Work for 5/8 - 5/12: Thank You Cards & Catch-Up

Now that your placements have ended, it is time to thank those who have allowed you to shadow/intern/work with them.  On my desk I have 20 Thank You cards. Each of you will take one of the cards and write out a sincere message to your host for everything they have done this school year. You are to submit your cards to your sub by the end of class.

When you have finished your cards, you are responsible for using the rest of this week to complete any/all missing assignments from this semester.  A link to our N3 and N4 assignments can be found on pages 3 and 4 in the link here.

I will check in on you throughout the week.  I expect you to finish these assignments and have a great portfolio moving into your post-secondary life!

Website Update and Winding The Year Down

OK everyone, I did not like the hiatus from blogging our weekly assignments.  Maybe I'm just a creature of habit, or maybe I just feel more organized when I publish our assignments; either way, I did not like verbally ordering you guys around to do your work these past few weeks.  With that said, I've returned to publish your assignments online and guide as needed during class.  I believe we all feel a little more comfortable with this process.  The only difference moving forward is that I will allow you more autonomy on how to accomplish the tasks, as I will be more vague with my list of things to do:

1. Personalized Learning Plan - For the remainder of the year, you will take the mini prompts, discussions, and other in-class assignments and populate each section of the Personalized Learning Plan as instructed.  We have addressed each section/prompt already in separate assignments/bell ringers, so now it's time to take that information and enter it into the document.  This is necessary for completion of this course
2. Website/Online Portfolio - Please ensure your Weebly includes all the required artifacts from our WBL Checklist of Assignments

I know you're going to do an excellent job these last 4 weeks of class.  Looking ahead, we will be finalizing our websites, completing reflective assignments, and providing feedback/constructive criticism for next year's preparation.  I appreciate everything you all have done this year and hope you're getting the most out of this course!

Welcome Back After Your Last Spring Break

Well, the end is near.  You've completed your last Spring Break of high school and you're feeling some percentage of readiness for post-secondary life and some percentage of a desire to hold onto the last few weeks as a Senior.  Since we focused on completing our MB tests the day before Spring Break (thank you for doing that, by the way), we can resume our focus on initiative and self-direction.

I'm going to pass along your MB tests to be scored and you will see your results in due time.  Let's have a productive week!

Initiative and Self-Direction Continued

As busy as we all have been, we're going to have to continue to focus on the same standard as we had last week.  Initiative and self-direction are not assignments or tasks that can be attempted, completed, and then dismissed.  They are habits that must be cultivated.  You should develop a sense of pride in going above and beyond, so I'm going to re-post what I wrote last week.  We need to really try to engage in some meaningful discussion and put forth our best efforts when producing our artifacts (maybe you can demonstrate initiative and self-direction on this project).  See below for last week's post:

In the past, we've discussed the difference between your everyday teenager and the student that stands out among the rest.  We've talked about going the extra mile, finding something effective to do when others would rather socialize with a co-worker, taking a genuine interest in something a supervisor wants to accomplish for the organization, and what separates the good from the great.  This week, you're going to focus on taking initiative for yourselves at your placement and extending your learning beyond the everyday tasks you complete.

With your time at your placements, you are going to find AT LEAST ONE thing (task, discussion furthering your own knowledge of the position, underutilized area at the placement) that you are going to do UNPROMPTED and make it a point to complete on your own.  When you return to class this week, you're going to share out (discuss first) how it went and then create an artifact (picture with explanation, blog post, quick YouTube video) that demonstrates your dedication to taking initiative and being self-directed on the job.

I look forward to your projects and hope to see some cool videos or read some great blog posts.  Have a great week!  I'll see you all in class!

Initiative and Self-Direction

In the past, we've discussed the difference between your everyday teenager and the student that stands out among the rest.  We've talked about going the extra mile, finding something effective to do when others would rather socialize with a co-worker, taking a genuine interest in something a supervisor wants to accomplish for the organization, and what separates the good from the great.  This week, you're going to focus on taking initiative for yourselves at your placement and extending your learning beyond the everyday tasks you complete.

With your time at your placements, you are going to find AT LEAST ONE thing (task, discussion furthering your own knowledge of the position, underutilized area at the placement) that you are going to do UNPROMPTED and make it a point to complete on your own.  When you return to class this week, you're going to share out (discuss first) how it went and then create an artifact (picture with explanation, blog post, quick YouTube video) that demonstrates your dedication to taking initiative and being self-directed on the job.

I look forward to your projects and hope to see some cool videos or read some great blog posts.  Have a great week!  I'll see you all in class!

