In a prior post, I briefly touched on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) methodology of "Tell me...Show me...Let me do it." This multi-sensory method of teaching doesn't work in a straight line, rather it's a self-reinforcing process. I've seen it in action, and I can tell you that it is en-grained in every CTE program. The training facilities are set up in a way which is conducive to the process, with a classroom adjacent or very near the hands-on instructional area.
Let me illustrate this using a few applications:
- My prior post talks about Welding Technology. The only way to learn welding is by doing it! Students get theory, demonstration and hands-on...lots of hands-on. Anyone who has tried to weld can tell you how frustrating it can be; try welding overhead or pipe welding. You cannot learn the process from a book or even with demonstration. The hands-on part is the "clincher"!
- If you watch an experienced industrial electrician bend conduit, the process looks easy. It isn't!
Working with conduit, especially IMC and Rigid (see pic right), requires mathematical skill, mechanical skill and lots of practice. Again, theory and demonstration come into play, but without hands-on practice, you can't learn to work with electrical pipe. The experienced electrical instructor at my school, Bob Hassaj, teaches students about series/parallel circuits and demonstrates it as well. But students don't fully understand until they get a chance to apply the thought process to a mock-up situation. Series/Parallel circuits are the basis for most electricity, including motor controls. But the real learning happens when the hands-on part takes place. Mr. Hassaj requires a demonstrated skill level in every aspect of the trade from his students.
- Have you ever watched an experienced cosmetologist cut hair? You can't cut hair without first spending hours practicing. The term "hair dresser" doesn't begin to describe the skill needed to be a licensed cosmetologist! Our school offers program operated by two teachers, Yolanda Martinelli and Christine Menechini. Both of these professionals have a cosmetology teaching license, and the program is intense as well as demanding. The students don't just put in hours; these 2 teachers demand a demonstrated skill level! Again, the hands-on portion is the focus.
- Each year around this time, I hear the pounding sound of hammers when I walk by the
Plumbing/Heating shop area. The sound is the students using a "swedge" tool and hammer to expand pipe for subsequent soldering practice. The process not only prepares the pipe for soldering practice, but it teaches the hand/eye coordination and strength needed to hit a swedge tool while holding the pipe in one hand and swinging a hammer with the other. The students also need to measure the 1/2" depth needed. As instructor Jack Munley explained to me, although using fittings would be easier, it would be more expensive and would not incorporate the various hands-on skills involved in this exercise. Jack is a certified Master Plumber and teacher, plus has many years of experience operating his own business.
There are many examples I could use from my school, because the "tell me...show me...let me do it" methodology is en-grained in every program there. Working with trade professionals who have the ability to teach is indeed gratifying. To me, being a trade professional and a teacher as well is a rare quality!
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