Initiative, work ethic, independence & inquiry....the puzzle pieces falling together...

Ah..the pieces have finally fallen together for many of the TTJ3 students.  The components I refer are the routine and systematic approach , the diagnois, the process, the documentation of your process, the inquiry, the trouble tree, the repair and the verification of the repair.  All completed with an awesome blend on student knowledge, skill and technical literacy; not just memory based but more importantly were and how to access the vehicle data, the dtc's, the operation of the system in question, how to identify the faulty component and the specifications.  It is important to point out that it is impossible to know every process, every step, every dtc and every spec.  But knowing how, when and were to access all of the puzzle pieces is an astonishing accomplishment.

Brief over view...today...

  " keys please.  I need to get my coveralls, I drove the escape (ford) today.  I need to determine where the exhaust leak is and measure the pipes to order replacement sections. I also need to scan for dtc's, the engine light is on and it is running rough.  It is sitting in front of bay 1, can I use the hoist and can you drive it in?"  Student said.

I turned to my colleague and he looked at me and inquired who is that student. He was awestruck and I will admit my jaw too dropped a little, not that I let onto the student.  I should also mention that this was before the first bell of the day.

So long story short ( I won't bore you with all the tidbit data) 

  Employability skills , check

  Initiative , check

  Verification of problems, check

   Set hoist up, check

   Inspect physical condition and measure, check & document with pics, check

   Lower hoist, check

   BT1 & Ipad, scan dtc's and view data, check

   Access service literature, determine conditions for setting dtc, prioritize dtc's, diagnosis dtc's, check

   Repair faulty components and/or order and price parts, check

      Clear dtc's and run up vehicle to meet dtc setting requirements....

      Dtc did not reset, verified repair...double check.

   Remove vehicle from hoist, teacher move vehicle outside

   Sweep floor, wash up, complete additional documentation of job and complete work order.

Ah...that's a pretty complete "puzzle" for a grade 11.  Guess who has a coop placement next year?

Guess who I would hire?

She did an excellent job both in successfully repairing the vehicle, using the technology, access the vehicle service literature and employing the necessary employability, thinking and learning skills that further employers and educator strive to encounter.

  

   

Model the process...Engage the Student

After reading Mrs. Borgdorff's last post,  I though I too would plug the Ipad/Idevice engagement factor. This semester has been great, both for myself and my students.  An interesting balance between the Wood Shop and the Auto Shop.  The means of traditional pen/pencil and paper projects/assignments is still relevant; however this semester all of my classes have gone basically paperless for submissions of work (pertaining to actual services, diagnostics, and products) and accessing service literature and diagnostics for the auto students.  This was a bit of a learning curve for some while others caught on very quickly; particularly with my auto classes.  This is likely due to the fact that many of the students in TTJ2&3 had me as a teacher last semester, where this concept was developed and partially used through out the semester and most definitely for their final portfolio's.

In all three classes we are utilizing the following apps/technology:
Technology:  Apps and Programs are accessed via a couple of computers, 1 pad, 1, ipad mini, sometimes 5 ipads from the school and their own PED's (cells, tablets, etc.)

Google Drive (all course content, reference, additional how to's, assignments, and additional student documentation/pics/video, etc ) can be found.   This content is all shared with the students and easily accessible.    

Moxtra  all students have used a template that was created to model the process and aid in organization of the required content.   All students are responsible for recording and documenting their progress and process.

• For TCJ students their "binder" is broke up into sections;  drafting and technical drawing, equipment use, project process and project completion.
• For TTJ2 students there are two binders created as templates that they have used to record their small engine jobs and their automotive jobs CDX.  Again there has been a huge shift in independence and self reliance and the students responsibility. 
• For TTJ3 students there is one binder that all mandatory CDX Jobs are contained in. Students have duplicated the master binder and are working through the auto jobs. Including the use of the dongle (BT1-IIT)  All jobs have some questions that are associated and it again is the students/groups responsibility to document/support the work/jobs/tasks being completed.    The TTJ3 students have a lot of choice and re learning them to think and choose jobs to complete; thus becoming self selecting and self sufficient was the primary success criteria.  Great success thus far.

