Flexibility in the Easter block course.


This Easter we are running a block course for our year 3 apprentices where a lot of them are from out of town.
The flexibility comes with having to deliver all of its contents in a two week window.Above is a CNC lathe, computer numerical control that they get to learn how to programme.. This is delivered in three days 16-18th and is full on with theory,programming a dummy console and then finally being able to complete a programme and then let the machine do its work.The flexibility here comes with making sure not everybody is doing the same all at once so there is no waiting or standing around, the learning also varies with the different tasks that are delivered and in different ways like i mentioned before.They also have to do welding and fabrication exercises in the second week with lots of different tests for them to complete, again we start them on different tests so there are no bottle necks.

 
Some of the tests  that they do include four different kinds of welding techniques with different materials, MiG wire,MiG flux core,Tig and Arc.Time in delivery and flexibility are at a premium but we ensure they all get through and hopefully complete the course. If the course wasn't flexible and the learning wasn't flexible then it would be difficult to complete.

What does flexible learning mean to me when using project based learning with Youth guarantee.

We have to be indeed flexible with this concept,a lot of these guys were disengaged with the school system, they didn't come to poly tech to follow the same formula as school.That is why because of the style/type of learner we introduced them to project based learning where they learn all the different facets of engineering and automotive but they don't have a lot of theory and paper work.They do literacy and numeracy throughout the day even though we disguise it in a manner in  that they are busy working.(measuring,calculating,using digital readouts and equipment,pricing up of components for projects,etc).If we sat them down in a classroom and loaded them up with lots of theory then we would not be as successful as we are now with this type of learner, project base really works with these guys.You can then introduce them to the theory after you have applied the practical.

Choices

Hi Sarah,
another example of the flexible learning that goes into the building of the go karts is choices.The students have choices on what designs and styles they want in conjunction with race rules.
They do sketch design sketch work and also use the net for other designs.For easy reference they use older karts from previous years for tips about handling and steering geometry and footage from previous grass kart challenges. The learning here comes from the choices.

Future flexible learning.

Future flexible learning.
I think that when we take our students on trips to industries that are relevant to what they are learning here then that has got to be beneficial, old places like Hayes eng and more modern techniques like Mcraes mining.This kind of stimulus i would like to see more of as they ask more questions and the interest level definitley does rise, field trips are a useful tool and the flexibility is paramount.More of this in the future please!!!

Time.

What does this mean to me in flexible learning.The initial time i look for is the time in a day and how this affects the class , we have limited time in a block course normally only 10 days to deliver a block that consists of theory,practical, assessments and ability.We have noticed that in some cases where we have had to preempt and formalise items (plan) better in some cases so as the delivery is maintained.Time is definitely a factor in a block course so our flexibility comes through in planning better,pre fabricating the projects before the course and making sure the students get their books and material from the supplier earlier so as they also have time to read up about the course and its contents another flexible option we use is by splitting the class and have a tutor teach the welding  and another tutor teach the fabrication this allows better use of the time allocated and gives the student a better time frame for finishing . 

Why do we have to be flexible in our work.
I think that because i have different types of classes,Automech,Bmets,night welding classes,block courses and so on.This in itself makes you flexible because each class is different and the students are doing different work and projects.The bmets and block courses are assessed by their competency and by passing the relevant unit standards.Automech are assessed on their achievements,standard of work and by using project based learning.The night  welding classes achieve by doing the various welding techniques and are then critiqued on their performances.As you can see a great deal of flexibility is used and formalised to accommodate each class because no one class is the same.Night classes are shown what to do and are then encouraged to do the same, other classes can use moodle or you tube learning and then others use textbook units that they have to complete. Again being flexible for the different learners and the different classes.

Hi everyone,
my name is Nick Moss and i am the programme manager /lecturer for engineering trades and  our youth guarantee programme involving auto mechanical.The trades programme is called Bmets and involves the first year of an apprenticeship involving welding,fabrication and machining.The Automech course is one that involves the students doing various skills,projects and building grass karts and mini pit bikes for racing (fun).
This means we do some theory work  but we do a lot of practical work in the workshop.