Problem:  Easy-to-read information about tools

"We are helping a number of CBOs develop curriculum for farm workers who are new to English and are putting together a unit on tools and gear. The units will integrate key vocabulary with oral communication skills and will include access to both low tech and high tech materials (overheads, audio, video, web access).  We'll include field trips to places like Home Depot and Sears, interviews with other students and program staff (what tools do you have at home and where do you buy them?), and we are hoping the teachers will invite the students to do projects.....Does anyone know of other videos, web sites or a CD-ROM that features tools of various kinds (hand tools; power tools; carpentry tools; plumbing tools etc) and/or projects using tools. Ditto with cool appliances and light equipment."

Solution One: The Sears Craftsman page  and Kids' Club page.
http://www.craftsman.com

Solution Two: Video
Home Improvement Video, possibly broadcast in re-runs on TV

Solution Three: Web Resources on Tools and Household Appliances

How Stuff Works: Air Conditioners
http://www.howstuffworks.com/ac.htm

How Stuff Works: Refrigerators
http://www.howstuffworks.com/refrig.htm

How Stuff Works: Toilets
http://www.howstuffworks.com/toilet.htm
 

Handyman USA
http://www.handymanusa.com/

Solution four: Student-made Toolbook Scanned and Put on the Web
 

"This Old House is a home repair show that is on PBS.

I would let the student make their own tool book(s), using a polariod camera
and their own description of the function and operation of the tool.  A master
symbol or color code could be used for each type of tool (carpentry,
electrical, plumbing, etc.)-- some tools would have all symbols or colors.

Students could work on different sections of the tool book and then explain
the different tools to each other.  In this way, they would be teaching each
other and correcting each other.  Once a master tool book is created, the
information and pictures could be scanned and put on a web site or printed out
for each participant to use.

Other issues you might want to address are safety and first aid.  Or maybe
that is just my experience with tools :-) "
 
 

Problem and solutions one and two posted on the NIFL-Technology electronic list by
Heide Spruck Wrigley
San Mateo, CA

Solution three posted on the NIFL-technology electronic list by Emily Hacker

Solution four posted on the NIFL-Technology electronic list by Eileen Trainor