  
All classes have used the ipad/idevice technology to access the required information to complete tasks;  TTJ students tend to even use the ipads to access service literature v.s. printing off multiple pages of schematics and repair instructions.  Once some of the technology fears were overcome by modeling the process and allowing time to explore the operation of the apps/programs;  the vast majority of students gravitate towards the technology to support their learning, their curiosity and their job/task/project submissions.  LOVE IT.

BT1 & Idevices - IIT Slideshow - Semester I Highlights & Semester II StartUp

As the new semester cranks up, new courses and students arrive ready to tear automotive systems apart.  Little did many of them realise that there is more to dismantling vehicles to successfully fulfill the course requirements; especially at the college coded level.  Ah bring on the maintenance schedules, the service manuals the resources and most importantly the diagnostics.

While looking through some of the videos and pictures we took during the initial project startup; it became very apparent that we focussed on individual student exposure, documenting their processes and technology use.  Highlighting the technology and analyzing the disconnect of thinking and self directed next steps; which service literature should the students refer to?; how do we successfully ensure that they are able to decipher the diagnostic trees and follow the steps?   Additional graphical literacy and further exposures to diagnostic trees is a must.  The acquisition of the DTCs and verification of the repairs is the easy part; fostering & modeling and redefining & shaping the required learning skills and employability skills to create self directed thinking pathway selection will be the next hurdle.

With that being said the new group of TTJ 3C students will be driven by a CDX Format coupled with Project/Task record Portfolio via Moxtra & Google; illustrating the steps and rationale for the chosen pathways as directed by diagnostic trees, DTC's and streaming data.  The BT1 and idevice technology is the gateway for the more diagnostic based CDX tasks/customer.  While still ensuring the students are fully exposed to the hard hands aspect of the trade.

                                           Refer to the following link for more CDX info

From the video request, we identified difficulties of providing student free content; however the observation does identify that we are approaching the project in a student driven and immersive manner.  There are not many photos and/or videos that do not contain identifiable students actively completing tech related tasks and using the IIT technology to diagnose and repair vehicle systems.

             There are several video shorts that have been uploaded to the shared video folder.
To aid in showcasing the process, the activities and the IIT technology we were however able to assemble several photos and create a YouTube video slideshow with annotations to aid in explaining and highlighting the technology.   This video has also been uploaded to the IIT Shared Video folder; HOWEVER the downloadable format does not allow the annotations.  So please refer to the following YouTube video link for a more encompassing video.  BT1 & Idevices - IIT Slide Show   View in full screen...

Thanks for Watching...

BT1 & I Devices (Further Exploration and documentation - Part II)

The weather outside is cold....the shop inside is full....the exhaust evacuation system (exhaust fans) are loud..... with some of these factors in mind can create logistical complications for both servicing and diagnosing vehicles and teaching lessons.   By using the technology, BT1 and the I devices we can partially overcome the issues.  Using the bluetooth features/nature of the BT1 interface/dongle we can actively access data and DTCs from any vehicle that the BT1 is plugged into.  While we can access stored DTC's with just the vehicles ignition key in the on position, engine off. 

The benefit we have found is that often vehicles have to be running to access data, ex. streaming live sensor data.  We can have vehicles outside, so they can reach proper operating temperatures, we do not have to contend with loud exhaust system and the vehicle can remain outside while we remain inside and access the data.   

The BT1 bluetooth range was tested in the late fall, and besides a slight sensor to ECM to BT1 lag; approximately 2-3 seconds the technology worked flawlessly. 

The bluetooth testers are the two girls at the far end (in blue and white) and they have the BT1 hooked up to Mr. Dulongs B4000.  Excellent distance and operation of the technology, both outside the building and in.

