At Marist College Kogarah we run a bricklaying course for our students. The students plan and construct several different brick walls and piers. Each team takes turn laboring, operating the mixer and delivering mortar and bricks while the others lay brick and keep things level. Steel cap boots and hi visibility shirts are mandatory. Each wall is assessed by a trainer, either myself or another construction teacher and the student is asked a list of questions from safety to technique including cleaning up the site.
Good looking wall! As the students take turn at different tasks during the bricklaying, how do you assess their individual levels, part from the questions? The actual handcraft I mean.
ReplyDeleteThe wall is made to specifications, for example the students have to have level and correctly spaced courses, all corners are to be square and plumb. All of that is teacher observation, so I go around with my spirit level and if it's not good enough they do it again. The mortar mix is only sand, lime and Bycol, there is no cement in the mix. It's easy to break down a small wall and recycle the mortar. I also take plenty of photos.
DeleteHi Simon. How do you keep track of the individual students. Do you have like a journal for each student or do you rely on memory? I find it very helpful to skrible down my observations after class. My memory has proven to fail me at times..
DeleteWhat are the grade system like by the way? In Sweden we have a scale that runs from A down to F. The F means that you failed, A-E means you passed and are graded depending at what level you did so.
DeleteI keep track of the student using a booklet for that particular task. They fill out most of it, work method statements, plan and prepare list. I have a questionnaire at the back that I go through with each student, then file it away as evidence.
DeleteThe grade system is Not Yet Competent (NYC) Competent (C)
A student that is NYC has to provide evidence of competency.
Hi! Is the bricklaying done individually or are they working in group?
ReplyDelete