Big Changes to the Academy’s Appliance Repair Training Courses

Posted on March 1, 2015 by - Academy Talk, Tech Talk

Here at the Samurai Tech Academy, we're always thinking about our students! (That's not quite as creepy as it sounds.)

In yet another example of the STA's devotion to the needs of our students, we have added new Module Exams to most of the modules in the technical courses. Many of you were asking for more challenges along the way to make sure you're really getting the material. Module Exams are a great way to revisit the info from all of the units you've studied and make sure you've nailed it before moving on to a new module.

IMPORTANT: if you are currently working through Fundamentals or Refrigerators, you will have to go back and take any exams for modules you've already completed before you can move forward. I hope you will see this as an opportunity to review and practice the material from those modules, and know that it will help you when you get to the Final Exam!

If you have already completed either course, you can still go back and take the exams for funsies!

But wait! There's more!

Another change we made was a three-attempt limit on the quizzes that come after each unit (lesson). We did this because if a student needs to re-do a quiz more than three times, there's something wrong either with the student's attention to the material presented in the unit or with the way the material is presented. Either way, we need to troubleshoot that!

So here's the drill: if a student requires more than three attempts to pass a quiz (and all unit quizzes require a score of 100% to pass and move on to the next unit) then the software sends me an email and the student's progress is temporarily stopped until we can talk either by phone, email, or the Student Forums.

After I've administered the appropriate gray matter massage, the student is re-enabled to re-take the quiz and continue on their merry way. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage more student-Samurai interaction as needed to help the student master the material.

3 Responses to “Big Changes to the Academy’s Appliance Repair Training Courses”

  1. Rodney Catenacci on

    Hi There;

    Three years ago I started Rod’s Appliance Repair Business. I have take Harry Raker’s Appliance Repair Course. I enjoyed it very much and I was great as far a the basics were concerned. But now I am noticing more and more electrical problems arriving. I am standing on the fence on taking your beginners course.

    Does your course cover mechanical repair and Electrical systems or just electrical systems.

    Thanks

    Rod Catenacci
    916 230 3207

  2. Susan Brown on

    Hi Rod,

    Thanks for asking! Please read our description of the Fundamentals of Appliance Repair Course that I’ve copied below- I think it answers your question clearly. Please let us know if you have any more questions! ~Susan (Mrs. Samurai)

    You don’t know what you don’t know, so for even the most seasoned techs, the Fundamentals course may offer you new and more substantial knowledge to help you diagnose a repair. It is a deeper dive into material, promoting critical thinking over memorization, giving you the tools to think beyond the basics. Our course work goes beyond fundamental skills that every professional appliance technician should have. It ensures you expertise in the subject matter.

    You will learn about the tools used in the appliance trade, basic electricity, reading schematic diagrams, using schematic diagrams to develop troubleshooting strategies, gas fuels used in appliances, electronics in appliances, appliance parts, and electric motor systems in appliances.

    The point of the Fundamentals of Appliance Repair course is to teach you troubleshooting skills, NOT disassembly and parts changing skills. The appliance repair trade is full of guys who know how to disassemble an appliance and change a part but have no idea how to actually troubleshoot and diagnose what’s going on with the appliance. This is especially true if it’s a complicated circuit or involves a computer control board.

    This is exactly the knowledge gap that the Fundamentals course is meant to address.

    You can get disassembly and parts changing information anywhere. There are lots of YouTube videos out there that show you how to take stuff apart and put it back together. The service manuals themselves have lots of disassembly information. No need to pay for a training course to show you what you can readily find for free! At the Samurai Tech Academy you are going to build the troubleshooting and diagnostic skills you need to stand out from the crowd.

    • Edson Hinds on

      The fundamentals course is perfect for any serious technician. I have been in the field for way over twenty five years and benefited tremendously from this course.

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