Online Learning – Some Benefits of Asynchronous Program Delivery

 

The Rockies (photo by V.A. McMillan)

 

After the better part of four solid years of online learning, I thought it was about time I shared what worked for me, what didn’t. and what could be improved if you were designing an online delivered learning program. As always, these are my thoughts, opinions, and suggests; and the outcomes for others in a similar situation may differ.

One of the motivators for this post was something I read late last night regarding changes to education delivery during the response to COVID-19. The writer seemed to imply that post secondary education delivery outside the normal on campus classroom setting was somehow an inferior education product. Therefore, I accept the challenge, and will proceed to share how an alternate learning model can, not only be successful, but be very fulfilling for the adult (mature) learner.

First, I want to acknowledge that the writer’s position is not wrong for some learners. Some folks thrive in an environment with person-to-person contact. In fact, they can become energized and achieve great things when a collective synergy is created. And to those learners, I suggest you stop reading here. You know what learning environment works for you, and I suggest pursuing that model. On the other hand, if the classroom learning environment has been a challenging and less successful delivery model for you and you are curious to discover a different way to be enlightened…please, read on.

As I stated in the introduction, I have been a full-time student for the last four years. I chose to utilize an online degree program from a reputable school in the field of emergency management. I was not forced into an online program part way through my degree by the COVID-19 outbreak and response. Just so we are clear, I sought this form of education delivery intentionally. The reason for this was recent positive past experiences taking some shorter duration online learning courses from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. I found the delivery of learning materials on an online platform worked for me. But not all online programs are created equal.

For the purpose of our discussion today, we will divide online program delivery into three basic categories: 1) Individual self-directed studies, 2) Synchronous instructor led classes, and 3) Asynchronous instructor guided classes. The first category is a solo effort by the student which can be graded or evaluated by an instructor or some form of automated method, usually true/false or multiple-choice tests and quizzes. An example would be Incident Command System (ICS) level 100. ICS-100 can be an in-person course or taken online. The online version would be a self-directed study type program. The second category is basically a decentralized virtual classroom whereby the instructor presents their lessons via an online video sharing platform. These platforms could be D2L (https://www.d2l.com/) or Blackboard (https://www.blackboard.com/en-mea/teaching-learning/learning-management) which create a secure interface to connect students with their instructor. As these are “live feed” delivery or streaming video links, the students must be in attendance when the instructor is giving their lesson to be able to benefit from the delivery. Finally, the third category – Asynchronous, is the method of online lesson delivery that is not dependent on the schedule of students or instructors meshing at a specific time on a specific date. Usually, learning materials will have weekly reading assignments, a weekly class discussion forum, and a mix of papers and/or group projects to engage students in applying what they learnt from the weekly requirements into larger, more involved assignments. As students and instructors are not required to be at the same place at the same time for effective information exchange, asynchronous program delivery is favourable to employees who work shift work and are taking educational upgrades. Like synchronous delivery, asynchronous delivery would use a platform like D2L or Blackboard to connect students and instructors to learning materials and assignment submissions.

Before continuing with a more in-depth discussion of the components identified in the next paragraph, I just want to briefly sketch out the semester system I learned under while at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC). We used either a fourteen- or fifteen-week semester. Fifteen-week semesters included a reading week, when in theory no assignments were assigned nor due. In reality, students were usually given extra readings to enjoy during this week or occasionally used the time to catch up on essays, reports, group projects, or research papers. Rarely, was this a holiday away from studies. There were three semesters a year – Winter (Jan-Apr), Spring-Summer (May-Aug), and Autumn (Sep-Dec). Three or more courses per semester attained full-time student status, which was good to know when seeking student loans. Also, my experience was gained using the Blackboard online learning platform. Not a perfect platform by any means, but it operated well most days. It did not crash often. System updates and maintenance were usually scheduled in the gaps between semesters. And of course, users of the system had to become acclimatized to the idiosyncrasies of the platform before becoming a proficient user.

Successful online asynchronous program delivery is achieved when course content, lesson plans, assignment timelines, student and instructor expectations are clearly identified at the start of the course. This can be achieved using a course syllabus, which contains all critical course information and methods to contact the instructor. In addition, a secure online platform to facilitate interaction between students and the instructor is required. This platform must be stable and have enough operating bandwidth to accommodate the expected class size (volume of online traffic). Furthermore, the learning materials must be divided into weekly learning objectives. These weekly objectives will include required textbook(s), or article(s) readings, weekly discussion forum questions or topics, and possibly video(s) watching. If the instructor is providing articles for students to read, these articles should be in PDF, as that format is widely available for reading on multiple devices – desktop computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. Additionally, there will be other assignments throughout the semester to fortify student comprehension of the course materials. These could include quizzes, tests, short essays, long essays or research papers, group projects, and/or presentations.

