Curriculum Corner

By Jerry Stewart, AVI Curriculum Director

Students may be harder to reach now more than ever with all the distractions that are present in today’s environment. Learning has changed from the early days of the traditional classroom; attention spans have decreased. Now more than ever we need to find innovative ways to reach our students. We need more than one teaching method at our disposal. Interactive web-based programs should be included so the student has access to learning 24/7. The classroom must be flipped so the students are asking the questions rather than the instructor just delivering content. Collaboration should be encouraged by placing students into groups to discuss topics and strategies. Each group should collaborate with other groups. An example of this would be to take a vehicle problem and let each group develop a diagnostic routine. Their diagnostic plans can now be discussed in the classroom with the instructor. Classroom instruction should be filled with hands-on exercises. When a new concept is taught there should be a question-and-answer session about how that concept is used by the technician in a shop and why the technician needs to know that concept. As soon as the concept has been taught, we need to involve a hands-on exercise to prove out the concept.

Example:

Teaching concept: How alternators (generators) work.

Students take an interactive web-based course on alternators(generators).
Teacher ask questions and takes questions from students about interactive module
Teacher points out more details in a short 10-minute presentation about alternators
Students disassemble alternator and label all parts
Instructor gives details of how the rotor must become an electromagnet using a field circuit
Students build a regulated field circuit and apply it to slip rings creating an electromagnetic effect in the rotor.
Students take their new knowledge of how an alternator works and apply that knowledge by testing a charging system on a vehicle using an ASE work sheet.

This teaching style keeps the student involved and interested and creates a positive learning environment.

Keeping Students Engaged Between Terms

Want to keep students learning over the summer? According to the ASE Education Foundation program standard 12, “A maximum of 25% of the instructional-hours requirement may be met by applicable work-based learning activities, e-learning activities, or a combination of both work-based learning and e-learning activities.).” AVI’s Unlimited Educator Pass gives you an unlimited number of seats for your program. You can assign students to work at their own pace over the summer and they can begin the fall semester ready to take ASE certification tests!

Innovating Auto Tech Teaching Methods

Innovative teaching methods in automotive education are essential for engaging students, enhancing learning outcomes, and preparing them for success in a rapidly evolving industry.

Flipped Classroom: The flipped classroom model flips the traditional approach to learning by delivering instructional content outside of the classroom through videos, readings, and online resources, while using class time for interactive activities, discussions, and hands-on exercises. AVI’s All Access Educator Pass, ASE Test Prep and ASE 101 create opportunities for instructors to work with a group of students in the shop while other students can work at their own pace preparing for ASE certifications. Self directed learning systems that can integrate with existing infrastructure at a school are essential to providing differentiated learning opportunities for all students. ASE Educator resources from AVI can be integrated into existing Learning Management Systems or work independently as a web based, on demand learning system. All of our ASE Test Prep courses include Spanish subtitles.
Interactive technologies, such as interactive whiteboards, touchscreen displays, and mobile learning apps, enhance student engagement. But true hands on comes from actual kinesthetic learning experiences such as using trainers or mock ups. AVI’s Hybrid Cutaway and EV Training aids provide a perfect platform for students and teachers to learn by doing.
Industry Partnerships and Work-Based Learning: Collaborating with industry partners and offering work-based learning opportunities, such as internships, co-op programs, and apprenticeships, is essential for providing students with real-world experience and industry-relevant skills. Industry partnerships with local service centers, OEMs or even parts distributors enable students to gain hands-on experience in professional automotive settings, and explore career pathways in the automotive field.