In my experience both the ARCo book on mathematics and spatial equations and the NORMAN HALL book on General firefighting tests both have very good and useful math information.

I have taught at the community college level for over 18 years. It is my observation that most students with test taking issues have one of two problems: 1 - lack of effort (in preparation), or 2 - substandard reading comprehension ability and a limited vocabulary. You can't rely on test taking "tricks" or tips. You must be able to read a question, understand what is being asked, and select the best answer. It is very difficult to do this unless you have average/above average reading & writing skills. If you think you don't have either of these problems you might have a learning disability. By the way - for starters you could teach yourself to properly use both upper and lower case letters when posting a question in a public forum.

Awww...that was a low bl*w on his grammar(chuckles!). Consider taking courses at your local community college in English and Math.

So babyfire, Im just a little bit curious here.You research a post that is 10 months old, critisize a battalion chief who even states he has been teaching at the community college level for 18 years, and then you don't really add much to the conversation to be helpful. What was the purpose of digging up that old post and giveng not even .02 cents worth?

Babyfire,
Please go back and read some of your replies to various posts, I bet it surprises you. Not many positive posts, at least not without some smarta$$ comment. When interacting with people remember you have two ears,one mouth use them in proportion...same should apply to a message board.

BC Andre's post had nothing to do with grammar, it referenced the proper use of upper and lower case letters....READING COMPREHENSION...understand whats being asked(or answered).

You'd get a lot more out of the help offered here if you just sit back and observe rather than being so ready to "CHIME" in all the time.

Just some friendly advice...do with it what you will.

Andre:

I have been a volunteer in drafting, computer lab, auto and wood shop classes since 1994. The last woodshop was closed at the end of last year. I now am working with freshmen (ninth graders) in a basic computer class.

Over the last four years, the woodshop students refused to try making anything past simple projects as they were afraid to fail or screw up a project even when free wood was available. The students (at all grade levels) refused to do any thing past minimal effort. Above-and-beyond performers were rare. For some strange unexplained reason, the majority of the students were sent to the woodshop by counselors and it was expected that those students would fail. Yet, school administration expected the instructor and I to handle the problem children but rarely backed us up when there were problems.

In past computer labs, while the majority of students did the work, there were students who just didn't care and had no problem with F grades. Toss in a few problem children and the time the instructor and I lost on handling them and it was amazing that we were able to help those who wanted to learn and improve themselves.

When it comes to correcting a student and getting them "on task," the instructor and I refuse to engage any student in a verbal dispute of "don't be a hater," that's harsh," "you are criticizing me." Those statements are never proper excuses for anyone not doing what they should be doing.

A school learning specialist wants us to believe that ADD and other learning disabilites are now commonplace in the classroom. However, that doesn't explain all the problems we face especially when it comes to having the students follow direction.

This year, each computer class is filled with the ninth graders and there are no upper class students. While each class has a small group of squirrels and the students generally behave,they have not learned to follow directions without being told to do so and they do not comprehend what they read. (We are working on that). Their cognitive and critical thinking skills are nearly non-existant and their vocabularies are indeed sorely lacking.

We are trying to get them to first read daily lesson instructions BEFORE asking questions. About half of each class will read instructions but will go about 30 minutes into a 40 minute class before realizing that they don't understand those instructions.

The second week of class, we booted a student for cheating when she was caught cut-and-pasting another student's work off a jump drive. It was a fifteen question test and it took her nearly the whole class period to do the cut-and-paste with one hand clicking the mouse and the other hand propping up her chin. Not only was she a cheater but she was a terrible cheater! Even though all student computer screens are linked to the instructor's computer screen, (and all the students know this, they still are not following the day's lesson!

Now knowing all this, it's a bit spooky for the future the fire service and it's entry level firefighter candidates.

Best wishes