Long question, need some thoughts

[mycrofft]

Ask for your money back.

Itemize the objective reasons why you are not getting your money's worth, such as failure of instructors to coordinate or follow a common curriculum, a denigrating and harassing instructor who creates a "hostile learning environment" through verbal abuse, and failure of the lead instructor on this and such date and time to concretely address your concerns. State that failure to satisfy your request will result in reporting of their program to the appropriate state board (don't go local, too much GOB stuff). If it is part of your curriculum, say you are willing to acept an "INCOMPLETE".

The more I have seen and I am hearing about these little Napolean instructors the less respect I have for the EMT training "system".

 

[bunkie]

My class is amazing. I really believe that we're really getting the knowledge that we need. It's when we go do actual skills that the cluster-f of all times comes into play. I kind of started a riot today. Went to all my classmates and asked them how they felt about the issues I had already brought up to my main instructor. They said they hadn't spoken up because they were afraid it would harm them in the course. Now they are speaking up and we've got 25 really aggravated students wanting change and now. I'm glad I asked about it because they were all staying silent out of fear. Once they saw that I had already broached the subject, that fear left.
Tonight we saw a big change, and the instructor in question.. not there.

 

[mycrofft]

Declare victory and fall in line then.

Maybe your instructors read EMTLIFE?

Be very careful with playing "El Cid" for your classmates. Not only can you be wrong sometimes (especially when you are new) but the instructor could be hurt profesionally and even sue you. Also, your clasmates can label you as "nosey" and marginalize you.
But, congrats, good luck, remember it isn't all red lights and "Yeehaw!".

 

[bunkie]

Maybe your instructors read EMTLIFE?

Be very careful with playing "El Cid" for your classmates. Not only can you be wrong sometimes (especially when you are new) but the instructor could be hurt profesionally and even sue you. Also, your clasmates can label you as "nosey" and marginalize you.
But, congrats, good luck, remember it isn't all red lights and "Yeehaw!".

I should have clarified, I went to all my classmates that were already complaining because they were confused about the mass mix of information.

 

[rescue99]

I should have clarified, I went to all my classmates that were already complaining because they were confused about the mass mix of information.

Good bunkie...bout time students took responsibility for their future...assuming the complaints were deemed warranted.

Student complaints are always going to be part of teaching/learning. A lot of complaints (in fact, the majority) are just that, complaints with low to no validity. Most can be easily resolved through the use of good communication. A seasoned educator knows how to teach and relate to his/her audience. A good educator knows how to use communication to resolve issues long before they become big problems. Note the separation of "seasoned" and "good". They are attributes not always found in the same person. Even when they are, some problems that occur need more than a chit-chat.

Adult students should never be afraid to have a conversation with any instructor. "Adult" being the key word because without communication, somebody's getting blown off! Problem solving is part of the instructors job. It is a student right and it goes both ways! I hear the "I'm afraid" line all the time out of complaining students whimpering that they can't say anything because their teacher will fail them or humiliate them in class. My favorite..." Oh, I just can't be a snitch." Lovely!! Fail then ....or hush and teach yourself...good luck! The arguments just don't hold water. I think its a cop-out!!

If someone is old enough to want to save lives then the critical thinking needs to begin on the first day of class...starting with taking personal responsibility. Following policy on making complaints starts and ends with communication with more communication in between. I wouldn't hesitate to file a formal complaint as a student IF, I felt very strongly about the matter and, I had actually done every other step before hand. Could not care less if someone loses a license or a job IFFFF, it is proven the privilege has been abused repeatedly. If an instructor is that bad then by-golly he/she needs to be removed. The reality is, it's not likely gonna happen even when it should.
Fact is.... nothing will improve when the folks who can actually make a difference are not aware.