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Hello Gavin, thanks for your question! So first up let me say that I am one of the few folks who did not go through the Academy back when I joined in mid 2006. For me I felt I learned better getting thrown into the deep end so to speak and just looking and copying what others did. For me it worked and obviously this way of doing it though an option in signing up is not for everyone.

So going into the next term, one of the things I touched on in my post about stream lining the Cabinet, and James and I wanted to talk about but ended up not having the time due to life and other things that came up in our term, was holding a discussion in merging PDept with the Academy in this way trying to streamline the onboarding process new applicants/cadets get and hopefully providing a better experience all around, as well as reducing somewhat the needed people to fill such roles. It is funny in my opponents post he mentions about automating the PDept to some lesser or greater degree, as if Matt and mine’s plan did happen that would include a conversation with TECH on the ability to automate the PDept to some degree. So I am glad to see both platforms have similar ideas in some form.

So on the point of the Academy beyond that? The only other part maybe effected would be related to my second post I’ll be making soon on tentatively what I Am calling ‘ship auditing’. As well as tying into other plans I briefly touched on in getting better library or training materials started to be written for future members to have a better idea of how to do things in those spaces instead of just being by word of mouth and the like. For the courses speaking as the current Engineering course grader I have been trying for years to update it in some form, but just havent gotten something workable. Likely if I am elected I’ll probably step aside from that duty to give someone else a chance. Though I would like to see all the courses in some form if needed updated to a more consistent and similarly graded/tested standard that focuses more on HOW to roleplay a department vs say some technical trek knowledge (like say with the Engineering test).

Lastly, I hope if elected Matt and I can make more inroads to ensure consistency of what everyone at different levels of the club are expected to do or need to do for those roles (related again to training, mentoring, and tutoring) even outside of the Academy. My feeling here is just because someone graduates the Academy should not mean they stop learning it should be on all players of the department head level and up to keep an eye and ear out for those who can grow in our community and that they are provided the tools/lessons needed to know what to properly do if they choose to do it and what to expect. Same for if someone didn’t go through the Academy.

Hope this answers your question Gavin, thanks!

Robert Archer

Hello, sorry to jump in on a question but Rob just a follow up to your response regarding the academy courses.

Would the workable format of these courses and exams and the other material you’re talking about be different that the entire course catalogue rewrite that I undertook as Commandant, with help and assistance from the course tutors who were asked to make adjustments to the course materials which focuses on playing in the department and finish their exams (in your case as tutor) based on a standardized criteria we had established for each one?

I look at it as using and if only needed building on what you did Cale. The main focus is just a consistency in what all the courses are saying for their topic and an even grading pattern, etc. Overall from what I saw and talked with you briefly a year or so back when we were working on updating the Engineering Course (did we ever get that done? I cant remember!) I liked the direction it was all going. If this has been fully completed however, and is just waiting for uploads to the new library then this would save a ton of time on this front of my plans if elected.

Also as this material also included new courses (the marine and cadet courses) and an entirely rewritten handbook created with the assistance of three other club members and plans for a how to create ship specs course to be created too I’m interested in what other or different materials you intend to develop.

No other plans at present include new courses, the main focus was to ensure all the courses were in the works or completed with updates to a consistent and friendlier standard like you did across the board.

Finally, how will you ensure that when you do put the time and effort into these that they actually get used not just sit around waiting as has been the case with what I did?

Thanks

Calé

So ensuring they get used is and has always been a tricky business. We don’t require or nor should we force someone to take these courses, nor do I think we should for that matter. So advertising them more actively I think should be our focus. Academy staff could perhaps be more vocal of their existence say, the welcome emails could highlight them as suggestions and aides, there’s I am sure other ideas rolling around that could help, but I don’t think we need to complicate things by providing at present any automatic rank boosts or such other then what we got.

Thanks for your question Cale!

Robert Archer