On-line CNC Courses

Lesson content is quite consistent throughout each course. Once you've completed one lesson, you'll understand the structure for all of them. Here is a sample from the CNC Machining Center Programming class.

Lesson one instructions:

1. Print and read the document entitled Tips_for_taking_this_course.pdf.
2. Read the announcement explaining our key concepts approach.
3. Print and read the document entitled lesson1-machineconfigurations.pdf. This document provides the text and illustrations for lesson one.
4. View the PowerPoint presentation entitled Lesson1_PowerPoint_presentation.ppt (this is a 1.9 megabyte file, so allow ample time for it to download to your computer at your connection speed). This presentation provides visuals and explanations that supplement the course text for lesson one. If you're on a slow connection, be sure to print the documents for this lesson first. This way, you can be reading the documents as the PowerPoint presentation is being downloaded to your computer.
5. Take the class poll, relating whether your company has more vertical or horizontal machining centers.
6. Finally, take the on-line test for lesson one. Grading will be automatic and results will be displayed immediately. Also, Mike Lynch will be notified by email with the results of your test. If it appears that you're having any problems, he'll contact you by email to offer assistance. Or you can contact him at any time during the course for help.

Note: This particular lesson does not include a programming assignment. Nor does it include a practice exercise. But remember, most lessons do.

Print/read and view lesson content

There are two basic file types used to present course content. Lesson text files (including illustrations) are provided in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Visuals are provided in Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) format. See the document “Tips For Taking This Course” to learn how to print and view these files.

Again, the lesson text and visuals provide you with two paralleling ways to learn the content in each lesson. We urge you to do both. While you may be able to learn enough to pass tests and complete programming assignments from the visuals (PowerPoint presentations) alone, reading the course text will, at the very least, force you to review the material at least once.

We also urge you to print all course text (.pdf) files. This will provide you with a permanent reference, even after you complete the course.

Note that you can view the visuals as many times as needed in order gain full comprehension of the subject matter. We’ve even included a special “presentation links slide” at the beginning of each presentation to let you review specific topics without having to view the entire presentation.

Special note: Because the PowerPoint presentations are large files (a few over 2.0 megs), and especially if you’re on a slow connection, you may want to download the related file for each lesson and save it to your computer’s hard drive so you won’t have to keep downloading it every time you want to view or review a lesson’s visuals. A 2.0 meg file will take only 20 seconds or so to download if you're on a fast connection (dsl or cable modem). But this file may take as much as 15-20 minutes to download with a 56k modem. Instructions for downloading and saving files are included in the document entitled “Tips for taking this course”. Note that this will also minimize your on-line time (possibly lowering phone bills). Once you've downloaded a PowerPoint presentation to your hard drive, you can view it locally from your computer (you don't have to be on-line).

Lesson tests

From the lesson instructions shown above, notice that there is a test to take (every lesson includes a test). These tests are easy to take. Just click on the test name in the lesson and you’ll be shown a series of questions. Answer the questions, and when you’re finished, click the button to submit the test. You’ll immediately see the results. If you have any incorrect answers, be sure to review course material to learn why. If you have a score less than 70%, expect an email from Mike offering you assistance.

Practice exercises

These are also Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files that you print. These exercises are included in some lessons and are intended to help you practice before you do the programming assignment. The answers are provided right in the exercise, and we don’t grade them.

Programming assignments

These are also Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files that you print. Each includes full instructions for what you are supposed to do. When you’re finished, you must submit the assignment for Mike to grade. Instructions for submitting are also included within each exercise. Generally speaking, you can either fax in your filled-in pages or type them and email them. Grading is not instantaneous. Within a reasonable amount of time (usually a few days), you’ll receive you’re results, either by email or from within the UniversalClass.com website. Again, if you’re having any problems, expect an email from Mike. If your score is less than 70%, you’ll be asked to perform some learning activities and re-do the assignment.

Class polls

It can often be helpful to know what other students are thinking. In some lessons, we include a quick (one answer) poll that allows you to express your opinion or relate something about yourself. Polls are simply informational. There is no grade.