And So It Begins

“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you.
You must travel it by yourself.
It is not far. It is within reach.
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know. 
Perhaps it is everywhere - on water and land.” 
― Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

This week marks the first full week of our journey in course 6105 - Work-Based Learning: Career Practicum, though each of you has already traveled quite a bit just to get here.  I plan to utilize this blog to guide us through our year so that everyone has an opportunity to know where we are going and what we are doing each day, either in class or at our placements.  

Although I am a member of the Department of Education's Work-Based Learning Leadership Council, this is my first year actually teaching Career Practicum.  This means I am just as new to this course as you are.  Throughout the year, we will work our way through the curriculum, utilizing the resources provided in the WBL Toolbox to master the WBL State Standards.  

Now that we've completed our mandatory safety test, we can begin our journey with our first week of tasks.  Please read below for a simple breakdown:

Monday: Walk Through Personalized Learning Plan
Clear Target: We can analyze a Personalized Learning Plan
Objectives: Define terms related to 21st Century Learning, Understand framework for WBL  course 6105, Walk through personalized learning plan
When we begin class Monday, I will distribute a PLP Packet to each student and explain that this packet will act as a guide for them as they navigate through this course.  We will review the terms associated with 21st Century skills and discuss the importance of preparedness on the job.  When finished, students will have time to absorb the information included in the PLP and reflect on how this will guide them through the year.  As an exit assignment, students will write a "crystal ball" prediction of how the PLP will help them achieve their short-term and long-term goals.

Tuesday: CHOP!
Clear Target: We can analyze the effectiveness of work ethic in all areas of life
Objectives: Discuss work ethic, View video about work ethic, apply concepts of CHOP! to school, job, and life scenarios
Today, our discussion and classwork revolves around a video about CHOP! Students will take notes on at least 10 elements of the video that stand out to them and discuss the importance of CHOP! in all aspects of their work.

Wednesday: Student WBL Profile and Self-Assessment of Skills
Clear Target: We can analyze personal strengths and weaknesses 
Objectives: Define terms related to self-assessment, complete WBL Profile and Self-Assessment of Skills
I will distribute the Student Work-Based Learning Profile and Self-Assessment of Skills and explain the relevance of each form.  We will analyze each form and independently, students will complete each.  We will discuss our personal strengths and weaknesses and learn how to improve each work-based skill.  Students will use these forms as they progress through the year to track personal growth and mastery of each skill.  Forms will be reviewed for a grade kept in student folders.

Thursday: Analysis of WBL State Standards
Clear Target: We can analyze and critique work-based learning skills
Objectives: Read through WBL Standards, Analyze standards, Discuss methods for mastery of each standard
Today's class is designed to give a clear picture of what each student will focus on as we go through the school year.  I will distribute a copy of the WBL Standards and we will read through each, focusing on methods of mastering each standard.  As an exit assignment, students will highlight the standard they feel most excited to work on and explain how they feel a professional exhibits mastery of that standard in their career.

Friday: Note-Taking Framework
Clear Target: We can apply concepts of understanding to highlight important details
Objectives: Review note-taking fundamentals, understand concepts of note-taking, practice taking notes
I will lecture on the purpose of guest speakers and how to take notes appropriately when a speaker is in class.  I will provide an example of notes from college lectures (my own notebook) and demonstrate how to take notes on a lecture/speech.  I will explain that guest speakers will provide guidance on what each job entails (ex: what do you do as a CNA?), what education is required, how to get an interview, how to achieve and maintain success on the job, and what type of opportunities exist in the field.  We will watch a YouTube video about how to be an effective YouTuber and take notes.  I will demo my notes and explain how I organized my understanding of the video.  Below is a clip of the video we'll watch:

So that's it for our first week!  I hope you enjoyed this entry and have a great time as you begin your journey.  Thanks for reading!