Question: I’ve just started teaching a Part 141 private pilot ground school at a community college. It’s the first time I’ve taught ground school. Most of the students are fresh out of high school. The most frequently asked question is “Will this be on the test?” On the first day I told them, if it’s on the syllabus, it will be on the test, but they keep asking. Any tips on getting the class to focus?
Answer: I have been teaching private pilot ground school for 25 years, and when asked that same question, I reply, “on the test and in the airplane.” To drive this point home, write the four levels of learning vertically on the whiteboard—rote, understanding, application, and correlation. Instruct the class to write it down.
- READ MORE: Is Washing Airplane Part of the Annual?
- READ MORE: Can You Use Custom Checklist on FAA Check Ride?
Let them know that learning begins at the rote level, and using the building block approach they will understand what is taught and by the end of the class they will achieve application and correlation. The latter two will most likely happen in the airplane on a regular basis.
Pro tip: Having them write it down promotes better learning. If one (or more) of them pulls out their smartphone to take a photo of it, you’ve just identified the students who have trouble following directions and may need extra help in class.
Use scenarios to get the students to process the information. For example, after they have learned about the carburetor, carburetor icing, and the use of carburetor heat, tell them about a pilot who was flying in the pattern on a damp winter afternoon when they experienced an uncommanded loss of engine power.
What do they think happened? What steps should the pilot take to fix the situation?
If you did your job right and the class is engaged, they can get rather excited discussing the procedures to correct the situation. And here’s the kicker: If one of them experiences one of the scenarios used in class in the real world, and takes prompt and correct action resulting in a nonevent, they will likely share the story with the class, proving learning has taken place.
Ask us anything you’ve ever wanted to know about aviation. Our experts in general aviation, flight training, aircraft, avionics, and more may attempt to answer in a future article. Email your questions here.