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Virtual training

Started by exarmyguard, May 09, 2020, 05:46:30 PM

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exarmyguard

Other than the virtual conferences and UAS training (which is outstanding), are there other virtual opportunities out there?

I'd like to use my downtime wisely, which is why I hope virtual training will be a permanent fixture for CAP.

Thank you and be safe.

Eclipse

You should be checking in with your unit CC and unit / wing PDO.

The majority of adult PD is being offered all over the country via
virtual means - SLS/CLC/UCC/TLC, even RSC and Wing Conferences.

Also, most units are starting to scramble for compelling meeting content
and are scouring the corners for ES tasks that can be accomplished virtually

This information should be coming down through channels.

"That Others May Zoom"

etodd

Quote from: Eclipse on May 09, 2020, 05:55:15 PMThis information should be coming down through channels.

Some of this is happening so quickly. Someone in a Squadron will be willing to host a zoom course on XZY starting "this Monday". Squadron gets excited. Someone sends out an email Saturday inviting the whole Wing to join in. Then someones decides other Wings could join to and so Sunday night Facebook lights up with invitations on other Wing pages.

I'm not sure the NATCAP marketing and PR department, and the national website, is setup for disseminating all these spur of the moment online programs. They are accustomed to having something planned out 3 months ahead of time.

If a volunteer says they have time to teach something "next week", we need to be able to take advantage of it and not ask them to wait weeks or months.

Its the New CAP. Many that I have logged into are not even requiring uniforms. And those that do, all you see is the shirt. ;)

The sUAS training was mentioned above. Its the DOu of the Maryland Wing hosting it. Started with a handful of folks locally on zoom several weeks ago. Now its averaging 95-100 members each night, representing 20-30 Wings.
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on ..."

Eclipse

Strong non-concur.

Just because someone says they want to teach a "thing", doesn't mean they should be,
or even know what they are talking about.

Local units should be looking to train their own people, under the command, control,
and evaluation of local staff.

You can't "train" 95-100 people in a Zoom meeting.  You can host the meeting
and have 95-100 people sitting quietly, with 2/3rds watching a movie in another
tab, expecting credit.

"That Others May Zoom"

exarmyguard

Could there be a spot here in the forum to act as a place to post such virtual trainings?

Spam

Also dont use Zoom.

;D

etodd

Quote from: Eclipse on May 09, 2020, 08:38:59 PMYou can't "train" 95-100 people in a Zoom meeting.  You can host the meeting
and have 95-100 people sitting quietly, with 2/3rds watching a movie in another
tab, expecting credit.

Yep. Sorta like the in-person all day powerpoints, where half the people are daydreaming as enjoy their coffee and donuts. Speak a couple syllables before and after lunch, and get credit.  Its the CAP way.  It is what it is. :)
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on ..."

Eclipse

^ No, it's not.  At least not with qualified instructors.

People who know how to teach adults can watch for the wall huggers
and engage them in non-confrontational ways.  You can do that
with a virtual class of the same reasonable size a unit training
session would be, say 8-10 people, because it's possible to be able to watch them
in the Hollywood Squares and know who is with you.

You can't do that with 100 people. Not online, not in person.

CAP has made significant progress moving training to more interactive
sessions and much less DBPPt, but it still isn't great at choosing
instructors because often it's done using presence as the key delimiter.

"That Others May Zoom"

exarmyguard

I hope I don't offend with my opinion, however, I think distance learning is the way to go. For example, the army is heavily into online and distance learning with positive results.

Personally, I have a family, busy work schedule, etc and appreciate being able to learn in the comfort of my home. I'm not inclined to be distracted because I enjoy the topics offered by CAP as would be other members. Just my two cents.

etodd

Quote from: Eclipse on May 09, 2020, 11:58:19 PM..... but it still isn't great at choosing
instructors because often it's done using presence as the key delimiter.

Yep. A Wing or especially a Group, has a very small number of people who might be both qualified in the subject, and also a dynamic speaker/instructor who can keep people awake, interested, and excited about tuning in the next session.

But think in terms of nationwide, or region areas. And the available number of great instructors increases. Seek these out and let them teach nationwide.

So convenient as well. Sit here in my comfy office, and not worrying about clothing choices either. Its all about the topic at hand. :)
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on ..."

Eclipse

"Seeking them out" (which is what the PD directorate is currently doing to
somewhat slow response as I understand it) is not the same as someone
randomly standing up and deciding they are going to present a class which may,
or may not, be appropriate in regards to content, policy, or both and then
setting them up to present to a national audience that is well beyond reasonable span of control.

That's why it's called "standardized" training.

You have no idea what some people will say or do when they decide to "hold a class".
BTDT.

"That Others May Zoom"

JohhnyD

Quote from: Spam on May 09, 2020, 10:55:20 PMAlso dont use Zoom.

;D
Don't use FREE Zoom. The paid version has great security.

JohhnyD

Quote from: exarmyguard on May 10, 2020, 01:17:38 AMI hope I don't offend with my opinion, however, I think distance learning is the way to go. For example, the army is heavily into online and distance learning with positive results.

Personally, I have a family, busy work schedule, etc and appreciate being able to learn in the comfort of my home. I'm not inclined to be distracted because I enjoy the topics offered by CAP as would be other members. Just my two cents.
Your opinion is welcome, even when others disagree. In this case, you are spot on, so fire for effect!

