MTTIA Annual Conference 2026: Full Schedule

1:00pm CDT

Developing Better Diagnostic Judgment and Critical Thinking

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

W158 Transportation Electrical Lab/Classroom

Help your students move beyond parts-swapping, memorized pattern failures, overreliance on TSBs, “fix databases,” and rigid OEM trouble trees with Developing Better Diagnostic Judgment and Critical Thinking—a real-world course designed for automotive educators who want to build stronger diagnostic thinkers in the classroom, lab, and shop environment.
This class gives instructors a structured framework for teaching diagnostic mindset, process discipline, and critical thinking. It begins by addressing the attitude and mental approach students need when facing complex vehicle problems, then transitions into a repeatable diagnostic process grounded in the scientific method, evidence-based reasoning, and practical shop logic.
The course demonstrates how to teach students to use scan data, oscilloscopes, thermal imaging, visual inspection, service information, and comparative testing as part of a larger decision-making process rather than isolated tool use. Concepts such as triangulating faults, analyzing change, validating hypotheses, and separating symptoms from root causes are presented through practical examples and relatable case studies.
For high school and college automotive instructors, this course provides a teachable model for helping students develop diagnostic confidence, technical accountability, and professional judgment. The goal is not just to show students what to test, but to help them understand why they are testing it, what the results mean, and how to make better decisions from the evidence.

Speakers

Haakan Light

Manager of Training and Development, Topdon USA

Haakan has spent over 18 years of his professional career in the automotive industry. He is ASE certified as a service advisor, parts specialist and technician. His automotive journey began working as a general services technician at a local tire franchise in High School. He graduated... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
W158 Transportation Electrical Lab/Classroom

Automotive Training

8:00am CDT

Automotive Networking

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am CDT

W158 Transportation Electrical Lab/Classroom

Automotive networks, CANbus (controller area network) unique demonstration technique for 1st time students to build the “nodes”. The session is designed to build technicians with high impact and no pressure.
· Build the “nodes”
· Install the termination resistors
· Connect nodes to the “bus”
· See the data

Speakers

Mark Bone

Professional Trainer, Megatech Corporation

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am CDT
W158 Transportation Electrical Lab/Classroom

Automotive Training

1:00pm CDT

Brad Gravenhof with SATA

Wednesday August 5, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

W158 Transportation Electrical Lab/Classroom

Learn about the newest products from SATA. We will discuss compressed air routing, filtration, fresh air breathing equipment, the latest in spray guns and more.

Wednesday August 5, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
W158 Transportation Electrical Lab/Classroom

Auto Body