New Members

[ian.settle1]

Is it just me or does there seem to be an a lot of new members who have joined seem to be asking us to do their college/homework for them rather than do it themselves then ask us if it is right or wrong?

 

[VoltzElectrical]

almost as many as the posts that start 'career change/ which course??'

 

[plugsandsparks]

was bored today waiting from F1 to come on so i had a go but i dont like actually providin the answers i try and get them around the book, its also good practice for me cos i dont get it out that often.

 

[Engineer54]

Is it just me or does there seem to be an a lot of new members who have joined seem to be asking us to do their college/homework for them rather than do it themselves then ask us if it is right or wrong?

I think a ''New Forum'' should be included here, specifically for Trainee's that also covers course inquiries etc. A place were trainee's can talk about the things that are of interest to them and generally help each other out. Also where the experienced electricians can come, to help with these trainee's questions. It'll certainly help keep the General Forum clear of the same old questions that are of not much interest to the general run of things...

The sticky section on a ''Trainee Section'' can be very useful and probably taken a lot more notice of, than the various Stickies that are dotted over the various forums as they are now... I don't know what others think, but i personally think it will serve the Trainee's needs far better, than chocking up the General and Theory Forum...

 

[brman]

I think a ''New Forum'' should be included here, specifically for Trainee's that also covers course inquiries etc. A place were trainee's can talk about the things that are of interest to them and generally help each other out. Also where the experienced electricians can come, to help with these trainee's questions. It'll certainly help keep the General Forum clear of the same old questions that are of not much interest to the general run of things...

The sticky section on a ''Trainee Section'' can be very useful and probably taken a lot more notice of, than the various Stickies that are dotted over the various forums as they are now... I don't know what others think, but i personally think it will serve the Trainee's needs far better, than chocking up the General and Theory Forum...

A good idea I think.

I don't see anything wrong with people asking for help with coursework. As long as they are asking for explanation/clarification and not just after the answers of course

Only way to learn is to ask questions, lets face it, the regs can be very confusing when you aren't used to them......

 

[ezzzekiel]

then you would have a very busy "trainee forum" and nothing anywhere else apart from a bunch of sparks patting themselves on the backs

 

[Engineer54]

then you would have a very busy "trainee forum" and nothing anywhere else apart from a bunch of sparks patting themselves on the backs

I don't see that at all, if anything you may even get a few more posters with deeper and more interesting inquires, that need a little more thought before advising!!

 

[Andy78]

How about a DIY advice/non electrician advice sub forum ? personally it doesn't bother me, but lots of people seem to get wound up with these sort of enquiries populating the main forum.

 

[Engineer54]

How about a DIY advice/non electrician advice sub forum ? personally it doesn't bother me, but lots of people seem to get wound up with these sort of enquiries populating the main forum.

I would imagine that the DIY questions would still come through on the general forum, they would just go to the first forum on the list. They wouldn't i doubt, want trainee's advising them anyway...lol!!

It's not that i get wound up as such, just that it's always the same questions. If they had a forum of there own they can help each other, which i think is a good thing myself...

 

[mhar]

Well as a schoolboy myself it could be useful to have that type of information all in one place. Personally I don't think I have ever posted a 'can you help with my homework' type question. However I do look at these threads as they are there as they can be informative and highlight areas I may not be up to speed on or have forgotten about. If this was in a separate section I am not sure how often I would visit. Therefore I am sure that a lot of the more knowledgeable members would not visit and the benefit of their knowledge would not be passed on.
Apart from being a nice friendly place to visit this forum is invaluable as one weeks worth of real life problem posting more than equates to a years worth of things that a newly qualified person will come across so it gives confidence and back up.
Additionally they do show the diyer that there is an awful lot more to electrics than just connecting a couple of wires together.
On balance I don't think I am in favour but would not have a hissy fit if it happened!

 

[D80]

General Forum is far too clogged up with the trainee stuff, like E54 suggests a sub forum for them would be a good solution.

 

[trev]

Would you visit it D?

 

[Spudnik]

This sounds like a plan chaps.

Now, if this was the case, it would need careful organisation.

What i am saying is, we may have to have a usergroup, which will have established members who are willing to help out and maybe "teach" newcomers.

Now, as i said, this group may not be for everyone, and anyone involved would in no way be superior to any other member of the forum. It is just that they will be happy to help.

It may also be the case that everyone can have access, but not everyone can post, as they will not be in that particular usergroup.


As i said, not everyone will want to assist and that i fully understand.

I have now set up a poll just to get some feedback here...

http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...tes-suggestions/53500-trainee-forum-poll.html


J

 

[High Tower]

I'd be happy to help!!

 

[trev]

I voted yes I'd help but that comes with a caveat
I think we could run the risk of that sub forum becoming isolated because some members might avoid it but it has to be worth a try because the potential benefits outweigh that caveat

 

[D80]

Would you visit it D?

Have found it hard to differentiate between a Electrical Trainee, an apprentice/trainee and a diyer so far on a few threads. Some seem to want their homework done, others want all the free advice to do work they aren't competent to do, and others have come unstuck as they have bitten off more they can chew and the customer is paying for their learning.

Not sure I could sleep at night if I gave either the wrong advice or the advice to the wrong person and they ****** things up and hurt/killed someone.

 

[trev]

I agree with just about every word there D but the reason I asked the question is I have concerns that a trainee/apprentice sub forum could become isolated because some would avoid it.

 

[Richard Burns]

This sounds like a plan chaps.

It may also be the case that everyone can have access, but not everyone can post, as they will not be in that particular usergroup.
http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...tes-suggestions/53500-trainee-forum-poll.html

J

If you have a usergroup who have the ability to post to answer questions how would a post get raised in the first place to ask the question or post further information in a reply?
The original questioner would need to be part of the usergroup to post?

 

[trev]

If this goes ahead could we please make it a rule that no answers are given, just pointers and massive hints to point the trainee/apprentice in the right direction so he/she finds the answer rather than it be spoon fed to them and thus they actually learn something.
The reason for this is I've just read a thread where the lad was slowly getting to the right answer and someone came on and just gave it to him.
Wrong on so many levels I thought

 

[D80]

Could we expend that to others that don't have a clue as well as trainees?

"I'm an electrician but I don't do domestic" seems a fairly common opening line these days on simple questions.

 

[trev]

Hmmm not so sure on that one D, there was a guy on a week or so ago he was claiming to be an industrial spark (and from the way he was talking I'd have bet a £ to a pinch of pig poop that he was) but a bit rusty on domestics.
Ok we should all remember the basics but come on, who on this forum has never had to stand back and scratch their heads for a wee while?
Mind you the definitely clueless should be included in the rule (or pointed at and laughed at just like they would be on a site)

 

[D80]

Merely an exception to the rule then. I think the balance is something like:

E54 --> God --> Industrial Spark --> Commercial Spark --> House basher

 

[mhar]

Just read a post from spinlondon on a thread 'is it acceptable to earth a gas meter'. To my mind this is an excellent reply and succinctly describes why equipotential bonding is required. All trainees (and maybe some others?) should read it.
Would spinlondon visit the trainees thread?
Could trainees find themselves sticking to this new section and miss such an informative reply?