There are actions that can immediately and substantively raise the quality of ClassRoom training about reactor behavior throughout the nuclear industry.
First, some background. The downsizing and budget cutting that are currently widespread in the nuclear industry may do wonders for the bottom line, but aren't likely to do much for the instructor and students in the ClassRoom. Early on, then NRC Chairman Selin expressed concern that these actions may adversely effect the quality of nuclear plant operations. Presumably this concern includes the quality of Reactor Operator training. But consider this. If the quality of such training leaves something to be desired before downsizing, then even maintaining the status quo by extra effort from a reduced staff only ensures a continuation of second rate training.
Every ClassRoom training program has three major inputs, each of which contributes to its overall quality, or lack thereof. These are (1) the instructors, (2) the students, and (3) the training resources. The instructors must have in-depth knowledge of the subject and an ability to communicate this knowledge to the students. The students must have certain prerequisite preparation and a motivation to learn. The training resources, which encompass the subject matter to be taught and learned, must be tailored to provide the needed knowledge, in a logical manner and at a level the students can comprehend. Of these three, the most crucial is the training resources. Even if the instructor and the students are of the highest calibre, the quality of the training resources will limit the quality of the training. And that's a fact!
So, how is the quality of material currently used for teaching reactor behavior? Based on our experience in dealing with a number of Training Departments, the quality ranges from fair to poor. Most trainers are unknowingly muddling along with second rate material. Some become aware of this when their students begin failing the NRC license exam. Unfortunately, this wakeup call occurs for the wrong reason. Much of the prepared training material, both vendor and in-house, is aimed at prepping the student to pass the NRC exam. This errs on two counts: first, because teaching to pass exams invariably sacrifices educational quality, and secondly, because the NRC requirements are widely recognized as providing a minimum standard. Reactor Operator training should aim to provide a solid, no nonsense, understanding of reactor behavior, in preparation for operational responsibilities in the Control Room. If it did this, the NRC exam would not be a concern.
The deficient quality of training resources on reactor behavior has evolved over the past 40 years and is well entrenched within the system. We provide an alternative, a choice, by publishing high quality training resources on this WebSite, found in no other training resource, that will set the standard for excellence in the future. In addition, we propose that standard packages on important topics of reactor behavior should be utilized. Each package should include four items, (1) an Instructor Lesson Plan, (2) a Student Handout, (3) ClassRoom Visuals, and (4) Exam Questions. Each package should conform to INPO guidelines but, where warranted, contain supplementary material to enhance student understanding and better prepare the student for Control Room duties. Each package should contain everything the Instructor needs to teach a particular topic.
The Student Handout is the key component of this package, because it will provide both the Instructor and the Student with quality treatment of each topic. Due to the natural variance in individual abilities, many students learn more effectively from printed media than from lecture. No doubt, most learn best by a combination of both, i.e. a good lecture and a quality text. It is the quality Student Handout that most training organizations lack. Even long established Universities are ever seeking the better textbook. Why not nuclear training?
For example, titles for the first three packages might be, (1) Reactivity, (2) Reactor Kinetics, and (3) Source Multiplication. Reactivity should be the first topic because of its paramount importance to the subject of reactor behavior.
Upgrade while downsizing -- using standardized excellence. ......................... We urge you to think about it. Then let's get something going. Enough ... is ... Enough.