Looking Forward

It's the beginning of the last nine weeks of high school.  You are likely in the last six to seven weeks of your placements, and it's time for you to create a list of things you wish to do as the year winds down.  As such, this week's focus is going to be on what you do most, what you do best, and how you can utilize these skills as you proceed to college and/or the workforce beyond Work-Based Learning.
With that said, I would like you to put together a list of your normal duties at your placement and set a goal for improvement on at least one of them.  Your artifact this week will be to write a short blog post (150 to 200 words) about your duties and what you would like to get accomplished before the placement ends.  If you wish to make a video submission, make sure it is at least 2 minutes long and covers everything mentioned above. Either way, your submission should be posted by the end of class on Friday.

I look forward to a great end to the year.  As always, contact me if you need anything.  I'll be seeing most of you at your placements this week.

N3 Wrap-up and Website Updates

Hi everyone!  This week is going to be our wrap-up of N3 and update of your website.  Many of you have not shared all of your work with me, so by Friday, all of your work should be up to date.  Please refer to this Google Doc to find out what is required of you.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions beyond the Doc.  I look forward to seeing your finished product!

Last Week of Presentation Preparation

This week will be the last week we focus on preparing our "Creativity and Innovation" presentations for our workplace supervisors.  We will utilize class time to refine our presentation, work on potential objections that may arise to our proposals, and come off as articulate as possible when approaching a supervisor with constructive feedback.

So far our presentations are sounding excellent.  I look forward to hearing what kind of change (for the better) that you can bring about at your placements.  Enjoy the 3-day weekend and I'll see you next week!

Continuing Preparing for Presentations

This week's post is going to be short and sweet.  Although we planned preparing presentations to our workplace supervisors, more pressing issues hogged the spotlight in class this week.  I am actually glad we had a chance to discuss real life customer service scenarios some of you have encountered as hosts, waitstaff, and interns, as well as helping prepare for Friday's pep assembly.  Discussing these issues while they're fresh in your mind is important, so it's not a big deal if our presentations took a minor back seat last week.

Of course, since we didn't get a chance to review much of anyone's presentation, this week we need to get at least two to three presentations reviewed.  This Thursday and Friday, our main focus will be giving quality feedback that can help make changes.

I can't wait to hear what you've prepared.  I'll see you soon!

Presentation Practice

Standard 5 states:

Demonstrate creativity and innovation: Use idea-generating techniques to explore divergent and atypical questions and perspectives to develop original ideas for products or solve problems – such as a constructed object, proposal, presentation, solution to a problem, service, system, work of art, writing sample, invention, event, or an improvement to an existing product. Exhibit insight into the particular needs and interests of the target audience that are driving the process of innovation.

Approaching your supervisor with a suggestion for improvement is always a challenging task for anyone, especially someone who might just be an intern or entry-level employee.  However, when your suggestion is substantiated with evidence and a desire to improve the efficiency of the organization, the suggestion could be very beneficial for both the organization and the employees.  That said, we are going to take your work from the past few weeks and begin to practice approaching and presenting to your supervisors this week (and likely next week).

With your time in class this week, we will take our time going over HOW to present your suggestions to your supervisor as well as critique WHAT to do when you actually approach them.  We will take our time and make sure you are in a good position to succeed, and once you have practiced enough, you will be ready to go.

I look forward to hearing your ideas and working on your communication skills.  These next few weeks will be a lot of fun!

Continuation of Creativity and Innovation - Write Out a Plan

Standard 5 states:

Demonstrate creativity and innovation: Use idea-generating techniques to explore divergent and atypical questions and perspectives to develop original ideas for products or solve problems – such as a constructed object, proposal, presentation, solution to a problem, service, system, work of art, writing sample, invention, event, or an improvement to an existing product. Exhibit insight into the particular needs and interests of the target audience that are driving the process of innovation.

Now that you've identified a need for change and put some thoughts on paper (and in your blog post), it's time to do what separates the good from the great.  You're going to lay out a plan for implementing change at your placement.  It's not enough to say, "this needs to change." Rather, until you put together a strategy for making the change so that the decision-makers can consider it,  you're nothing more than a cynic.

That said, at your placement, please consider ways in which your change can and will successfully be put into action.  When you return to class, use your time in my room to map out a step-by-step process that will improve the efficiency of your organization.  With this in place, we will work on creating a presentation (formal letter, PowerPoint, video, etc.) of your choosing that will be introduced to your workplace mentor and/or direct manager.

