Manufacturing Technology course modifications for 2017-18
These course proposals are the result of restructuring and modularizing the current manufacturing technology course offerings to more closely align them with the needs of our students, goals of the college and the needs of local industry.
As currently implemented, the course structure of manufacturing technology has a few problems that are addressed by this restructuring.
- Certain courses required for graduation are only offered in specific terms making it difficult or impossible for students to obtain their AAS degree in two years if they do not start in the fall term.
- The program is heavily weighted toward manual machining skills while the current job market has more opportunities for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinists.
- A large portion of the instruction is provided in a single, monolithic, variable credit course that student’s take for their entire time in the program.
The new courses in this proposal completely replace the existing courses. They allow students to start in any term and complete their AAS degree in two years. They provide more and earlier instruction in CNC skills to better prepare students for the current job market. They modularize the program so as to better communicate and track learning objectives. In addition, they provide a series of stackable certificates that students can earn while progressing toward their AAS degree.
Another benefit of modularizing the coursework is that it lays the foundation for providing targeted certificates and training for specific skill sets asked for by industry.
In addition to the change in program structure is a change in instructional materials and teaching methodology. Rather than a paper textbook, these courses use interactive online course materials. This change in methodology will allow students to complete the instruction at their own pace and at home if desired. It will also free up instructor resources to spend more time on the shop floor teaching skills which are best taught at the machine instead of in the classroom.
The on-line educational training provider chosen for these courses is Tooling-U. Tooling U provides a number of advantages.
- Coursework is offered in multiple languages allowing some students whose primary language is not English to receive instruction in their preferred language.
- Tooling-U is aligned with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the National Metalworking Society ensuring that the training is applicable to and responsive to industry needs.
- Tooling-U provides tools to test and track learning outcomes, enabling instructors to spend more time teaching on the shop floor.