Let’s delve into these components a bit deeper, shall we…

Syllabus is the guiding course document that the student refers to when planning out their semester. It should include:

·       ALL assignment dues dates

·       Methods of communication between student & instructor, and the rules

·       Expectation of both the student and the instructor (acceptable and not acceptable)

·       Details of major assignments, research projects, or group projects

·       Grading matrix or rubrics can be included in the syllabus or issued as separate documents. However, the grading standard should be available to the student

·       General guidelines of discussion forum etiquette and minimum discussion forum participation criteria

·       Reference list of course textbooks and required reading articles or videos, using proper citation format used by the school or institution (i.e., APA 7)

The syllabus should contain all the need-to-know information, maybe some good-to-know tips, but no nice-to-know filler information.

Quizzes & Tests should be employed to fortify or reinforce learning materials in an appropriate way at the correct year of study. In first- and second-year course, having up to 15% of your semester grade determined by quizzes and/or tests would be acceptable. Third year, maybe up to 10% of the semester grade, and no more than 5% of the final grade for fourth year courses. Now, all quizzes and tests are not the same. And online learning has some peculiar requirements for these types of student’s knowledge evaluation. There are two types of quizzes/tests – one of which that is reviewed and graded by the instructor (superior type) and those that are designed to be marked by a machine (inferior type). Yes, I have an opinion on which is the best type to employ.

True/false or multiple guess type, machine graded quizzes and test must be designed and written to a very high quality to be of any use. If the questions are ambiguous or the answers are likewise unclear the student is disadvantaged and unfairly assessed. Furthermore, all quizzes and tests used must be designed as open book exams. Instructors skilled in education delivery understand how to write these types of evaluations that truly challenge the student. Having an open book is only an advantage to the students who have done their readings, reviews, and taken notes of where information came from. Those students who have failed to study or read the material will not be able to fake a high score, just because it was an open book exam. Of course, with T/F or multiple guess there is a possibility of random success. Thus, the reason I do not see value in these types of exams in the higher-level learning. One does not want to have their grade determined by random luck.

The far superior method of quizzing and testing is for the instructor to devise open ended questions, short essay questions, or applied problem-solving using skills taught in class or synthesized with real world experience. These exams are much more work for the instructor to create and grade, however they generally do a better job of evaluating the student’s level of comprehension of the course materials. The other benefit for the student is that partial marks may be awarded if the student has grasped partial understanding of the concept. This identifies where the student needs to apply more resources to grasp the concepts that did not score well on the exam.

Finally, any testing that is based on memorization and regurgitation of the textbook to achieve the best grades should be discouraged in post secondary learning environments, with a few exceptions. Where the information is the matter of life or death; memorization or practice repetition until competent, should be the proper course of action. For example, anyone studying medicine should be well skilled in the ABCD’s of care – airway, breathing, circulation, and deadly bleeding. This goes from those in standard first aid through nursing through to doctors. These skills save lives and that is important to know and practice. The Chi Square method of whatever in statistics…can be looked up and referenced before being calculated, who would bother to memorize that??? Like a soldier on the battlefield, he or she must know how to operate, maintain, and repair their personal weapon and section weapons systems. These skills need to be trained and drilled until they cannot be forgotten. Failure of the soldier in their individual combat skills means their buddy will die on the battlefield. Therefore, these battlefield skills must be memorized or trained to perfection to keep unnecessary loss of life to the minimum. Project management, business continuity management, research, and similar topics do NOT require memorization. Instructors who resort to machine marked exams, that are not authorized as open book, are NOT accurately evaluating the abilities of the learner. They are only evaluating the student’s capacity to memorize and regurgitate course materials on cue. This does not evaluate the student’s ability to process information, compare and contrast options, come to a supportable decision in a timely fashion. In plain language, the instructor is failing to prepare the student for the environment the student will eventually have to operate in.

