FT-105 - Fire Behavior and Combustion - Randall C Osborne
| Course: | Fire Behavior and Combustion |
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| Professor: | Randall C Osborne |
| Email: | randall.osborne@canyons.edu |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
Hello and welcome to FT105 online. My name is Engineer Randy Osborne and I am a retired LACoFD firefighter/Engineer and adjunct fire tech instructor here at Mt. SAC. I also teach at College of the Canyons and Oxnard Community College. In the first module I will tell you a little more about my background, but for now I was a firefighter-paramedic then later a firefighter specialist (engineer) when I had some injuries that required some rehab and I ended up in fire prevention for the last four years of my firefighting career. While in prevention I began to get more interested in education. I realized I could have in a sense a larger impact on saving lives through the three Es of fire prevention and that by using engineering, enforcement, and education I could change the environment that people live and work in, thus making it safer and hopefully preventing fires from happening. Later, when due to health issues I had to retire earlier than planned I turned to teaching, realizing that this was a way to educate others and prepare them for a career in the fire service. In Fire-5 we learn how fire happens and what we can do about it, which is the main focus of this course.
Details on the curriculum and grading:
1. Student Learning Outcomes, upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
Identify the fundamental concepts of combustion, how fire spreads and is controlled.
The student learning outcome will be measured by a PowerPoint on extinguishment methods for different types of fires.
2. Catalog Description:
Explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread and are controlled.
3. Course Objectives:
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Course Description
Details on the curriculum and grading:
1. Student Learning Outcomes, upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
Identify the fundamental concepts of combustion, how fire spreads and is controlled.
The student learning outcome will be measured by a PowerPoint on extinguishment methods for different types of fires.
2. Catalog Description:
Explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread and are controlled.
3. Course Objectives:
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What to Expect in this Course
All quizzes are graded immediately upon your completion. All other assignment submissions will be graded within 2-3 days (most of the time sooner). Note that this is underlined and in bold; All assignments are subject to change as to due date and subject to cancellation, due to circumstances. Periodically an assignment is cancelled, or another is added, so be sure to pay attention to the announcements and calendar for any adjustments to due dates or changes. The point totals for the various aspects of the class are as follows:
5. Assignments:
Quizzes & Projects
There will be 14 online quizzes (one per chapter). Each student will be required to read the weekly chapter prior to attending class. We will have periodic in-class projects that are usually worth 10-20 points. There are no make-ups of the in-class projects.
Mid-course project:
See the assignment description in Canvas for more details on this project. Put together a 10 slide PowerPoint explaining how class A foam works and answering the following questions in the attached questions. Use the provided PDF for research, but also feel free to use YouTube and do a Google search to further your understanding. If you are using a Mac computer or any Apple device be sure to review the computer recommendations I included in the syllabus and welcome letter.
Course Project
See the assignment in Canvas for more detailed information on this final project.
The course project will consist of a 25-slide PowerPoint presentation with a minimum of 4-5 sentences per slide of text content (the information required in the report). Picture slides are encouraged, but they do not count toward the 25-slide count. See details in the assignment description in Canvas.
The Course project will consist of a PowerPoint presentation on the various types of fires and the methods to extinguish them. Keep in mind that the word content is what earns you the grade! 4-5 sentences on each of the subjects pertaining to this project. Pictures enhance your project; the words are what matters. The pictures can be on separate slides or mixed in with the content explaining them. The PowerPoint presentations need to include all of the required information.
Types of Assessments
Quizzes per chapter, some minor projects and a final PowerPoint project
Textbook Information
Important textbook info:
TEXT: Principles of Fire Behavior & Combustion
Author: Richard Gann and Raymond Friedman
ISBN- 978-0-7637-5717-5
Other Relevant Course Information
Canvas:
Since this class is a online course you really need to be prepared technologically for this class. Read this information, but also watch my short video about navigating through this course. Canvas is best viewed using either Chrome, Firefox or even Safari (it does not work well on Internet Explorer). For success in this class you really need to have a reliable computer and an internet connection that allows for you to upload and download. If you have issues with your computer, the school has computers at the learning center. There is also a limited amount of loaner computers available. In each of my classes one of the first modules is links to information on how to use Canvas. If you are having any trouble with Canvas, use these links and or contact the IT crew for the school. Of course, I welcome you to contact me with any questions you may have or problems you may encounter. Sometimes students cannot access certain quizzes or papers and it turns out to be a corruption in the program or I need to reload the quiz, so please contact me with any problems.
I am using a process that involves working through each module sequentially and after reading and watching videos marking those pages/items as done and submitting assignments before you can move on to the next item or module. I will explain this process in the first Zoom.
