Lock smith learning straeetiges

Study Unit Learning Strategies This study unit gives you the information you need to plan successful learning strategies—action plans to get the most out of the time you spend on your assignments In this unit you’ll find a variety of different skills and techniques to use as you progress through the program Because everyone learns in different ways and at different paces, it’s up to you to decide which ones are appropriate for you—and then to use them regularly Studying is a skill To be proficient at it, you have to practice You may already have some effective strategies This unit helps you build on those and gives you additional pointers for improving the skills you already have When you complete this study unit, you’ll be able to • Explain the advantages of your program • Explain how you can get help during your studies • Describe the study materials you’ll receive with your program and how they’re shipped to you • Access our Web site • Identify what kind of learner you are • Explain how to establish a study schedule, organize your materials, and choose an appropriate place to study • Describe the SQ3R study method • Develop a procedure for building your vocabulary as you study • Explain a proper procedure for preparing for and taking an examination Pr eview As you progress through your program, you may find yourself wondering what’s the most effective way to go about studying You may already be asking yourself some of these questions: How long should I study? How often should I study? How can I retain information I read? What aids should I be using? iii The Advantages Bridging the Gap Program Design Study Materials Examinations Using Our Web Site Shipments of Program Materials STUDY SKILLS What Kind of Learner Are You? Study Schedules How Long Should You Study? Where Should You Study? Organizing Your Materials and Tools LEARNING SKILLS SQ3R: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review Building Your Vocabulary Completing Self-Checks Preparing for Examinations Taking Examinations 1 3 10 10 13 16 18 21 24 24 26 29 30 30 SELF-CHECK ANSWERS 33 EXAMINATION 35 Contents A GLIMPSE AT YOUR PROGRAM v Learning Strategies A GLIMPSE AT YOUR PROGRAM The Advantages You’re about to begin a program of study right from your own home During your program, you’ll be reading and studying books just like this one as you improve your education and work toward a career in a different field or advancement in your current occupation One of the greatest advantages of this program is that it enables you to study at your own pace If you’re having difficulty with a particular section of material, you don’t have to worry about keeping up with the rest of your class You can take your time and study the material until you understand it On the other hand, if you find certain material easy and you understand it quickly, you don’t have to be held back by others in your class You can move on as soon as you feel comfortable with the material any of your study materials are available as PDFs when you log in as a student at www pennfoster.edu M You’ll also be able to study when you want to and when it’s convenient for you (Figure 1) In a traditional school setting, you must attend classes when they’re scheduled With the program you’re about to begin, you can choose when you study, based on your work and family schedule and on when you’re most alert Whether you’re preparing for a new career, working to advance in your present job, or just taking a course for enjoyment or self-enrichment, this program can provide you with a method to accomplish your goals without interrupting your present schedule FIGURE 1—Your new program allows you the freedom to study when and where it’s convenient for you Bridging the Gap As a student in one of our programs, you may be physically separated from your teacher, but you still have one-to-one communication with people at your school The best way to find information you need or to communicate with the school is through the Penn Foster Web site at http://www.pennfoster.edu When you log on to this site as a Penn Foster student, you can take an exam, check your student record, make a payment, use the library, and much more You’ll learn how to log on to the Web site later in this study unit Another service available to Penn Foster students is DIAL-AQUESTION® Although not as fast and as easy as the Web site, DIAL-A-QUESTION® can provide answers to customer service questions—that is, questions not specifically related to your instructional materials Most importantly, through DIAL-A-QUESTION® you can speak to an instructor about your lessons If you have a question about something you don’t understand in your study materials or if you find a particular concept difficult, instructors can provide guidance and answer your questions Your student handbook gives the times that instructors are available to answer your questions Learning Strategies Program Design Your program is divided into a number of modules that are shipped to you as you progress through your studies You’ve already received your first shipment, which includes all of the materials to get you started Your program has been developed so that each new unit builds on the material of previous units Therefore, you must study the materials in the order in which they’re listed on the Program Outline (You should have received a Program Outline with this shipment If you haven’t reviewed it yet, so before proceeding.) Study Materials In your program, you may use a variety of different study materials (Figure 2), many of which are available as PDFs on the Penn Foster Web site Once you log on to the site, you can access any online material in your program (You’ll receive