Essays & Research Papers are the quintessential writing format of post secondary education. All students must become accustomed to writing these types of papers. In the academic world a scholarly paper presents facts and supported opinions in an objective manner to persuade the reader to accept the writer’s position or to challenge the reader to write and share a rebuttal paper contesting the findings of the other writer. The process starts with a topic, maybe of the student’s choice or not, and then the student conducts research to find supporting evidence for a position and conflicting arguments and presents both in their paper which is fully cited and referenced. Where these types of papers can run afoul is when the instructor does not trust the students to conduct effective research and micromanages the paper writing process. In effect, the student writes the instructor’s paper, using the instructor’s sources. Thankfully, these types of instructors are not the norm…at least in my experience during the last four years.

Now depending on the available window of time to craft an essay or research paper will directly impact the expected length of the paper. One week and an essay would be in the 750 to 1000 words in length. One-month 1500 words. Six weeks 2000 words. Capstone research project 5000 to 7000 words. There must be some balance between time invested researching and giving the student enough space to share what they have learned.

Presentations offer an interesting divergence from writing a paper to share what the student has learned from their research. Presentation almost always implies a project that is visually appealing. This can be a video, or PowerPoint, or poster, or infographics, or interactive show & tell. Because not all learners thrive in the written world, having alternate means of expression helps all learners experience things inside and outside their comfort zone. And being outside your comfort zone is where real learning takes place, right?!?

Group Projects which seem like a great idea in year one & two, begin to lose their appeal in years three & four when you become fully aware that your grades in a course no longer can be determined by your efforts and engagement alone. While I will say there is a lot of merit in practicing to work in group environments to conduct research and collaborate to develop a shared output product – report or presentation; there can occasionally be too much emphasis or too much weight placed on a group project. In project management it is absolutely imperative to be able to work together to achieve success with your project. In other courses, while the concept of a group project may be fun, if the group does not bond rapidly there is the potential of a negative experience and outcome. While this negative experience can be a good learning tool to aid in future project work success, too many of these in a short time frame and the student may lose commitment to future group projects. Conducting group project in a virtual environment also adds challenges, as does operating asynchronously. In this environment having some method of sharing a multiple author editable document that all members can modify at their convenience helps bridge the need for synchronizing schedules.

Now those who do benefit greatly from asynchronous program delivery are those who are working and going to school. An asynchronous delivery means that whenever the student is available to study, the course materials are available. Further, as long as discussion posts are posted on time and assignments are submitted on time the student can be anywhere in the world with a solid Wi-Fi connection and still attend class. Meaning learning opportunities when the online learning program delivery is asynchronous, is nearly limitless. Students are not boxed in, and neither are course instructors. I see no issues with students or instructors learning online whether from home, the office, or halfway around the world.  

Certainly, online learning is not for everyone. I recognize that fact. However, for those who prefer written communication to spoken communication or video communication, online learning can be a Godsend. I for one, find online learning to be my preferred method of learning. Not to brag, but in the recent 38-courses I took I achieved 25 A+ course grades. I have never done that well in school. I was not an idiot or weak learner, but I never achieved that level of academic success. When I attended traditional in person, classroom format learning in a one-year college certificate program in the early 1990’s my top grades were in the B+ to A- range. I do not recall achieving any A+’s. Now, it could have been the subject material, my personal maturity at the time, or my commitment and dedication to my studies??? Access to personal computing devices and online research was not as available in 1993/94 as it is now. So, maybe access to the proper learning tools has contributed to my success or maybe I just really enjoyed the subject material and had more life experiences to draw upon; and these contributed to my achievements. Not sure. What I am sure of, if students enjoy the subject material, their instructors, and the learning environment…there is no limits to their success!!!

Until next time…get a good learning experience!

Mountainman.

825 Days

Big Rock, Foothills County (photo by V.A. McMillan)

 825 Days

Today marks 825 days of active participation with my online education with the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Today also marks my last day of studies, for now. In the next couple weeks, the final assignments for my last three courses will be evaluated and graded, and then I should know for certain that I have achieved the required grades to finally earn my degree.

Study Space (photo by V.A. McMillan)

My study space has changed three times at home, plus another while I was away on a work term. My current space (photo above), will likely endure as my home office, depending on what type of employment I am able to secure. It is a comfortable and functional space with sufficient bookshelves to keep my reference library close at hand. Moving my whiteboards and adding a large whiteboard will make projects a bit easier to keep organized. Not too much has changed since the start (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2019/01/building-study-station.html).

While the last four years of being a full-time student have been enjoyable, I do look forward to getting back to earning income. My library has increased a bit. I have learned a few new writing styles and some I will try to maintain. I like the BLUF formula (bottom line up front), as this seems very useful for writing in a business environment where time is money, and decision-makers need the answers first and how you arrived at those answers later in the document.

