MY PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES AS A TEACHER

-Observe trainees in the class or workshop for signs that they are failing to keep up, are bored or not understanding. -Show flexibility in responding to trainees needs. -Encourage trainees to take an active role in working through difficulties and take time to work through concepts in dealing with who have challenges. -Communicate effectively with students as well as staff members. -Creative and have an open attitude to change. -Show empathy, fairness, caring and approachable by students.

MY ROLES AND DUTIES AS A TEACHER

MY ROLES AND DUTIES AS A TEACHER As a teacher for vocational training center, I teach both theory and practical lessons. Each year, we (the VTC) admits students with different ethnic, tribal and educational backgrounds and I make sure that at least each student despite of his/her background understand and put in practice the knowledge and skills taught in the vocational training center in both theory and practice. These roles and duties include;  Prepare scheme of work and lesson plan for my periods  Teach students using different and possible teaching techniques such as lecture, demonstration, discussions and assessment.  Monitor and evaluate students’ performance  Create good learning environment for the students  Prepare and mark both assessment tests and examinations  Keep up to date records of the activities of the department.  Submit end of month reports to my senior/supervisor on the activities of the department.  Face any sort of situation that arise in my classroom and resolve it with confidence and forward those that require the attention of my supervisor.

“CRACKING OF BUILDINGS AS A CHALLENGE”

Most societies in South Sudan are facing challenge in the field of bricklaying and concrete practice (BCP). Cracks have become an indigenous, undesirable feature in both the old and newly constructed buildings. Building’s walls, foundations and floors are developing cracks in many parts of the country more especially in Malakal town. After completion of a building, unexpectedly cracks begin to develop on the walls, foundations and floors which weaken the strength and eventually the stability of the building as well as its durability. Although the craftsmen in their own capacities take actions to minimize the extent and severity of the cracking during the building process, it is rarely possible to avoid them entirely. According to my own observation, these cracks are gradually increasing in height and width which may be the first sign of serious defect affecting the serviceability of the house. This therefore calls for special attention from the craftsmen, government and individuals. It is most probably that, cracks that are not properly identified and paid attention to may lead to collapse of the structure. Assume that, a family building collapses, they are more likely to be exposed to more dangers like; coldness at night, rains, mosquito bites and spending more money to construct a new one or may be for renovation. The purpose of this technical note is to seek for help and advice on the increasing level of challenges caused by cracking of buildings in South Sudan, Malakal. The research is carried out to establish a common ground and possible ways on how I can improve my practice as well as my learning. And also act as an eye opener to other craftsmen in the field of bricklaying and concrete practice and may in other crafts to also identify and understand common challenges in their professional practices. During this study, I passed through two significant shifts; from “I can’t” to “I can” and from I can to “I care”. Not until possibilities are found to reduce or avoid this phenomenon, clients and craftsmen will keep on facing economic lose. This therefore makes most of the clients have less trust in the craftsmen. If this cracking of foundations, walls and floors are not minimized or reduced the guarantee of such buildings may also be uncertain. What could have caused these cracks? How can these cracks be reduced or avoided? Contributions of ideas and skills on; understanding, minimizing/reducing and avoiding cracks are welcome from craftsmen and well-wishers.

CRACKING OF BUILDINGS AS A CHALLENGE

Cracking of foundations, walls and floors has affected many buildings; both the old and newly constructed one in Malakal town, South Sudan. This weakens the strength, stability and durability of the whole building. Effects of cracks on the; Society, Buildings , more on the article

EFFECTS OF CRACKS ON A BUILDING

A crack is a complete or incomplete separation of concrete into two or more parts, produced by breaking or fracturing of a concrete wall, foundation and other parts of a building. The appearance of cracks is a symptom of distress within the fabric of the building. Often the cracking is of little consequence and once it is established as static, it gradually increases which maybe the first sign of a serious defect which may affect the serviceability or the stability of the house. Cracks have become an indigenous, undesirable feature in both the old and newly constructed buildings. After completion of a building, unexpectedly cracks begin to develop on the walls, foundations and floors which weaken the strength, stability and eventually its durability. It is most probably that, cracks that are not properly identified and paid attention to may lead to collapse of the structure. Although the craftsmen take actions to minimize cracks during the building process, it is rarely possible to avoid them entirely. Not until possibilities are found to reduce or avoid this phenomenon, clients and craftsmen will keep on facing big economic lose. What could be the cause of these cracks? How can these cracks be reduced or avoided? Contributions of ideas and skills on; understanding, minimizing/reducing and avoiding cracks destroying buildings are welcome from well-wishers and craftsmen.

EFFECTS OF CRACKING BUILDINGS ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Cracking of buildings is one of the needs in the field of bricklaying and concrete practice as my professional practice that require special attention from both the government, individuals and craftsmen. Although the craftsmen take actions to minimize the extent and severity of the cracking during the building process, it is rarely possible to avoid them entirely. It is most probably that, cracks that are not properly identified and paid attention to may lead to collapse of the structure. if a family building collapses,they may become homes. This therefore exposes them to more dangers like; coldness at nightone, mosquito bits, spending more money to construct a new building and mistrust between the clients and the craftsmen.

CRACKING OF BUILDINGS AS A CHALLENGE TO THE SOCIETY

As the youngest country in the world to get its independence from the Sudan in 2010, South Sudan is currently facing a big challenge in the sector of bricklaying and concrete practice. There are many needs in the field of bricklaying and concrete practice as my professional practice that require special attention from both the government, individuals and craftsmen. Building’s walls and foundations are developing cracks in many parts of the country more especially in Malakal town (Upper Nile state).

