Soldering Pipe

A very common skill workers in the piping trades will need is soldering copper pipe. Even though many of the new products out there are plastic and don't require soldering there is still many new installations being used with solder and many of the older houses and buildings have copper water lines.

I found this video that does a great job of explaining how to solder a copper joint. Enjoy!

Shameless Plug

Well I'm going to take this opportunity to promote the school I work at. I'm an instructor at BCIT in the Piping Department, and being that this a blog about education and the trades, I wanted to share some of the great courses we offer.
  
The Piping Department offer the following programs and courses:

• Piping Foundation - Piping Foundation program prepares students for entry level employment in the piping trades: plumbing, steamfitting, gasfitting, and sprinklerfitting.
• Gasfitting Apprenticeship - After completing this two year program a B.C. Certificate of Apprenticeship will be awarded.
• Plumbing Apprenticeship - As a graduate Plumbing Apprentice you qualify for the Interprovincial Red Seal, so your trade qualifications are recognized throughout Canada.
• Steamfitting Apprenticeship - Steamfitters primarily work industrial projects or manufacturing plants and again the Red Seal applies.
• Hydronic Technician - Associate Certificate
• Gas Fitter A Program - Distance Education
• Gas Fitter B Program - Distance Educationn

We also offer a large number of part-time studies courses for those who have complete their apprenticeships and want to continue their education.

Part-time studies courses available:

• Basic Electrical for Hydronic Technicians
• Controls for Hydronic Technicians
• Cross Connection Control
• Cross Connection Control Program Manager
• Cross Connection Control Tester Prac.
• Domestic / Commercial Gas Fitter "B" Program
• Gas Fitter C Program
• Hydronic System Design
• Installation Practices for Hydronic Systems
• National Plumbing Code Refresher
• Plumbing Apprenticeship I.P. Refresher - Distance Education
• Plumbing Interprovincial Training - Distance Education
• Plumbing: Residential
• Service and Troubleshooting Hydronic Systems
• Servicing Gas Forced Air Furnaces

Here is the link to Piping Department at BCIT

http://www.bcit.ca/construction/pipetrade/

Teaching Using Social Media

The popularity of social media websites and apps with our students is growing everyday. Many schools and institutes have tried to put rules in place to stop students from using social media during class time. Instead of banning the use of social media why not use it as a learning tool and get the students engaged in what their learning.

Social media has huge potential in the classroom and their are many teachers can use it aid their teaching. Check out this link to some of the great ideas for getting your class to use social media to enhance their learning!

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/03/teachers-guide-to-teaching-using-social.html

Online Learning Resources

During the PIDP 3240 course I am taking, some classmates have introduced me to two great online learning websites.

Khan Learning Academy and TutorVista

These two website are great for students looking for extra help with their learning. Khan academy is self-based learning platform. It has a variety of short tutoring videos that are free to use for students who need extra help on certain topics. The videos go from beginner levels and move up to more advanced lessons. Tutor Vista is a online tutoring website where students can get one-on-one tutoring at a reasonable price. This service is available 24 hours a day 7 days week.

Two great tools to help students succeed!
 

I've also posted these links in my resources page.

Blackboard Collaborate

Blackboard Collaborate provides a comprehensive online learning and collaboration platform designed specifically for education. It is an online platform that allows us to create virtual classrooms, offices and meeting rooms. It opens up learning possibilities to students no matter where they are. Students can get live instruction from anywhere in the world.

Education is going digital and so is trades training. Blackboard Collaborate is allowing us to give skilled trades workers the proper instruction they need without having to travel to our campus. There is a constant need for skilled trade workers and for employers to send their workers for training can be quiet costly. Now we have the tools to give workers the training they need without having to miss any work. It's a win-win situation!

Check out Blackboard Collaborate maybe it's something that will work for you!

http://www.blackboard.com/platforms/collaborate/overview.aspx

Apprenticeship Blended Learning

Traditionally apprenticeship training is done in school but Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has started a blended apprenticeship program. This is a new format being offered to apprentices that combines on-line and in-class learning.

Rather than students spending their entire schooling in class, they now have the option to complete the theoretical portion online prior to going to the school to complete the hands-on portion of their training.

This is beneficial for both employers and apprentices. The students are spending less time away from work which means more money in their pockets and the employers get to keep skilled workers on the job site longer.


This is one of the first blended programs in Canada and is going to pave the way for apprenticeship training in the future.

Here is the link to SAIT's Blended Learning.

http://www.sait.ca/programs-and-courses/apprenticeships-and-trades/apprenticeships/additional-information/apprenticeship-blended-learning-option.php

History of Plumbing

Here is a history of Plumbing and how it has evolved over the years.

http://www.peakmechanical.ca/history-of-plumbing.html