Construction: Fundamentals and Careers – Learn Construction Basics
This course introduces students to foundational elements of home construction and explores careers, technology, and future trends in the industry. It addresses academic proficiencies, specialized training, and the emerging field of green construction. Students will:
- Learn what it takes to own a construction company
- Explore the future of green construction
- Review careers and their education and training requirements
Construction: Fundamentals and Careers Course for the Secondary CTE Classroom
Prepare students to apply their construction skills to home-building careers.
Student-Centered Design
Based on decades of educational research, each course is designed to maximize student learning, motivation, and achievement. Utilize pedagogical concepts such as Understanding by Design, Growth Mindset, and Video and Project-based Learning.
Interactive Learning
Engage students every step of the way with relevant content, interactives, videos, discussion boards, text-to-speech, language translations, projects, and more. It’s a learning experience students love.
Ready for the Real World
Students become career ready when they go beyond understanding concepts to applying them in real life. Through practical activities, students gain the skills they need for in-demand careers.
Learn construction basics and home-building skills
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Course Outline
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Module Introduction
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Interactive Instructional Design
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Formative and Summative Assessments
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Accessibility
Course Outline by Module
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- Module 1: Introduction to Home Construction
- Module 2: Academic Foundations for Careers in Construction
- Module 3: Technical Skills in Home Construction
- Module 4: Project Planning in Home Construction
- Module 5: Safety and Health in Home Construction
- Module 6: Contracts and Regulations in Home Construction
- Module 7: Careers in Home Construction
- Module 8: Owning a Construction Business
- Module 9: Green Construction
- Module 10: The Future of Home Construction
Module Introduction
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Module Introduction Video and DescriptionEach module begins with an introductory video where the instructor sets the stage for topics and learning objectives for the upcoming module. The video is followed by a short description of the module content.
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Module Learning ObjectivesEach module introduction includes the set of learning objectives for students to review prior to beginning instruction.
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Polling QuestionStudents engage with an interactive poll related to the upcoming module content. After completing the poll, students can see how their peers responded with a percentage breakdown of the results.
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Introduce New VocabularyThe module introduction concludes with an interactive vocabulary matching activity, designed to familiarize students with words and concepts they will learn in the upcoming module.
Interactive Instructional Design
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Engaging Lesson VideosEach lesson begins with an instructional video from an expert educator, designed to grab students’ attention while addressing learning objectives.
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Interactive ReadingEach lesson video is followed by an interactive reading where students dive into new material with embedded interactives like hot spots, flip cards, slides, videos, and more!
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Integrated ActivitiesActivities are embedded purposefully between lessons and incorporate a variety of interactive tools for students to practice what they’ve learned.
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Project-Based LearningEnd-of-module projects provide the opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned to a real-world situation that they would encounter in the workforce.
Formative and Summative Assessments
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Concept CheckEmbedded concept checks include a variety of low-stakes activities, including short answer responses, matching, flashcards, and sorting.
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Discussion-based ReflectionsThought-provoking discussion prompts invite students to process and share their learning with their peers. Utilize your LMS discussion board or have students work in an individual course journal.
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Short Answer AssignmentsShort answer assignments are included at the end of each module, providing an opportunity for students to analyze and apply their learning to a real-world situation. Students are supplied with a detailed assignment rubric, with clear expectations.
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Module QuizzesEach module concludes with a quiz, assessing student understanding. Quizzes are auto-scored and the results report back to the teacher’s gradebook in their LMS.
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Final ExamA comprehensive final exam assesses student skills and knowledge at the end of the course. The final exam is auto-scored and the results report back to the teacher’s gradebook in their LMS.
Accessibility
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Text-to-SpeechAudio features allow greater accessibility for students. Highlight any text within the course to have it read out loud, including image alt text.
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Language TranslationsTranslate any text within the course, including video transcripts, into 60+ languages. Additionally, many language translations can be read out loud using the text-to-speech feature.
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Closed CaptioningAll videos within the course include closed captioning with the ability to access video transcripts and translate into 60+ languages.
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Alternative ActivitiesAlternative activities are embedded throughout lessons to meet accessibility standards and provide alternatives to the interactive activities in multiple choice format.
Explore Construction: Fundamentals and Careers content to promote learning
Course Preview
Get a sneak peek into the Construction: Fundamentals and Careers course, featuring key learning highlights.
Digital Tour
Experience the engaging instructional design and learn about system integrations.
Flexible System Integrations for Your Construction: Fundamentals and Careers CTE Program
Seamless Integration With Your LMS
CTE has never been more accessible with digital courses that integrate smoothly with your Learning Management System. Course materials are available anytime, anywhere, all in your familiar and convenient LMS.Additional Construction: Fundamentals and Careers Resources
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Downloadable Instructors’ Guide
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Course Syllabus
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On-Demand Training
Downloadable Instructors’ Guide
The downloadable Instructors’ Guide includes answer keys for Reflections. Detailed grading rubrics are provided for Short Answer Assignments and Module Projects.
Course Syllabus
The syllabus includes a high-level course overview, module overviews, and module learning objectives.
On-Demand Training
An on-demand, self-paced teacher training course covers the fundamentals of implementing the curriculum.
Frequently asked questions about Construction: Fundamentals and Careers
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What modules are covered in this course?
- Module 1: Introduction to Home Construction
- Module 2: Academic Foundations for Careers in Construction
- Module 3: Technical Skills in Home Construction
- Module 4: Project Planning in Home Construction
- Module 5: Safety and Health in Home Construction
- Module 6: Contracts and Regulations in Home Construction
- Module 7: Careers in Home Construction
- Module 8: Owning a Construction Business
- Module 9: Green Construction
- Module 10: The Future of Home Construction
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What grade levels is this text appropriate for?Grades 6–12
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Is this program available in print or digitally?Construction: Fundamentals and Careers is a robust, digital-only course ideal for virtual or blended learning.
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What teacher resources are available?Teacher resources include the course syllabus, instructors’ guide, and digital courseware access. Additionally, an on-demand, self-paced teacher training course covers the fundamentals of implementing the curriculum.
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Which Learning Management System (LMS) does this course integrate with?Digital courseware is delivered by LTI integration with the following Learning Management Systems: Canvas®, Schoology®, Blackboard®, Moodle®, AGILIX® Buzz®, D2L or Focalpoint.
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What are the digital license options?Student digital access to Construction: Fundamentals and Careers can be purchased for 1 year.
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How long does it take to complete the course?Construction: Fundamentals and Careers is designed to support a full-credit course and therefore may be used to support a semester- or year-long option. On average, this course requires 80 instructional seat-time hours, equating to roughly 3–4 lessons per week. Teachers can make course customizations if desired to meet specific needs.