eckhard....
Some good points about the course content. The best two modules I attended was a presentation by the met office and a briefing from special branch (post 9/11). You are completely right about some of the mundane sunbjects.
I also agree on keeping up to date with new technologies, human factors and the way we teach. On the later point even the Royal Air Force, I understand are looking ways to improve the way they train.
To add to that, I don't think instructors make enough use of technology, for example PC based radio aids navigation training (RANT) is a brilliant teaching and practice aid for NDB/VOR intercepts, tracking and holding, yet how many instructors use it. I'm not sure if many of the seminar instructors with exception of one (DO) are best placed to keep us up to date on technology.