Teaching Real World Lessons

Overall I can say I agree with Prosser’s Theorem 3 because it touches on the main points we try to stress to our students in the classroom. He first mentions providing students with thinking habits. As a teacher, I not only discuss the curriculum, making sure to meet the standards, but I also attempt to tech my students what I call “real life lessons”. It is simple for me to demonstrate how to properly save a document or a video file, but I take it a step further in making that simple task more relevant to bigger tasks they may face in the future. I explain that if you trust the computer to save your items wherever it wants, then you will be disappointed when the document it missing the next time you go and look for it. I try and teach them those critical thinking skills, stressing the importance of being smarter than the computer and you (the student) telling it (the computer) what to do. Prosser expounds on thinking habits by pointing out technical knowledge and scientific problem solving skills. As CTE teachers, it is our obligation to teach these kids how to properly use the equipment, and we take that a step further by ensuring they know how to do so safely. When it comes to problem solving skills, the best example I have seen in my classroom is letting the kids make a mistake so they will then learn how to correct it in the future. I don’t let the students fail, but sometimes I will know they are completing a task slightly incorrectly, and I will allow the mistake to be made. After it is said and done, I go back with the student and ask them to describe what they did wrong and how they can fix it. Sometimes the most effective learning takes place when they teach themselves. Finally, the theorem points out the students need to learn the manipulative skills required in the workplace. I feel this is the most important thing we teach them. From filling out a resume, and having a firm handshake, to setting up three-point lighting, and speaking clearly while reading a teleprompter, I make sure that the students coming through the BVP program know what will be expected of them if they choose to pursue a career in this field.