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Walter & Group...
[GH] Peter Minnick writes as a career educator :
Gordy...This has become a very interesting and invaluable thread..One that should heighten the awareness of every examiner to the complexities and nuances of every human being in the field of learning and teaching. People learn and teach differently and an instructor whether a CI or MCI should be able to modify their approach to what works. Likewise, an examiner should use common sense to learn as much as they can about their candidate. Some people "don't test well" and some are better "on their feet" than others.
At the end of the day aren't we just trying to certify candidates that know their stuff and can teach either at the CI or MCI level?
No..I think the orals are a very integral part of the process and if anything it is the examiners who need to be open to the vagaries of human nature and without lowering their standards use sensitivity and common sense.
Peter
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[GH} From Dave Barron :
Gordy
I find this topic very interesting, because for the last 5 hours I have been writing out my oral questions for the up coming MCI test in West Yellowstone next week. Like you I do not want to fail anyone, I wish I could pass everyone, I feel bad when I have to tell someone that they did not pass. In all the questions that I will ask there is not one trick question, I do not believe in them. All the question that I ask, every MCI should know the answer.
I look for how a candidate can think on their feet and come up with the answer. I want to see how they teach. I would not like to see a written test, because as soon as we have a written test we will hear that we should put the test on the web site so candidates can study to the test. What we will get is pat answers that will not show the depth of the candidate knowledge.
I do like to do part of the orals during the casting part of the test and if I feel that I need more information we will sit down and run through some question on casting mechanics, general equipment and fishing or to clear up some thing the candidate say during the casting part of the test. I agree with Tim Lawson “I'm not sure how anyone qualified to be a Master Instructor could fail the oral exam. The Master Study Guide has a comprehensive list of possible questions covering all 5 areas of the exam”
I also agree the new candidate should chill out and try to be prepared and have some fun with this test, as he said this is only fly fishing. I find that most MCI candidates fail because they can not explain or answer the questions under stress ( which the test surly is) I am not sure how they will be able to perform in front of a group of students if they can not perform in front of the examiners. I find the biggest down fall is that the candidates do not have confidence in them selves and it does show during the test.
Dave
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[GH] From Jim Penrod :
Hi Gordy,
Currently visiting son with family in Bosnia, As to MCI exam my orals (did it more than once) were very comprehensive and long. My concerns with written are about agreement on what questions to ask and would agreement ever be reached on that account and no opportunity to explain one's answers. With the current method of doing questions and performance simultaneously the candidate is placed in a very real teaching position. Something to be said for that!
Jim
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[GH] From Peter Morse :
1. Are any 2 MCI oral exams ever the same? No
2. Does that favor the candidate? No
3. Does that favor the examiner? No. But examiners must have some sensitivity to regional variations in what constitutes the candidates predominant fly fishing. The examiners should also have a broad range of fly fishing experience between them. Its grossly unfair on a candidate in a region where saltwater fly fishing is completely dominant to be tested by examiners who might not know a bonefish from a barramundi or a toman from a tautog. The international examiners I had handled this very well and took the attitude that they wanted to learn something of a our local fish and I applaud that approach - I learned a great deal from them on examining in that session
4. Would you (personally) favor a comprehensive written exam for the MCI test over an oral exam (followed by the practical casting component as it stands)? Absolutely not.
5. How would that change the exam for you (personally)? It was fine but I do think the oral exam should be incorporated into the tasks. Part of being an instructor is being able to handle questions being thrown at you all day long. Part of being an instructor is being able to deal with 3 people asking you entirely different questions at the same time; from technical casting questions to knots and rigs and which books on fly casting do you recommend to which fly should I use for mud skippers and what coloured polarised glasses are best for blue water fishing???? .......... Learn to deal with it. The MCI badge is very hard earned and worth the journey, please don't devalue it.
A written exam would have to be multiple choice, that in my view is dumbing down the program. If it wasn't multiple choice it could take many hours to assess and greatly disadvantage those who don't have good writing skills. Additionally it would have to be produced in a multitude of languages and account for translational nuances.
Peter Morse
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[GH]
[GH] From Ckling :
Gordy~ With your blessings:
Five simple short answer questions for the group: Your answers are based on your impressions as a MCI exam candidate.
Hi Gordy,
These are my views only,
1. Are any 2 MCI oral exams ever the same? No
2. Does that favor the candidate? No
3. Does that favor the examiner? Yes, he can ask only those topics he knows or likes.
4. Would you (personally) favor a comprehensive written exam for the MCI test over an oral exam (followed by the practical casting component as it stands)? Yes, both.
5. How would that change the exam for you (personally)? The written exam covers the breadth and depth of an MCI's knowledge in a structured and more objective manner. The oral exam to assess attitude, aptitude,more fly fishing/casting knowledge, communication , teaching ability,ambitions and future plans etc.( is this a person we want or capable of carrying out FFF objectives?)
The performance part for casting and teaching abilities, ie able to walk the talk.
Regards
Ling
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[GH] Ling,
I like your statement, "( is this a person we want or capable of carrying out FFF objectives?)"
Putting it another way, "Would this instructor be able to function as a competent Master ?"
In the end, those are the questions examiners must ask themselves.
Gordy
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