Cracks have become an indigenous, undesirable feature in both the old and newly constructed buildings. After completion of a building, unexpectedly cracks begin to develop on the walls, foundations and floors which weaken the strength and eventually the stability of the building as well as the durability of the whole building. These cracks are becoming a big challenge in my professional technical vocational practice as a builder. It is most probably that, cracks that are not properly identified and paid attention to may lead to collapse of the structure. Not until possibilities are found to reduce or avoid this phenomenon, clients and craftsmen will keep on facing big economic lose. This may therefore cause mistrust between the clients and the craftsmen. Although the craftsmen take actions to minimize the extent and severity of the cracking during the building process, it is rarely possible to avoid them entirely. What could be the cause of these cracks? How can these cracks be reduced or avoided? Contributions of ideas and skills on; understanding, minimizing/reducing and avoiding cracks destroying buildings are welcome from well-wishers and craftsmen.

Challenges caused by cracking of walls

This article presents a summary of my understanding on cracking of buildings as a challenge in my professional practice as a builder. The appearance of cracks is a symptom of distress within the building. However a crack maybe the first sign of a serious defect which may affect the serviceability or the stability of the building. The appearance of cracks can also affect the value of the building, its insurability, the sale ability. In some instances the remedial work may exacerbate the problem resulting in yet further and more extensive cracking. I carried out this study in fulfillment of the theme for the third semester in my Bachelor’s program which is to explore the relation between my professional technical vocational practices as a builder and my understanding about the challenges in the society which need to be addressed such as ‘cracking of walls. The research is also carried out to establish a common ground and possible ways on how its information can influence other craftsmen in the field of bricklaying and concrete practice and may in other crafts to also identify and understand common challenges in the professional practices. The main research method I used in this study into understanding cracks as a challenge in my practices as a builder is “observation”. In this study, I see what is happening in its natural form; make my observations and reflections. Meanwhile, the research tools I used included camera, notebook and pens and daily data log.

Summary of project report three

“Documentation of the needs in the society in relation to my professional technical vocational practice as a builder” This article presents a summary of my project report for semester three in my Bachelor’s Degree program for technical vocational education for teachers at Upper Nile University, Malakal. The report discusses how I carried out an enquiry into exploring my understanding on setting out corners of a building as accurately as possible as one of the identified challenges in the professional practice. Needs in the society in relation to my professional technical vocational practices as a builder refers to the challenges experienced in the professional practices. For example the challenges of; walls developing cracks, moisture rising up into the wall, roofs of building being blown off by heavy winds, inaccurate setting of corners and so on. Some if not all of this challenges may proof too costly to rectify at a later stage. Therefore, as a practitioner, it may be important on a professional point of view to identify and understand such challenges in the professional practices and evaluate and analyze how it can be reduced or possibly avoided in the professional practices. The study was carried out in fulfillment of the theme for the third semester in this Bachelor’s program which is to explore the relation between my professional technical vocational practices as a builder and my understanding about the needs in the society. The research is also carried out to establish a common ground and possible ways on how its information can influence other craftsmen in the field of bricklaying and concrete practice and may in other crafts to also identify and understand common challenges in the professional practices. The main research method I used in this study into understanding setting of corners of a building as a challenge in my practices as a builder is “observation”. In this study, I see what is happening in its natural form; make my observations and reflections. The research tools I used included camera, notebook and pens and daily data log.

How I can cut a brick into required length

Introduction

Cutting a brick or bricks to the required size and length is one of the professional technical skills I have as a builder. This article describes how to cut a brick into three quarter bat. A three quarter brick is the brick where a quarter of the brick is cut off.

In brick cutting, no matter what pattern is followed when cutting the bricks. It can be done with a circular saw or grinders fitted with a masonry blade. But for my case, I prefer to cut the brick by hand tools such as cold chisel, a broad-bladed chisel and a brick hammer. I have chosen this method because it is the common and affordable way in most sites and it is a less dusty alternative. The cold chisel should least be 3/4 inch wide; the broad-bladed chisel some time known as a brick set should be at least 3 inches wide.

Tools needed for the exercise
Cold chisel, broad-bladed chisel, brick hammer, a ruler of 30cm or more, tape measure (2.5meters or more), handle gloves, eye glasses and earplugs

Safety precautions

Just before starting the work, I put on safety glasses to protect and safeguard my eye, hand gloves to protect hands and earplugs for the safety of the ears in case of any unexpected noise during the process of cutting.

Steps to be followed

First, measure the brick with a tape measure or may be a 30cm rule to determine the targeted position for cutting
Mark cutline on each side of the brick using a pencil and a set square some time the builder square can also be used.

Place the brick on the ground or a sand bed, Score the cutline by tapping a cold chisel gently at about a 60-degree angle; striking straight on or with a full swing could prematurely split the brick and leave an uneven break. Alternate the angle of the chisel from side to side until you’ve made a 1/16-inch-deep groove all the way around the brick.

Hold the brick set upright in the score line. Face the set’s beveled edge toward the scrap side of the cut, and then tilt the blade slightly away from that side. Give it a solid blow with your hammer; the brick should split along the score.

Chip (cut) away any excess material with the chisel end of a brick hammer. Some time, removal of the excess material can be done by the use of a brick trowel.