Appendix B: Examples of Content Organized Around Themes

Note: This appendix contains representative examples to assist in designing a thematic curriculum. They are not intended to be exhaustive source lists. Examples may have been revised, updated, or otherwise changed since this document was published.

B.1 - Manufacturing/Production Content

B.2 - Marketing Content

B.3 - Technology Content

B.4 - Agriculture Content

B.5 - Health Care Content

B.6 - Business Content

B.7 - Natural Resources Content

B.8 - Construction Content

B.9 - Communication Content

B.10 - Transportation Content

B.1 Manufacturing/Production Content

• Manufacturing concepts and processes
• Designing and engineering products/materials/structures
• Developing manufacturing systems
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
• Processes such as casting, molding, welding, forming, separating, conditioning, assembling, building, installing, and finishing
• Management and financial activities/responsibilities (obtaining a loan, raising funds, and so on)
• Establishing a manufacturing organization
• Marketing strategies
• Production management

Sources
Economos, C. (1994). What's up in factories? Exploring the new world of manufacturing. New York: Thirteen WNET.

Wright, R. T., & Henak, R. M. (1993). Exploring production. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.

B.2 Marketing Content

• Implementing the marketing concept
• Elements and effectiveness of marketing strategies
• Identifying and coordinating marketing and business functions
• Marketing impact on businesses, individuals, and society
• Encouraging the social responsibility/ethical behavior of businesses and employees
• Examining the private enterprise economy
• Evaluating the role of competition
• Studying international trade/products/market
• Evaluating market potential and calculating market share
• Measuring consumer behavior and satisfaction
• Marketing research/methods of data collection/information systems
• Developing a marketing plan
• Developing a new product
• Evaluating service/product quality
• Purchasing procedures/records
• Planning effective distribution and promotion of products and services
• Pricing procedures
• Examining the communication process elements
• Introducing the selling process
• Identifying and managing market risk
• Planning and management
• Measuring technological impact

Source
Burrow, J., & Eggland, S. (1995). Marketing foundations and functions. Cincinnati: South-Western.

B.3 Technology Content

• Technology system types and components
• Technological processes
• Production and measurement tools in technology
• Design process
• Product and structure production
• Technological systems management
• Automation/Robotics
• Social response to technological change
• Light, laser, and fiberoptics
• Graphic communications
• Photography
• Telecommunications
• Research and development
• Desktop publishing
• Manufacturing enterprises
• Control systems
• Alternate energy systems
• Production systems
• Bio-related technical systems

Sources
Barbato, S. A. (1990). Technology ed curriculum standard K-12 (Rev. ed.). Dover: Delaware Department of Public Instruction, Vocational Education Division. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 336 272)

Fales, J. F., Kuetemeyer, V. F., & Brusic, S. A. (1993). Technology today and tomorrow (2nd ed.). Peoria, IL: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.

Gradwell, J., Welch, M., & Martin, E. (1996). Technology: Shaping our world. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.

B.4 Agriculture Content

• Delivery methods
• Product and market trends
• Family-owned businesses
• Capitalization methods
• Accounting/budget allocation/recordkeeping methods
• Business liability and protection costs
• Company bids
• Materials purchasing
• Negotiation/communication skills
• Time management techniques
• Human relations--customers/suppliers/employees
• Ecology/conservation
• Agricultural business management techniques
• Agricultural mechanics
• Agricultural law
• Off-farm agricultural businesses
• Merchandising/marketing/sales techniques
• Agricultural machinery and equipment maintenance and repair
• Dealership organization
• Use of selected hand tools, precision measuring tools, and testing equipment
• Safety regulations and procedures
• Operating procedures in a parts department
• Mechanical power transfer systems
• Metal fusion and fabrication welding

Sources
Commonwealth of Virginia. (1994). Guide to vocational program planning in Virginia. Richmond: Department of Education, Division of Instruction, Office of Vocational, Adult, and Employment Training Services, Author.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (1993). Methodology used in the project "All Aspects of the Industry" for vocational education programs. Columbia: University of Missouri, Instructional Materials Lab. (ERIC Document Reproduction Series No. ED 367 818)

