As an Active status PADI® Divemaster or Teaching status Assistant Instructor, you are qualified to find work all over the world in exciting locations, but as the pandemic has surged, you may be looking for ways to continue earning income while confined to your home or country. Teaching PADI courses via distance learning digitally is an opportunity all qualified PADI Divemasters and Assistant Instructors should consider (even in non-pandemic times).

Teaching fins-off courses – courses that don’t require dives – not only allows you to earn income, it can also be a force for good. For example, teaching the Coral Reef Conservation Specialty after gaining that Specialty Instructor rating contributes to the PADI AWARE  Foundation’s mission for global ocean conservation. This is a great way for PADI Divemasters and Assistant Instructors to position themselves as Torchbearers and leaders in the world’s largest dive community in addition to generating income while away from the water.

Let’s look at all of the ‘no dives required’ courses that are available for PADI Divemasters and Assistant Instructors to teach via distance learning, as well as tips for getting started and recruiting students.

Courses That Can Be Taught via Distance Learning

As an Active status PADI Divemaster or Teaching status Assistant Instructor, after completing specialty instructor training with a PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer, you can teach the following courses that do not require dives:

Equipment SpecialistCoral Reef ConservationPADI AWARE SpecialistDigital Underwater PhotographerEmergency Oxygen ProviderPADI Distinctive Specialty Diver courses that don’t include dives

Getting Started

If you are interested in offering PADI courses via distance learning, one of the first things you will need is a platform to deliver the content. You may already have your favorite meeting or webinar app, but if not, here are a few free online platforms to try:

Google Meet (maximum 100 participants for up to 60 minutes)Zoom (maximum 100 participants for up to 40 minutes)Skype Meet Now (maximum 99 participants for up to 24 hours)

Once you select a platform to present your course content, be sure to practice using it with a friend or colleague to work out any kinks. Just as you would when teaching an in-person course, you want your distance learning course to be professional and run smoothly.

Regardless of whether the platform you are using has set or unlimited time usage, you want to schedule your training in no greater than one-hour slots or make sure you give your students breaks – just as you would in an in-person session. Also remember that connecting with students is as important as the information you present. Some social time and talking about diving before you begin, and offering a Q&A (Question & Answer) segment at the end the session is one way to do this.

For more distance learning tips and ideas, check out the post about instructor-led online learning.

Recruiting Students

After you have identified the course or courses you want to present, selected a delivery platform (and know how it works), and feel you are ready to teach, recruiting students for your distance learning courses is the next big step. Getting creative in your recruitment can be as easy as leveraging your own networks. If you are already working at a dive shop or resort, or working closely with an instructor, let them know you are ready and willing to offer these courses so they can help funnel students to you. Next, consider reaching out to:

your social circlesthe company you work foryour neighborhood and/or homeowners associationlocal schools, universities, and collegeslocal organizationsprevious studentsand anyone else you think may be interested in your courses!

Of course, promoting your course(s) on social media is also a great way to generate awareness and enroll students. Pick social sites with a large scuba diver community, such as Facebook, Instagram, Weibo and WeChat, to cast the widest net. In some of these social networks, you can also create an event to market your courses and include a link to sign up.

Promotional Support

If you need help creating professional marketing materials to promote your courses, be sure to visit your regional PADI Marketing Hub to access fully customizable promotional materials that are available in multiple languages:

PADI AmericasPADI Asia PacificPADI Europe, Middle East and Africa

Questions?

Have more questions about how to get qualified to teach these PADI Specialty courses? Contact your local PADI Specialty Instructor Trainer or your PADI Regional Training Consultant for more information.

The post PADI Divemasters and Assistant Instructors: Take Advantage of these Teaching Opportunities appeared first on PADI Pros.

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