Keep Doors of Learning Open

InTech, Jul 2005

Continuing Education

Whether you're learning from a web-based course, or going to teach in a classroom, you'll find a slew of advantages in broadening your horizons. ISA instructors and students can attest to this as part of ISA's continuing education quest.

LOVE OF WEB LEARNING

I took a web seminar because of the topic, convenience, and low cost. The biggest benefit is being intouch with a very knowledgeable professional on the topic, yet with the convenience and comfort of your own office. The main drawback is you are limited on the depth of the subject matter due to time. ISA web seminars are definitely worth it, I would suggest taking a multi-seminar topic which allows greater depth into the subject matter.

- John Yadon, Havlovick Engineering Services, Idaho Falls, Idaho

The ISA web seminars have been really beneficial for our engineers. Because of the web seminar format, we are able to offer quality courses from industry experts while minimizing cost and time spent away from the job. The ISA web seminar courses are very reasonably priced, and by purchasing one seat, we connect in through a computer in our conference room where several engineers are able to come and participate in the training. It's a great training value!

My only advice to others who might want to participate in the web seminars is to make sure you sign on to the computer prior to the seminar's start time. Occasionally there will be glitches, and I find it less stressful if I have plenty of time to contact the ISA customer support desk and have them take care of the problem before the seminar starts.

- Martha Putnam, Southern Co. Services, Birmingham, Ala.

WHY TEACH FOR ISA?

I like the pressure it puts on me to provide accurate information. You can't fake a subject. Invariably there will be a student in the room [who will] call me on it if I stumble or give vague information.

- Chuck Kirby, ISA instructor from the Central Keystone section

In the early 1980s, ISA was expanding its efforts in industrial training, and in 1982, I was asked to teach for ISA.... This experience has been very rewarding in allowing me to . . . stay current in some aspects of automatic control and control systems. Also, I enjoy the relationship I have with ISA staff and other adjunct instructors.

- Don Gillum, ISA instructor and master instructor at Texas State Technical College