is it induction or introduction?

Question

everyone says they are going on an "induction" course now, whats the difference between an induction course and an "INTRODUCTION "course?
when I was at college, induction was an electrical engineering term!

Answer 1

It must be an "introduction" course...induction is an engineering term...

Answer 2

Induction is more formal... for instance, a college induction course would be like an orientation into college life, etc. It would be something formally bringing you into an institution. There might be a "College Induction Course" or a "School of Engineerign Induction Course." Though I've never heard of such a thing... I'm just basing that off of the definition of "induction." Typically you're inducted into a Hall of Fame, not into a college. College likes to use the term "matriculation."

An introduction course would be the first course in a series of related coursework, like an Introduction to Chemistry or Introduction to Literature course.

I'm guessing they're just mispronouncing it or simply using the wrong word. Some places have weird colloquialisms like that because one prominent but senile professor started using the word incorrectly and everyone else just blindly jumped on the bandwagon, and everyone just takes it for granted and it becomes part of the community vocabulary. Happens in politics all the time.

Answer 3

To "induct" means to bring into or introduce. An "introduction" also means to bring into something or to make something known formally to another. While the two terms sound the same, the difference is in the intention. Simply stated, induction means to introduce in a timely manner the essentials that one would need in order to function in the environment which they are in (employers often call this orientation). Introduction, on the other hand, is a gradual process, allowing the learner to understand the framework for the work that will follow.

For example, you "induct" someone into the army. Within a few hours of the person arriving at the military base they understand the basics of what goes on at the camp and how they are expected to act. This is an induction. If you are in college and you are beginning a course of study in your chosen field, you sometimes are expected to take induction type classes. These classes prepare you for the career you are about to embark upon. It helps you decide if this field is something that you really want to spend the next four years pursuing. As in your example of electrical engineering, an induction class might include workshops that required you to work with finite objects (fine motor skills), a mathematics course (ablility to do mathematical calculations) that included terminology (ability to relate to the language about to be used on a daily basis) that an electrical engineer should know. It might even contain a component which requires the student to seek out some field work experience such as a mentorship program or work/study situation in the field of study.

An introductory course would give an overview of the general area that you are studying. For example, for the history major it would be important that the student understands when different events occur in a general sense before delving into specific areas. It is important for students studying World War II understand the events that lead up to the war, what our country was doing in its history before this time and how it interacted with other countries (especially different European countries) before concentrating on the specifics.

Induction introduces you quickly to subject area, introduction touches on a bunch of the parts of a subject but only briefly (comparatively speaking) and more gently. In swimming pool metaphor, induction is the cannonball approach to getting wet while introduction is the wading into the pool from the shallow end and stopping to let you body adjust to the water temperature before proceeding. Does that make sense?

Answer 4

Induction can be when you are taken into some organization.

He was inducted into the Army last month.
She was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Introduction is when you are being introduced to something or someone new.

I had to take the introduction course in math.
I was pleased to have an introduction to the fine gentleman.

Answer 5

Induction denotes that you are to be formally made a part of an organization, as with an induction ceremony for military recruits.

Introduction then denotes familiarization.

Answer 6

When u get inducted, it's induction course: otherwise, introduction!

Answer 7

induction post tens
introduction pre or present tens

Answer 8

Sounds like a GW Bush pronounciation.