Des Moines Area Community College.

Diesel Technology Skills Grid

Reading Skills

Skill Level

1. Recognize common words and meanings. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
2. Recognize task-related words with technical meanings. TAUGHT in the program
3. Recognize meanings of common abbreviations, acronyms, codes, and symbols. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
4. Identify factual details within text. TAUGHT in the program
5. Follow sequential directions to complete a task REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
6. Determine the main idea of a passage. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
7. Use table of contents, index, appendices, glossary, section headings and subheadings. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
8. Locate pages, titles, paragraphs, figures, or charts needed to answer questions or solve problems. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
9. Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information in text or visuals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
10. Skim or scan to determine whether or not text contains relevant information. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
11. Cross-reference within and across source materials to select information to perform a routine. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
12. Use information entered on a form to complete a task. TAUGHT in the program
13. Combine information from multiple sources that contribute to the completion of a task. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
14. Select parts of text or visual materials to complete a task. TAUGHT in the program
15. Read column charts to obtain information. TAUGHT in the program
16. Locate chart information from a grid of rows and columns. TAUGHT in the program
17. Cross-reference charted material with text. TAUGHT in the program
18. Apply information from tables or graphs to locate malfunctions or select actions. TAUGHT in the program
19. Use flow charts and organizational charts to sequence events, arrive at a decision, or problem solve. TAUGHT in the program
20. Identify components within a schematic. TAUGHT in the program
21. Isolate problem components in schematics, tracing to cause of problem and interpreting symbols. TAUGHT in the program
22. Identify details, labels numbers, parts of an illustration, and parts from a key or legend. TAUGHT in the program
23. Follow sequenced illustrations as a guide. TAUGHT in the program
24. Interpret three-dimensional drawings of objects for assembly or disassembly. TAUGHT in the program
25. Determine meanings of figurative/idiomatic/technical usage of terms, using context clues as reference. TAUGHT in the program
26. Make inferences from text. TAUGHT in the program
27. Organize information from multiple sources. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

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Language Skills

Skill Level

1. Articulate words clearly when speaking. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
2. Make standard English usage choices. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
3. Adjust language level to the audience and the situation. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
4. Spell general vocabulary words correctly. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
5. Write key technical words accurately on forms. TAUGHT in the program
6. Spell task-related words and abbreviations correctly. TAUGHT in the program
7. Write complete sentences. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
8. Punctuate sentences correctly. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
9. Enter appropriate information onto a form. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
10. Record essential information in phrases or simple sentences. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
11. Transfer numbers, codes, dates and figures onto appropriate sections of forms. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
12. Select relevant details for a written communication. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
13. Outline a situation by identifying key ideas and support details. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
14. Write brief, descriptive accounts of activities or transactions performed. TAUGHT in the program
15. State general impressions of an event or situation as they relate to specific reporting goals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
16. Summarize events and dialogue in an accurate, complete, and objective manner. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
17. Summarize the major points presented in a written communication. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
18. Generate a written communication according to a specific format (e.g., memo). REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
19. Write a report including necessary support documentation. TAUGHT in the program
20. Identify intent, target audience, and essential details. TAUGHT in the program
21. Generate a written communication, arranging sections logically. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
22. Write a brief justification for actions taken and provide good reasons for rejecting alternative actions. TAUGHT in the program
23. Appraise a written communication and make adjustments to improve clarity. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

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Math Skills - Whole Numbers

Skill Level

1. Read and write whole numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
2. Round whole numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
3. Add whole numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
4. Subtract whole numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
5. Multiply whole numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
6. Divide whole numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
7. Apply divisibility tests. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
8. Use correct order of operations. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
9. Recognize prime and composite numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
10. Do calculations mentally. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
11. Estimate answers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

Math Skills - Fractions

Skill Level

12. Read and write fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
13. Round to the nearest 1/2 or whole. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
14. Arrange fractions in order. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
15. Reduce fractions to lowest terms. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
16. Change mixed numbers to improper fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
17. Change fractions to equivalent fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
18. Add fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
19. Subtract fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
20. Multiply fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
21. Divide fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
22. Estimate answers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

Math Skills - Decimals

Skill Level

23. Read and write decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
24. Round decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
25. Arrange decimals in order. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
26. Add decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
27. Subtract decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
28. Multiply decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
29. Divide decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
30. Change fractions to decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
31. Change decimals to fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
32. Use scientific notation. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

