VATUSA ATC Academy Announces New Group Instruction

[Kyle Ramsey 810181]

Last week, the VATUSA Training Academy departed from the one-on-one method of training typically found on the VATSIM Network and now accomplishes training via group instruction during specific time periods throughout the week. One-on-one instruction sometimes relies too heavily on the scheduling between teacher and student making the student completely at the mercy of the teacher. Taking into account the fact that some teachers may wind up having close to, and for some, over seven students, each student has to wait some time before the teacher can fit them into their schedule. For this reason, the Academy Administration has decided to bring on this group instruction. It allows the student to be able to choose when and with whom they would like to train as well as plan ahead in advance so that the student’s virtual career can coexist with their real world obligations and activities.

 

Each of the three courses (Basic ATC/Delivery, Ground, & Tower) is now divided into a lecture and a lab session. Lecturers present the material covered in the lessons and review the theory behind each course. During a lecture, the teacher will present each lesson adding whatever virtual or real world experience they have accomeulated over their aviation careers. Lab sessions allow the student to practice the theory they learned in the lectures using the radar client on the Sweatbox server. Lectures and labs for each course have necessary prerequisites in place in order to ensure the student’s training is progressive and sequential to allow for a better understanding. For example, in order for a student to take the Ground lecture (ATC 102) they must have already completed the Basic ATC/Delivery Lecture (ATC 101) and the Basic ATC/Delivery Lab (ATC 101A).

 

Each section (a lecture and a lab) of the three courses are offered a total of three times each week as noted by the course schedule found on the Academy website. If the student is unable to make one, they have two other opportunities the same week to attend a cl[Mod - Happy Thoughts] that covers the same exact material. Students now have the capability and possibility to graduate in one week’s time, perhaps two, a considerably less time span than the previous conditions of the academy. Also, in regards to faculty requirements, with this new group session layout, what used to require 30+ teachers now only requires a total of nine. During the first night of group lectures the Academy saw a total of 34 students all within a 4 hour period. Lab sessions and Graduation stage checks for the new group instruction are beginning the week of July 31 and the Academy is expecting yet another great turnout. For more information please contact the VATUSA Training Department at [email protected].

[Jeff Turner]

GREAT to hear!!! 5 more people in line for final exam just after the sessions we had last night... One of those has been in the academy for a whole 7 days!!! Great job to Tony and his team at the Academy!!!

 

Leading the way... VATUSA!

[Jason Vitaliano 891638]

Sir,

 

I am a US serviceman stationed overseas and opted to control with VATSIM-ASIA due to my time zone however I've found that I'm online on the weekends when most of the controllers are online at night in the USA. I have 1 year left overseas before I return to the USA, and have been unable to get past S1. Now that VATUSA has a very impressive Training Academy I would like to return to VATUSA. Do you have any recommendations or comments that might direct me better.

 

Regards,

[Jeff Turner]

responded via email.