Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 7
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Printing Craft
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Crafts: Definition And Types Of Craft Related To Printing.
Topic: PRINTING— EDUCATION AND CAREER IN PRINTING
Subject Matter: Career opportunities in printing, Lithographers and their roles, Machine menders and operators, Printing supervisors and managers, Skills and training needed

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

List various career opportunities available in the printing industry.
Explain the roles of a lithographer in printing.
Describe the duties of machine menders and operators in a printing press.
State the responsibilities of printing supervisors and managers.
Identify the skills and training needed for different printing careers.

Affective Domain:

Discuss the importance of pursuing a career in printing.
Appreciate the diverse roles within the printing industry.
Express interest in potential future careers in printing.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify visual examples of printed products and relate them to specific printing careers.
Select appropriate safety gear samples for a given printing task.

Participate in a discussion about career interests in the printing sector.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Basic Technology (JSS 1-3) & Trade Subjects (SSS 1-3).
State Unified Scheme of Work for Printing Craft, SSS 1.
Akinwumi, A. (2018). Fundamentals of Printing Technology for Senior Secondary Schools. Lagos: Educational Publishers.
https://www.printindustry.com/careers
https://www.careerbuilder.com/advice/printing-jobs

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Photographs of various printing presses.
Job role cards describing different printing careers.
Samples of various printed products (e.g., books, magazines, posters).
Examples of safety gear used in printing (e.g., gloves, safety glasses).

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the various job opportunities available in the printing industry. It enables them to connect their academic learning to potential future careers, which is important for making informed decisions about their education and professional paths.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of what printing is and may have seen printed materials in their daily lives.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

PRINTING: EDUCATION AND CAREER IN PRINTING

Career Opportunities in Printing

The printing industry offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals with different skills and interests. It is a sector that combines creativity, technical knowledge, and precision.

Some common career opportunities in printing include:

Lithographers
Machine Menders and Operators
Printing Supervisors and Managers
Graphic Designers
Pre-press Technicians
Bindery Workers
Quality Control Specialists
Sales and Marketing Professionals (for printing services)

Lithographers and Their Roles

Lithography is a printing method based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. A lithographer is a skilled professional who specializes in this process.

The roles of a lithographer include:

Preparing printing plates for lithographic presses.
Ensuring the correct transfer of images from plates to paper.
Mixing and matching ink colors accurately.
Monitoring the printing process to maintain quality and consistency.
Troubleshooting issues related to plate preparation or ink application.

Machine Menders and Operators

Printing machines are complex and require skilled personnel to operate and maintain them. Machine menders and operators are essential for the smooth running of a printing press.

The duties of machine operators include:

Setting up printing machines according to job specifications.
Loading paper and ink into the machines.
Monitoring machine operations to ensure proper functioning.
Making adjustments during the printing process to maintain quality.
Performing routine cleaning and basic maintenance of machines.

The duties of machine menders (maintenance technicians) include:

Diagnosing mechanical or electrical faults in printing equipment.
Repairing and replacing worn-out or damaged machine parts.
Performing preventive maintenance to extend machine lifespan.
Ensuring all machines meet safety standards.

Printing Supervisors and Managers

Supervisors and managers play a key role in overseeing the entire printing operation, ensuring efficiency, quality, and timely delivery of products.

The responsibilities of printing supervisors include:

Overseeing daily production activities on the print floor.
Assigning tasks to printing staff and monitoring their performance.
Ensuring adherence to production schedules and quality standards.
Training new machine operators and other staff.
Resolving minor operational issues and conflicts.

The responsibilities of printing managers include:

Planning and coordinating overall printing operations.
Managing budgets and resources for the printing department.
Developing and implementing production strategies.
Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
Interacting with clients and suppliers.

Skills and Training Needed for Printing Careers

A career in printing requires a combination of technical skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities.

The general skills and training needed include:

Technical Proficiency: Understanding of printing processes, machinery, and software.
Attention to Detail: Ability to spot errors in print, color, and design.
Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to diagnose and fix machine malfunctions or production issues.
Color Perception: Ability to distinguish and match colors accurately.
Mechanical Aptitude: For machine operators and menders, understanding how machines work.
Communication Skills: For supervisors and managers, to direct staff and interact with clients.
Safety Consciousness: Adherence to safety protocols in a workshop environment.
Formal Training: Vocational training, diplomas, or degrees in graphic arts, printing technology, or related fields.
Apprenticeships: On-the-job training under experienced professionals.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to mention different printed items they use daily (e.g., books, newspapers, labels). The teacher then asks them who they think produces these items, leading to the printing industry.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning printed items and discussing how they might be produced.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the relevance of printing in their daily lives and the topic of careers in printing.

Step 2: Career Opportunities in Printing

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the broad range of career opportunities in the printing industry. Using job role cards, the teacher highlights various positions such as lithographers, machine operators, and supervisors.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the job role cards, and may ask clarifying questions about different career paths.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and list various career opportunities available in the printing industry.

Step 3: Lithographers and Their Roles

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visualisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what lithography is and describes the specific roles and responsibilities of a lithographer. The teacher may show images of lithographic plates or printed samples produced using this method.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the visuals, and take notes. They may ask questions about the technical aspects of lithography.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can explain the roles of a lithographer in printing.

Step 4: Machine Menders and Operators

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Description/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher details the duties of machine operators, explaining how they set up and run printing machines. The teacher also explains the role of machine menders (maintenance technicians) in repairing and maintaining equipment, showing photos of printing presses.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the photos, and learn about the practical aspects of operating and maintaining printing machinery.
Learning Point: Pupils describe the duties of machine menders and operators in a printing press.

Step 5: Printing Supervisors and Managers

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Comparison
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the supervisory and managerial roles in a printing company, differentiating between the responsibilities of a supervisor and a manager. The teacher emphasizes their importance in overseeing production and ensuring quality.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and understand the hierarchical structure and responsibilities within a printing firm.
Learning Point: Pupils state the responsibilities of printing supervisors and managers.

Step 6: Skills and Training Needed

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the various skills and types of training required for the different printing careers discussed. The teacher encourages pupils to identify which skills they might already possess or want to develop.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, identifying relevant skills and types of training.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the skills and training needed for different printing careers.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

List three career opportunities available in the printing industry.
Explain the main role of a lithographer.
State two duties of a printing machine operator.
Mention two skills essential for a printing supervisor.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the diversity of careers in printing and the importance of skills and training. The teacher assigns homework: “Research one printing career not discussed today and write a short paragraph about it.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of career opportunities in printing.

Lesson Keywords

Lithographer – A skilled professional who specializes in the lithographic printing process.
Printing Press – A machine used for printing, applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium.
Career Opportunity – A chance to progress in a particular profession or field of work.
Machine Operator – A person who sets up and runs printing machinery.
Supervisor – A person who oversees a group of workers or a department.
Manager – A person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or organization.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to research specific printing technologies or the history of printing. For pupils who require more support, the teacher can provide simplified notes or pair them with peers for collaborative learning and discussion. Visual aids will be used extensively to support all learners.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should encourage pupils to think critically about their own interests and how they might align with careers in printing. Practical examples and visual demonstrations are highly effective for this subject. Safety awareness should be emphasized when discussing machine operations and maintenance.