Home Improvement Empire » Electrical

Safety Steps In Electrical Wire Repairs

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:34:53 +0000

Homeowners often face many do-it-yourself projects and many of those projects are trial and error. However, electrical repairs and/or projects should not fall under the category of trial and error. Before beginning an electrical repair project, follow the steps below to ensure a safe, successful result.

First, confirm that you are permitted to do electrical work on your own home. The Oregon Department of Business and Consumer Services (ODBCS) indicates that homeowners do not need a permit to replace electrical devices or perform maintenance on an existing electrical installation, but a permit is required in some instances. According to the ODBCS, you need a permit to install or modify any permanent wiring or electrical device, run additional wiring, put in an electrical outlet or light fixture, install or modify low-voltage systems such as security alarms or stereo systems, install a receptacle for a garage-door opener or convert to circuit breakers. Of course, the law varies from state to state. Be sure to check with your local office to confirm whether or not you need a permit.

Secondly, off all electrical power through the circuit breaker. Flipping a switch off is not enough. The socket or appliance will remain live. Many circuit breakers have diagrams detailing with circuit is connected which breaker, but be sure to check for yourself. You can do this by using a voltage tester. Someone assisting you is also helpful and prevents the need to run back and forth to test the circuit. Always tape the circuit breaker into the off position to avoid anyone restoring power while you are working. Finally, remember that the main wires entering the electrical panel from the outside cannot be turned off. For this reason, do not touch the wires or go near them with anything made of metal. If you suspect the electrical problems are with these wires, contact the power company. Do not try to find the problem on your own.

Third, standing in water or on a damp floor could result in a life-threatening shock. If there is water on the floor, place a rubber mat on the floor to stand on. Also, be sure you are wearing dry clothes. If you are not sure if the area is safe, call a professional. One call could save you from a dangerous shock.

Fourth, remember that metal is bad and rubber is good. If you touch metal and a live wire at the same time, your body carries a current from one to the other. Running a current through your body is, obviously, not healthy nor is it pleasant experience. However, rubber is a nonconductive material and actually insulates against electricity. Use tools with rubber or plastic coated handles and wear shoes with rubber soles.

Finally, test your work once you are finished. Turn the circuit breakers on to return electrical power to the area, and use a voltage tester to check if the appropriate amount of electricity is running. The amount required varies by the size of the appliance.

The Addie Model: Why Use It?

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:49:41 +0000

If you are new to training development and have been thinking of putting together any type of training program, it is important to know and understand the most basic training tool used by professional trainers; it is called the ADDIE model.

The ADDIE model is basically a generic, systematic, step-by-step framework used by instructional designers, developers and trainers to ensure course development and learning does not occur in a haphazard, unstructured way. It is designed to ensure: (1) learners will achieve the goals of the course, (2) allows for the evaluation of learner’s needs, (3) the design and development of training materials, and (4) evaluation of effectiveness of the training program using processes with specific, measurable outcomes.

Background

ADDIE came about with the development of the Cold War after World War II as the United States military struggled with itself to find a way to create more effective training programs for increasingly complex subjects. The result of this struggle for increased effectiveness bore fruit in the form of Instructional Systems Design which in turn, led to the design models that are in use today. You will often hear ADDIE referred to as Instructional Systems Design (ISD), Instructional Systems Design & Development (ISDD), Systems Approach to Training (SAT) or Instructional Design (ID). Most of the current instructional design models you will find in the workplace today are variations or spin-offs of the original ADDIE model.

The Model

The literature on ADDIE estimates that there are well over 100 different ISD variations in use today, with almost all being based on the generic ADDIE model, which stands for Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation; with each step or phase leading into the next as illustrated below:

Analysis ? Design ? Development ? Implementation ? Evaluation

One commonly accepted improvement to the ADDIE model that almost everyone uses whether consciously or unconsciously, is the use of what is often referred to as rapid prototyping which attempts to catch design flaws while they are still easy to fix. This is done by receiving ongoing feedback throughout all phases of the ADDIE model and making changes while moving forward.

