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Walter & Group....
[GH] I'll wait to send the results of our quiz on fly rod parameters until I receive more answers. This one did require some head scratching.
Lets have more of you take the plunge ! I'll value your opinions and we'll all learn.
CONGRATULATIONS to Bernd Ziesche of Germany for passing the Master's exam at the Conclave !Bernd is a member of our Study Group.
Gordy
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>From Bill Toone,
Gordy,
My experience testing during recent conclave mirrors Bruce’s comments as well. I was involved in testing 1 MCI and 2 CI’s. With the MCI and one of the CI’s it was clear after just 2-3 questions/tasks the individuals were not going to pass so we ended going through the exams as a clinic for both.
In neither case was it because the test was too hard, they were just flat out not prepared in both understanding and ability.
The 2nd CI although failed as well was close and I feel confident the individual will pass the next go around with a bit more work and understanding.
The common denominator I observed among them was no real mentor to help them nor any experience running through the exam as a pre-test with a qualified individual. In all three cases a mentor and a pre-test would have either convinced the candidate they were not ready or showed them areas they needed to improve in so they could be ready.
Just my observations…
Regards,
Bill Toone
Editor in Chief, Flyfisher
FFF Master Certified Casting Instructor
Instructor/Guide, Yellowstone Flyfishing School
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[GH] This is why Jim Valle wrote the LOOP article on mentoring a while back.
For candidates preparing for either exam, it is not at all mandatory, but by far the best way to go.
Problem remains that candidates are reluctant to step forward to seek a mentor. Fact is that almost all Master's are happy to help out when asked. I know I speak for the BOG when I say that they are all willing to help upon request.
Another examiner brought up a related issue. That is coaching strictly by "teaching to the test". This is a bad idea as it can backfire during the exam which follows.
He noted that one Master candidate had "canned answers" which were correct... however, on further questioning demonstrated no in-depth knowledge of the subjects.
An example I've observed is the MCI candidate who can rattle off the list of "essentials" from memory but can't answer questions about them, relate one to another or use them properly in a teaching situation.
Gordy
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[GH] From Rex Walker in response to my message on the pass/fail exam rates at the Conclave :
"The most glaring reasons for failure, as I see it - (No names included.)
2.) Lack of actual teaching experience. (That becomes obvious to most examiners early during the oral part of the test.) "
Gordy,
The perception some people have of the CCI program confuses me. Too many of the people that want to take the exam seem to ignore the "Instructor" part.
The first question I ask anyone that asks for help preparing for the CCI exam is "have you been teaching"? Unfortunately, the most common response is no.
Teaching experience is key to preparing for the CCI exam. I just don't understand why someone that does not like to teach would want to be certified as an "instructor".
Thanks,
Rex Walker
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[GH] Rex,
I'm glad you brought that up. Some candidates have the mistaken idea that the performance exams are strictly "casting tests".
WRONG !
These are tests with emphasis on TEACHING. If you cannot teach, you will not pass. Period.
On the Master's exam, the examiners can and often do request the candidate who has successfully demonstrated a cast or series of casts, to finish by teaching them.
After all, we are trying to turn out good INSTRUCTORS as the main objective of the CICP program.
Candidates should remember that they may pass every other task on the casting portion of that test but will fail to pass the test unless they pass each and every one of Tasks # 18 - 24. These are the Explain and Demonstrate teaching tasks under INSTRUCTING ABILITY.
The EXPLANATION must accurately match the DEMONSTRATION in a manner which would be easily understood by students.
As Masters, it is important for us to make this very clear to any CCI candidates we are coaching.
Gordy
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