instructions for logging on to the Web site later in this study unit.) The following paragraphs present a brief description of each of the various types of study materials FIGURE 2—These are the types of study materials you’ll be using throughout your program • A study unit is a short booklet that contains information related to the subject you’re studying The booklet you’re reading now is a study unit At various points throughout a unit, you’ll be required to stop and complete a selfcheck to test your understanding of the material you’ve just read You can check your answers to these quizzes by comparing them to the ones provided at the back of the unit The self-checks are for your benefit only You don’t have to submit them to the school for evaluation, Learning Strategies and they don’t count toward your grade in the program However, we strongly urge you to complete each one They’re a good review tool, and they help you to identify key concepts in your reading and studying When you complete the material in one study unit, you must take the examination at the back of the booklet and submit it to the school for grading Most of these examinations consist of multiple-choice questions We’ll grade each examination and let you know your score Your grades on the examinations count toward your final grade for each subject in the high school program • A study guide is a booklet designed to guide you through a separate textbook, which you receive as part of your program The main purpose of a study guide is to help you understand the materials in the textbook It breaks the textbook content into small blocks of study material, highlighting important details and providing explanations of basic concepts The study guide contains introductions to each lesson and assignment, self-checks similar to those in the study units, and examinations that you must submit to the school for grading Note: Whenever you receive a subject, such as Reading Skills, that contains a study guide and a textbook, always read the study guide first • A textbook contains material related to the subject you’re studying It’s exactly like the books used in traditional classrooms As a student with our school, however, you’ll receive a study guide to help you through the material in the textbook • Another type of booklet you may use during your program is called a practical exercise This type of booklet includes suggested activities that are tailored to help you apply the material you’re studying to real-life situations The suggested activities are optional You don’t have to complete them to finish your program However, each practical exercise booklet also contains a multiple-choice examination that you must complete and submit for grading The questions in the examination cover material you’ve already learned in previous study units Learning Strategies • A graded project is a very short booklet that includes practical application questions and exercises The examination for a graded project is generally not multiple choice Instead, you may have to write a paragraph, make a decision based on a scenario, study and explain a diagram, or identify and explain something you’ve just learned in a study unit These graded projects are a required part of your program You must complete and submit them to the school for grading • A supplement is similar to, but smaller than, a study unit It deals with some specific aspect of the program not covered in detail in the study units Basically, a supplement provides enrichment information It has no self-checks or examination • Learning aids are tools you receive with your program Generally, they’re items used by professionals in the field in which you’re studying For example, if you’re taking an art program, you may receive oil paints, pastels, watercolors, drawing tablets, pencils, ink, and erasers (See Figure 3.) In the jewelry repair technician program, you may receive pliers, files, paste solder, and brass These learning aids are yours to keep and use while you’re studying and when you begin to work in the field that FIGURE 3—These are some of the learning aids you receive with our you’re pursuing art program Learning Strategies Examinations As we’ve already mentioned, each study unit includes one examination that you must complete and submit for evaluation Each study guide, however, contains several exams Most of these examinations consist of multiple-choice questions The examinations are designed with a particular purpose in mind: They’re open-book exercises that help you learn not by just understanding what you’ve read, but by knowing where to look for information Here’s an example of a multiple-choice question from the Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor program The main purpose of a crate is to serve as a tool for A confinement B punishment C traveling D security This item offers you four clear choices You must identify the one best answer, which you can find in the material you’ve already studied Sometimes you’ll immediately know the correct answer to a question At other times, you’ll have to go back to the text to search for the correct answer In fact, our multiple-choice items are constructed to encourage you to review the study material to discover the answers The process of reviewing your study material for the answer is a form of self-teaching When you complete a lesson exam, submit it to the school for grading You can choose from three different methods: (1) online at our Web site, (2) Tel-Test, or (3) Exam Express • Online exam submission is the best, fastest, and easiest option available To submit your exam online, you must have access to the Internet Once you submit the exam, you immediately receive the results (Note: To submit