Derek Place

Using rubrics in a competency based shop setting allow teachers and students to focus on many different skills that align to the three domains of Bloom's.  Assigning descriptor and points gives students an understanding of the expectations and provides the students with feedback on their progress.

A student's learning style is there strength.  Teachers need to help students learn what their learning style is, remind them that their style is their strength and plan lessons and groups that focus on student learning styles.

Competency based learning is important in the shop setting.  Students need to learn the skills needed to move on to the work place.  It is also important to focus on all three of the areas in Bloom's.  Employers are looking for employees that are well rounded, have responsibility, ethics, etc as well as the skills of a trade.

The part of this reading that focuses on the vocational trades is very important.  If we consider as the foundation of communication then we understand that literacy is important in all aspects of education and life.  The idea of not segregating content areas is imperative.  We need our students to understand the importance of literacy.  I would love to collaborate with our English department and have students in my collision class work on reading, writing, and communication in connection with my class.  This will help them see the importance of literacy in life and hopefully increase engagement.

Mobile literacy is ever evolving.  We all want instant information.  In some cases this is very helpful.  If you are working on a vehicle and are struggling with it, you tube videos can often help.  It is important to teach our students to look for multiple sources and determine what aspects of the information is relevant and if it is accurate  and true

Changing thinking around literacy is important.  I like the idea that literacy is more than just reading and writing.  Literacy is really more, it is accessing information and opportunities.  This make more sense in the world we live in and especially in the CTE classroom.

There are four areas of literacy: reading, speaking, writing and listening that are linked to comprehension.  Some students may need to talk to listen.

Teachers can assist students in finding the things that motivate them.  When students know what things motivate them they can increase their engagement in activties.  

In addition to designing lessons that are accessible for all students, it is important to provide students with flexibility in how they are able to express their learning.  Teachers should also help students set their own challenging, realistic, attainable goals so they learn goal setting and executive functioning skills.

When developing material for lesson be sure to include many modes of communication, audio, visual, vocabulary/definitions, videos etc.  It is also important to provide material in different languages so that students are able to access the content in their dominant language.