Engine Diagnostics Lab

This weeks lab was all about problem-based learning. I decided to teach a lesson on small gas engine diagnostics to my lab group; problem based learning came fairly easy to me whenever I thought about the lesson as a lab idea. I enjoyed writing this lesson plan because I really enjoy ag. mechanics and working through my own problems.

Whenever I developed the idea to give the students scenarios and have them figure out what was wrong with the engine, it really sparked my interest to teach the lesson! In order for my lesson to work correctly, I was going to need to ask a lot of "loaded" questions that made them think and throw in clues that set the stage for scenario.

The Good:

• I think that I had a pretty solid lesson prepared that got the students to think about the different ways to diagnose an engine, and that it is not always what they think it is.
• I am getting way more comfortable whenever teaching and my rate of which I teach is starting to get better! 
• My lesson plan was thought out with all of the essential elements and was there for me to read if I got stuck. 
• Classroom management seemed to go pretty good for me, my "students" gave me a hard time and really pushed me to be on top of my game and to pay attention to both sides of the room. 

The Bad:

• My clarity of giving directions is sometimes a little bit confusing. I realize that there will always be students who have questions or will be confused about what you want them to do next, but I feel that it happened a little more than it should have. 

I feel that I am definitely improving my teaching skills as the semester goes on and it is making me even more excited for the spring at Bellwood-Antis High School. I still have a long way to come before I am ready, but I am up for the challenge!

Thanks,

Mike