Indiana County Technology Center

Keith McCracken, Machining Instructor at Indiana County Technology Center uses ToolingU to train a diverse group of students with a variety of learning styles. He currently teaches three different grade levels simultaneously. Keith has noticed that his productivity has increased as an instructor in that he has more hands on time with his students. Keith says, “It’s like having another teacher. ToolingU teaches the theory, while I can instruct on the shop floor.”

Keith finds ToolingU is most beneficial to his students because it covers the knowledge needed to pass their NIMS certification test. It is crucial for students to certify skills against the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, which ToolingU aligns with. ToolingU relates the theory and practical applications in a short amount of time so the students can rely on their knowledge as well as their experience when they take the NIMS test.

Another benefit Keith finds as an instructor is the ability to see students’ progression. It allows him to track the amount of time a student spends in classes, see the notes they took, and their grades. ToolingU ensures that students are really learning by allowing him to set grade requirements as well. The students are also finding Tooling U beneficial because it allows them to work at home on toolingu.com then maximize their time on the shop floor at ICTC.

Keith hopes to continue using ToolingU. He says, “It is a resource that is larger and better than anything I could have put together or spent time making.” “I also do not have to sacrifice my time on the shop floor.” Keith likes that a panel of experts writes the curriculum for the students to eliminate the errors of an individual instructor. It can also teach an instructor a few new ideas as well. ToolingU molds knowledgeable machinists.