Tom, this is amazing. I must confess I haven't read all of your notes and plans but I definitely find myself agreeing to the points you've made regarding 'craftsmanship' not having academic distinction and that analytical thinking can be (very successfully) taught via bike repair.

I too have been thinking alot about these ideas myself... and am looking forward to reading more of these notes..

Boson Au

537 Quintana Place NW Washington, DC 20011 (443) 286-8494 (cell) (410) 929-3193 (google voice) http://velocipedebikeproject.org

On Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 11:29 PM, christopher@holisticcycles.com wrote:

I have been teaching two sides of this coin; I have taught mechanics how to apply their academic knowledge to better understand and express mechanical processes. I have taught academic students how to apply their new knowledge using the bicycle. Engaged Learning and Applied Learning.

A skilled mechanic needs to have clear verbal communication skills to sell services or product. Applied academics helps mechanics communicate how they can assist the customer, and how the sales of service or products will effect the cyclist ride experience positively.

In the Class Room, using a bicycle to apply the new academic processes engages the students minds and shows them all this Academic STUFF does apply to the real world. I have used the bicycle to teach Language Arts, all areas of Math, Physics, Chemistry, History, Ethics, Government, Community, Finance, Etc. It is easy to apply the bicycle into an engaged learning process, teachers just need to think a bit.

I know it is very important for mechanics to have a wide range of knowledge to sell products and services to a customer. Academic principles stick in the minds of students better when they learn how to apply their new knowledge.

If you want to talk about creative Ideas, I would be glad to talk details.

Christopher Wallace Bicycle Guild & Holistic Cycles 140 Harrison St Oak Park, IL. 60304

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [TheThinkTank] 'Youth Mechanics' analytical thinking skills program From: Tom Martin kissandaslapontheroof@gmail.com Date: Mon, June 11, 2012 2:15 pm To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

Hello all,

I've recently finished a 10-week pilot for an analytical thinking skills program using bicycle repair as a teaching medium. In short, the program supposes that the subjects taught in school -- math, literature, etc -- are just arbitrary avenues to the same sort of cognitive processes that could be reached though handskills and mechanicship. In other words, bike repair to become a critical, thinking person.

I'd love feedback on the program, which is outlined here:

http://www.martincommatom.com/youth-mechanics

...with program notes, lesson plans and other written material. I'm also looking to expand the program, so if anyone has any leads on young people to work with (or funding!) here in London, let me know.

Thanks! Tom Youth Mechanics, London

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