UScope Training Course
I wanted to share this class we put together a few weeks ago. I remember attending a scope class when I was just getting started as a technician and even though it was all way over my head it peaked my interest. I have wanted to do a scope class for a while now but was not wanting to teach an advanced scope class and when considering an entry level course, I knew nobody would be interested in learning how to use a tool that they don't own.
I had picked up a uScope a while back and was pretty impressed with the tool so I had the idea of doing a course where each tech got a uScope. I had also attended a BMW class done by Scott Shotton and John Thornton in which a live car was used. I was really impressed with the presentation and I wanted to try and duplicate what they did in a way.
Borrowing this idea from a recent Snap-On course, we took extension cords and opened them up every few feet so that the copper wires were exposed and ran them along the tables so that each student could hook up their scope right at their seat. Then we had enough cord to run the other end right to the demo vehicles. I was a little worried about having all of those uScopes on the circuits at the same time but it worked just fine.
We had each demo vehicle ready for whatever test we were doing and the wiring diagrams and connector pinouts loaded right in the Powerpoint and highlighted the circuits we were testing. Then we took an Arlo wireless security camera that we made a magnetic/clamp mount for so that we could project on the screen where we were making connections underhood. This was good for showing how quick and easy it is to use bulk connectors or tap into circuits at the ECM rather than trying to access hard to get to components. We went through relative compression, fuel pump amperage, cam and crank signals, injector amperage and few others and walked them through the whole process transitioning from the Powerpoint, to the camera underhood, and the uScope camera.
Last we had a camcorder that we made a base for out of a magnetic Noga stand arm. We pointed it at the uScope so that the techs could follow how we were setting up our scope to view whatever waveform we were working with. Everything except that camera worked wirelessly which was a big help. We had a few guys going around helping make sure everyone was getting their scope set up which was very helpful as well.
We tossed out some uScope accessories for the techs as they answered questions correctly to keep them engaged. We got some really good feedback from the techs and I have even had one tech tell us he used the cam and crank correlation that we went over in class to save him from pulling a hard to remove timing cover the following week.
I am grateful for the many people who helped me put the content together. I probably learned more than anyone just working on the content and I want to thank everyone who was incredibly helpful in answering questions I had especially the guys at AESwave and Jim Morton. Also thank you to all of the trainers who I stole ideas from to incorporate in this class as well.
I wanted to share this class one because I am very proud of how it all came together, two because a photographer friend came out and did some awesome photos for us and three because I thought that maybe someone else might want to do something similar with this class. I would be happy to share the presentation with anyone if they would like it. I think the idea of a free scope brought in some new faces who might not have been interested in training before. When I saw the sign in sheet I was a little worried because we had a few experienced techs but I followed up with them and many said the class was a good refresher.
If this class could happen on the west coast, I would be there!
I would love to see someone take this format and run with it. The techs were all really impressed with the uScopes.I think we also introduced a few shop owners to the idea of buying technician tools under the guise of training.
Hi Mike, Thank you for all you do and I and others surely appreciate you sharing this event with us. Additionally, I applaud your photographer, excellent work! And BTW, this looks just like the unit I picked up from AES Wave yesterday at a conference here in CA.
Thank you. It was much more work than I had anticipated but it was certainly worth it.
Looks like a great class wish we could have more out are way
What an awesome idea! I like how thorough or well thought out this class seemed to be. I hope you plan on doing more of these! It's a good gateway into diag and I can see motivating more techs into using the scope or waveforms with this!
Thank you. It was much more work than I had anticipated. We got some help from a parts house here but it was still a challenge. I would love to see another trainer or company take the format and make it their own but I think the on car work might be a little challenging. I save bad components and modules from vehicles that I know I might be able to rent to use for on car training but even that
Absolutely awesome! I love the screen on the side of your mobile truc! who ever did the pictures did an awesome job too!
Thanks Tanner! I keep saying I'm going to take the truck camping and watch tv with the projector one of these days. Yea who knew some good photos could make it look like I knew what I was doing?
Come to the NY/NJ area and I'll take this class in a minute. And I'll drag some folks with me.
With all of the work involved with setting up the venue and marketing the classes I don't think I could handle doing this class in another location but I would love to see another trainer or company do something similar.
ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, Mike. All of my lab Scopes applaud you, My Friend. I have learned over the years that there are 4 different types of learners and A LOT of our fellow technicians are more "Hands-On" learners. The problem with most hands-on training is that you can only get a small number around a vehicle and if you attempt to have more then one vehicle then YOU the trainer will be running
Thanks Jim! I am lucky enough to be able to play around with some ideas at the college. We usually start with classes of 30 students and we struggle with exactly what you said getting the techs to be able to see what you're doing. The underhood camera worked well although there was a little lag time but wireless was a must. What I should have also mentioned is that we had a team of guys who did
Very happy to hear and see that the class was successful. I know it was a lot of work but hopefully you enjoyed it.
Yes it was a ton of work but it was a blast. Thanks again for all of your help!
Mike I am in total awe of your setup for the class and how well it turned out for you. Excellent work and I know Jorge will be grinning ear to ear at this whole post. Very well done sir! If I can provide any form of documentation or slide material please let us know . The pictures show you had a great turnout, and the documentation of the class was very well done by your photographer.
Thank you! Actually I forgot to mention I had your videos in the Powerpoint. I didn't cover all of the functions like presets and such so I told them to check out the videos to see what else the tool could do!
You’re welcome to use them sir. One more that will bring it all together is real use. Keep up the good work mike
Thank you. Yes I had a blast doing that class.
Mike congratulations on a successful class! And as Scott mentioned the pictures are excellent and really tell a great story.
Thank you! And thanks again for all of your help.
Hi Mike, Good report; awesome photos. I would like to break down the following comment for you though. All in a positive light. "I have wanted to do a scope class for a while now but the problem was I might not be qualified to teach an advanced scope class and I knew nobody would be interested in learning how to use a tool that they don't own." The "Imposter Syndrome" is alive and well in
Hey Jeffry, Thank you for your kind words. I struggle with posting on a forum full of some of the best trainers out here about a course that I put on. Everyone here is incredibly encouraging but I don't want to present myself in such a way that I come off arrogant. I am younger than most of the techs that attended that class. In fact I am younger than many of our students at the college where I
From the looks of the excellent pictures I truly believe your absolutely your on the pathway to success. When I launched my first ever training event ...back in the late 70's... the technology was flip charts and markers . As technology progressed ....lap tops and projectors backed up with with a overhead projector. We didn't have "notepad " but we had notes in the margins of our books, I kept
Thank you! I am hoping to continue to build and grow my presentation skills. I teach in a program that was previously run by somewhat of a hoarder. I got to shuffle through the last bit of stuff before it hit the dumpster. I found a bunch of carousel slides and 8MM film with accompanying records mostly dealer training videos. I even found one titled "Lady drivers"... probably wouldn't fly