News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
New virtual reality welding simulators are helping Cookeville and Monterey High School students learn the art behind welding.
Cookeville High School Welding Teacher Dale Carver said the simulators have enhanced learning and safety for welding students. Carver said the virtual product helps build confidence in students who might have been afraid to weld
“We all believe in this program and believe that our country and our community need more hands-on material manufacturing welding students to develop their skills at this level and this age and to be able to apply those as soon as they leave this level,” Carver said.
Carver said he has seen first-year welding students who were on the fence about welding grow a passion for it through the program. The software scores the students’ performance and makes note of mistakes.
Carver said the program has also helped him as a first-year teacher. Carver said he can now correct poor technique in students using the program before they try with a real welding gun and face a safety risk.
A total of three virtual simulators cost the school system $24,000 each.
“It does produce the confidence and what we need in the students to have the ability to learn and develop their skills to use it in real life and out in the community and get these jobs that we want them to be successful at,” Carver said.
Carver said he has seen students who did not previously have an interest in welding as a career become excited when they improve their scores or perfect a skill. Carver said the virtual aspect of the program is an engaging tool for kids of this generation.
“They really love the virtual side of things,” Carver said. “In this day and age where computers and gaming is their life, they really enjoy the virtual side and they’re learning a lot.”
Carver has 24 years of manufacturing and welding experience and said he and the school thought these simulators would be a great way to gain interest in the trade.