AirDX

Quote from: etodd on May 09, 2020, 10:57:01 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on May 09, 2020, 08:38:59 PMYou can't "train" 95-100 people in a Zoom meeting.  You can host the meeting
and have 95-100 people sitting quietly, with 2/3rds watching a movie in another
tab, expecting credit.

Yep. Sorta like the in-person all day powerpoints, where half the people are daydreaming as enjoy their coffee and donuts. Speak a couple syllables before and after lunch, and get credit.  Its the CAP way.  It is what it is. :)

CAP way? Heck, it was that way in the Army, the FAA, and the Air Force over some 30 years of my life...
Believe in fate, but lean forward where fate can see you.

Spam

Quote from: JohhnyD on May 10, 2020, 12:03:28 PM
Quote from: Spam on May 09, 2020, 10:55:20 PMAlso dont use Zoom.

;D
Don't use FREE Zoom. The paid version has great security.
If you trust the PRC.

Eclipse

Quote from: JohhnyD on May 10, 2020, 12:03:28 PM
Quote from: Spam on May 09, 2020, 10:55:20 PMAlso dont use Zoom.

;D
Don't use FREE Zoom. The paid version has great security.

Where did you get this idea?

"That Others May Zoom"

Capt Thompson

A few thoughts, for what they are worth....

As a former SET (just got back from a leave and need to renew quals), Eclipse is right in that tasks shouldn't be signed off on Zoom, they need to be physically demonstrated. I have seen instances where after training, a member may demonstrate the task and record a video to send to the SET if in-person verification (right now) isn't possible, but merely signing off because they were present in Zoom shouldn't happen under "normal" circumstances.

With that said, I still took part in the DEWG sUAS training, took notes, absorbed what knowledge I could, and am very thankful for Lt Panko and Lt Col Robertson and the others who put the course on.

Yes, it's possible that someone sat through 30+ hourse of sUAS training while binging Game of Thrones on another screen and absorbed absolutely none of the content. I hope not, but sure it's possible.

With that said, per 70-1U:

Quote from: undefined6.2.1 All CAP sUAS Mission Pilots must complete the NESA Advanced sUAS Pilot Course (or CAP/DO, DOU approved equivalent).

6.2.2 All CAP sUAS Technicians must complete the NESA sUAS Technician Course (or CAP/DO, DOU approved equivalent).

So even if they sat through all of that training, and didn't absorb any of it, they will still have to do a NESA or equivalent course to get their qualification, where every one of those tasks will be trained and verified again before completion of the course.

In all likelihood, of the 80-90 students who logged in each night, maybe a half dozen will go on to NESA, finish their Part 107, 6 FEMA courses and pass their 5U and 91U, so I'm not too concerned about the ones that weren't paying attention, they probably won't go any further than Zoom.

If nothing else, the program served to provide insight into the new program, and maybe spark enough interest to gain a half dozen new UASMP's, eventually.
Capt Matt Thompson
Deputy Commander for Cadets, Historian, Public Affairs Officer

Mitchell - 31 OCT 98 (#44670) Earhart - 1 OCT 00 (#11401)

JohhnyD

Quote from: Eclipse on May 10, 2020, 08:22:09 PM
Quote from: JohhnyD on May 10, 2020, 12:03:28 PM
Quote from: Spam on May 09, 2020, 10:55:20 PMAlso dont use Zoom.

;D
Don't use FREE Zoom. The paid version has great security.

Where did you get this idea?
My own research and that of my IT team. People paid to have opinions on this stuff, as opposed to old curmedgeons on internet bulletin boars maybe?

Eclipse

Quote from: JohhnyD on May 10, 2020, 11:16:15 PMMy own research and that of my IT team. People paid to have opinions on this stuff, as opposed to old curmedgeons on internet bulletin boars maybe?

That's funny right there.

"That Others May Zoom"

etodd

Quote from: 1st Lt Thompson on May 10, 2020, 08:50:28 PMSo even if they sat through all of that training, and didn't absorb any of it, they will still have to do a NESA or equivalent course to get their qualification, where every one of those tasks will be trained and verified again before completion of the course.

If nothing else, the program served to provide insight into the new program, and maybe spark enough interest to gain a half dozen new UASMP's, eventually.


Your second comment is the huge part. The program is exploding with people wanting to dive in and learn. Its been fantastic from the marketing side.

The first points?  "equivalent course" ... is getting defined on a Wing basis now. YES, we are all using the same sUAS Mission Task Guides, the same F5u and F91u and SQTR forms, as well as the 70-1u guidelines. So the "standardization of knowledge" is all there. The whole program is setup totally to mimic the aircraft side. Local CFI and Check Pilots teaching a new pilot how to get through all the steps and checking them out as an aircraft Mission Pilot.  Same with drones now.  IOW ... nothing new, just a different aircraft.

As for "checking off tasks" .... as a sUAS Check Pilot, when someone shows up for actual flight training and shows me their SQTR Worksheet all filled out, I will at least know they have been exposed to everything ... but its a trust but verify situation. I will go back over the SQTR and more to make sure they actually know their stuff, before I sign them off as a Technician or Mission Pilot.

Again ... its just like the airplane side of CAP ... just a smaller aircraft. :)
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on ..."