Electricity: How do you teach the invisible?

Electricity is essential, and something that each of us relies on every day. Thanks to a strong job outlook, it’s a great field for students to pursue. Career opportunities are available in nearly every industry, from automotive and aviation to computers, construction, manufacturing, and beyond.

As students prepare for electrical careers, they need to develop a solid understanding of electricity, electrical components, and electronics. It can be tough to follow. Eugene Silberstein, author of 
G-W’s Electricity: Theory and Applications, stated, “It’s much easier to learn about something you can hold. You can’t see electric current flowing through a wire. Electricity is invisible. You are trying to see and understand the invisible!"

Because of its challenging nature, Eugene notes three key points to keep in mind when teaching your course.

1. Learning electricity can be tricky, especially when people first start to study it. It helps to have carefully created visuals to see the otherwise unseeable theories and concepts.
   
   
2. Electricity can be dangerous, so give safety the respect it deserves!
   
   
3. Math is important for electrical theory application. Teach foundational math skills to give students the confidence they need to succeed on the job.

Hear Eugene elaborate on these points:

Teaching the Invisible   

Know the Code, Safety Alerts, and Math Sidebars

To guide those who aspire to become an electrical industry professional, are currently employed in the industry, or simply want to learn about the exciting world of electricity, Eugene created Electricity: Theory and Applications. His vision was to help students build confidence in their math knowledge, improve retention and problem-solving skills, and demonstrate the application of math in electrical careers. His easy-to-understand presentations of theories deliver a solid foundation of knowledge, and his “Sparking Discussion” questions stimulate classroom discussion. 

Connecting his education with real-world experience in electricity-related technical training education, Eugene developed instructional materials that:     

• Supplement instruction with animations and videos to provide additional explanations of concepts. 
• Incorporate in-depth math coverage, including animations that allow students to view narrated problem-solving examples. 
• Use illustrations and wiring diagrams to support clear and simple presentations of concepts and provide practice through hands-on lab activities. 

If you need a new resource like Electricity: Theory and Applications for your program, start with a free preview! To request a sample, visit www.g-w.com/preview/975. 

Photo Credits:
Thumbnail: zstock/Shutterstock.com