Online Community College Storm Chasing Class

[Robert Edmonds]

Hi all,

I was recently told by some friends of mine that there was a community college class being offered online through the local donna anna community college. I later found it in their schedule under the community education section. I wasn't thinking of taking it, but I was curious who was teaching it, since storm chasing isn't all that big in Las Cruces as compared to other places. After calling the school they said the class was through, http://bdgonline.com/

I was wondering if anyone has ever taken this class before? What their impressions were. Also, does the instructor have any background in the subject?

I posted this in the beginner section, so that if there is anyone starting out, and they come across this class. Perhaps from the thread they'll be able to figure out if they should take it or not.

 

[Wes Carter]

I looked around a bit and found that BDG Online courses are all taught by Barbara D George. I looked around the website and all I could find is that she teaches a lot of different things but I can't find anything about her as a storm chaser. Here is her resume.

I think a better alternative would be Tim Vasquez's courses on forecasting. I was on the site the other day and saw that he is going to be offering online courses.

And on another note, I ordered Mike Hollingshead's Storm Structure 101 DVD from his website (Extreme Instability) and I can't say enough good things about it. I think it is a great resource for anyone getting into storm chasing or for weather enthusiasts.

 

[D. Hayes]

I'm glad someone brought this up because I wasn't aware Tim was planning a online training course. Does anyone know of any accredited training courses out there? I rather take something that I can apply to getting my degree and use my military TA to pay for.

I looked at the bdg course and the website looks more like a playground than a classroom.

 

[Wes Carter]

I'm assuming you are looking for something online since if you are using Tuition Assistance I'm guessing you are on active duty. But in case this appeals to you the College of DuPage in Illinois offers a program in storm chasing.

 

[Steve Worthington]

And on another note, I ordered Mike Hollingshead's Storm Structure 101 DVD from his website (Extreme Instability) and I can't say enough good things about it. I think it is a great resource for anyone getting into storm chasing or for weather enthusiasts.

I`ll 2nd that

I love the footage at 136

 

[David C Watson]

Mike is a really cool guy, ive talked to him a few times about what kind of software he uses

 

[Mike Ridgeway]

And on another note, I ordered Mike Hollingshead's Storm Structure 101 DVD from his website (Extreme Instability) and I can't say enough good things about it. I think it is a great resource for anyone getting into storm chasing or for weather enthusiasts.

Another great resource for my two high school meteorology classes, just bought it! Thanks for the tip Wes, you should get commission.

 

[Wes Carter]

I got an email from Barbara D George about her storm chasing class and it has piqued my curiosity. I have many of the same questions that Robert Edmonds had. Has anyone ever heard of Barbara D George?

One thing that I found odd was the artwork on her Storm Chasing class page (her site is built in Flash so you will have to scroll down to the link on the right hand side):

Does that remind anyone of the cover of a fairly well-known book on storm chasing? I know the photo is not the same one, but the overall look is very similar to this:

I would like to find out more about Barbara D George and her qualifications to teach a class on Stormchasing. Does anyone know her?

 

[David Drummond]

I'm seen this class pop up from time to time, here and there. IMO, if a person doesn't have any easily verifiable storm chasing experience (like the majority of reputable storm chasers do and can be found by a simple google search), that person has absolutely no business teaching a class on storm chasing.

 

[Bob Hartig]

I checked out Barbara's resume. If you're interested in studying genealogy or gnome collecting, she'd be the person to turn to. But when it comes to storm chasing, I find no mention of it at all either in her long list of credentials or in her hobbies.

Tim, on the other hand, is one of the established gurus. I took his severe weather workshop last spring and profited from it, and I'm hoping to take his forecasting workshop this year. As for COD, what a great program! I just wish they offered something online.

 

[Jason Foster]

It is another likely case of an opportunistic person trying to make a buck. It reminds me a bit of those infomercials with effeminate looking men trying to sell courses about how to make money in real estate when what the really are is scam artists that dance the line of illegal activities.

I'm with others....if a simple search of the internet doesn't bring up much, and the person doesn't present any credentials that support their teachings (in the various wide array of courses offered) then I'm opt to think it's not a good offering.