Until next time…if you are not getting ahead in life,

Re-evaluate the situation and make the necessary course corrections!!

 

Mountainman.

Gatekeeper & Keymaster - A Symbiotic O/S & Security System Concept

 

Coleman, Alberta (photo by V.A. McMillan)

I want to explore a concept of a symbiotic operating system and security system for laptops, desktops, tablets, and other portable devices used in a business or office environment that require a secure device when the end-user is absent from their workstation, desk, or cubicle. The concept I will share I have named Gatekeeper & Keymaster. This idea was triggered yesterday while reading course material for the information security management course I am currently taking. Caveat – I am not a hardware or software designer, I am an “ideas guy”. Second, I am not aware of the system I am about to share as already being in existence. If a similar system is already out there, I am not aware of it.

Gatekeeper & Keymaster

My original idea sketched out

The theory or operating principle is to create a symbiotic operating system that requires the Keymaster to be inserted into the Gatekeeper port. If the Keymaster is missing ALL information on the device (desktop, laptop, notebook, tablet, smartphone) will be in the normal state = encrypted. Thereby rendering theft of device as useless if capturing confidential data or propriety information are the objectives of the theft.

 

Due to my limited grasp of available technology options, let us say that the Keymaster is a USB drive, and the Gatekeeper is a USB port. Maybe HDMI, or some other type of plug & play port would be more appropriate?? A tomorrow problem.

 

Since the concern is employees leaving a device logged-in to the network system of a company or organization and being away from their workstation or desk, then the need is for a simple and effective method to lock the device in the employee's absence and provide rapid opening of the device when the employee returns. The thought is that the Keymaster being a physical key that needs to be attached to the device establishes a physical connection between the employee and the device. To coach the required behaviour, I recommend attaching a pull strap (1" webbing x 5" long) to the Keymaster. Further add a keyring that the employee would attach their house key or car & a RFID proof pouch to carry a credit card. This method is based on the idea that an employee would never leave their credit card on their desk in plain view when they were away from their desk.

 

Now, when the employee returns, they plug-in their Keymaster and the device closes the screensaver and returns the device to exactly as the end-user had left it. If this is a high security operation, the added step of plugging in the Keymaster & then typing a PIN or password could easily be added. Other methods of multi-part verifications could be added but that many redundancies would discourage not encourage compliance in normal office work environment.

 

So, the system would be a symbiotic system that requires both the Gatekeeper and the Keymaster to provide an operational environment that is not totally encrypted. To ease my security side, the relationship between the Gatekeeper port and Keymaster would be physical. I do not trust Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless connections for this type of symbiotic relationship. This is just a concept at the moment and requires serious investigation by folks who know what they are doing. Hopefully, by sharing the concept this will trigger someone who knows how to make this become reality.

Until next time…dream up new ideas!

Mountainman.

REZ RULES - A Book Report

Near the Alberta-BC Border (photo by V.A. McMillan)

 

Title: Rez Rules – A Book Report

 

Rez Rules – My Indictment of Canada’s and America’s Systemic Racism Against Indigenous Peoples (2021) by Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band.

B.L.U.F. – Should you read this book? YES. Why? That will take a bit more time to explain…

Rez Rules by Chief Clarence Louie (photo by V.A. McMillan)

Did I like the book? Yes and no. This also will take a bit more time to explain…

Disclosure, I am not an Indian, as Chief Louie refers to himself and other First Nations Peoples. I will likely use First Nations or similar while explaining my thoughts from reading the Chief’s book. No reference will be made to insult anyone. If you do not like the terms I use and you have not read Chief Louie’s book, mind your tongue as you have not earned a place in this discussion.

I am nine-years younger than the Chief and remember a different time in Canada than the one currently being experienced here in Canuckistan. I was aware that Indian Residential Schools existed, that they came into being in a collaboration between government and the churches. I was told in school that the purpose of those schools was to help get the “savage” out of the Indian to help them better integrate into Canadian society. That was way back in elementary school, and I do not recall any deep or insight discussion on the right or wrong. It was information presented as facts. I was also aware that Native children forced to attend these schools did not always have a positive experience, I was not aware until years later how bad the negative experiences were for some. I also recall hearing that when Canada experienced epidemics for diseases that the Residential Schools were not spared and students there died of disease just like every other community across the country, save one…Natives rarely had the financial resources to have the bodies of their children shipped home. The government refused to send the bodies back, and the churches did their best at the time to give the children a final resting place. Chief Louie visits this topic a number of times through his book, and it is a topic that needs to be discussed in an open, honest conversation.

