Automotive technology
Content: Breaking systems in car refer to the mechanism that is used to bring moving vehicles to a halt. They involve reducing the vehicle and/or bringing the car to a complete stop. There are different braking systems commonly used which are broken into two. These are mechanical and hydraulic braking systems. Mechanical braking involves the use of assemblies that have mechanical elements in order to stop or slow down shafts in vehicle drives. To transmit power from a point to the next they use linkages or levers. Hydraulic braking uses brake fluid so as to move pressure to the brake mechanism from a controlling point. There are eight components in a braking system. These are Drum brakes, emergency brakes, lines, disc brakes, combo valve, master cylinder, booster and pedal. All these work to ensure the braking system works in a vehicle.
Curricular relevance
The importance of learning the braking system is because it is an important part of operating a vehicle. The lesson is prepared for 16 year olds in a technical training. These are students who have already learned the main systems in a vehicle. They are now examining each system.
Goals The student will be able to
1. Understand how the braking system works. This will entail understanding how a vehicle uses braking to decelerate or stop.
2. Understand the importance of each components of the braking system. This will entail being able to articulate the purpose of each of the components of the braking system.
Objectives After the lesson, the students will be able to name the types of braking systems that are used in vehicles and differentiate them. The students will be able to name the components of a brake system and explain their use in the braking system in relation to the other components.
Materials Teachers text book, computer and projector, computers for students and pictures of the braking system components.
Standards There are currently no state standards stipulated for technical skills in CTE. The industry standards are used instead. The teacher will therefore choose goals and material that are important to the students in order to work practically in the automotive industry.
Introduction The teacher will ask students what makes a vehicle stop. This will get students interested and the teacher will introduce the topic of study. The teacher will show students a picture of a vehicle’s brake system on the projector. The teacher will list and define the terms of the braking system.
The teacher will ask students to log onto a website and to study the braking system.
The teacher will help students to critically think about and discuss the components of braking system they have learned and those which are on the website they will be asked to log onto http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/brake.htm
Development The teacher will show the students a simulation of braking system being checked using the projector so that they can see the parts in a real vehicle. Students will discuss the components and the way they work together in groups of three. The teacher will go around the groups asking students questions to stimulate discussion.
Assessment The students will be asked to individually label the components of the brake system they have learned in the lesson.
In groups of three the students will write down the use of each of the components of the braking system and the relationship between the components. That is, which component works with which component and how.
References
Karim, Nice. How Brakes Work. 1998-2010. Web. 9 November, 2010.
Larry, Johnson and Lamb, Annette. Professional Development and Resources for
Educators and Librarians. 2007. Web. 9th November, 2010.
McKenzie, Jamie. Power learning 2.0. 2002. Web. 9th November, 2010.
