Avionics News January 2012 - 60

series

Testing 1, 2, 3
B Y

T H O M A S

I N M A N

ith the Federal Aviation AdministrationOther students may need more motivation than provided approved training examination nearby, it by the prospect of a career. These students, which likely seems a good time to discuss tests, exams constitute the majority of students everywhere, need and quizzes. When we give a test to an avionics unit, the occasional motivators to keep them on track. These grade is pass or fail. Furthermore, the unit must score 100 students will feel test pressure, which one hopes will drive percent. Anything less and the unit will not meet manufacthem to study the material. In these cases, the score on turer’s specifications, which means we cannot consider it the exam may not be as important for the student as the airworthy. For an avionics box, there is no extra credit. If a specification reads In general, most people think of tests as a method flag away at -107 dBm, and the flag of measuring knowledge, and most would be does not pull until -106 dBm, then it correct; however, tests can have another function. fails. The unit cannot be granted extra credit, because the dynamic range is They can be used to apply pressure. exceptional, the audio output is very clear or it has a clean faceplate. For a radio, it’s all or nothing. time spent in preparation. Again, the test will show what Imagine if we were tested in the same way. I have a KX the student knows but will have a second function as a 155A maintenance manual nearby. I counted the tests for motivational device. returning the unit to service and found 135 individual tests. For young scholars in the beginning stages of a program, This would compare to a 135-question examination. Imagine tests and the resulting grades can be a strong motivator. For the pressure you would be under if you were required to earn these students, the avionics job seems like it exists only in a perfect score to pass a test of this length. I think only a the distant future. They need more immediate motivation. very small percentage of us would be up to the challenge, no Another function of an exam is to initiate behavior. matter the subject. The nearby training exam functions in this In general, most people think of tests as a method of way. Technicians interested measuring knowledge, and most would be correct; however, tests can have another function. They can be used to apply pressure. A highly motivated student might not feel test pressure. Instead, he or she will feel a different kind of pressure, which drives them to learn all they can, as fast as they can, about a subject. For a student like this, there is little or no test pressure. Instead, he or she will look at a test as an opportunity to show what they know. The test will function as designed, and the teacher will see what the motivated student knows.
60
avionics news

W

•

january

2012
Avionics News January 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News January 2012
