Three Phases of Learned Proficiency

The following was contributed by Lee Towater - KF4NZV from "Coax Connections" e-Zine

By: Wayne Barringer KB6UJW, KAG0370

Those of you who have been reading this section from the very first issue already know there is nothing new to be learned here. So why is it included in each issue then?

Because, once in a while, we need to be reminded.

Most of us end a training exercise or an event with good intentions to improve or make it better the "next" time. We do not want to be in the same situation the next time. We sincerely (hopefully) want to improve.

But then, things gets in the way. Life continues around us. Those "best of intentions" slowly get put aside...and are soon forgotten. Until the next training exercise or event, that is, when suddenly a switch goes off inside our head reminding us we've "been there" and "done that" before. It is those "gentle reminders" that provide us with past moments of good intentions:

-- How many training exercises have resulted in lessons learned highlighting that we need to "slow down" when we speak because some poor sucker at the other end of the transmission is getting "carpel tunnel" as they try to write as fast as we talk?

-- Why is it we always seem to have someone who find a colorful way to "modify" the phonetic alphabet?

-- Why is it there is always someone at the last minute gets on the radio to ask for directions because they either came unprepared or forget how to get there?

-- Why do we, as professional communicators, or self-proclaimed "communications specialists" continue to have a radio operator show up without a manual for THEIR OWN RADIO and without any hesitation, ask if anyone can program it for them?

If one (or more) of the above has never happened to you, then I can only assume you live in a very gifted neighborhood, need to get out more often, or suffer from a terrible dose of "pinocchio disease" and opted to selectively forget rather than accurately remember!

Over the years, these "pearls of wisdom" have danced across my desk
on more than one occasion:

> How you perform is how you will be remembered.
> Good intentions do not produce good performance.
> A goal is just a dream...WITH an action plan.

Using that as a backdrop, I would like to offer a simple way to try and measure individual radio operator proficiency. It is not close to being scientific (if it was, I certainly wouldn't be offering it
here), but over the years, it has proven to be a reliable method of evaluating basic levels or phases of proficiency...both for myself and those around me.

--EXPOSURE--
This is the "awareness" phase, the most basic, introductory level. Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is that place. This is where most radio operators are with the NIMS or ICS courses. They know about it, probably have a Certificate of Completion on their wall proving they know about it, but other than that, they don't have a clue what all the fuss is about. (They are just glad they have the Certificate on the wall!!) I've got a zillion questions, and have few people with the time to give me all the answers. But the worst part is everyone is telling me to "be patient" and I'll pick it up with experience. If they would only stop speaking in the "Q" codes and just use "plain English" like I learned when I took my online ICS course!!

--EXPERIENCE--
Now, I've got a radio, have become an active participant on several radio nets, and I'm getting comfortable operating my radio "solo" and without panic. Heck, I can even help those "newby" types, and am more than willing to let them know how much I know, on "OR" off the air. Others come to me with their questions, and I'm happy to share with them -- even if I don't know completely what I'm talking about (after all, I know more than they do!). Why did I even need
to get that stupid Certificate of Completion for NIMS and ICS? No one in my club or group is using it. Heck, I'm just a volunteer!

--EXPERTISE--
The person who was going to provide the information for this last section is at a speaking engagement because they know it all. So, I will have to make it up as I go along. These are the people who freely offer themselves as a mentor, allow you --ENCOURAGE YOU-- to
make mistakes (and learn from them). They are patient, don't brag, and actually listen to your questions BEFORE they start giving you the answer they THINK you need (instead of what you want to hear).

Gee...we need more experts!!

Thanks for reading.