Braking Barriers: Empowering Women in Car Buying
A Comprehensive Course Design
1. Overview & Purpose
This project addresses the knowledge gap in car purchasing among women, providing targeted education to empower them with confidence and independence in decision-making. It covers fundamental vehicle mechanics, car evaluation, and purchasing strategies to enable informed buying decisions.
2. Educational Design Focus
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Challenge: Many women lack confidence in car-buying due to limited knowledge, leading to hesitation and reliance on others.
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Target Audience: Women aged 18-28, typically first-time buyers with minimal car knowledge.
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Importance: Understanding car mechanics and purchasing processes fosters independence, reduces vulnerability to misinformation, and empowers confident decision-making.
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Learning Outcomes:
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Identify different car types and their functionalities.
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Evaluate car features and mechanics.
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Navigate the car-buying process independently.
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3. Instructional Design Framework
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Learning Environment:
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Self-paced Online Course hosted on Her Campus, accessible via mobile and desktop.
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Targeted Learners: Young women in Pennsylvania with little car-buying experience.
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Community-Oriented Approach: Creating a supportive, inclusive learning environment.
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Pedagogical Approach:
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Interactive Multimedia: Videos, infographics, clickable diagrams.
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Guided Discovery: Hands-on activities like Car Evaluation and Selection.
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Collaborative Learning: Discussion boards and peer feedback.
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Scaffolded Learning: Foundational knowledge → Practical application.
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4. Course Structure
Modules & Content Highlights
UnitKey Topics Covered
Unit 1Car Types, Features, and Suitability
Unit 2Car Components and Maintenance Basics
Unit 3Evaluating Cars Based on Budget, Safety, Reliability
Unit 4Common Car Issues & How to Handle Them
Unit 5The Car Buying Process (Specific to Pennsylvania)
5. Assessment Design
Types of Assessments
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Quizzes: Knowledge checks at different stages.
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Discussion Boards: Learners reflect on scenarios and engage with peers.
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Self-Assessment: Reflective practice on confidence and application.
Example Quiz Questions
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Matching Question: Identify car components in a labeled diagram.
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Scenario-Based Question: "Your car won’t start, and you hear a clicking sound. What’s likely the issue?"
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(a) Out of fuel
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(b) Dead battery (Correct Answer: b)
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Decision-Making Question: Help a friend select a car based on budget, safety, and lifestyle.
Rubrics for Evaluation
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Discussion Board Participation: Scored based on engagement, clarity, and relevance.
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Self-Assessment Criteria: Learners reflect on knowledge gained and future application.
6. Interactive Learning Activities
Example: Car Evaluation & Selection
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Step 1: Learn about car safety, reliability, and test drive considerations through interactive videos.
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Step 2: Compare different car options using an interactive comparison tool.
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Step 3: Select the most suitable car and justify the decision in a written/audio format.
Example: Clickable Car Component Diagram
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Activity: Learners interact with an image of a car, clicking on parts to see descriptions and functions.
7. Course Implementation & Evaluation
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Delivery Format:
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Asynchronous, self-paced learning
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Advertised through DMVs, driving schools, and colleges
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Evaluation Metrics:
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Pre/Post Assessments to measure improvement.
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Engagement Metrics (discussion board participation, quiz attempts).
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Learner Feedback Surveys for content effectiveness.
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8. Conclusion & Future Directions
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Impact: Equips women with essential car knowledge, enabling them to make independent and informed purchasing decisions.
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Potential Expansions:
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Additional modules on financing and negotiating car deals.
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Expanding accessibility to other states.
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