Planning Stage – Due Date Friday, April 24th
I was washing the car the other day, I couldn’t help but think, based on personal observation over the years, that this once all too common chore is not undertaken as much as it once was. I guess we have grown to accept dirtier vehicles, or spending $10 at a car wash, but it got me thinking as to how many young people, or just people, could do this simple task right. Yes, right, because there is a best way to hand wash a car, that both guarantees a quality end result and minimizes the risk of damage to the car’s paint. I then got to thinking about some bike maintenance I did recently. My bike had been ridden hard and put away wet, as they say, and when I got back to it some months later, it was obvious the chain was not in good shape. Thankfully, I had the knowledge and skills to perform the necessary maintenance and some time and effort later my bike was back in top form.
Practical skills and know how are fantastic to have. It does however take time and effort to build these. I would like to inspire you to put in this ‘time and effort’ as the outcome will likely serve you well as you move through your life.
Step 1 – Generate a list
Spend some time considering a practical skill that you would like to develop or develop further. The skill you will eventually settle on should be something that can not only be developed and performed by you, but it should also have a right way, or recommended way, to be done. All skills considered should be possible for you to develop given your current circumstances. Make a list of several possibilities and ruminate on this for a while. At a later time (this is important), re-read your list and make additions/deletions as you see fit.
To help get you going on this here is an ‘Idea Seeding’ pdf that I worked up. I hope it helps.
Step 2 – Identifying Your Area of Focus
From your list choose a practical skill that most interests you and that you believe fits the assignment well. Consider any safety aspects associated with the task.
Step 3 – Research / Doing It Right
Using the internet investigate the ‘right’ or ‘preferred’ way this task is to be carried out. Find at least three sources that you believe can be used to inform your skill development and will serve to guide you.
Step 4 – Submission #1 (due date Friday, April 24th)
Email me a Word or Google document that clearly contains the following:
- the complete list of skills that you have considered
- clearly identify the skill you have chosen to pursue
- clearly articulate why you believe this is the skill you would like to develop or develop further for the purposes of this assignment and why this skill is of personal value to you
- List all safety concerns associated with your chosen skill and how it is you will manage each that you have identified.
- links to the ‘doing it right’ resources you found in Step 3.
Do not begin your activity until you receive feedback from me and permission to proceed.