Chief Louie also addresses the issue of professional and amateur sports teams using symbols, icons, and images with a First Nations origin. Unlike, soapbox pundits who proclaim these teams as proof of cultural theft, the Chief expressed his pride in seeing his Peoples’ culture being displayed to the world at large. The Chief also shared that so long as the cultural images are being used in a respectful manner his does not see a problem. He even commented that he enjoyed the comradery of the sports fans wearing their jerseys to games and even had no issue with Atlanta Braves fans performing the Tomahawk Chop in support of their team. On the other hand, the Chief would prefer to see the rivers, lakes, mountains, and similar geographical landmarks get their Traditional names back. Chief Louie is a strong supporter of team sports and sees the positives in being a player and being a coach. Teamwork is important!

Now, I first heard Chief Louie’s name back in the early 1990’s when I was in school learning about a career in corrections. The Chief was identified as being the motivating force that was bringing business to the Osoyoos Indian Reserve and getting his People out the dependency cycle with the Government of Canada. When you read Rez Rules you will quickly find the Chief is a modest fellow who credits his entire team at the Osoyoos Indian Band with the success of bring business, employment, and financial stability to their Nation. A good leader does that, he shares the credit or even transfer the credit. That is humility and that is a quality of a great leader.

Indian Pride is also expressed throughout this book. The Chief expresses his pride in seeing Indian Pride being expressed and shared by all First Nations Peoples. He knows the importance of saving language, traditions, shared experiences, and passing those on to future generations (seven generations forward.) The Chief is also quick to point out that boot-to-ass needs to happen to those who are dragging their culture down – no place on the Reserve for drugs, alcohol, or lazy-ass bums who won’t go to work and earn a living. And that is incumbent of those of the Reserves to punt out the gangs and gang members who terrorize some of the Native communities. Chief Louie shares that what he and his team has done on the Osoyoos Reservation in creating a business park, and leased land projects that benefit his People, can be repeated on other Reserves across the country…just elect a Band Council and Chief that want to get down to business and stop depending on the government handouts.

Where I truly differ with the opinion of the Chief is when we get into the discussion of Treaties and what that will mean today and tomorrow. While no one reading this was around when those Treaties were signed, there is no witnesses except the Treaties themselves to convey what was agreed to. There is one huge problem…bigger than the problem of resolving 17^th, 18^th, & 19^th century problems viewed through a 21^st century lens…and that problem, which no one seems man enough to mention is that nobody at the negotiation dealt in good faith. NO ONE. The tales passed down suggest the First Nations entered into agreement to “sell” land, that their own beliefs said could not be “owned”. The new arrivals, tried to “trade” for land with disease ridden blankets, glass beads, knives, and axes. These Europeans were trying to break their past behaviours of using Total War to capture and take the land. Under the old rules of European dynasty making, a war was fought, and the victor killed every man, woman, and child in the land to ensure future land claims did not occur. Or that is my understand of the old ways of grabbing land. So, what value is there in Treaties that were negotiated in bad faith by all parties??? Where would the reconciliation begin?? Whose truths would be more true?? These are serious questions, with serious implications. And nobody wants to hear these questions, and no one wants to work through to find the answers. Chief Louie does an admirable job of presenting this issue from the First Nations’ point of view. Which is entirely right, his People were screwed over, royally. The fact the First Nations got screwed over is not in question.

My other bone of contention is the inference that all people in Canada who arrived from Europe are racists. By labelling all white people as racists, is that not a racist comment to make?? Hating a person based on the physical appearance, colour of skin, language, or whatever is bigotry. And certainly, can be racial motivated in some people. Not all people are the same. And that cuts both ways!! If a person engages with a person at the individual level and either likes or dislikes that person, even if they are of different races does NOT mean one or the other is racist. When an entire group of people is identified and marginalized based purely on visual appearance, that is racism. When that oppression continues generation after generation that would be systemic racism. Saying the federal government is systemically racist…the behaviour observed would support this. And it would also support that the federal government is oppressive, but that occurs to a broader spectrum of Canadian society. Now some of the people that arrived in the New World were forced off their Traditional lands to make way for sheep. These people were starved. Beaten. Raped. Burned to death. Taxed into ruin. And finally, given the option to take a boat ride across the North Atlantic to have the opportunity to die in another world and maybe, just maybe, make a new life. The descendants of these people who live across every region of Canada would make worthy allies with the First Nations Peoples. However, in my opinion, the First Nations are still in pain and still progressing through the grief cycle and are not ready to find allies. The pain is still too raw. I can respect that. Let more time pass and we can talk when the time is right.