Remember, you're not required to do anything earth-shattering (remember the white board over the sink example I explained last week).  You're just going to show your supervisors that you are capable of one of the 21st Century skills that others simply overlook.  I look forward to hearing about your plans.  Have a great week!

Creativity and Innovation: Changing Things for the Better

Standard 5 states:

Demonstrate creativity and innovation: Use idea-generating techniques to explore divergent and atypical questions and perspectives to develop original ideas for products or solve problems – such as a constructed object, proposal, presentation, solution to a problem, service, system, work of art, writing sample, invention, event, or an improvement to an existing product. Exhibit insight into the particular needs and interests of the target audience that are driving the process of innovation.

I really like how this standard is worded, and I want us to dive into this standard as much as possible this week, and, based on how involved our action plan is, next week as well.

The title of this week's blog will guide us toward our end goal of changing/improving upon a current procedure/practice at your placement.  While on the job this week, I would like all of you to analyze the everyday tasks and activities that the employees carry out.  Think of a problem that occurs frequently or a task that could be completed more quickly if something was changed.  After your analysis, you will return to class to devise a plan or proposal that you will present to your supervisor.  This week and next, you will formulate that proposal/plan and when it's complete, you will actually present it.

This week is strictly dedicated to thinking of the problem, devising a solution, and putting your ideas on paper (actually in your blog).  You will compose a blog post that describes the problem and your ideal solution, and next week, you will work on your presentation (can be in PowerPoint [yawn], on video, or in the form of an invention).  Either way, you will set your eyes on a solution and let your supervisor know how you can help the organization improve.  Students from other schools have used a project like this to earn a promotion or gain public recognition.  Who knows what great things will happen when you complete this.

Have a great week!  I'll see you all tomorrow.

Clear and Effective Communication - Publishing Your Weebly Pages

This week, we will focus on clear and effective communications in verbal, written, physical (body language), and digital forms.  While you are on your placements, please think about how your tone of voice, choice of words, body language, and outward appearance send effective messages with co-workers and customers.  Be cognizant of how you carry yourself outside the workplace as well, and see if there is a difference in your professionalism.  This week's artifact will be a simple 150+ word blog detailing your communication skills.

Additionally, many of you have either not published your websites or have left our artifacts that you actually completed (think letters of recommendation, resume, college/scholarship application reflections, gender identity blog entry, etc.).  You'll need to get everything published and updated by the end of this week so that you can follow up on your SMART goals in future blog entries, and so you can show off ALL of the work you've done this school year.

I look forward to seeing you all later this week.  Enjoy your placements!

Portfolio Update - SMART Goals, Vision Board, and Proofreading

This week's post will revolve around an email I sent you all earlier today.  By the end of this week, you will all have a more comprehensive Weebly that will begin to demonstrate all the great things you're doing at your placements.  See below:

By Friday, you will need to have your portfolio websites updated with at least the following:

1. 5 blog entries (either linked from your website or included in your website): This shouldn't be difficult since you were assigned six entries last semester and one last week.  See previous blog entries for different topics, but your most recent entry MUST include your SMART goals (Personal, Academic, Placement) Refer to this blog entry for an example of the minimum expectation for your SMART goals entry
2. Your Intro Video
3. A short bio/"About Me" writing piece (5 or 6 sentences) on the same page as your intro video
4. Awards/Certifications - load images of these as a slideshow
5. Work Samples - coordinate with your placement supervisor what you can and can't use.  Performance reviews, images of you working independently, and feedback from supervisors are all effective options
6. Vision Board - This can be either electronic (use snipping tool to paste images and quotes to an MS Publisher file in landscape orientation) or on paper (just snap a photo of your vision board and upload the image) - you must provide a short paragraph (5 or 6 sentences) about what is included in your vision board

All of you are doing great things on your placements, however there is very few, if any, tangible evidence of your great work beyond the stories you share with me in class on Thursdays and Fridays.  You must update your portfolios, as this is a requirement of the class and Ms. Peppard and I need to show Central Office personnel how effective your placements are.  We all know you are getting great experience out of this course, but you need to show evidence of it.

On Thursdays and Fridays, your time spent in class needs to be more productive.  All of your pages can and should be updated with the above information by the end of class this Friday, especially if you use the class time productively.

I've copied Ms. Brown and Ms. Peppard to this email so they are aware of the work you need to complete this week.  Next weekend, Ms. Peppard and I will select the two best portfolios to share with Central Office.  Take pride in your work and you will be greatly rewarded.