So my Sunday is off to a great start after an engaging chat with my PIDP 3100 learning partner, Caroline Pichner. As my loyal readers should recall, she is a first-aid instructor with her own kick-ass blog (see December Grinchies).

Our conversation started with a warm introduction. I droned on about my boring accounting life while Caroline shared an interesting past with a long successful teaching career. She teaches 5 and 10 day courses in first-aid with passion which glows through one’s cell phone (can’t be great for my health- will Skype next time). She has started the PIDP to broaden her horizons and create more career opportunities for herself.

Caroline was proud to tell me that BC has the highest level of first-aid in Canada (not a surprise with instructors like her). Her industry is constantly evolving as major organizations get together regularly to share research with each other as well as update first-aid knowledge and techniques which are taught and used everywhere. Furthermore, we get trends coming up from the States which influence our first-aid (I think I’m okay with this- just don’t influence our politics, USA!).

Regarding adult education specifically, Caroline spoke about how lecture “reading” had to be kept to a minimum in her course or students start falling asleep (I hear ya, Caroline). There is also hands-on practice students must participate in, to learn how to deal with emergency situations. Unfortunately, this doesn’t allow for much self-directed learning, but there is opportunity to use bits and pieces of PIDP goodness in Caroline’s teaching.

Finally, Caroline expects her teaching role to change a little bit as she progresses through the PIDP. She has spoken to her boss about the PIDP (he is a proud graduate of the program) and is excited at being able to “read” her students better, especially when it comes to figuring out who is learning well and who is having some difficulty.

I had a great time chatting with Caroline. She is passionate about what she is doing and a bright, friendly person to boot! Thanks Caroline, for being a great learning partner!