Show Skill Center By Kathy Jones What is as special as Valentines Valentines Valentines Valen Valen- tines are to lovers or presents are to Christmas Its It's the Skills Center an influential volumn of educational library The Skills Center is a unique teaching and learning program geared on onan onan onan an individual basis The Center was established in 1970 under the title Human Resource Center In 1972 it officially became part of Utah Technical College and is presently guided by Department Head Max Lowe Dean Tommy Mathews and Department Coordinator Coordinator Co Co- Coordinator Gayle For the nearly students of Skill Center what is learned and time spent rides on individual determination Everyone has the option of goofing off and learning nothing or working and obtaining obtaining obtaining obtain obtain- ing useful skills There are no quarters regulating regulating regulating regula regula- ting time in the Skills Center as it has an open open entry-open exit out out- line Most students unless gaining gaining gaining gain gain- ing high school credits work toward a certificate cate of their particular achievement with goal charts kept of their progress instead of letter grades Another advantage of Skills Center over general education is each student has the opportunity of on the job experience while finishing their courses This is especially helpful in establishing confidence and good references before a permanent job is p taken Instructors of Skills Center have a d different ferent approach to teaching students Since each student works on an individual level instructors must know the Please turn to Page 3 Y I i T viE UTe Skill Center Continued from Page 1 entire concept of a lesson They cannot teach it chapter by chapter chapter chapter chap chap- ter as in a regular classroom sit sit- The limited time factor makes screening of material tobe to tobe tobe be taught a must Gayle Mora- Mora wetz who teaches shorthand and typing compared the two teaching teaching teaching teach teach- ing methods If leU I had the choice I wouldn't change back to a structured classroom Teaching here is harder You have to have a greater command of the subject matter because each student is progressing at an individual rate In Skills Center teachers are able to follow more closely with each student thus benefiting both the learning and teaching side Mrs position in the Skills Center is to develop the curriculum In her shorthand class she has made her own tapes for the students to learn from In Ina Ina Ina a structured class most lessons come directly from the established establish establish- ed books An added interest of Skills Center is the self-improvement self class offered once a week During the hour students learn such things as good grooming acceptable acceptable table office manners tips on job finding and additional course information Skills Center faculty include Pam Parker Doreen Dennison Gayle Julie Worley Linda Blair Shirlene Luke and Jeff Johnson student counselor The Skills Center is open to anyone interested with classes offered in clerical courses food service welding machinists machinist's auto works and carpentry Put yourself in the Skills Center and you'll find a worthwhile place in life |