Recognition of prior learning
 

Folks, a little assistance if you will?

I have a BA degree with a Teaching Qualification in Further Education and a Diploma of Higher Education in Training and Development, coupled with significant teaching experience in an FE college equivalent.

In respect of the classroom element of the FI course, does anyone know if the above experience and qualifications would be taken into account by the CAA and a credit allowed against the (not insignificant) 'teaching' module of the instructor's course?

Many thanks in advance.

The short answer is no, but a good try :ok:

The answer is correct but, in its (undeserved) defence, the fault lies not with the CAA. EU law does not permit a 'competent' authority to take into account any teaching qualification that is not earned under the Aircrew Regulation. Of course, the idea that any amount of 'teaching' experience gained in a common classroom could possibly have any relevance to teaching a pilot is totally ludicrous, isn't it?

It doesn't really help you, but IIRC the FAA allow people with a teaching qualification an exemption of the FOI (fundamentals of instruction) written exam when undertaking training towards their Flight Instructor Rating.

The good news is that it should make life a little easier for those instructing the FI Course. The "not insignificant" teaching module actually uses all of the material that you will use as a FI in a practical rather than theoretical manner.

Thanks for all the info folks. Yes, I suppose it was a good try! :rolleyes:

I take it from your answers that all of those hundred odd hours is technical aviation theory? And not a bit of it touches on the skills involved in knowledge transfer and the quality learning experience?

Much strangeness indeed, if that's the case.

Cheers again.

Quite the opposite. The student would be expected to arrive with that level of knowledge on day one.

25 hours are devoted to what is called the Teaching & Learning module. The rest is about practical application of these skills in the aviation environment, and any associated hazards etc.

Thats a VERY broad brush, but you can look it up yourself at the following link.

EASA Flight Standards

You want the 1178/2011 and 2011/016/R AMC and GM Part FCL.

Again, many thanks Og.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

(a) The course should include at least 125 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction, including at least 25 hours teaching and learning instruction.

This from EASA. I think I'll chance my arm that they should give me a bye on the 25 hours!! ;)

Interesting they say 'at least 25 hours teaching and learning'. Who decides any variation I wonder? The FTO I presume? What if, God forbid, you're a rotten teacher? Detention at the chalk face perhaps?! :ok:

No they won't
This is the only way it will be credited:The 25 hours is not a stand alone module, its totally embedded with the rest of the theoretical training to form an integrated package.

Whopity, thanks for that.

I guess I'll get to see the quality of their teacher training then! Ah, happy days; back to the tools! ;)

Thanks everyone.

It's not about teaching in the sense of normal classroom teaching, its a blend of how to brief and debrief practical lessons. I went into the FI on the back of a Cert Ed and teaching/examining professional diving. Being able to create presentations and stand up and give them helped but there was no one part of the FI course that I could say could be omitted due to prior qualification.

I have a postgraduate certificate in teaching and learning in further and higher education. When I did an instructors course I was told that I could apply for a dispensation. I decided not to try, as I might miss something interesting.

In the end, I found virtually no overlap between the PGCert teaching course and the FIC course - stand-up whiteboard skills were the only real area. I'm very glad that I didn't apply for any dispensation, as I'm sure I'd have missed useful material.

P