In each of my classes one of the first modules is links to information on how to use Canvas. If you are having any trouble with Canvas, use these links and or contact the IT people for the school. Of course, I welcome you to contact me with any questions you may have or problems you may encounter. Sometimes students cannot access certain quizzes or papers and it turns out to be a corruption in the program or I need to reload the quiz, so please contact me with any problems.
Important Computer and Canvas Info
Free Stuff and Additional Requirements:
You will need to:
- Have a word-processing program compatible with Microsoft Word (2003 or later) installed on your computer (the Microsoft Office software suite can be downloaded here for free for students). Please note that Microsoft Works is not compatible. However, other programs such as OpenOffice.org and Apple's Pages can also create documents in the Word format. You need to export it from the Drop-Down menu. FILE-Export then select Word .doc format. Since it is free for you as a student to get Office for MAC or Microsoft Office why not just download that and enjoy having the best productivity suite on your computer. The PowerPoint and Word docs programs are the best for Canvas and the Apple apps do not work. Did I mention it is free, free, free!
- If you download the Office Suite for Mac or PC via the free program, you need to make sure when you save any document or PowerPoint you should do so to your own computer! It defaults to COC’s One Drive (Cloud) and then it will not upload. When saving just be sure to click on your desktop or documents folder to save it to.
- Be able to perform a variety of tasks on a computer, such as open a browser, navigate the Internet, use a search engine, create a document, and attach it to an email, and send and receive email. If you do not have experience with these activities, it is recommended that you take an Introduction to computers, or an equivalent class before enrolling in an online course.
- Have good reading skills. Much of the course work will be presented in writing and you will have to read and understand the content.
- Have good time management skills. Online and hybrid courses meet for the same amount of time as courses taught on campus. For example, if you are taking a 3-unit English 101 online, you will need to designate approximately three hours each week to work in the online class, plus you will also need to designate time for the required homework which occurs outside of class time.
Students who have taken face-to-face classes that include online components should find the transition to a fully online class easier. But if you are enthusiastic about computers and want to learn important skills that will be of great use in your future career, both academically and in the workplace, an online class can be a fun and convenient way to enhance or complete your community college education.
Canvas on Mobile Devices
The Canvas interface was optimized for desktop displays, so using small form factors such as phones may not be a pleasant experience in using Canvas. Canvas recommends using their mobile app if accessing Canvas on a phone, from their website, “For the best user experience, please download the Canvas mobile applications.” However, I have found that students have issues with uploads and downloads and sometimes with quizzes when using the mobile app. It is best to access Canvas using a computer! If you must use a phone, access your class through a browser instead of the app.
Since Canvas uses small elements of Flash, not all Canvas features may be supported on mobile devices, especially on iOS. However, Canvas offers limited support for native mobile browsers on tablet devices. For additional details, please reference the limited-support mobile browser guidelines.
Apple/MAC users important information:
Canvas is not MAC friendly. As someone who has only Apple products for computers, phones and tablets I find this very irritating, and I think it discriminates against us MAC users. No matter how many times I have voiced this opinion to Canvas and the school, no one is listening! I am exaggerating here a little, but it is true that MAC users need to do a few additional things to be able to turn in assignments. Here are some important points:
- IF you have an Apple or MAC do not even try to turn in assignments from KeyNote, Pages or even screen shots you take with your devices. It will not work and I have to send messages to students constantly about this problem. Please read the following solutions and keep me from pulling my hair out (I have very little left) as I have to deal with this problem over and over again.
- The easiest answer is to download Office MAC for free per the instructions above on computer requirements #3. If you do that you have to use your school email to get the download for free, however that causes a little issue you have to be aware of. Because you are getting it for free through the school, it will want to save your documents or projects to the school’s cloud drive. Be sure to save it to your documents file or to your desktop and then upload it. It will not work if it is in the COC or Ventura OneDrive.
- Anytime you need to do a screen shot Apple products saves it to an HEIC file. It is a compressed file that is only used by Apple. This also will not upload correctly and though it may seem like you turned it in, I will not be able to see it even though I too am using a MAC. You need to open the file and convert it/save it as a jpg file or PDF.
- If you absolutely do not want to download Office MAC (it’s free, free, free!) then what you have to do is export it as a Word or PowerPoint file. Click on file in the upper commands row, then click on export and you will have an option to save it to your desktop or documents file in a Word or PowerPoint format.
On the homepage of our class there is a module regarding what you need on your computer to be able to succeed in this class. There is also a lot of info as to how you can improve your computer’s capabilities and mostly for free! Be sure to check that out!
If you do not have the above items and cannot get them, the school has laptops and other equipment that can be borrowed for this class. Please let me know if you have a need or if you cannot meet all of these requirements. We can work with you!
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 08/16/2023 Sub#: 1625