On line DSC Lev 1 Courses

[Craigswood Game and Deer]

A couple of days back I was contacted by a person looking to achieve DSC Lev 1 and he asked about the pros and cons of atending a course weekend against an online course as offereed by BASC.
From BASC website I quote what are listed as benefits of an online course
1. Study at your own pace
2. Access the course from your mobile or desktop, at home or on the move

3. Remove the need for classroom travel (you will still need to attend a two-hour physical shooting assessment required to pass the course.)
4. Reduce time away from work and family
5. Study with 12 months access to the online platform
For several years now we include on our course an online precourse study programme. This can be downloaded onto a PC, tablet or phone.
If travelling to a classroom environment troubles you maybe stalking is not the sport for you as in terms of reaching your stalking grounds you will travel thousands of miles in your life time.
If being away from work or family troubles you again maybe stalking is not for you as you will spend many hours/days away from your work and family stalking that elusive medal beast.
What I can tell you is the benefits of attending a course weekend.
1. Our last course consisted of 20 candidates. You have just met
21 new contacts/friends (including the assessor and myself).
Almost on a daily basis I get texts or calls from previous
candidates asking for advice or looking to do Lev 2.
2. You are in a position to ask questions from your assessor. Over
and above this, even if all the other candidates have only one
years experience each there is now another combined 19
years knowledge and experiences in the room.
3. A course is an event, an enjoyable experience which you just
cannot get from your PC or phone.
4. An online course requires you to attend a shooting
assessment. Our course offers a practice weekend. What I can
tell you that if a good few of our candidates who attended the
practice weekend had just come for assessment they would
have failed.
5. If you do not have your own rifle I can supply an Estate rifle
and ammo without additional cost. BASC will provide you with
a rifle but I would think there would be costs involved.
Online stuff is no doubt the modern way but in the years I have been organising these courses I consider somewhere about 600 candidates have achieved DSC Lev 1 through us. Not one person has ever said "that was a waste of time or money"

 

[Mike1979]

Personally I think Online courses are a box ticking exercise and nothing more. When you are there in person with a group its much more engaging and meaningful and you learn a lot more.

 

[VSS]

Personally I think Online courses are a box ticking exercise and nothing more. When you are there in person with a group its much more engaging and meaningful and you learn a lot more.

While agree with your second sentence, I don’t agree with your initial statement. I believe that the purpose of the online courses is to make the DSC1 more widely accessible, by catering for those individuals who cannot manage to spend 3-4 days away from home to do the f2f version, and all the extra cost that would entail over and above the basic course fee.

 

[Mike1979]

While agree with your second sentence, I don’t agree with your initial statement. I believe that the purpose of the online courses is to make the DSC1 more widely accessible, by catering for those individuals who cannot manage to spend 3-4 days away from home to do the f2f version, and all the extra cost that would entail over and above the basic course fee.

Maybe my first part was a tad hasty and not overly well explained. If you are very disciplined then perhaps an online course will teach you as much as a face to face but there is opportunity to pay no attention and frankly ask Chatbot or similar AI the answers to the questions.

As I said it was just my opinion and every online course I have had to do is one I have wanted to get through very quickly...but they have been box ticking courses. I have to go and do the "CCNSG Safety Passport" every 3 years despite being responsible for safety for the company I work for and holding a NEBOSH Diploma....but I digress.

 

[VSS]

Maybe my first part was a tad hasty and not overly well explained. If you are very disciplined then perhaps an online course will teach you as much as a face to face but there is opportunity to pay no attention and frankly ask Chatbot or similar AI the answers to the questions.

Chatbot won't be with you in the exam room.
Candidates still have to do that bit in person, at the designated venue.
And there's not much that chatbot can help you with on the range for the shooting test.

 

[Mike1979]

Chatbot won't be with you in the exam room.
Candidates still have to do that bit in person, at the designated venue.
And there's not much that chatbot can help you with on the range for the shooting test.

Fair. To be honest though...the questions are (in the main part) simple enough that a bit of common sense and a little bit of learning should see most people through with minimal study.

The shooting test is much easier these days as more people have rifles that are light recoiling and dont scare the county when fired

 

[VSS]

Fair. To be honest though...the questions are (in the main part) simple enough that a bit of common sense and a little bit of learning should see most people through with minimal study.

Yes, the written test is very simple. Anyone of even modest intelligence should have no problem passing that, whether they studied online or in the classroom.
The deer ID test does catch a few out though.

The shooting test is much easier these days as more people have rifles that are light recoiling and dont scare the county when fired

Hmmmm. There was someone on my course with something loud and unsociable. Unmoderated 30-06, if I remember correctly. Me? I only had a .243 back in those days

 

[Mike1979]

Yes, the written test is very simple. Anyone of even modest intelligence should have no problem passing that, whether they studied online or in the classroom.
The deer ID test does catch a few out though.

Hmmmm. There was someone on my course with something loud and unsociable. Unmoderated 30-06, if I remember correctly. Me? I only had a .243 back in those days

I did my DSC1 in 2013...test was easy but I am always the annoying one who finishes first (and gets full marks)

Shooting test - Sako 85 in .... .270 and yes it was my own rifle. Much too manly for me so went to .243 then up to the fabled pink unicorn manbun gun

 

[Craigswood Game and Deer]

While agree with your second sentence, I don’t agree with your initial statement. I believe that the purpose of the online courses is to make the DSC1 more widely accessible, by catering for those individuals who cannot manage to spend 3-4 days away from home to do the f2f version, and all the extra cost that would entail over and above the basic course fee.

On the Course we do we include at least 30 days access (can be extended) to a online pre course study programme. We offer a practice shoot prior to the course weekend on the same targets as per the test. Maybe not required by all but a certain confidence builder if required. Our course is usually done and dusted by early afternoon on the Sunday. No 3-4 days and perhaps having to take time off work etc.