Finally, I really like Chief Louie’s perspective on business. He has many great ideas that he shares, and he has seen many ideas put into practice on the Osoyoos Indian Reserve which has rewarded his People with a better life and a future free from the purse strings of the Indian Agents. The Chief’s commitment to seeing a portion of earnings or profits set aside for future generations is fantastic. Seven Generations planning should be adopted everywhere. That would take sustainable business, business continuity, and emergency preparedness to a whole new level, looking that far ahead.

So, should you read Chief Louie’s book?? I can say, unreservedly, yes. This book tells a tale that needs to be heard in every corner of Canada, whether it is painful to read or not. Does a discussion need to happen?? Yes, one day. Some are ready and other not so much, yet. Chief Louie’s book gives a firm foundation for that future discussion…maybe that will lead to Truth and Reconciliation?!?

Where can you find your own copy?? If you are not boycotting Amazon, it can be found there: https://www.amazon.ca/Rez-Rules-Indictment-Americas-Indigenous/dp/0771048335/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Y40Q0D9A9TZ0&keywords=rez+rules+by+chief+clarence+louie&qid=1664579992&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjUzIiwicXNhIjoiMC40NyIsInFzcCI6IjAuNjEifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=rez+rules%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-1 .

Until next time…Read a good book…

Even if you do not like what it has to say!

Mountainman. 

To Re-Vegetate the Sahara...A Thought Exercise

Near Cadomin, Alberta (photo by V.A. McMillan)

 Title: To Re-Vegetate the Sahara…A Thought Exercise

Time to ponder big ideas. What if it was possible and feasible to re-vegetate the Sahara Desert? Should we pursue such an undertaking? How could it be accomplished? That is what we will explore in this post.

First, let’s have a look at the map of North Africa, shall we:

From Google Maps

The problem

We can see from this captured image from Google Maps (above) that the northern regions of the African continent are dry, hence the lack of green across most of the top of Africa. Why is that? The answer is a lack of water which plants need to grow and a temperature extreme that is hard on all living things – plants and everything else. How would you change that?

The solution

The solution is to hydrate the region, as in add water. However, I am not suggesting wasting potable drinking water from the subterranean water table. What I am suggesting is much, much simpler.

My original thought was the winds generally blow from west to east across the continent and thus, building desalination plants in Western Sahara and Mauritania (see map below) shown as red rectangles would be the first step. This would provide employment to build and operate the desalination plants and provide a source of sea salt for export to enhance the local economies. As the ocean waters evaporated from the desalination tanks the humid air would follow the air currents cooling the air over the Sahara Desert and when the condensation had reached sufficient concentrations it would rain down to the east, likely in Niger and Chad. Over time this process would increase the local humidity allowing for plants to re-establish themselves in the desert. Further down the road, this new green space would temper the local climate and reverse the desertification. Only one problem…

From Google Maps & Modified by Mountainman

The winds across Northern Africa do not traverse from west to east. In fact, according to Britannica (see maps below) the winds travel from the Mediterranean Sea for part of the year and from the South Atlantic Ocean in other parts of the year.

From Britannica

Therefore, to adapt my concept, just changes the start location. So, instead of desalination plants in Western Sahara and Mauritania, they would go along the coasts of Tunisia and Libya as indicated by the red line (see map below). Again, the evaporated water would rise up and rains would fall likely in Mali, Niger, and Chad. Regional and local wind patterns would direct the exact locations that would receive the rains. Over time vegetation would return, the local climate would be moderated, and desertification would be slowly reversed.

From Google Maps & Modified by Mountainman

The Crux

What could go wrong?? Sounds like a perfect plan. The economy in African countries is enhanced. Locals get good paying jobs and the ability to buy goods, build homes, and generally become self-sufficient. This is awesome. What could go wrong??

Global climate modification and the law of unintended consequences…if man starts playing God with the weather, even with the best intentions of helping our fellow man, what balance are we toying with? And what are the ramifications of pursuing such activities before knowing how changing the humidity in the Sahara Desert will impact the rest of the planet? I do not know the answers to these key questions, but the answers are worth finding. If solving desertification could be as easy as building desalination plants upwind of the desert so humidity can be added to the region and increase local rainfall, that would be excellent for everyone involved. However, at this time there are too many unknowns concerning tinkering with global weather patterns and releasing the daemons of Pandora’s Box.

