Novice Decision Making During Creation of Electric Go-Kart Racing Educational Material

Abstract

In 2017 Purdue evGrand Prix hired a K-12 Indiana public educator (the author) to write instructional material that could be implemented into participating teams’ high school science and engineering classrooms. The goal was to create science-based integrated STEM learning experiences that complement the construction and racing of a 48-volt electric go-kart. Over the next four years, the instructional designer learned how to implement instructional design techniques and theories while navigating the changing dynamics of a fledgling educational program. Personal experience with woodworking, classroom instruction, and classroom curriculum development played a huge role in instructional design decisions. Early decision-making processes were rooted in making slight modifications to existing educational resources. Here, minor edits were made for application to motorsports generally, and go-kart racing specifically. When specific go-kart educational materials were not available, educational and classroom best practices became the raw material for creating new and innovative instructional material. Collaboration with peers, professionals, and subject matter experts became the norm, while feedback from participating schools helped develop a single-minded focus to meet both teacher and student needs. Formalized training within an instructional design and technology course provided much-needed organizational and methodological skills associated with the transition from a teacher designing classroom resources to an instructional design professional.