Technical Education and the Common Core
With so much emphasis being placed on common core standards and literacy, it almost seems that if you’re outside the math and English core subjects, then the new standards don’t really apply to you. In fact, other standards may be more of a focus for your particular area. For instance, science has NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) to address in addition to the literacy component outlined in the Common Core Standards.
Career and Technical Education courses (CTE) (vocational education) also have a literacy component, where emphasis would be placed on developing a deeper reading comprehension from within the technical discipline.
CCSS and CTE leaders are suggesting eight strategies to bridge the gap between academic and CTE courses, the document titled “Bridging the Divide between College and Career Readiness” offers some practical strategies for achieving this goal.
Our vocational teachers already have a lot to do within their disciplines, so it is understandable that the idea of integrating common core standards into an already busy curriculum would cause some anxiety. Fortunately, most of the students in these classes are getting much of what is outlined in the standards. Students are actively problem solving, taking measurements and learning how to use equipment and follow directions. In fact, you might not know that GCHS currently has a 3D printer. Students can learn to use this technology to create parts, pieces, models and prototypes of equipment that they will later build. This is authentic learning, and not something students can do without skills in reading, problem solving, and even math, in other words, the skills promoted by the Common Core Standards.
The 3D Printer
Mr. Laycock demonstrates the use of the 3D printer. The program he is using sends a design to the room next door where the printer will create the object.
The 3D printer resembles a large microwave. The plate below is what is used when the item is created. The plate can be reused, but each quadrant can only be used once. So, you can either make 16 small objects, or one large object. You can see on the plate which quadrants have already been used.
Here are two items created by the printer: the first is a salt shaker which was made in two pieces and the second is a emblem that can be attached to a key chain or a lanyard.
The video below shows the 3D printer in action!
Author: Shannan Muskopf; find me on Google+