Maybe by posting this conversation, folks much smarter than I, will find the answers.

Until next time…think deep thoughts,

Mountainman.

THE ROUTE RECCE...A Practical Process

The Rockies near Cadomin (photo by V.A. McMillan, 2022)

 The ROUTE RECCE

Ever wonder what it might have been like to be a scout back in the olden days?? Tasked with finding a pass through the mountains or finding a route between two base or hunting camps?? Scouting of yore has become reconnaissance or RECCE. The purpose remains the same, only the tools and time to achieve success have changed. Now you have hours or maybe days to complete a mission, not weeks or months. So, let’s delve into conducting a ROUTE RECCE, shall we…

Conducting a recce is to solve the classic problem by answering the 5 “W”s. The route recce is merely a specific type of recce patrol with the express mission to find the route or prove the route is still passable.

Where: General location or specific route(s), Areas on a map

Why: Purpose or Mission

When: NLT (No Later Than), Start Time/Date, End Time/Date, Season

What: What vehicles? What equipment/gear? What fuel? What food? What water?

Who: The Recce Team

The route recce process, can be broken down into three main steps:

Step One – Conduct a map recce. Meaning gather maps of the area of interest and review the maps to learn as much as you can about terrain, roads, paths, communities, waterways, and other known hazards (like mines, dams, or active logging). Maps can consist of physical paper maps, digital maps, or using online sources like Google Maps SATVIEW.

Step Two – Access any and all OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) to gather the most up-to-date information on your target area. This can include guidebooks, trail reports by previous trail users, blog posts, or vlog reports on YouTube. In addition, you can ask locals in the area, questions about the route and any known hazards to be aware of, such as de-activated logging/resource roads, washed out culverts, or damaged bridges. This step is also a good time to learn where you can resupply enroute – fuel for vehicles, food, or water.

Step Three – Conduct the ROUTE RECCE. This is when you actually get to travel the route in question. The whole purpose of conducting the route recce is to gather firsthand intel on the condition of the route and whether it meets the needs of those who requested the report. Step Three concludes once the route has been traveled, the route report is written, and delivered to requester.

The ROUTE REPORT contains a wealth of information that will aid others in traveling through the area in question. The report can be organized in the following manner, unless instructed to follow a specific format for your organization or group.

The SUMMARY will begin the report to give decision makers who are pressed for time the core information. Use the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) format, meaning the most important information first.

Follow the BLUF with the 5 “W”s – Where, Why, When, What, and Who.

The next section will be the FINDINGS. In this section you will want to detail:

HAZARDS & OBSTACLES

ROUTE CONDITIONS & WEATHER DURING RECCE

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

LOCATION of:

·       FUEL SOURCES

·       WATER

·       SHELTER/CAMPS

·       REPAIR FACILITIES

·       SUPPLIES

·       COMMS

WATER CROSSINGS

·       BRIDGES

·       FORDS

·       FERRY

·       SWIM

The final section will be the RECOMMENDATIONS, where those conducting the route recce convert their observations into recommendations that will prevent misunderstandings. Key recommendations can include:

ROUTE RECOMMENDATIONS – If there are multiple routes in the area, recommend the route that meets the needs of the organization/group. Include maps with the recommended route clearly marked.

VEHICLE RECOMMENDATIONS – 4x4, Long Wheelbase, Short Wheelbase, Narrow Track, or ATV only. High clearance or load restrictions. Tools, recovery gear, or accessories that would improve travel success along the route, should also be included.

RESUPPLY RECOMMENDATIONS – Whether taking extra fuel jerry cans is necessary or whether ice to refill coolers can be easily obtained along the route. Similarly, is water easily procured or should water jerry cans be carried.

On a recent route recce, I encountered one of those challenges that did not show up during the map recce…namely, that the route was not passable. When approaching the subject area local road signs notified road users that there was a washout, and the route was NOT passable. My intelligence gathering did not end with just believing the posted sign. I went to the top end of the trail and spoke with a local and asked if the route was driveable or not. They let me know that quads can drive the route and some 4x4 get through, too. This meant I was going to have to have a closer look at the obstacle and determine for myself what the situation was. Thankfully, the washout section of the route was passable during dry, late summer conditions. 

