About the CPCA online learning site
The CPCA Petroleum Mechanic home study program currently uses the more traditional method of textbook study and consists of a training manual and video where applicable. Students study the material on their own time, each course taking on average forty hours of study time to complete. The study material also includes activities and quizzes they complete to assist the student in gauging their retention of the material.
Once they complete the home study course, students then attend a one-day class session consisting of a material and code review provided by a CPCA qualified instructor. Instructors also have on hand various samples of petroleum equipment, piping and fittings, tools and blueprints. For example for the Petroleum Mechanic Helper course, students work on actual dispensing equipment such as changing hoses, nozzles and testing equipment using the appropriate meters.
CPCA online learning improves the interaction between
students and training providers while the student completes the home study
program and ensures the student's success in the program. By having a number of activities, such as end
of chapter quizzes for students to complete online in 
conjunction with the
home study material will enable the CPCA to monitor student's progress. This hybrid method of "blended"
learning, a combination of self-study, online and instructor-led training makes
the program a lot more interesting and keeps students more engaged.
There are also a number of resources listed for students based on their level of study including online tutorials and activities that challenge the student based on what they have learned throughout the course.
Our plan is to also continue to build the site with more online tutorials, instructional videos and an online forum where students can post questions or seek assistance from fellow students and / or instructors.
Once students register for a home study course, they are pre-registered to the site and provided with login information along with their course material. Once logged in they select their course and from there they can go to the quiz section and as they complete a chapter in their manual, they can complete the corresponding quiz.
As they complete their quizzes, the system keeps track of their progress, and once they complete all of their quizzes for the entire course, they receive a certificate of completion.
The learning management system has many reporting features for CPCA administration including receiving notification via email each time a student completes their course as well as the option of downloading student progress reports, organizing classes and sending feedback to instructors.
We believe these online tools will not only enhance the students learning experience by better understanding the material but coming better prepared to in-class review sessions. It is also a lot easier for the instructors when students are "on the same page” as well as being able to spend more time on other topics within the sessions such as the code reviews.