CARS Opens Additional IDL Programming To Colleges

Instructors working in smaller centres find that they are not able to access information as easily as those in major metropolitan areas. Making opportunities available via satellite broadcasts saves them and their colleges valuable time and other resources. Industry, through CARS, is pleased to help them better serve the technicians and repair facilities in their community.

Canadian college, institute and commission scholaire members of the Canadian Association of Motive Power Educators (CAMPE) network now are able to access additional technical information by tapping into programming designed for broadcasts to technicians in hundreds of locations across the country. Prior to this they were only able to receive broadcasts specifically designed for their instructional staff.

Early feedback regarding this additional programming has been very positive. Instructors are often faced with having to stay up to date in subject areas that they do not currently teach. Being able to select subject matter that helps them fill these gaps is seen as an effective way of maintaining their currency in a wider range of topic areas. Should they be asked to train in a different area, they will be much better prepared. Other instructors have commented on the benefit of witnessing the interactivity between the instructors in the studio and the technicians participating from their workplaces.

Site coordinators in the participating colleges can now access the CARS website for programming information and determine which broadcasts will be of most interest. If they miss the initial broadcast they are be able to watch it live during repeat broadcasts or tape it for future viewing.

In support of the satellite broadcasts, CARS has provided colleges with a number of training aides that can be put to use in the classroom to enhance traditional face-to-face training. They include ignition, fuel management, electrical and OBD-II units. Along with these training aides, CARS is providing a series of satellite programs that give instructors help with using the aides effectively. A steering committee of industry and college representatives meets on a regular basis to determine future programming priorities.