DIASA Update II & Thanks

[Nazban]

Due to the schools MUN, we got a few sessions cancelled, so sorry for the delay!

We have made tremendous progress. Since I have heard of no previous attempt at teaching Orbiter to a class of students, I have had to create my own method of teaching the students. I am currently teaching the students spaceflight maneuvers in a vacuum. The best way I found to teach students is to let them use the spaceflight simulator themselves after telling them the numpad controls (right now im only using the DG series ships). Some students already have the hang of the spaceflight simulator and are familiar with how to use it, although some students are having some problems, and when when try to show it to them, they understand it, but forget it after a while. (They are interested students).

Also, some people may find this weird, but at the start I did not want to show people any book manuals, as I know some people who once they see the manual, will lose hope in learning and give up, thinking that its too confusing for them, but I'm still in two minds about giving out copies of "Go Play in Space" or not.

So I wanted to ask you all on the forums, how did you learn Orbiter? And what do you feel is the best method of teaching orbiter to other students?

Finally, I would like to give my sincere thanks to all the people who made the DIASA possible, Dr.Martin Schweiger for development of Orbiter, Tex for his great tutorial videos which have been a huge help in some of the DIASA sessions,and finally, you all! Without the contribution from so many people on the Orbiter Forum, this idea could not have developed into reality! Thank you all!! :thankyou:

 

[Scruce]

So I wanted to ask you all on the forums, how did you learn Orbiter?

Trial and error.

And what do you feel is the best method of teaching orbiter to other students?

Trial and error.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I agree. Trial, closely followed by error. Watching the DG to the moon playback. And of course "Go Play In Space".

For teaching... Perhaps maybe a short discussion on the lesson objectives (sub-orbital hop or climb to orbit, etc.), followed by student "hands-on" with instructor providing guidance and/or encouragement. Perhaps follow up after completion with some of the hows and whys of the mechanics involved in what the student just accomplished.

Sample lesson plan...
Lesson 1 - Touch and go's with the DG (this would teach the basics of the craft as well, with the added bonus of high speed fly-by of the VAB at Kennedy).
Lesson 2 - Navigation, fly from KSC to Habana (more of lesson 1, plus basic navigation/MapMFD, HSI, etc.)
Lesson 3 - Suborbital hop, KSC to Zaragosa (or somewhere else, Baikonur maybe). Basically an expansion of lesson 2. Also a chance to work on rudimentary re-entry.
Lesson 4 - Climb to orbit, circularize orbit, plane change.
Lesson 5 - (continuation of 4) with the added target intercept of ISS, rendezvous and docking (teaching Alignplanes MFD with Sync and Dock MFD.
Lesson 6 - Re-entry/recovery. (Basesync and AerobrakeMFD, and/or a few others).

I'd rather use either the DGIV or the DG-XR1 for these. The autopilots are really sweet, and either are far and away easier to recover than the stock DG.

Glad you guys are having fun and learning. I hope you've created a whole new group of space enthusiasts.

 

[Eli13]

If you've got the time, money and ink, you should consider printing out copies of Go Play In Space. My printed copy was so lovely to have when I was first starting out.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Heck, I still use my copy. It's got yellow stickies and highlighted places all through it.

 

[Eli13]

Sounds a lot like mine. :lol:

 

[Mojave]

The way I learned was experimentation. It wasn't until a year after downloading orbiter that I read any documentation. So I just clicked the play orbiter button and did stuff. Ignorant, yes. Did I learn, yes.

 

[Nazban]

Thanks for all the replies!
Ill try and see if my school can get printouts of the book, although im not sure if they will comply to making such huge copies :lol:

Thanks Phantom for those plans, already some of the students know how to do basic maneuvers, but I haven't tried teaching them to travel from one spaceport/airport to another, but I will give it a try by the next few sessions!:thumbup:
We are still on the basic parts, I haven't shown them how to do a full mission yet but progress looks good so far!