May 2008 -- Being the best at tennis-teacher certification and education has always been USPTA’s strength.
To be the best, we’ve created the industry’s highest standards for teaching the game. Many years ago, under President Jack Barnaby, the Association established the first national written and playing certification test. Before that, there was no national standard for testing, and most USPTA divisions administered their own exams, using different formats and content.
The late George Bacso, as USPTA director of certification and academies, continued to fine-tune the exam’s content, and train testers across the country and throughout the world. George was a hands-on mentor, whether on the court or on the telephone. He helped testers and applicants through the exam process, and improved the value of the experience for everyone involved. Even today, the testing system bears his influence.
In the last 10 years, the study material has been rewritten and exam procedures have been streamlined, but no change quite compares to the Feb. 18 launch of the online version of the Certification Review Course, the written exam and grip test.
Although USPTA has for years provided both members and nonmembers with online education resources, the online Certification Review Course and exam represent a breakthrough in how we present educational material, help someone prepare for the test, assess an applicant’s knowledge, and tabulate and record the activities.
The ability to offer this technology to our members is made possible because of the Internet, USPTA’s new database management software and the efforts of board members and the USPTA staff, the highest standards for our profession.
Previously, new applicant members prepared for the Certification Exam with a six-hour classroom review session, during which review topics were discussed briefly. Now, with almost 14 hours of audio, video and text covering 522 pages of information, the new online CRC offers a more extensive and in-depth overview of the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete both the written and on-court portions of the Certification Exam.
To complement the written format, the online Certification Review Course offers audio and video features so that applicants and members have the option to listen, watch and read along with the course. A major benefit of incorporating these new features is that it offers multiple learning styles so applicants can better retain the information.
The CRC presentation also highlights key points over which applicants will be tested, and it features demonstrations that allow applicants to see what they should expect during the on-court portions of the exam. It also includes quizzes that participants can take to determine whether they have learned the exam material.
While the online system enhances learning and streamlines parts of the exam, applicants and upgrade candidates must still take and pass on-court and in-person segments, including the private and group lesson, stroke analysis and stroke production. These segments will continue to receive face-to-face and stringent scrutiny.
As with anything this new and different, we’ve received some questions about the integrity of the exam process and the costs associated with the technology.
To begin with, we thoroughly researched and debated the merits of the system and the potential for cheating. We addressed the three major cheating issues of distance learning assessment. They include getting exam answers in advance, unfair retaking of exams and unauthorized help during exam sessions.
The first problem is eliminated because test questions are randomized each time an exam is taken. Test answers are also randomized within each question. We also have a considerable number of questions that can be rotated into different tests to vary the content so that no two tests will ever look alike.
The second potential for cheating is removed because we allow a person only one opportunity to take the online exam. If for some reason they have computer problems or an emergency that interrupts the exam, they must contact the World Headquarters and explain the circumstances before they will be allowed to log in to retest.
The last problem is addressed by timing the exam stringently, which does not give participants enough time to search for answers in the study material or call someone for help and successfully complete the exam in the allotted time.
Of course, convenience and efficiency were two goals we aimed to achieve in developing the newest testing system. Cutting costs for members just happens to be a great byproduct for applicants and current members.
While application and testing fees remain the same for the online review course and exams, we’ve cut the time required for on-site testing, which cuts member costs for lodging, meals and time away from work when they travel to test sites.
USPTA has incurred considerable costs to integrate the learning and testing modules, database software and educational material that make it possible for us to provide this service and many more education and testing possibilities in the future.
We will continue to review and modify our testing system based on member feedback. It’s our hope that you’ll be able to use this new benefit if you haven’t yet been tested or are planning to upgrade your current rating. You’ll see firsthand that USPTA provides its members with the best benefits through technology.
