NRA dumps "blended learning" classes

[bamboomaster]

Blended learning classes are to education what engineering plans drawn in metric (in the US) were for state DOTs, a colossal waste of energy and money.

My side job uses this method of training to lure in people into thinking that they can get certified with less class time. In reality, they have to sit through long, very badly animated online trainings that don't teach what they are supposed to, only to have to sit through skills sessions for extra long, because they didn't learn what they were supposed to. Which makes me have to teach longer than I'm supposed to because I can't certify the suckers if they don't pass the skills portion.

My main job is trying to implement blended learning for our national training. Since I'm on the national training cadre, I'm fighting this like hell. Nothing replaces actually being taught by a real person who knows their job.

I always thought those "film strips" they showed us in 6th grade about reproduction were a bunch of hooey and later when TV's talking around "sex education" were rolled into the 7th and 8th grade classes by stern-faced nuns who escorted the class to "confession" after the broadcast...well...I'm agreeing with you.

There probably could have been a better teacher for the segment if they selected one or more who "knows their job"...

[Rosco the Iroc]

**update**
This is cut and pasted from an NRA email sent to training councilors I got is via the BSA.

The NRA has had some changes in the works and will release them very soon. We want to make sure NRA Training Counselors are adequately and accurately informed so you can pass on the correct information to all those instructors that you have mentored and conducted training for throughout the years. Please let your instructors know that the NRA strives to create the courses that you want to teach and that your students want to take.

To that end, we have continued to fine tune the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting program to give instructors and students the ability to choose the delivery method that best suits their needs. There will be significant improvements to the existing Blended Learning version as well as the introduction of a NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting, Instructor Led Training (ILT) version, both of which will be conducted entirely under the direct supervision of an Instructor.

These changes will give NRA Certified Pistol Instructors the ability to administer both types of training in its entirety, and the freedom to choose the method based on the needs of the student.

The NRA will be sending an email with a full list of the changes to all NRA Instructors on March 22, 2017, with an official release date of April 4, 2017. In the meantime, we are counting on you to inform the instructors you have certified, of the upcoming changes.

On April 4, 2017, there will be an acknowledgement on the NRAInstructors.org sign-in page that pops up after logging into your account. This will be the notification that the enhancements are active, and you may begin to teach either course at your discretion.

The NRA worked with TCs to develop this program and listened to their concerns, thoughts and ideas. The following is some feedback provided by some of your fellow TCs:

Klint Macro, Pittsburgh, PA:
The 2017 evolution of the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course makes it easier for NRA Instructors to accomplish the goal of helping our fellow law abiding citizens become safe, confident and competent with firearms. The improvements give the end user a choice of training options and also helps the instructor cultivate a relationship with their students. Instructors will have the option to teach all handgun types, or focus specifically on semi-autos or revolvers. For students who prefer it, they have the option to enroll in a 100% instructor-led course, attending the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course live and in person from start to finish. These enhancements provide more options, including convenience for the student and flexibility for the instructor. I believe NRA has satisfied the needs of students and instructors, while maintaining a focus on the ultimate goal.

Larry Pope, Cleveland, OH:
The National Rifle Association is the national standard for firearms education and training. After two years of research and development, the Education and Training Division launched the Basics of Pistol Shooting Course introducing many to the Blending Learning instructional method. For many, this opened the door to formal firearms training using technology and innovation. It gave a group of hearing impaired students an option for training. The millennial generation embraced the program because it gave them the ability to learn using a method of instruction that they are familiar with and can complete in the comfort of their homes and their schedule. However, the NRA realized that students learn differently and the Instructor Led method was the preferred method for some students and Instructors alike. NRA listen to the concerns of NRA Certified Instructors and the community and has decided to launch the Basics of Pistol Shooting Instructor Led course. The new release will have an updated shooting qualification and Performance Requirements Checklist that will aid the student and Instructor during the classroom and range portions of the course. As a proud NRA member and trainer, I am thrilled to have another tool in my toolbox to empower students while advocating for the Second Amendment.

Steven Reed, Ann Arbor, MI:
Based upon the feedback from instructors and training counselors, a revamped Basic Pistol Course (Phase I and II) and an instructor-led-only Basic Pistol Course option are being released. The blended training / instructor-led format will continue with some improvements, and with a substantial discount for instructors to purchase access codes for Phase I (computer preview). Students can now choose the format that works best with their learning style and their busy schedule. Instructors will be able to teach both formats or focus on the one that meshes best with their approach. These changes allow the NRA to keep up its commitment to expand shooting sports through quality classes. Congratulations to the NRA for once again setting the industry "gold standard" for firearm courses!!!

Final implementation of the online registration process is in progress and will be tested and completed prior to the public announcement on April 4. New Pistol Instructor Lesson Plans for your Training Counselor Guide, as well as an updated Blended Lesson Plan, the Instructor Led Lesson Plan and additional information will be available for download as PDF files on www.nrainstructors.org on April 4, 2017.

