Course 4 - Week 3 (part 2)

Tonight was the second test for the electrical class. I got myself another 100 in the books. We had a little last minute cram session right before class and it's a good thing I jumped in because a few of the points we hit on I think I would have missed on the test. It's quite a bit of information to try and remember and I'm really scared of the final. I don't think I'll be able to remember it all and as much as I'd like to get a 100 on that too, if I don't, I won't start ripping my hair out. It's definatly preferable to remember the information but its more important to know where to get the information when you need it and then put it to use.

Other than the exam we worked on making a final block diagram of an ignition system. It's a little tricky because it's different from any other type of bike we've worked on in our practices and final labs.

We're having a slight revolution in our class. Evidently quite a few of the people aren't exactly happy with the way the instructor is teaching. They aren't quite grasping the material and are really struggling with it. From what I gather they seem to think it's the way he's teaching it. The guy we have is sort of a substitute since our original instructor got sick and then a few days later started his vacation. He, our current instructor, normally teaches the advanced electronics class and I think the problem they're running into is that he's used to teaching students that already have the fundamentals down and we don't. I've noticed he likes to respond to a question with a question. It can be frustrating at that exact point in time but it does make you think. The only problem I see with that method though is that you have to understand the base material to be able to figure out your own problem, if that makes sense, and a lot of these guys don't.

I'm trying not to lose my cool with him but I have a few times and I've told him that I'm sorry for doing but that I was just frustrated and I've also told him that I realize that it's easier having the answers handed to you but it's more rewarding to figure it out.