an examination online, you must first log on to the Web site On your homepage is a link to instructions for using the site.) • With Tel-Test, you can take your exams with a touchtone telephone and get your results within minutes • For the Exam Express option, you must submit your exams using the scanner cards and envelopes provided in your first shipment Learning Strategies Occasionally, some subjects require you to submit an examination that must be graded by hand For example, you may have to create a drawing for an art assignment or develop a paragraph for a writing assignment You must submit such examinations by mail Using Our Web Site The Penn Foster Web site is your connection to the school The site is faster, easier, and better than other means of communication As a student in our school, you can access information regarding your program, shipments, payments, grades, and so on You also have access to an extensive online library, and best of all, you can submit your examinations through this site To log on to the Web site for the first time, follow these steps: Go to the Web site at http://www.pennfoster.edu At the top left of the screen, click on STUDENT LOGIN For complete instructions for logging in for the first time, click on Login Help and follow the online explanation When you complete the steps in Login Help, you’ll be registered in the Web site To enter the site from then on, simply enter your Login ID and password when prompted to so When you enter the site, you’re immediately taken to your personal homepage On that page are two valuable resources for helping you get the most from the site: Click on Click here to take a tour of your student experience! for a video demonstration of using the Web site (This link is at the top right of your personal homepage.) Click on How to Use This Web Site for written instructions that you can print for handy reference (This link is at the right of your personal homepage.) If you plan to use the Web site, you should take some time to become familiar with it before you begin your studies Then when you really need some help or information, you’ll know just where to find it The Web site is the best and fastest source of information and service Learning Strategies Working as a Professional Locksmith 63 don’t usually mean emergency life and death situations, but are matters of urgency to your customers House calls are usually planned in advance Your first visit is to determine the scope of the job You should provide a written estimate to your customers, and get a signature confirming the agreement When the agreement is reached, you’ll assemble the necessary materials and establish a mutually convenient time to the work A lock is a security device, a way to protect people and valuable property You, as a locksmith—the word “smith” means one who makes or fixes—are part of the protection and security profession And like any other professional who serves and protects, you should know and observe the laws of your community, your state, and your country The Locksmith Publishing Company produces a series of books called Locksmith Law which can be important references for legal advice, court cases, judgments involving security, and legislative reports Laws not only protect the customer, they protect you There are seven points of legal advice that every locksmith should commit to memory: Always put everything in writing Once you install a door lock on a building, you can’t remove it without the permission of the owner, even if the owner has refused to pay for your services You’ll need an attorney, but if you have a written and signed authorization for service, you’ll help your case Insist on full payment before returning items to a customer That way you won’t get “stuck.” Always ask for proper identification and have a client sign a Declaration of Ownership form for any equipment brought into your shop Use the same procedure on jobs that are emergencies, late at night, in an unlikely area, or involve an expensive automobile You must protect yourself from criminals Know the life safety codes for the state, county and cities where you work This is a way to quickly check on possible code violations when you’re installing locks 64 Working as a Professional Locksmith You can’t be forced to a job you don’t want to do, even if asked by a law enforcement officer Check with an attorney to assure your rights If you work for someone else, you may have to sign a noncompeting or restrictive covenant This means that you can’t take the skills you learn and open a competing shop You obey the law because you have to, but as a professional you follow good business ethics because you want to Ethics are codes of operation, morals, and scruples that business people follow to show that they’re responsible citizens and reliable members of the business community You’ll develop your own code of ethics as you mature in your work There are some basic rules that apply to all called the Locksmith’s Code of Ethics Today’s public demands the best from the people who provide the services they need The more important the service, the more important professional credentials become Potential customers want to know that the person they’re entrusting their security to—the locksmith—is honest and competent Locksmiths can be certified, licensed, or bonded As a locksmith, you must keep abreast of new technology The locksmith who doesn’t know how to work with new technologies will lose customers Joining a local, state or national professional association is one way to keep up with new developments in your field There are many to which you can belong, with a variety of benefits to their members Books and periodicals are also excellent sources of information