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MOTIVATION
IS KEY TO STUDENTS’
INTEREST IN WELDING
In 1995, Welding
Instructor Mark Sutherland provided readers of The
World of Welding with a wood stove project that one of his
students built. Since that time, Mark has changed schools, now teaching at
General Brock High School in Burlington, Ontario, and is faced
with new challenges.
“Our
school is a vocational type with emphasis on learning
disabilities or behavior problems,” Mark explains.
“Students range in abilities from life skills to
pre-apprenticeship level. With
this in mind, I have had to change my approach to my students
and to welding as a trade.
If a student is motivated and directed, they are able to
pass the Canadian Welding Bureau test and receive their first
welding ticket.”
Mark
continues, “The majority of my students don’t know much
about welding or what metalworking is, but are eager to try
something different.”
One
of the first projects for a new student in the welding class at
General Brock High School is to plasma cut out of mild steel the
name of their favorite band.
The second project is to plasma cut flowers from recycled
metal and weld them together.
The following projects proceed to increase in difficulty
and skill level.
“We
found that by letting our students have fun in the shop, they
are more enthusiastic about our program than ever before,”
says Mark. “Our
biggest surprise has been with the girls in the program.
Many girls are initially hesitant about the sparks and
flames, but with encouragement, their fears quickly
disappear.”
Many
students receive comments from home of how surprised and proud
their parents are of the projects.
“Students
with an artistic ability find a new avenue that they never knew
existed as they begin working with metal,” Mark comments.
Monica
Berlin works with Mark as an educational assistant.
“I
find that having a woman in the welding shop brings a completely
new approach for our students. Monica and I have been working together for approximately
five years and I give her much credit for bringing an artistic
approach to the program and for helping students overcome their
anxieties when working with metal.”
“Having
a successful and growing program does cost money,” Mark adds.
“We are lucky to have the support of the administration
of the school.”
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