The Value of Work-Based Learning | Origin: CS130
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Creating Work-Based Learning Programs - First Steps --> The Value of Work-Based Learning
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
This first part of the course gives great resources and information for those who are unfamiliar with the fine details of a work based learning program in a school.
This was a good summary of WBL. It is important to recognize which step of career exploration a student may be in, in order to help them make an appropriate plan moving forward.
Our school has an active Job Shadow Program and I see through what I've learned so far that there needs to be more thoughtful intention put into orientations, detailed training agreements, exit activities and assignments. I also think we could integrate a mock interview into the Job Shadow, since it's an eight week experience.
There are several different steps/processes/intentional experiential activities that can build one upon another for students in WBL. Each has its own intention and value in helping to develop students' awareness and understanding of what it will take to pursue specific career pathways. I like learning about the multitude of categories and strategies for consideration in building a robust WBL program.
The value of Work-Based Learning can be seen with student after student success stories about how it is a career path they will pursue or just as valuable a career they will no move on from. These authentic settings give insight to students not gained from research alone.
The resources and information provided a well-rounded introduction to WBL. The resources proved valuable in both affirming areas of effective practice and identifying opportunities for continued growth. The information underscored the importance of ongoing professional development in WBL techniques to expand and enhance our opportunities for students.
I really like work based learning. Hands on has always been my favorite way to learn.
The co-op model was new to me. We typically just do internships, so this gave me a new idea.
I am really pleased with all the links and resources provided in the lessons so far. Specifically, I intend to utilize the documents shared for setting up mentorships and mock interviews.
This was great, a review of the importance of WBL. My goal also is to give students a closer view of a community professional or industry.
Job-Shadow and mock interviews will be introduced to my students in semester two.
This is my first time taking this course, so I learned about the different types of work based learning, one I have personally never heard before, as I feel the one most common to hear is the internship.
I liked reading about career exploration and the importance of the connection to students career pathways.
I liked the description of job shadowing being more meaningful that just a business tour.
I learned how to establish a supportive workplace where people can excel in their roles and acquire new skills while performing their duties, which could lead to greater productivity and business success.
I feel it was useful to distinguish the phases of the WBL continuum and to identify phase-specific WBL activities appropriate for the objective of each phase. Assisting students in their career exploration to find areas of interest and aligning authentic opportunities and experiences seems to be the key.
As someone who works primarily with juniors and seniors, I appreciated the focus on the continuum of WBL experiences as I feel that career exploration in primary and middle school is so important.
I like the different steps to getting students ready for work-based learning. It is a relief that it is a step-by-step process instead of all at once.
I really like the different models that were presented and the resources - very helpful for evaluating our developing program.
I learned that WBL programs are a way to meld together academic learning with experiences in the real world in real-time.
