Throughout this experience I have learned so much about the way in which a large cooperation is ran and all of the various roles that people play in order to keep the business operating successfully. It is very interesting to see the structure and hierarchy of positions within the industry. Things are ran so much differently than they are in the school system.
With that in mind I am trying to create this product to use within my classroom that will connect my curriculum to this industry. What I am finding is that the majority of the higher mathematical concepts have already been established on a corporate level in another location and handed down to the different businesses that they own. This practice is best for the business because it saves money in the long run so that 4 different pickle plants owned by the same company are not having to generate the same information or protocals 4 different times.
At the same time that creates problems for me because I do not have access to the logistics behind the mathematical formulas that are used. Also, due to the nature of the seasonal workforce only employees within management roles are able to explain why they perform different tasks. The aid of technology is another hinderance to my mission as well because there are computer programs that are already in use that perform the difficult mathematics computations. Therefore, most of the mathematics performed here by hand is basic mathematics principles such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percent conversions, and unit conversions which are really below the standards within my curriculum. So it stands to reason that I am having a hard time with alignment of the experience and content standards.
On the positive note, I have really had a fantastic experience in which I can actually go back to my students with a greater understanding of what businesses are really looking for in potential employees.I am very optimist that I will be able to produce a product that will be beneficial within my classroom as well as creating more community awareness of this industry.