There are at least three reasons why the test is 'open book:'
1. It is the only way that 95 percent of the soon-to-be-Authorized Instructors could pass the test. They simply don't yet KNOW enough to pass it any other way. And it is unrealistic to expect -- much less require -- that a student commit to memory the vast amount of material he is exposed to during the formal training process.
2. In truth, the test is more of a learning experience in and of itself than an actual 'exam.' Digging for answers and writing them down has value to the student.
3. Answering the questions is demonstrated proof that the student can use the book in its research function, and that he has at least a cursory familiarity with its contents.
To my mind, the Authorized Instructor designation is a beginning, not an end. It is formal recognition that the journey of a lifetime has begun. The student now has been exposed to the tools that over a period of years will enable him to become a true Authority. One, I might add, who could pass an 'open book' test...without the book.
Whether or not that noble goal is achieved rests squarely on the shoulders of each student. True mastery of any discipline requires an effort that differentiates the few from the many.
And so it is for those who would master The Golfing Machine.
HEAR, HEAR
as they would say in he british parlament(sorry if I´m wrong lads!)
Had a few minutes over between finishing my openbook exam for level 2 and starting to memorize a couple of things for the visual identification and demonstration exams for tomorrow.
Remembered point # 10 on Yodas list to me - and here I am.
I have spent 64 hours on the schoolbench(right spelling?) with TGM the last 8 days. This is only my 7 month (Yoda was at our Sweden PGA teaching summit in March) with TGM, so I am fairly new with the expression compared with others here. Since then, I`ve been reading the book and visiting the forums every single day. I've learned a lot and still do.
But going through Bachelors class IS a whole other ballgame.
I TRULY UNDERSTAND the differnt concepts
I CAN DEMONSTRATE it to my students to make them understand
and I can appreciate EVEN MORE Yodas recommendations to me.
BTW, Yoda, do you remember the guy that you talked/teached during the morning hours at Halmstad? Your introduction to TGM made him attend this class I´m going!
So, without ............. oh shit, times flyes when having fun. Must go back to memorizing!
Hej på Er!
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Golf is an impossible game with impossible tools - Winston Churchill
BTW, Yoda, do you remember the guy that you talked/teached during the morning hours at Halmstad? Your introduction to TGM made him attend this class I´m going!
Congratulations, Javier, on your success with the TGM Authorized Instructor training. I am happy for you!
I am also happy for your classmate who I trained with you in my half-day, main platform presentation to the Swedish PGA Coaching and Teaching Summit last March. And also, in the 'after hours' session you witnessed (and cheered on!) the last day!
Keep working, Javier. Unlike those who would drift with the tide, you are making your future happen. I am proud of you!
I can't win so i'll leave. I still stand by my statements, memorization really has 0 to do with being a good teacher in ANYTHING.
It has to do with knowing the definition of whatever you are teaching, being able to apply what you are teaching, and finally be able to commute what you are teaching in a way the students can understand.
This isn't just golf either, it's ANYTHING. When any of you go out and teach people with Learning Disabilties than you can come back to me and re-exam your response.
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Also i think some of my college professors would be rather offended that
"2. In truth, the test is more of a learning experience in and of itself than an actual 'exam.' Digging for answers and writing them down has value to the student.
I have had some pretty damn hard finance theory exams that were open book and it sure was more than just an "learning experience."
I'm out.
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I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
The difference between this website and at least one other is...
We don't try to 'win.'
There is no 'all or nothing' mentality.
This site is about friends helping friends...
Not about 'me beating you' or 'you beating me.'
We continue to welcome you here, as we always have, despite your other allegiance and affiliation.[/b]
I've never purposely started arguements and i've always been civil. And this isn't about winning, it's about what i know about teaching. I respect your opinion but i feel extremely comfortable calling it wong.
All i am saying is that memorization has 0 to do with being a great teacher. Not being a great student or trying to learn something but TEACHING. Now as a RESULT of teaching something everyday you will come to memorize at least some of it.
Hell my g/f who has extremely difficult learning disabilties could probably tell you word for word what some of the agreements are on a mortage loan from working in the industry for 5+ years but that doesn't mean she could teach someone to be a loan officer or be one herself.
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I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Every good teacher I've ever met is also a good student
Originally Posted by jim_0068
Hell my g/f who has extremely difficult learning disabilties could probably tell you word for word what some of the agreements are on a mortage loan from working in the industry for 5+ years but that doesn't mean she could teach someone to be a loan officer or be one herself.
I don't think the point was that one must memorize that list to teach golf or that simply memorizing the book gives you the ability to teach the material. The point was that memorizing that material will do nothing but make you a better teacher, if for no other reason than you will become a better student.
I don't think the point was that one must memorize that list to teach golf or that simply memorizing the book gives you the ability to teach the material. The point was that memorizing that material will do nothing but make you a better teacher, if for no other reason than you will become a better student.
Explain to me why? Why will memorizing anything make you a better teacher to any student on any subject?
I've had teachers who knew their material so well they didn't even need a book for class and i have had others who needed the book in their hands in class during lecture. Neither imo was better than the other because one had a better memory.
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I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Hybrid Mode
