The future of Skywarn training!

[Shawn Gossman]

So I am seeing more and more WFOs conduct webinars to train storm spotters. I haven't had a chance to do a webinar yet due to work schedules but I'd like to give it a shot in February to see what it is like. I am hearing that some WFOs are just doing webinar instead of class rooms to save on money (travel costs, renting class rooms, etc.). I am wondering how you all feel about this? I mean everyone in online these days so it could be a good thing... then again, it kills the socializing part out of it in a way.

 

[rdale]

Where that is happening I am seeing ham groups contacting local meteorologists to keep the in-person training.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

Heard from some radio operators from Tennessee that ARES didn't activate for those storms just the other day.
Wha?

Thought that was also noteworthy . . .

 

[rdale]

ARES usually only activates if a major tornado hits. They would handle disaster type ops, which wasn't needed in TN.

 

[david diehl]

Due to budget cuts the NWS is only doing webinars this year. They are requiring you to take two online tests to become a spotter. Something that they should have been doing long ago, but oh well

 

[Shane Adams]

Not down here they're not. There's an entire schedule of real-world classes that started January 7 and run through March 28.

 

[rdale]

Due to budget cuts the NWS is only doing webinars this year.

Incorrect. Some offices are. Certainly not all of NWS.

 

[Marcus Diaz]

Same here, they're still doing public classes I believe. I for one believe actual seminars will teach spotters more than just a couple of computer courses. People are more likely to absorb knowledge if someone explains stuff in person. It's also helpful to those who have questions.

 

[John Olexa]

When I attended classes they were held at the NWS office in Sterling VA. After 9-11 they quit having the classes there and instead looked for volunteer places to hold them.
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/skywarn/classes.html

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Due to budget cuts the NWS is only doing webinars this year. They are requiring you to take two online tests to become a spotter. Something that they should have been doing long ago, but oh well

Must not be all NWS offices, SGF is doing public training classes.

 

[david diehl]

ok, then we were informed incorrectly by our NWS.
Thanks for the correction

 

[Jason Tunzer]

Here at OAX they are asking that some of the counties combine training as their travel budget this year has been cut dramatically. Our EMA even offered to cover the travel expenses to make sure we received our own training.

 

[Karen St John]

Incorrect. Some offices are. Certainly not all of NWS.

I re-certified in Washtenaw Co. MI last year, and took a webinar originating out of Norman, OK, out of interest. I found merit in both formats. For a first timer, I think the classes are very important. For one, in person group questioning can tease out more information, especially since people are listening to each other ask questions, and can play off each other. I like getting local info through socialising, which could be invaluable for a first timer to hear ("listen and learn").

I could see a video conference as useful, even using webinar software projected to an audience, with local folks to facilitate. The quality of the webinar I saw was excellent. But I'd like to see local groups, especially nets, covering local topography and storm conditions. Washtenaw Co. is not the Great Plains. It's a mixture of farmland, woods and urban areas; and the storms differ as well. That's good info to get out.

 

[Matt Tottle]

Not down here they're not. There's an entire schedule of real-world classes that started January 7 and run through March 28.

Incorrect. Some offices are. Certainly not all of NWS.

Same here.. ICT actually even added the advanced training this year for the first time, so I'm looking forward to that..

Same here, they're still doing public classes I believe. I for one believe actual seminars will teach spotters more than just a couple of computer courses. People are more likely to absorb knowledge if someone explains stuff in person. It's also helpful to those who have questions.

I agree.. Webinars are convenient, I use them for tech training.. But it is totally different when you are sitting in a crowd watching a presentation than sitting on your computer with life to distract you.

 

[Mike Hardiman]

It all depends on the Region and the Office. Like everything, it all boils down to money which is virtually non-existent this year in NWS local offices. Personally, I think having both Webinars and Live Training are equally good ideas. You're likely to get a wider audience that way since each method caters to a different audience.

 

[Chris Cooper]

I just got out of the webinar from Paducah Kentucky office. I actually think the webinar is a good way to reach out to people. It was actually fairly easy to get into and use and the guys giving the class were very informative. That said how are the advance classes? Are they as informative?

 

[fyrfyter]

We did both Basic and Advanced classes the same day here, and in person. Our Advanced class is on a 3 year rotation for 3 of the 4 Skywarn sections covered by our WFO.