for the resourceful locksmith Check Books in Print at your local library for relevant books Take time to read and update your skills, it will pay off in increased business To start your own business, you’ll need all the basic start-up materials that every businessperson needs: phones, furniture, office supplies, insurance, licensing and permits where appropriate, an accounting system, and an advertising plan and budget In short, you need a complete business plan Every business needs some kind of material in order to operate successfully This is especially true of retail businesses, which need inventory to sell to customers And while locksmithing is in many respects primarily a service industry—that is, you’re selling your abilities and knowledge—you’ll also make money operating as a retail business, selling locks, keys, Working as a Professional Locksmith 65 alarms, and all the other items you’ve learned about Managing and regulating your inventory is important because inventory controls the cash flow in your business There are a variety of options available to locksmiths They may own their own shop, work part-time to gain experience, work for another locksmith, work as an “in-house” locksmith for a company, work in security, or work as a teacher or consultant Getting a good job, a job that makes you feel productive, fulfilled, and happy with yourself, is one of the most important steps you can take in life And because it’s so important, you have to work just as hard looking for a job, as you’ll later work doing the job itself Job hunting is a full-time job in itself You’ll be interviewing, filling out employment applications, and waiting in between By concentrating your efforts, you’ll cover more potential employers in a shorter time, and you’ll almost certainly find a job faster And it won’t just be any job, but a job that best fits your needs and goals Where you begin to look for a job? A job lead is any type of contact that can lead you to a job opening It’s important to realize that job leads are everywhere and can come from anyone A resume is a written summary of an individual’s education and work history It’s usually submitted with a letter of application or cover letter, but may also be attached to an employer’s standard application form It’s important that your resume is well written, concise, neatly typed, and presented in the most effective form The letter of application is the first step It should make the prospective employer want to meet and interview you, the important second step in getting a good job Make your letter short, factual, and hard-hitting With every sentence, use the YOU attitude That means, concentrate on what the reader really wants to know Try to give the impression that you’re efficient, loyal, dependable, and versatile, since these are qualities an employer looks for in a potential employee The personal interview may be the most important single step that determines whether or not you get the job It shows the employer how well you think on your feet More importantly, the interview shows your skills in dealing with other people If you handle yourself well in an interview, you demonstrate that you probably also know how to handle yourself 66 Working as a Professional Locksmith on the job Thus you increase your chance of being the employer’s first choice Arriving for the interview well prepared, professionally dressed, and having a positive attitude is important; but once you’re there, you must know how to act First of all, be on time In fact, be early Enter the room confidently Don’t be too stiff or too relaxed Greet the interviewer with a smile, introduce yourself, and offer to shake hands Answer the interviewer’s questions candidly Be complete Don’t wander off the subject Expect tough questions; they may want to see how you’ll react to a tough situation Keep your cool A follow-up thank you letter should be sent immediately after your interview It should be short, remind the employer who you are, and thank the person for the interview Repeat your desire to work for the company, and take the opportunity to enlarge upon answers that were perhaps not sufficiently addressed in the interview Repeat your thanks and sign off with a final reference to your hopes for the future with this company Working as a Professional Locksmith 67 Do You Know Now Below are the answers to the questions asked at the beginning of this study unit What is a noncompeting agreement? A noncompeting agreement or restrictive covenant is a legal agreement between an employer and employee that the employee won’t take the skills learned from his or her employer and open up a competing business Where you find information on locksmithing law for your area? To find out about locksmithing law in your area, contact local agencies An excellent first step is to visit your local police department to introduce yourself This shows you want to cooperate with law enforcement officials Other locksmiths can also be a source of information about local laws A third source are the local, state/provincial, or national locksmithing organizations What is the Locksmith’s Code of Ethics? The Locksmith’s Code of Ethics are codes of operation, morals, and scruples that locksmith’s follow to show that they’re responsible citizens and responsible members of the business community 68 Working as a Professional Locksmith NOTES 69 Locking It Up! Answers 1 Electronic security systems; home installation and repair; automobile door and ignition locks; safes and vaults; and many other areas It offers security, the opportunity to learn from professionals on the job, and the chance for meeting and working with new people You’ll be working for someone else; you’ll be low in seniority