The Washout (photo by V.A. McMillan, 2022)

Google SatView of the Washout & Camp

While it was truthful that a section of the road had been washed away in a past flood, the route was passable for those who had a vehicle and driving skills to navigate this obstacle. This was not Darren’s Gap, after all. The not knowing added to the adventure and sense of exploration.

The other part of enjoying this adventure was using my vehicle as my mobile shelter. 

Mountainman's Camp (photo by V.A. McMillan)

As you may recall I did some mods last year to increase the versatility of my vehicle by removing part of my backseats and installing a sleep platform (seen here https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-sleep-platform-designed-by.html). I enjoy being self-contained and highly mobile, which works well when conducting a ROUTE RECCE.

 

Until next time…go out and explore!

Mountainman.

 

COMSEC - Who's Listening? How Do You Know?

 

Radio in the Garden (photo by V.A. McMillan)

COMSEC – Who’s Listening? How Do You Know?

Welcome back. Last month we considered OPSEC (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/opsec-hows-your-operational-security.html) and it just makes sense to carry on with a security topic…namely, COMSEC. Which is the short form for Communications Security. Now if you go online and conduct a search for COMSEC you will get many returns. Some for Australia – COMMSEC, which deals with secure online trading. Wikipedia gives a basic high-level overview. And Omitron Security Solutions Group (https://ncms-isp.org/documents/COMSEC_Material.pdf) shares an excellent background document that is worth reviewing if you are getting serious about protecting your communications from others.

You might be saying, “Thanks for the teaser, Mountainman, but hurry up man and get to the point!” What is COMSEC and why the heck should I care?

Good things to those who wait…COMSEC is more than just having hardware – radios, phones, and computers, that can transmit encrypted messages. In fact, for like-minded folks who may never be able to afford such high-tech equipment that has built-in encryption, COMSEC is even more important. COMSEC is a form of discipline to ensure the right message is delivered to the right person at the right time, without unauthorized persons intercepting or interfering with message delivery.

Like, OPSEC, a large part of COMSEC is situational awareness and being aware of what is going on around you. However, it is larger than just the immediate area within your line of sight. Two-way radios, depending on type, frequency, power and antenna, can transmit farther than you can see – even with telescopic optics. Oh…and anybody with a receiver of a similar type, within range can listen to every word you transmit. The airwaves have ears!

A few rules to increase your COMSEC and reduce your likelihood of being targeted by the foe.

RULE #1: Keep Messages BRIEF!

RULE #2: Change OFTEN! [Change Frequency, Change Location, Change Time]

RULE #3: Develop a local lingo and pet phrases.

RULE #4: Develop a backup communications system before you need it!

Brief messages reduce your chance of being noticed on a frequency and make it more difficult for directional finding (DF) equipment to locate you. If you have a long message break it into multiple short messages. This works until you become a problem for someone, and they become interested in you and target you to be located, then the DFing teams will use equipment that will triangulate your position within seconds of your radio breaking squelch. Stay in the background and do not get noticed.

If you are part of an organization that listens to the radio on a regular basis to keep informed of what is happening in the world around you, ensure that if you need to communicate with others in your group, you never, ever transmit from the same location as you are listening from. Following that same train of thought, your transmitting locations should change location often. Same, same for frequencies – change weekly, daily, hourly as is required for your mission. The more you use your comms, the more often you should change the frequency. Check-in times should also be staggered. The name of the game is to stay disciplined and avoid creating patterns. Patterns get noticed!

Make up a language or parts of a language that have meaning to your organization but are boring and innocuous to the rest of the folks listening in on the airwaves. Avoid using “10” codes, although you can get away with saying 10-4 once in a while. However, if a message MUST GET THROUGH developing a method of encryption is an option. One such method from the Cold War era is the One Time Pad (OTP). Cryptography is not my specialty, so I would recommend checking this video from S2 Underground (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzwpmbIWUNc) who knows a lot more about this topic.

Finally, developing a backup system of communications is just good business continuity planning. Assume your favourite comms method will fail. Furthermore, assume it will fail when you need it the most. That is why you see in war movies, the commander shooting his radio before the mission starts. Then he knows why his radio failed him and his unit. Research the use of dead drops or flags (semaphore or other flag signalling techniques) or obsolete methods like Morse Code – which works with sound, light, drawn images, or spacing of objects on the ground/windowsill.

Without comms, operations and business in this modern age become almost impossible. Knowing this NOW means you can plan for it in the future.

Until next time…Keep your ears on Good Buddy!

Mountainman.