Yesterday, I received an e-mail from Norm, K6YXH, one of my regular readers and correspondents. Commenting on the post, “Boy Scouts and ARRL Sign MOU,” he wrote:
I ran a VE session for a group of Sea Scouts and their adult leaders a while back.
This was the afternoon of the 3rd day of the class, using the ARRL study guide. About 10% passed.
If the objective is to get these youngsters and leaders licensed and then into using and learning, I would not recommend using the ARRL’s guide as the only approach. I’ve given the ARRL Study Guide to adults with advanced technical degrees and ended up never hearing from them again—and when I do, they say they fell asleep reading the guide.
I haven’t had that much experience teaching ham radio classes for Boy Scouts, but we have hosted several radio merit badge sessions here. Based on that experience, I think the problem with Scouts is that the kids that you get to show up for these things are not really interested in radio, but rather just in getting the merit badge. The 10% who did pass were the ones who actually were interested in radio.
I also thought that his comment about the ARRL Study Guide was very interesting. The ARRL Study Guide—and mine, too, for that matter—are, for the most part, pretty boring.
Perhaps what I need to do is to come up with something that conveys the wonder and excitement of amateur radio, while still teaching some of the basics. This study guide would not only help students pass the test, but in some way convey how cool ham radio can be. The technical sections need to somehow lead the students to their own AHA! moments about the material.
Just brainstorming here, maybe I can also add some other stories and “smart ass” advice (for want of a better term). Maybe I could call them something like KB6NU’s Irreverent Ham Radio Study Guides.
What do you think?
Han Solo says
Love the idea.
Maybe some cartoons about how to makes sure that you “Don’t be like Mr. Larry I. Did”.
Chuck W9MDO/VE1 says
Hi Dan,
Just read your comments about non-boring study guides, and while I agree that making them irreverent might increase the reading, I’m not convinced that it will help pass the tests. It strikes me that one thing that has helped many folks is being able to relate the question to things that the learner knows. The problem for many entry level students is that they can’t relate to the terms we use. Ohms Law, resonance, even band edges and power limitations are formidable, unless they can be compared to the flow of water in a pipe, the sloshing of water in a tank, graphic pictures of signals (with their bandwidths) displayed within a band, and the number of lightbulbs that 200W can illuminate.
It might not be a perfect analogy each time, but it provides at least a visual reference for what is being discussed, which for many people might help when the pressure of the test is in front of them.
Just my $0.02 worth.
73,
Chuck
Halifax, NS
Bob K0NR says
We have been doing 2-day Technician license classes with a 90% pass rate. About 1/4 of our students have been Boy Scouts and they pass at that rate. Typically, they get some really good tutoring from one of the Scoutmasters on the side. We use the Gordon West book which is more fun and to the point for most students. See http://www.k0nr.com/wordpress/2010/10/another-excellent-tech-class/
I think the real challenge is keeping them interested, so we are working on some fun activities to get them on the air and keep them interested.
73, Bob K0NR
Ned WB4BKO says
Better it be irreverent than irrelevant. A late author of aviation training books used to use humor in his writings, and it really drove home the points he was making.
I don’t think being a smart alec is all bad as long as one doesn’t become boring.