BT1 & I Devices (Further Exploration and documentation - Part I )

We continue to explore the possibilities using the BT1 and Ipad Mini's, thus far some students have experienced the general use of the technology.  While other students still shy away from diagnostics, which is general trend that myself and Mr. Dulong have observed over the years.  In the past the traditional scanners, the required automotive knowledge and complexity of setup has greatly hindered student use and similarly created much anxiety it scanner use.  Which adapter to use, reference manual A, plug proper power supply in.  enter vin number, refer to supplement manual, refer to appendix, determine correct OBD II keyadapter and insert into OBD II connector...now scroll through the menu and sub-menu (which look like DOS)

    

The use of the BT1 and I devices has greatly aided in decreasing the complexity and student ease of use.  Simply Awesome!!  From the GUI interface (I Device) the students can easily navigate through the APP and access data the the BT1 is reading from the vehicles PCM (powertrain Control Module).  As some of the senior TTJ students further their exposure with diagnostics, the vast majority have tried both the traditional scanner and the BT1 technology; preference to date as recorded through google forms seems to the simpler and more GUI interface (I device & BT1).  We have instructed/requested that students must first try the traditional scanner (Snap-on) and then can verify and clear  codes with the BT1; therefore creating additional  exposure to both methods.      

                      

      

The students initial "scanner" use and BT1 use are recorded using a google form.  Thus recording their perspective on the technology use.  Refer to   IIT Auto Poll    For initial use of BT1 technology   

Once the students have used the technology once they are to complete a different form; which parallels a work record card; work order.  Organizes the technology use, the data they used which app they used to access the OBDII system.  Along with the steps, resources and verification of repair.  (Following the diagnostic tree)     Refer to   BT1 & Idevice Technology Jobs/Tasks Form      For all jobs and tasks using BT1 technology

We continue to collect the data and push the use of technology.

Vehicle Diagnostics on ward...to infinity and beyond...

Well maybe not to inifinity and beyond....

But definitely moving forward in exposure to easily accessible automotive diagnostics.
Our proposal was  “HHSS Diagnostic Skills Development, Utilizing GUI Interfaces for Qualitative Automotive Diagnostics in a Collaborative Environment”

Note there are great possibilities for this combination of technology, which in many cases is currently being used in the states are college and dealership levels to aid in diagnostics.  Now that we have recieved our Dongle (BT1, bluetooth OBDII interface) and its linked to the Ipad Mini's its time to experiment with the free apps....who better to experiment that two senior level girls in Mr. Dulongs.'s TTJ4 class.  Plus we could trust them to care for the technology and also they used an old Ipad II  (protective cases had not arrived....they are here now)

First they hooked up a traditional Snap-on scanner to a Mazda pickup which had DTC's present (ses light, diagonistic trouble codes)  A process that took approximately 12 minutes, finding the right adapter key, getting the vehicle VIN data, plugging in the data. accessing the data stream and DTC menus.  They verified what codes were present.

 Note that this scanner is approxiamtely likely about 10 years old and original purchase price was likely towards the 4000 dollar mark.

They then used the free apps from goPoint and had great success accessing the vehicles ECM (computer) and retrieved the same DTC codes.  Way to go girls!!  Simplicity of the interface and working knowledge of how an Ipad works made this process very quick for the female techs.

 The following pictures show the pad in use accessing the free app BT1 Monitor.  Wicked quick, easy hookup/link up once we enable the bluetooth.

Note the ladies obtained the same codes as the snap on scanner and they did it in less than 5 minutes including a bluetooth hicup.   Way to go Ladies!!

 
 More to follow folks.....don't want to ramble too much more.   We are very excited to further impliment the procedure and technology.  Mr. Dulong has since purchased a paid app to support the Dongle; Dash Commander as supported by goPoint technologies.

Post experience for the female techs,  NB and SB; they have filled out and submitted a IIT - Auto Poll as part of our data collection process. (via google Forms)

If curious....check out....http://goo.gl/kNzaAt

Lots more to follow....implimenting the process
                             ....technology exploration
                             .....diagnotic trouble codes
                             .....diagnostic trouble trees
                             .....vehicle repairs and verification of repair
                             .....live streaming data sets.....
                            .....data interpertation
                            .....emmission monitors
                            .....pairing with CDX jobs
                            .....e-portfolios............just the tip of infinity...