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Importance Of Rhetorical Skills In Higher Education

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When our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math modules were updated, our district added the SOLIDWORKS program to our curriculum. SOLIDWORKS offers 3D CAD software tools used globally by engineers, designers, manufacturers, and technology professionals in a wide range of industrial, medical, scientific, consumer, and transportation fields to design and manufacture products. I quickly realized how beneficial this software could be to my students, particularly those interested in manufacturing, engineering, marketing, and design careers, and that I needed to become proficient with this software. I began accessing online tutorials and then attended training to obtain certification as a SOLIDWORKS Accredited Educator. My students were using …show more content…

My students will need to utilize these skills proficiently in higher education as well as the world of work. I attended an Argument Writing Workshop to address these needs. Upon completing the workshop, I created a series of lessons focusing on the real-world issue of immigration. After reading articles highlighting both sides of the issue, students met in small groups to discuss the articles, cite evidence, and identify the rhetorical devices used in each article. Then students wrote an argument essay evaluating two of the articles and the effectiveness of the authors’ use of rhetorical devices. As students participated in small group discussions, I realized they needed to continue to refine their skills in clearly verbalizing their thoughts and supporting their views with relevant and sufficient evidence. In response, I created a series of lessons focusing on Alzheimer’s Disease in which students researched statistics comparing federal funding for Alzheimer’s research to funding of Cancer research, evaluating the pros and cons of using heroic measures to prolong the lives of Alzheimer’s patients, and assess the pros and cons of Alzheimer’s patients being informed of their diagnoses. Then students debated the issue in class. Finally students selected and …show more content…

I realized that this video gave me the perfect opportunity to meet a student need of working on a real-world project with tight deadlines. Each year, students apply for positions on the Senior Video Committee using an application and interview process similar to what they will encounter in the real world. After selection, I involve committee members in the video production process from design to finished product. Students collect pictures; scan, download, and import pictures into the video software; and create the video adding captions as well as music. I teach students to use ProShow Producer, a program used by professional photographers worldwide to create professional video slideshows showcasing their photography and to add an additional merchandise option to their product line. In addition, I teach students to market their product through pre- and post-sales and to distribute their final product with accuracy and

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