MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF change: INTRODUCING A redesigned Industrial Technology curriculum
Unlike large universities where change is fostered and grant money follows cutting-edge research, community colleges have historically been charged with the task of providing traditional vocational training. The need for change in the curriculum, however, has been building. | This Fall, after careful planning and study, Amarillo College is introducing a redesigned Industrial Technology curriculum. The Pace of Change In the world of technology, change is a constant. The “useful life” of our smart devices barely lasts a year before new versions are introduced. Software is revised, patched and uploaded automatically, often several times a day. Manufacturing technology is undergoing a similar accelerated rate of change. After waiting years for depreciation to run its course, plant managers install new capital equipment and then watch in dismay as newer technology rolls out months later.
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Similarly, machine interface software is developed so fast that it creates a domino effect, making it tough and expensive for companies to keep up with the changes. Education has to change, too When technology changes, technical education must change with it. To secure employment and to advance in their careers, our students need to graduate with the most current and relevant skills required in today’s high-tech, industrial workplace. At Amarillo College, it’s our job to teach those skills.
A M A R I L L O C O L L E G E T E C H N I C A L E D U C A T I O N N e w s letter , A P R I L 2 0 1 4
a m e ss a g e f r o m t h e d e a n
RESPONDING TO INDUSTRY:
Building a Culture of Safety In 2012, Amarillo College implemented a purpose statement: Putting People to Work through Industry Partnerships. Our purpose determines the direction for all of the programs at East Campus. True partnering with industry includes exposing our students to what they will encounter in the workforce.
Lyndy forrester
We have heard repeatedly from folks in industry that safety awareness and working safely is a critical piece of their corporate culture. Safety affects the bottom line because it affects the frequency of injuries to employees, a company’s most valuable resource.
Our proactive response includes the creation of a three-member Safety Committee charged with phasing in the new policy in monthly increments. Before this current semester, some students may not have been wearing the required personal protection equipment (PPE). Today, a student cannot walk into a lab or classroom without the required PPE, and this goes for faculty and staff as well. To take the policy further, every faculty and staff member is now required to obtain and keep current their American Heart Association CPR certification. AED (automated external defibrillators) are being ordered for every East Campus building and each faculty and staff member will be trained and certified in their use. These efforts are just the beginning. Safety at East Campus will be more than a few signs on the bulletin board. We plan to make this a permanent part of our culture and teach every student that safety always comes first.
Customized Safety Training: Confined Space Rescue
Hazwopr
Dot Awareness and Safety
Incident Command
Emergency Response
Lockout/Tagout – Zesp
Ergonomics
Osha Fire Extinguishers
Fall Prevention
Osha Live Fire – Fire Brigades
Fema Disaster Preparedness
Respiratory Protection
Hazcom
Rope Rescue
Hazmat
Trenching Operations
Call (806) 335-4228 for more information.
Retirement: Tom Shelton After 38 years teaching at the East Campus, Tom Shelton will be retiring this Spring. Originally hired as a diesel instructor in May 1976, Shelton spent half of his first semester cleaning up Building B after a fire started in a solvent tank. Worried he might be out of a job, Dean Neal assured him he was needed more than ever for cleanup and to get the program going. So that’s what he did. From 1976 through 1980 Shelton taught diesel students until Amarillo College received the regional training contract with General Motors. Representing 55 dealerships, GM techs from Liberal, Kansas to MidlandOdessa came to Amarillo College for GM training. Shelton often traveled to the same dealerships to train new technicians in the field. Shelton believes the GM contract was a win-win for everyone because current technology was disseminated to professionals, and GM supplied the college with the latest equipment for diagnostics and teaching free of charge. GM didn’t even mind that Shelton taught the same class to independent techs at night. They believed it helped business. “You could learn as much during break time as you could during class,” says Shelton, “they’d talk amongst themselves and share information. It was really helpful for everyone to be together.” “Whether I was teaching professionals or beginners, I’ve always loved this job,” says Shelton. His parting message is, “You can’t make it in this world without training. School is just the beginning of a journey that never ends because training goes on forever. Landing a good job is the 1st step.” As for companies like General Motors, Shelton says, “I’d like to see them stay more involved in advanced training and bring training contracts back somehow. We learned a lot that way.” Shelton’s immediate post retirement plans include travel in a fifth wheel camper, and to keep his wife Brenda happy, some home remodeling. A lot of learning happens over 38 years of teaching. Good luck, Tom. You will be missed. Join us for Tom Shelton’s retirement party on April 23 from 1 – 3 pm at the East Campus Student Service Center, Room 129.
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IIndustrial In n Technology Core Curriculum Electromechanical
Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
AAS – Associate A ciate iate atee o off Applied Science Degree A gree ree ee
Instrument & Electronics
Solar Energy
Wind Energyy
General Studies Courses
Level Two Certificate L
ELMT 1301 Basic Programmable Logic Controllers
Level One Certificate L
IEIR 1312 Distribution Systems
M Marketable Skills S Certificate C
MCHN1343 Machine Shop Mathematics
IEIR 1306 Electric Motors
CAPSTONE ELMT 2341 – Electromechanical Systems or ng HART 2336 – Air Conditioning Troubleshooting
IEIR 1310 Motor Controls INMT 1305 Introduction to Industrial Maintenance
WLDG 1307 Introduction to Welding Using Multiple Processes ETWR 1391 Technical Communication
ELPT 1311 Basic Electrical Theory
building on the core: merging and aligning the curriculum Changing The Core Curriculum
Improved Flexibility for Students
The Industrial Technology redesign creates a four-class technical core required by every student in the major. This core consists of Machine Shop Math, Introduction to Industrial Maintenance, Technical Communication and Basic Electrical Theory. Once a student successfully completes these 4 classes they earn a Marketable Skills Certificate in Technical Education.
Students often start with one career in mind, only to change their mind down the road. One of the distinct advantages of the curriculum redesign is the flexibility it affords our students when they change their majors.
These classes provide a solid basis from which students continue into the Electromechanical, HVAC, Instrument and Electronics, and the Solar and Wind Technology programs.
Merging Electronics and Instrumentation
For example, since the core classes are shared, students can switch from HVAC to Instrument and Electronics without having to spend unnecessary time and money.
Instructor Synergy Since the core curriculum is shared by all of the departments, the instructors are invested in its design and have a stake in maintaining its universal application.
Instrumentation and Electronics, historically treated as separate areas of study, have merged in response to the development and universal usage of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controls), which contain both instrument and electronic components.
This involvement promotes efficiency and increases productive collaboration, especially since students will be moving into each core instructor’s specialty.
The high demand for the installation and programming of PLCs has led to the need for technicians to have both electronics and instrumentation competency; and the combined skillset is now a common job requirement.
The curriculum redesign teaches our students a more competitive skillset in demand by employers both locally and nationally, and aligns with current trends in industrial and manufacturing technology. By sharing a common core, students can easily switch majors if the need arises.
The title of I&E Technician has become the hiring standard for technicians in manufacturing and heavy industry. Merging the two disciplines was a logical step for Amarillo College.
Aligned with Industry
Amarillo College is ready to continue its mission on behalf of technical education in our community by graduating students better prepared for today’s workforce.
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APRIL 2014