Lesson (Presentation Style) on starting a diesel in cold weather.

Hello Everyone,
The last thing a hard-working individual wants to experience is a piece of equipment that inhibits one from doing one's job; such is the case whether one is a teacher, a maintenance worker, a politician, or a movie star.  As a water utility operator, I, like many of you (including my coworkers) often have to go to work when it is cold, dark, or even snowing.  A diesel truck is an essential tool for many workers, and it can be crippling when it doesn't want to start.  Cold weather starts are especially hard on diesels; however, the good news is that there are a few precautions one can take to ensure trouble-free performance.  Please check out my presentation and lesson on Cold Weather Diesel Starting https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lYcQqFAbaQjCI4FEyy8Z03XIP9c5T4wPI1ODGrH-cYg/edit?usp=sharing .  If you like, you can view a voice-over Screencast of the presentation that I created using Jing (http://www.screencast.com/t/wGHEJll8Cnx0).  If you are a coworker, please send me an email, or post a comment on this blog, indicating your results from taking the quiz at the end of the lesson.  As always, please leave a comment or email me if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Thanks, and stay warm everyone,
Brian Johnson

Coliform Sampling Topic - Responding to a coliform sample that tests "present."

Hello Everyone,

To continue with the theme of learning about conducting routine coliform water samples, I have created a topic (a micro-course, designed to accomplish a single objective) on responding appropriately to "present" coliform results.  After completing this topic, you will know how to conduct repeat sampling and notifications, in response to a "present" coliform result.

After completing the quiz at the end of the topic, please post a response to this thread indicating that you have done so, and email me the results of the quiz.  I will be happy to schedule a video chat with you if you need additional instruction, or to go over any questions you have after the lessons.

Thanks,
Brian Johnson

Hello Everyone,
To continue to improve on my Routine Coliform Sampling lesson, I have created a Connect-Type Learning Activity.  The connect-type activity is a presentation that offers some real-life scenarios that one could encounter while performing duties as a small water system operator.  I hope you enjoy the activity, and find the included link to a printable job aid (useful tips for when one is out in the field) useful.
Thanks,
Brian Johnson
P.S.: If you are a coworker of mine, please print the job aid to use in the field, and post a reply to this blog (or email me), letting me know how your retention of this knowledge is progressing (i.e. are you taking the quiz, and trying the scenarios that connect to realistic job encounters, and are you comfortable with the sampling and reporting procedures?).

Routine Water Sample - Do-Style Practice Activity

Hi Everyone,
If you would like to complete a little quiz to see if you know what it takes to collect routine small water system samples, click here.  If you would like to watch my YouTube video covering the information in the quiz, click here.  If you have the time, please take the quiz (make a note of your score), watch the video, and then take the quiz a second time; if you would like to post a comment with your "before" and "after" scores on the quiz, that would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Brian

If you are not leading, and you are going somewhere, you are following.

It has been over five years since I have blogged, and my previous blogs are not representative of where I find myself at this point in life.  Thus, I chose to create this blog to set the tone for the direction in which I am intentionally, purposefully moving.  I see life within society as a collaborative journey.  Blogging encourages sharing one's thoughts and enabling constructive feedback; thus, a blog seems to be a great social tool for sharing, growing, and learning in today's ever-expanding, multicultural, technical society.