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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Certification
Posted By: Nick Schade In Response To: Certification (Hugh)
Date: Saturday, 9 December 2000, at 9:43 a.m.
The problem with certification is the problem shared by any kind of testing scheme. It is possible to prepare for the test without gaining the broader skills required to be truly skilled. This can be overcome by leaving the pass/fail choice up to the judgement of someone who is truly skilled, but then the test is subjective, with all the problems involved in that.
With a standardized test you can see if the candidate can accomplish certain tasks, i.e. they can do a roll, or read a compass. But it may be more important that you know not to go someplace where you are apt to need to roll.
You can leave the judgement to someone more skilled, but how do you rate his ability to determine the contestants ability. Maybe he likes to pass people that he likes and fail people he dislikes.
Certification is a nice idea, but it is loaded with pitfalls.
: I'm curious about people's opinions of certifications through various
: organizations (ACA, BCU). I have a BCU Cert and am working on another. The
: friends I paddle with all have some sort of certification and there is a
: general mindset to work our way up the various ladders. We all work for an
: outfitter and think the industry is headed in that direction or should.
: That is not to say, however, that there aren't some extremely talented
: paddlers who haven't had any certification and who know more about the
: sport than many of us ever will.
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