Math Skills - Percent

Skill Level

33. Read and write percents. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
34. Change percents to decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
35. Change decimals to percents. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
36. Change percents to fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
37. Change fractions to percents. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
38. Use ratio and proportion. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
39. Compute a percent of a number. EX: What is 6% of 40? REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
40. Find what percent one number is of another. EX: 6 is what % of 8? REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
41. Find the base. EX: 8 is 10% of what? REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
42. Compute: discounts, markup, tax, commission. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
43. Compute simple interest. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
44. Compute compound interest. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
45. Compute percentages mentally. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

Math Skills - Direct Measurement

Skill Level

46. Measure to the nearest 1/16 inch. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
47. Use inches, feet, yards, miles. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
48. Measure to the nearest millimeter. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
49. Use millimeter, centimeter, meter, kilometer. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
50. Measure weight to the nearest ounce. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
51. Measure weight to the nearest gram. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
52. Measure angles to the nearest degree. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
53. Measure temperature (Fahrenheit). REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
54. Measure temperature (Celsius). REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
55. Measure perimeter. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
56. Measure circumference. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
57. Use an architect's/engineer's scale. NOT APPLICABLE to the program

Math Skills - Computed Measurement

Skill Level

58. Convert from Metric to English units. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
59. Convert from English to Metric units. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
60. Compute areas of squares, rectangles, and parallelograms. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
61. Compute areas of triangles. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
62. Compute areas of trapezoids. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
63. Compute areas of circles. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
64. Use square inches, feet, and yards. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
65. Use square millimeters, centimeters, and meters. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
66. Compute volume of rectangular solids. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
67. Compute volume of cylindrical solids. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
68. Use cubic inches, feet, and yards. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
69. Use cubic millimeters, centimeters, and meters. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
70. Compute mass from volume and density. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
71. Find degree of precision/accuracy of calculations and measurements. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
72. Identify significant digits. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
73. Use the Pythagorean theorem. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
74. Do geometric constructions. NOT APPLICABLE to the program

Math Skills - Statistics

Skill Level

75. Calculate mean. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
76. Find median. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
77. Find mode. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
78. Construct line, bar, circle, and picture graphs. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
79. Interpret graphs. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
80. Calculate simple probabilities. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

Math Skills - Algebra

Skill Level

81. Use exponential notation. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
82. Use algebraic expressions (Ohms Law, gas laws, etc.). REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
83. Simplify algebraic expressions. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
84. Solve linear equations. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
85. Have the equivalent of 1 year of High School algebra. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

Math Skills - Trigonometry

Skill Level

86. Use trig tables. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
87. Compute missing angles of triangles using trig. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
88. Compute missing sides of triangles using trig. NOT APPLICABLE to the program

Math Skills - Miscellaneous

Skill Level

89. Work with non-decimal numeration systems (binary, hexadecimal). REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
90. Use a calculator for basic operations on whole numbers and decimals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
91. Use a calculator for basic operations with fractions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
92. Use special features of a calculator such as memory and constant. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

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Learning Skills

Skill Level

1. Use effective textbook study techniques. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
2. Take competent notes from lecture. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
3. Take tests in objective formats. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
4. Take essay tests. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
5. Locate materials in library. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
6. Plan a reasonable study schedule. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
7. Follow sequential instructions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
8. Develop sequential instructions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
9. Make accurate observations. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
10. Identify significant similarities and differences between two or more items. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
11. Classify or match items by their distinguishing features. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
12. Draw logical inferences based on observations. TAUGHT in the program
13. Identify cause and effect relationships. TAUGHT in the program
14. Given a problem, analyze the situation and identify and evaluate possible causes. TAUGHT in the program
15. Given a problem, identify and evaluate alternative solutions and arrive at a workable solution. TAUGHT in the program

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Computer Skills

Skill Level

1. Operate a microcomputer system. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
2. Demonstrate keyboarding skills. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
3. Use a word processing program. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
4. Use a desktop publishing program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
5. Use a spreadsheet program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
6. Use a data base program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
7. Use a graphics program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
8. Use a computer aided drafting program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
9. Use a computer assisted manufacturing program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
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