I do agree with Prosser’s Theorem 3, especially the end of the statement. “Vocational education should provide the manipulative skills required in the occupation itself” is a specific part of my job as a teacher that I particularly believe in. I interpret this as meaning giving the students “hands on” experience to prepare them for the specific pathway they have chosen. Doing particular aspects of a job yourself is the best way to learn any skill. Some students will learn parts of a skill by watching and others by listening, but, the actual doing is the most beneficial.
One way I introduce hands on skill building is through an assignment which teaches students how to incorporate budgeting into a professional project. In order to prepare them for this project, I have them prepare a personal budget first. This budget is based on yearly salaries with all expenditures assigned specific percentages that cannot be exceeded. The students learn how to break up their income into smaller outgoing pieces and are shown how this corresponds to budgeting for a business project. By the time they are doing the professional project, they have already done one budget and have a better understanding of the process. I believe this type learning is what Prosser is referring to in his Theorem 3 statement.
2 comments:
I agree with you Terry. Hands on learning is a huge part of CTE. As much as "outsiders" want to create a cerebral atmosphere in the classroom these days, we can NOT leave out the physical skills that are included in our content areas. In order to reach ALL of our students we are challenged with combining the cerebral and physical to create activities that challenge and show growth. I will never forget the water picture/check book demo you did for us this summer. You very much made a connection that will not soon be forgotten.
I love your lesson idea, Terry. I firmly believe that these students will learn better when they see how the information either relates to their life, or they see it in action. Your budget lesson makes sure both of those take place.
I am also glad you use their budgeting of money as your example, because once they see they are out of cash, a bit of reality sets in. Hopefully that same concept will follow them in the future.
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