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But at least she's thinking. Although she is wrong -- people in this thread have proposed teaching trades in high school. A survey course in "Principles of Trades" might be a good survey course, which is what I kinda think you are suggesting.
But at least she's thinking. Although she is wrong -- people in this thread have proposed teaching trades in high school. A survey course in "Principles of Trades" might be a good survey course, which is what I kinda think you are suggesting.
I think you meant tnff suggested it, not me. As for me, I'll say "Yes, but. . . ".
1. This stuff is being taught! What kid graduates not knowing how to use a ruler, for example? Some of these other skills are taught in science labs and the like.
2. When I was in Jr. High back in the early 60s, all girls took two years of home ec, and all boys took two years of "shop" where they (the boys) learned how to use all these tools. I went into Home Ec with considerable sewing skills and a few cooking skills, still didn't like it. I don't know what went on in shop classes, except that my brother absolutely despised it. The teacher was a jerk (according to him) and he says he used to hope every week that the guy wouldn't be there. There were no required "practical experiences" courses at my high school in the late 60s, but almost everyone took typing. When Joe Namath, a graduate of my HS, did some ads for typewriters, it was said he was chosen because he, like almost every graduate of Beaver Falls High School, could type.
Fast forward to the mid to late 90s with my kids in middle school, these courses were relegated to the 6th grade "exploratory wheel" with 6 weeks of each for both boys and girls. Everything else was elective. Even in the three years between the oldest and the youngest, "shop" changed from woodworking to more CAD stuff. My kids were required to take a "practical" course in HS, and many were offered that they could take as electives.
Last edited by Katarina Witt; 03-03-2017 at 08:21 AM..
Here's the problem with pushing the trades. In one recent survey they asked adults if they had become what they thought wanted to be when they were in high school. 78% said they had become something different than what they had wanted to be in high school.
In a sense, today's education system is neutral. It doesn't push anyone to be a mathematician or a physicist, or an author, or an historian. It's sort of a broad-based program to give kids an overview of various fields of study. In my view, it should include an overview of various trades, as well. But that gets complicated. For example, Jerseygal4u brought up nursing as an example. We tend to think of trades in school as this small number of things like auto mechanics and woodworking, etc.
Here's one list of trades:
Architectural Glass and Metal Technician
Brick and Stone Mason
Cement (Concrete) Finisher
Cement Mason
Concrete Pump Operator
Construction Boilermaker
Construction Craft Worker
Construction Millwright
Drywall, Acoustic and Lathing Applicator
Drywall Finisher and Plasterer
Electrician - Construction and Maintenance *
Electrician - Domestic and Rural *
Exterior Insulated Finish Systems Mechanic
Floor Covering Installer
General Carpenter
Hazardous Materials Worker
Heat and Frost Insulator
Heavy Equipment Operator - Dozer
Heavy Equipment Operator - Excavator
Heavy Equipment Operator - Tractor Loader Backhoe
Hoisting Engineer - Mobile Crane Operator 1 *
Hoisting Engineer - Mobile Crane Operator 2 *
Hoisting Engineer - Tower Crane Operator *
Ironworker - Generalist
Ironworker - Structural and Ornamental
Native Residential Construction Worker
Painter and Decorator - Commercial and Residential
Painter and Decorator - Industrial
Plumber *
Powerline Technician
Precast Concrete Erector
Precast Concrete Finisher
Refractory Mason
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic *
Reinforcing Rodworker
Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic *
Residential (Low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer
Restoration Mason
Roofer
Sheet Metal Worker *
Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer
Steamfitter *
Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter
Industrial Trades
Bearings Mechanic
Blacksmith
Cabinetmaker
Composite Structures Technician
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer
Die Designer
Draftsperson - Mechanical
Draftsperson - Plastic Mould Design
Draftsperson - Tool & Die Design
Electric Motor System Technician
Electrical Control (Machine) Builder
Electrician (Signal Maintenance)
Elevating Devices Mechanic
Entertainment Industry Power Technician
Facilities Mechanic
Facilities Technician
Fitter - Assembler (Motor Assembly)
General Machinist
Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic
Industrial Electrician
Industrial Mechanic Millwright
Instrumentation and Control Technician
Light Rail Overhead Contact System Linesperson
Locksmith
Machine Tool Builder and Integrator
Metal Fabricator (Fitter)
Mould Designer
Mould Maker
Mould or Die Finisher
Optics Technician (Lens and Prism Maker)
Packaging Machine Mechanic
Pattern Maker
Precision Metal Fabricator
Pressure Systems Welder
Process Operator - Food manufacturing
Process Operator - Power
Process Operator - Refinery, Chemical and Liquid Processes
Process Operator - Wood Products
Pump Systems Installer
Railway Car Technician
Relay and Instrumentation Technician
Roll Grinder/Turner
Saw Filer/Fitter
Ski Lift Mechanic
Surface Blaster
Surface Mount Assembler
Thin Film Technician
Tool and Cutter Grinder
Tool and Die Maker
Tool and Gauge Inspector
Tool/Tooling Maker
Tractor-Trailer Commercial Driver
Water Well Driller
Welder
Motive Power
Agricultural Equipment Technician
Alignment and Brakes Technician *
Auto Body and Collision Damager Repairer *
Auto Body Repairer *
Automotive Electronic Accessory Technician *
Automotive Glass Technician
Automotive Painter
Automotive Service Technician *