During the Analysis phase, we define and develop as clear of an understanding of the audience’s needs, constraints, existing knowledge, skills and the desired outcome of the training that we can. The Design phase endeavors to identify specific learning objectives, topic content, presentation methods and media, learner exercises and assessment criteria to be used. The Development phase creates and begins production of the learning materials to be used in the training. Implementation delivers the material by actually presenting and/or delivering the developed plan to the intended learning group or audience. After delivery, the Evaluation phase assesses the effectiveness of the topic content and training materials utilized in the training program and makes improvement changes for the next implementation or presentation. Let’s take a look at each phase individually.

The Phases

The Analysis phase is the most important phase in the ADDIE model. It identifies areas requiring or needing training taking into account views of subject matter experts, the target audience, and the ultimate objectives and goals of the training.

During this phase, we define and develop as clear of an understanding of the audience’s needs and constraints, existing knowledge, skills, and the desired outcome of the training as we can. It is here that we identify the learning problem, set the goals, objectives, any other relevant characteristics of the desired training, and consider the learning environment, available delivery options, and the timeline for the project.

Here are some areas that should be addressed during the analysis phase:

1) Who is the target audience; What is the minimum/maximum current knowledge of the participant audience? What are their characteristics? What are their special needs?

2) What knowledge and skill deficiencies currently exist?

3) What are the tasks currently performed by the target audience and what new skill level is required following the training.

4) What are the available delivery options and methods for transferring the new skills to the workplace?

5) What is the instructional setting; e.g. classroom, on-the-job, self study, etc?

6) How do these skills connect to the intended audience?

7) What is the timeline for project completion?

What are the program constraints? Technological, timing and duration.

9) What is going to cost to provide the training?

10) Create performance measures for the tasks to be trained.

The Design phase is the systematic process of research, planning, identifying and specifying the complete design of the course objectives, lesson planning, topic content, training methodology, media, learner exercises, courseware content, and assessment criteria. Typically detailed prototypes are developed at this time, and the look, feel, design and content are determined.

During this phase, the following should be taken into account:

1) The entry criteria or knowledge level the learner must demonstrate prior to

training.

2) Develop learning objectives for each task to be covered.

3) Identify, structure and sequence the learning steps required to perform the task from easiest to most difficult.

4) Based on the time allocated for the training, determine approximately how long it will take to deliver the program taking into consideration the instructor’s pace, course format and mode of delivery adjusting content and format accordingly.

5) Develop participant assessments, program evaluation methodology, data collection method, and reporting formats that will be use to determine mastery of the tasks to be delivered.

6) If possible, conduct mini knowledge presentations to validate the program will meet the designated learning requirements.

7) Review implementation and evaluation costs, effort required and schedule.

The Development phase is the actual production and assembly of the materials that were developed in the design phase. At this point it is important to include whoever is responsible for which elements, time schedules, and deadlines. In this phase, all audio, video, and courseware materials are collected, prepared, created and ready to be tested.

During this phase, the following need be taken into account:

1) List activities that will help the target audience learn the task.

2) Select the delivery method most appropriate to the learning group.

3) Develop and produce program materials, aids and instructional

courseware.

4) Combine the courseware into a smoothly transitioning presentation.

5) Validate the material and presentation to ensure it meets all goals and

objectives.

6) Develop trainer guides, learner guides, job aids and participant resources as necessary.

7) Prepare coaches and mentors who will be assisting with the training.

Book venue, accommodations and travel arrangements.

9) Schedule participants.

The Implementation phase is where the developed course is actually put into action, and the final product, developed based on needs and errors discovered while testing with a prototype product, is presented to the target audience.

Depending on the size of the audience and amount of time and resources allocated to this endeavor, the following considerations should be taken into account the day before or the morning of presentation day.

1) Set up and prepare venue.

2) The learning environment, i.e. room, is set-up and prepared prior to the arrival of the learners.

