practice wet exits and rescues and always be on top of "when things go wrong" scenarios

　

　

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Providing a pre-water instructional lecture to clients and students and doing some fun, "get to know you" games to find out what kind of student they might be and get to know their learning styles BEFORE we hit the water.

　

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

I really enjoyed this course and appreciated Tom’s fun but technical teaching approach. He has a good sense of humor and approached his critiquing in a positive, constructive way – something I hope to strive for. I love being on the water and teaching people how to be good stewards of our natural resources and how to obtain fitness from paddlesports. I think people are always more accepting of a message if you go about it with a smile on your face and a fun attitude.

One general comment for ACA…the website is very confusing and scattered. It would be great to have all the resources needed for a L1 or L2 course all in one download area and you could just click that and download PDFs.