Fuel and Electrical Systems Technician *
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
Marine Engine Technician
Motive Power Machinist
Motorcycle Technician *
Powered Lift Truck Technician
Recreation Vehicle Technician
Small Engine Technician
Tire, Wheel and Rim Mechanic
Transmission Technician *
Truck and Coach Technician *
Truck-Trailer Service Technician *
Turf Equipment Technician
Services Sector
Aboriginal Child Care Practitioner **
Agricultural - Dairy Herdsperson
Agricultural - Fruit Grower
Agricultural - Swine Herdsperson
Appliance Service Technician
Arborist
Assistant Cook
Baker
Baker-Patissier
Chef
Child and Youth Worker
Child Care Practitioner
Cook
Developmental Services Worker
Educational Assistant
Electronic Service Technician
Gemsetter/Goldsmith
Hairstylist *
Hardware, Lumber and Building Materials Retailer
Horse Groom
Horse Harness Maker
Horticultural Technician
Information Technology - Contact Centre Customer Service Agent
Information Technology - Contact Centre Sales Agent
Information Technology - Contact Centre Technical Support Agent
And for the districts that don't, it's not that they're opposed or don't want to, but that the budget doesn't accommodate them. Usually VoTech is in the 2nd round of cuts after arts when under budget pressure.
Exterior Insulated Finish Systems Mechanic
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic *
Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic *
Bearings Mechanic
Draftsperson - Mechanical
Elevating Devices Mechanic
Facilities Mechanic
Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic
Industrial Mechanic Millwright
Packaging Machine Mechanic
Ski Lift Mechanic
Tire, Wheel and Rim Mechanic
Electrician - Construction and Maintenance * Electrician - Domestic and Rural * Electric Motor System Technician Electrical Control (Machine) Builder Electrician (Signal Maintenance)
Industrial Electrician
Automotive Electronic Accessory Technician *
Fuel and Electrical Systems Technician * Electronic Service Technician
Micro Electronics Manufacturer
How much do these categories matter at the high school level? I was debating between electrical and mechanical engineering when I was in high school. The cars did not contain computers back then but they still had electrical systems. But they are both applied physics. So much complicated electrical stuff is really cheap these days. Who needs school if you really want to learn it?
Schools should have a version of thins that can be taken apart and rebuilt multiple times. Wanting to know enough to understand how machines work does not necessarily mean wanting to be a mechanic. How often are people who know nothing told a bunch of BS to be ripped off?
You know, I had about given up on this thread but since you published such a long and ridiculous list of trades to imply "Oh my there are so many, we can't teach them all and since we can't pick, then ..." You're just creating a straw man to knock down because NO ONE in this discussion said any such thing. But there are a lot of common skills that apply across many trades that if taught in school, prepare one for a large number of specific trades afterward. Things that sound simple, but aren't. Like properly reading a ruler, or a micrometer. How to set up and read a volt meter. Guess what -- these are skills that are used in trades and college too. How to create and read scale drawings. Basic mechanical design. Trouble shooting. How to use a hammer, saw, drill, simple machine tools, basic welding. And so forth. All fundamental skills that help in life, in college, and in learning trades later. Same thing for skills like touch typing, sewing, cooking. Basic stuff. Just like 2+2 is a basic step toward eventually learning calculus.
Today's education is in many ways not neutral because it leaves out so many fundamental skills that set the stage for later options. Providing these types of skills is not trapping students in demeaning jobs as so many posts on here seem to imply but is providing viable alternatives.
Touchtyping?
Cooking and Sewing?
Those are skills straight out an early 20th century school curriculum for those women planning to be housewives.
Why should a school waste precious resources on teaching those skills?
Come to think of it,I can't think of the last time I used those skills on the job.
I do not think I ever did.
Those are skills straight out an early 20th century school curriculum for those women planning to be housewives.
Why should a school waste precious resources on teaching those skills?
Come to think of it,I can't think of the last time I used those skills on the job.
I do not think I ever did.
And I think you've pointed out the problem with threads like this. Everyone has their own little pet belief about what school should include. And to those who like to spend hours putting forth their little pets, here's reality -- go the local school board meetings, or even run yourself, and use the democratic process to convince the public as represented by your school board to do what you think is most appropriate.
How much do these categories matter at the high school level? I was debating between electrical and mechanical engineering when I was in high school. The cars did not contain computers back then but they still had electrical systems. But they are both applied physics. So much complicated electrical stuff is really cheap these days. Who needs school if you really want to learn it?
psik
Generally, to get a license, one has to have the requisite classroom hours in various subjects.
Those are skills straight out an early 20th century school curriculum for those women planning to be housewives.
Why should a school waste precious resources on teaching those skills?
Come to think of it,I can't think of the last time I used those skills on the job.
I do not think I ever did.
A doctor once asked me to prepare a baby bottle for a tiny patient. But that's it.
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