3) Student registration area set when necessary with regi

stration materials, instruction books, etc.

4) Hands on equipment, computers, tools, software, etc. are in place at each station or seat. Make sure that if using a learning application, an external link, web-site or Internet connection that it is live and functioning.

5) Conduct training session.

After delivery, the Evaluation phase, in a systemic process, considers feedback from the learners. The feedback gathered during this phase measures reaction, identifies what is working and not working, determines the effectiveness and quality of the delivery, and is designed to fine-tune the program. It validates whether the course satisfied its objectives and the effectiveness of the training materials used. It finds out whether the learning went as planned, and it may also uncover any obstacles that may have emerged, then, by making revisions, adjustments and corrections as needed, insures the success of the next presentation.

Use a well-designed post presentation questionnaire, evaluation and/or survey that provides for anonymous feedback if desired by the participant. Some or all of the following should be included in the evaluation:

1) Was the information and/or message presented clear and understandable?

2) Were the examples, illustrations, and demonstrations useful?

3) Was the information presented personally relevant to the learner?

4) Was the instruction interesting and, most importantly, motivating?

5) How did the instruction impact the learner? If so, in what way. If not, why.

6) What should be done differently?

7) Of the material presented, what was most important to the learner? What was least important?

What would the learner change, modify or adjust?

At the end of the program, collect the evaluations, review the program data, prepare and report performance results. In reviewing the program data the report should include but not be limited to the number of participant learners trained, percent of participants who passed the course, and their satisfaction with the material presented and how it was presented.

An honest evaluation of the program results at this point will yield a bountiful amount of information that can be used to perfect and insure the success of all future presentations. Use this information positively, and you will be rewarded with a superb result!

Note: Information for this article was collected from a number of sources located on the internet by searching under the criteria ADDIE.

Copyright© Chuck Castagnolo 2008 All rights reserved worldwide

Start an Electrical Training Course

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:52:36 +0000

A house without electricity is unimaginable in our ‘digitized’ and ‘connected’ world. From the time we wake up until the time we wake up the next day, we need electricity. Electricians are those who bring electricity to our doorsteps or rather to every appliance in our house, office or factory. They are the ones who trouble-shoot when the connection fails at a particular point or for the entire building. No electricity at home could mean a lot of discomfort but no electricity at an office or production centre could mean a huge loss of time, energy and money. Most factories therefore need to have an in house electrician or a team of in house electricians, depending upon the scale of operations.

Thus, we can see that electricians play a very important role in enabling us to function at our highest efficiencies, and as such can command good salaries. If you are one of those aspiring to be a good electrician, your first job ought to be selecting the right electrical training course. Even before you select a good electrical training course, it would be worthwhile to assess if you are fit for the course.

The requirements generally change with the course and hence, one should explore all possible courses and check out the requirements of each. Most electrical training courses will require you to have good eyesight and ask for a check against colour blindness. The universities and institutes have their own additional requirements like one electrical training course may require all candidates to have a decent quantitative aptitude whereas another one might screen students on the basis of their physical fitness and flexibility. Another electrical training course may require a certain minimum work experience while still another one may require only fresh talent.

Based on these requirements, you can shortlist a few electrical training courses where you are eligible. Now comes the tough part of selecting the right electrical training course out of the lot. For this, you can take the help of data provided from the institutes or universities, such as placement statistics, course content, stress on practical training, etc. A number of private institutes offer tailor made courses to suit particular industries and may have collaboration with such industries. Such an equation is good for aspirants as it may translate into better job opportunities for them.

An ideal electrical training course should be exactly for people with your own aptitude and experience. It should strike a good balance between theory and practical sessions. Also, an electrical training course which includes a bit of soft-skills training can be a good idea if you plan to start off independently; as such skills come to your aid to when you have to market yourself. Thus, when it comes to choosing the right electrical training course, you will feel spoilt for choice and hence, it helps to take a closer look at all the things on offer. Remember, the right course can change your life for good and forever.