B.5 Health Care Content

• Health care terminology
• Principles of body functions and mechanics
• Nutritional needs of patients
• Fundamentals of wellness
• Treatment of diseases process
• Client status evaluation
• Documentation, report writing
• Patient safety procedures
• Aseptic procedures
• Body mechanics for positioning, transferring, and transporting clients
• Infection control (universal precautions)
• Internal and external communication
• Information systems use
• Laboratory skills
• Legal responsibilities, limitations, and implications of actions
• Ethical practices
• Resource management

Sources
Badasch, S. A., & Chesebro, D. S. (1993). Introduction to health occupations (3rd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Regents/Prentice-Hall.

Health Resources and Services Administration. (1995). Core curricula in allied health. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

B.6 Business Content

• Researching hardware and software needs
• Planning/expanding Local Area Network (LAN)
• Acquiring hardware and software
• Providing and improving customer services
• Installing, testing, and maintaining computer network
• Performing communication functions
• Disseminating information
• Operating as a team member
• Complying with company and government regulations
• Conducting human resource services
• Performing work station functions
• Performing documentation functions
• Managing security and integrity
• Performing legal and ethical functions
• Providing user training and support
• Performing management functions
• Managing client/customer service
• Managing business operations
• Managing financial matters

Source
Virginia Community College System. (1996). Occupational analyses: Business cluster. Richmond: Virginia Vocational Curriculum and Resource Center, Author.

B.7 Natural Resources Content

• Performing investigative/analytical functions
• Performing collection functions
• Performing monitoring equipment functions
• Managing waste
• Preserving natural resources
• Performing resource management functions
• Resolving environmental problems
• Performing communication functions
• Producing, maintaining, harvesting, processing, and distributing natural resources
• Conserving air, soil, and water
• Protecting and managing forests and wildlife
• Planning outdoor recreation
• Planning and operating campgrounds, hiking and riding trails, riding stables, marinas, vacation farms, and farm ponds
• Managing soil and water systems
• Developing human relations skills
• Developing leadership skills
• Organizing, operating, and evaluating landscape operations and landscape technology programs

Sources
Heimlich, J. E. (1993). Environmental studies and environmental careers. Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education.

Florida State University. (1989). Landscape operations and landscape technology. Tallahassee, FL: Center for Instructional Development and Services.

Virginia Community College System. (1996). Occupational analyses: Agriculture/natural resources. Richmond: Virginia Vocational Curriculum and Resource Center, Author.

B.8 Construction Content

• Preparing for the construction project
• Designing and planning the project
• Managing construction activities
• Materials and specifications
• Print reading
• Sitework
• Structural steel construction
• Reinforced concrete construction
• Mechanical and electrical systems
• Finishing the project
• Closing the contract

Sources
Galera, M. (1996). From school to a career in construction. Tech Directions, 55(7), 16-18.

Henak, R. M. (1993). Exploring construction. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.

Toenjes, L. P. (1996). Building trades printreading - Part 3: Heavy commercial construction. Homewood, IL: American Technical Publishers.

B.9 Communication Content

• Communication processes
• Industries and careers
• Technical graphics
• Graphic design and production
• Design and problem solving
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Data processing
• Desktop/electronic publishing
• Continuous tone photography
• Electronic communication basics
• Telecommunication and broadcasting
• Specialty printing and reprography
• Technological impacts
• Communication field careers
• Future communication

Sources
Johnson, C. D. (1992). Communication systems. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.

Seymour, R. D., Ritz, J. M., & Cloghessy, F. A. (1996). Exploring communication. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.

B.10 Transportation Content

• Energy and power systems
• Land transportation systems
• Water transportation systems
• Air transportation systems
• Space transportation systems
• Propulsion of a vehicle
• Guidance and control of a vehicle
• Transportation and the future

Sources
Bohn, R. C. (1992). Energy technology: Power and transportation. Peoria, IL: Glencoe/ McGraw-Hill.

Johnson, S. R., & Farrar-Hunter, P. A. (1993). Exploring transportation. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox.