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by Sangiovese
Mon Sep 16, 2013 5:55 pm
Forum: Instructors' Corner
Topic: My First 4 Hour Class
Replies: 46
Views: 6505

Re: My First 4 Hour Class

I'm in the new instructor class this week and during a break I asked if the module times are mandatory or recommended. The answer I got wasn't definitive but was very much in line with what Mr. Cotton posted when he said
While these times are prefaced with "Approximately," we need to be reasonable in interpreting this flexibility. I think it means that if you teach a module at 40 minutes instead of 45, or 65 minutes instead of 1 hr., then you're okay. I don't think it means you can teach a 30 minute or 90 minute module and comply with the times prescribed by DPS.
Sherrie said that they don't intend for you to use a stopwatch to time the modules and that you would be ok going a little over or under... but that she didn't think that you could effectively teach the material if you were significantly under the timeframes listed in the outline.

While I'm confident that I have accurately stated the substance of what she said, please note that I'm paraphrasing my understanding of her response to my question, so if you talk to her about this in the future (like at your renewal class) please don't hold her to the specific language I used here.

Not sure if that is helpful or not... but I thought I would share since I said I would ask about it.
by Sangiovese
Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:47 am
Forum: Instructors' Corner
Topic: My First 4 Hour Class
Replies: 46
Views: 6505

Re: My First 4 Hour Class

Charles L. Cotton wrote:Folks, the new Course Outline is pretty clear. The material in each module must be taught, but the instructor has the flexibility to decide how to teach it. "All topics in each module must be covered; however, the presentation style may be developed by the individual instructor. " Pg. 1.

As I understand the new course, we also must teach each module within the time allotted, i.e. somewhere between the minimum and maximum times. For example, here is the time allotment for Module 1 "Time Allotted: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours." If we use the minimum times for for all 4 modules, we have a 4 hr. class. If we use the maximum times for each, then we have a 6 hr. class. If we use something in between the min/max times, when we have a class that falls between 4 hrs. and 6 hrs.

While these times are prefaced with "Approximately," we need to be reasonable in interpreting this flexibility. I think it means that if you teach a module at 40 minutes instead of 45, or 65 minutes instead of 1 hr., then you're okay. I don't think it means you can teach a 30 minute or 90 minute module and comply with the times prescribed by DPS.

I hope I'm wrong and there's more flexibility, but that's not the impression I have at this point We'll all know more when we have our renewal classes. As for audits, no audits have been done using the new law and DPS mandate and times were never stressed by DPS under the prior law.

Chas.
I'm headed to new instructor training on the 16th. I will try to get a clear answer about whether the time allotments are mandatory or if they are suggestions.

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