and have to some less welcome jobs, and your job will depend on somebody else Company training; postgraduate training; research/reference; books; catalogs/repair manuals; practice kits, parts from old locks or devices, machine manuals; networking Hospitals, schools, and hotels often employ locksmiths Basically, it’s a locksmith shop in a van or panel truck It allows you to take necessary tools and supplies to the job site False True False True False True Once a lock is attached it becomes part of realty and you can be arrested if you try to remove it A written agreement would help because you could threaten legal action If you told her there was a minimum service charge for the visit, she owes you If you said nothing, she may refuse to pay you However, if she has any sense of fairness she should offer to pay BUT YOU AS A PROFESSIONAL SHOULD NEVER GET ANGRY IN A CASE LIKE THIS Show her that you’re a pro Assuming that he’s the owner or co-owner of the home, he can hire you to open the door As long as the couple is still married, and he’s still legally a resident of the house, you can open the door for him Would you it? That’s a question that you must answer for yourself If you decide to open the door, make certain that he understands the service charge for an emer- 70 Locking It Up! Answers gency visit at midnight Make him give you a firm commitment and when you get there ask him to sign a form stating that he knows—before you open the lock Note: If the couple is arguing when you arrive, don’t get drawn into their fight by choosing sides Don’t open the lock; call police If you made an agreement with him on the phone, in conscience and in law he owes you If you didn’t get an agreement, you’re not paying attention to this study unit You don’t have to return the key because he made an agreement with you BUT are you going to lose the goodwill of the customer for the cost of a blank? You might wish to explain that you’re extending a courtesy to him and that under the law you don’t have to return his key until he pays If deadbolts or any kind of locks are installed on fire doors or panic doors, they must be released by one action (the push of the bar) These regulations are contained in the Life Safety Code Handbook If the bars were installed properly, that is, if they were bolted into studs surrounding the window and not merely drilled in plaster, then Security Sellers isn’t liable a It sets a minimum standard that all members of the association should meet b It sets a minimum standard that all customers can expect from an association member You don’t have to return the key, even at the request of the police officer But remember common sense It may be better to return the key than risk getting a reputation as difficult c The profession itself would already have standards in place if a state government should decide to require licensing for locksmiths, as more and more states are doing Because military equipment is sold as surplus so frequently, you could generally assume that most items are what the client says they are; but if you were near a military base, you should find out more about the items Be very careful about the other items; schools and companies don’t sell surplus items that often and they usually provide a receipt Insist on one Always make sure the client actually owns the item you’re opening d It’s a way to assure that locksmiths continue their education For two reasons: a license is granted by an appropriate government body, and it’s for a business that can come under police regulation Bonding is a type of insurance that protects the company or owner in the event that an employee steals or does something dishonest on the job Locking It Up! Answers 71 5 Money order, or certified or cashier’s check Seminars and conferences; group insurance; technical and business publications; finding out about business trends; networking; certification False Locksmith Security Association False Books in Print False Look in the Yellow Pages of your telephone book True The Lock Museum of America False True False False Yellow Pages, Chamber of Commerce, networking, library, Small Business Office Inventory is the collection of materials that a business has for sale It refers to goods, not services Locksmithing is a service industry because what it offers for sale is primarily the locksmith’s knowledge and ability Buying too much inventory ties up your cash; and if the inventory is slow-moving merchandise, the cash you bought it with is unavailable until that merchandise is sold On the other hand, if you purchase too little inventory, you won’t have the merchandise your customers want—they’ll learn to turn to your competitors for those items and you’ll lose their business False True 10 a Owning your own shop b Working in another locksmith’s shop c Working for large institutions d Working in security e Teaching f Consulting 11 a Security of having a steady job b The opportunity to develop skills on the job from professionals c The opportunity to belong to a group, to network 12 There are two types of resumes: chronological and functional 72 Locking It Up! Answers NOTES Examination 73 Working as a Professional Locksmith EXAMINATION NUMBER: 03101400 Whichever method you use in submitting your exam answers to the school, you must use the number above For the quickest test results, go to http://www.takeexamsonline.com When you feel confident that you have mastered the material in this study unit, complete the following examination Then submit only your answers to the school for grading, using one of the examination answer options described in your “Test Materials” envelope Send your answers for this examination as soon as you complete it Do not wait until another