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Op Ed: Makers and Hobbyists are Missing an Electronics Education by NOT Attending an element14 Webinar

rscasny

Makers and DIY hobbyists on element14 build some amazing projects! Just a quick tour through our Raspberry Pi Projects and Project14 is proof of it.

 

Some element14 hobbyists are working engineers in their day jobs, so their projects are for their own purposes or just to have some fun.

 

Some makers are outright geniuses! They learn by doing or asking a question to the community or (I imagine) by building a friendship with an experienced member who essentially "mentors" the maker. This is great. Actually, fantastic. image

 

But, in my opinion, I feel sometimes you just have to learn electronics at its core to really understand electronics or when you have to do some modification at the board level. People like Ben Heck ( element14's The Ben Heck Show )  are outstanding makers; but when I get some time out of my busy schedule, I have watched Ben's shows: he knows electronics and the theory behind it.

 

Now some people can read a book and learn electronics. But I think others need someone to guide them through it or let them know what is going on in electronics technology today, which is changing at a rapid pace (my generation called it FutureShock), and at the heart of this op ed.

 

I am inviting more makers and hobbyists who are still learning about electronics to attend an element14 webinar. Our webinars are given by experts. They boil down the topic fairly well, making the webinar an electronics education unto itself.

 

As a webinar host, I've definitely learned some things. I think you would as well. So, reflect on what I've said here. If you have the time, sign up for one of our webinars. You just may be surprised at what you will learn.

  • I agree.

    The amount of information available in the Webinars is amazing.

    I have over 40 years in advanced systems and I still learn something new almost every event.

     

    Since they are on demand after the initial offering, there is really no excuse for anyone not to take advantage of these good sources of knowledge and skills.

     

    DAB

  • Having started as an Electronics Technician (before that as a Welder and Heavy Equipment Operator)  and then eventually after a couple more degrees into Software and Test, I've really liked the opportunity to bust out the old soldering Iron and perf board to build me own hacked up circuit boards when participating in a build challenge.  Actually, I believe I landed on the element14 site after seeing a Ben Hack Video which inspired me to get involved in playing with solder again.

     

    The Learning Circuits series with Karen are great for folks who are a bit lacking in the basics of circuits or are a bit rusty. Chris Gammell of the Amp Hour would be an interesting guest host in a webinar or even one of the Learning series.

     

    Yep, there are a lot of gems to be found on this site. 

     

    Thanks to all at element14 for putting the time and effort in keeping the site running like a well oiled droid.

     

    Jon

  • As   points out the technology is changing rapidly as there are a large number of companies and people developing new things every day. It is useful, not just for the hobbyist, but everyone in the industry to spend time keeping up with what is happening and what new technology is being developed and what new trends are going to impact the world. It is a great resource to have experts distill some of this explosion of information into understandable, focused and insightful webinars.

  • in reply to dougw

    It is a shame that the webinars cannot be formally apply Professional Development Hours (PDH), to apply to the necessary requirements for engineers. Admittedly it cannot be applied to me as the webinars are held too early in the morning for me to remain awake and get up in time for work, but the need for professional development is important.

     

    There are some places that can formally apply this so I have to place my focus onto those that give me PDH.

     

    If it can be done through the webinars on Element14 or recognized through watching on site then all the better.

  • I agree, but there are some difficulties Lets take my Example, I live in India and there is a time zone difference , few of the Webinars are hosted at approx 11-4 P.M (2300Hrs to 0400 Hrs) that is really late night and often I go through the recordings.

     

    Secondly, The recordings are all online and can't be downloaded. that is another issue as most times I work on LTE but often I Get an EDGE Signal and it is impossible to watch a webinar even on 240p image

     

    Thanks and Regards,

    GS GIll

  • in reply to gsgill112

    Another option can be an interested or a top community member taking up an topic (Example I2C / OpAmp) and do a maker Live Streaming on one topic so that slowly we can build a better learning base of basics of Electronics.

     

    Something like what EEVBlog does. (but I think Dave's focus on Fundamental Fridays had been over taken by work).

     

    Regards,

    GS Gill

  • For me personally I would say seminars are quite useful when you want to quickly brush up your theory and want to jump into a project. One doesn't have to go through tonns of reading material. Also if its not your area of expertise you get a hang of the device or technology.

     

    Lately I have also attended some Deminars image from Maxim which is seminars + demos. Basically they get an evaluation board working and testing with some hands on experiments live. Viewers can also ask questions live or even request to do some test (if possible). It was more technical and presented by the engineer himself and not marketing. I quite liked it.