Please urge all of your instructor candidates to verify that their email address and contact information is up to date on www.nrainstructors.org so that they receive all updates and email blasts.

Thank you for your leadership and service as NRA Training Counselors. We are grateful for your continued commitment to NRA Training Programs.

[Sandcut]

Online learning is fine, as a refresher or to update knowledge you have already have but where standards might have changed (say, this drug for that drug, or different dosages).

It can not take the place of classroom for new learning IMO, and every blended class I have seen has been awful. All online classes have been good, blended, not so much.

I'll go along with your assessment of refresher vs. new training.

[Rosco the Iroc]

Did the other instructors get the email finally dumping it?

Dear NRA Certified Instructor:

We have some changes, and we plan to release them on April 4, 2017. We want you to know that the NRA strives to create the courses you want to teach and your students want to take. To that end, we have continued to fine tune the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Program to give both our instructors and students the ability to choose the delivery method that best suits their needs. There will be significant improvements to the existing Blended learning edition, as well as the introduction of NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting, Instructor Led Training (ILT), all of which is conducted entirely under the direct supervision of an Instructor. These changes will give the NRA Certified Pistol Instructor the ability to administer the training in its entirety, and the freedom to choose the Blended or ILT version of the Basics of Pistol Shooting Course.

First, let's look at what is coming for the Blended version of the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course: Instructors will have the option to purchase Course Control Codes (CCC). These are codes that instructors issue to students so they can access and complete the self-study portion of the Blended course before attempting the hands-on portion. The CCCs will be significantly discounted to you so that you can set the price of your course to include the self-study portion. The student will no longer be required to make payment to the NRA and then make a separate payment to the instructor. This gives you control over your course from beginning to end. Students will need to create a unique username and password while registering for the course and then, at your discretion, you issue the student a CCC. To make delivery of the codes more convenient, the NRA has created an email template that automatically updates with the student's information, the CCC, and instructions for completing the course. The email will be sent when the CCC is issued to the student. The Instructor-led portion of the Blended course will be conducted in the manner set forth in the Blended Course lesson plans that are available on your NRAInstuctors.org homepage. The reporting requirements and the printing of NRA Course Certificates will be identical between both courses and will be covered below.

Next, we will introduce the new NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting, Instructor Led Training (ILT). The defining feature of this course is the return to the traditional Instructor/student relationship. One major improvement is the flexibility to teach the full lesson plan or a condensed version which covers only one pistol action type (semi-auto or revolver). The lesson plans for ILT will be placed in the Lesson Plans/PowerPoints section on your NRAInstructors.org homepage. To maintain consistency across all NRA lesson plans, a Performance Requirements Checklist (PRC) is included. We strongly recommend that you use this form to document what you have taught your students, as well as record the students' acknowledgement that they are comfortable with each objective. If you conduct the condensed lesson plan covering a single pistol type, please document this clearly on the forms and keep them for your records. Please note that if you conduct the ILT version of the course, you are required to provide each of your students with a Basics of Pistol Shooting student packet. Packets will be available at the NRA Program Materials Center and consist of the NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook and a course exam. Also note that if you conduct a single pistol action type course, you must report it as such in order to print the appropriate certificates, which will state Revolver or Semi-Automatic.

Once either version of the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course is completed, you will submit the electronic course report. This report will include your student's written exam score, the shooting skill level they achieved, and your acknowledgement that the student met all of the learning objectives as set forth by the curriculum. Once each of these elements is complete, you will be able to submit and print your report and the student's certificates. The certificates will be watermarked and prepopulated with your NRA Instructor ID number, your printed name below a signature line, date, serial number, student name, marksmanship skill level, pistol action type (if appropriate) as well as the signature of the NRA Secretary.

Please keep an eye on your NRAInstructors.org sign-in page. On April 4, 2017, there will be an acknowledgement page that pops up when you log into your account. This will be the notification that the enhancements are active, and you may begin to teach either course, as well as purchase Course Control Codes and student packets, whichever you chose.

Thank you for your continued commitment to NRA Training Programs

[HRoark]

Just in the interest of accuracy, they're not "dumping it."

A fully instructor led class will be an option, along with the other option of taking the online portion and then finishing with an instructor. The instructor is going to have more control over the online portion, and will control giving students access.

Klint Macro (Trigger pressers union) did an informational meeting earlier this week at Millvale in Wexford. He's been involved with the NRA directly in testing many of the changes, so he had some insight into the ways things will be changing.

IMO, the way the NRA is doing it now is what they should have done in the first place.

[Just1more]

I haven't received any emails from the nra re their new options
Wished I knew about klints update as I attended his first one when the blended course was being introduced

[PaladinFL]

I haven't received any emails from the nra re their new options
Wished I knew about klints update as I attended his first one when the blended course was being introduced

I have both the update video and his powerpoint if your interested let me know via pm and we can see how best to get it to you.