examination is ready Questions 1-20: Select the one best answer to each question What is the most important piece of legal advice given to locksmiths? A Get it in writing B Keep inventory low C Don’t give credit D Never trust anyone Which association publishes a “Who’s Who Among Professional Locksmiths”? A B C D Associated Locksmiths of America International Master Locksmiths Association Locksmith Security Association Security Enforcers Association 74 Examination What factors should you consider when choosing a distributor for parts and supplies for your locksmithing business? A B C D Price, prompt delivery, and friendly sales representatives Service, inventory availability, price, and location Price and service only Cheapest supplies, quick delivery, and best service A chronological resume is different from a functional resume in that it doesn’t focus on A references B education C previous jobs D skills One of the most important attitudes to remember in both letters of application and interviews is the A “aggressive” attitude B “YOU” attitude C “educated” attitude D “I” attitude Which of the following statements regarding professional locksmithing ethics is correct? A State or provincial laws are of no concern to the locksmith with a small business; only local laws need to be obeyed B Information about locksmithing and security techniques should be freely shared with any person who wishes to learn from you C Keep thorough written records of the work you performed for your various customers D Even if you have no idea how to fix a particular lock or security device, you should never recommend that your customer consult another professional locksmith It’s illegal for an employer to ask you one of these questions, and you don’t have to answer it Which one is it? A B C D What is your name and address? What was your hourly rate at your last place of employment? Can you provide a list of references? Do you have a disability? What additional skill is necessary if you’re planning to specialize in home lock installations and repairs? A Plumbing B Electronics C Carpentry D Landscaping Examination 75 You’re thinking about specializing in safe and vault work, so you some research in your local area to see if this specialty would be profitable for you Which of the following indicates that it would be a good specialty in your area? A B C D A lot of other locksmiths are already doing it There’s a definite need for it, but no other locksmiths are doing it There’s no need for it, so there would be no competition You just like doing it 10 To find out more about locksmith suppliers you would most likely turn to A Books in Print B Thomas Register C Locksmith Law D Encyclopedia of Associations 11 You’re called out at night to open a locked, expensive automobile What should you to be reasonably sure that the person who called is the owner of the car? A Ask the person for proper ID, and have the person sign a declaration of ownership form B Insist that the person produce the title to the car C Note if the person is wearing expensive clothes that would match the expensive car D Note if the person seems honest 12 What is the safest method of payment for inventory that has yet to be shipped? A Money order B Company check C C.O.D D Cash 13 Your employee would most likely be bonded with a/an A fidelity bond B bail bond C unconditional bond D security bond 14 When you’re job hunting, your most important task is to A keep as calm as you can B read as many want ads as you can C find as many job leads as you can D visit as many companies as you can 15 The portion of the resume that specifies the type of job that you’re looking for is the A skills section B professional objective section C personal information section D education section 16 What is the second step in the process of contacting a potential employer? A The letter of application B The job application C The interview D The thank you letter 76 Examination 17 Certification is usually obtained through A B C D other locksmiths a school, professional association, or organization local police a government agency only 18 Clean clothes, a neat appearance, a “YOU” attitude, and a courteous manner are all part of A the laws of locksmithing B the locksmith code C portraying an educated demeanor D your professional image 19 A form listing the agreed-to tasks to be performed by the locksmith and signed by the customer is known as a/an A restrictive covenant B declaration of ownership C authorization for service D right to work agreement 20 If you can’t afford an answering service to help you with your road call business, the next best thing is to A hire a relative B use an answering machine C drop the emergency business D get a business radio Working as a Professional Locksmith 77 COMING ATTRACTIONS Now you can look forward to a successful career as a locksmith—thanks to your own hard work and careful study Remember that your career will flourish only if you continually work to improve your skill and professionalism Keep learning and looking for new challenges in your field Your success will make the future brighter for you and your family ... paste solder, and brass These learning aids are yours to keep and use while you’re studying and when you begin to work in the field that FIGURE 3—These are some of the learning aids you receive with... you go on to that material, please take time to complete Self-Check Learning Strategies Self-Check At the end of each section of Learning Strategies, you’ll be asked to pause and check your understanding... alone, you can reinforce your learning by reciting key concepts out loud or reading them into a tape machine and listening to the tape later Or you can explain what you’re learning to your friends