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.
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.
I appreciated the layout of the course to differentiate among the various WBL opportunities. I plan on using this information for training our WBL committee on the differences and to help to set a clear definition & expectation of knowledge as well. The ready to view resources were also very helpful in brainstorming and creating ideas for the WBL forms for the various experiences. I will definitely be using this as examples as we create our WBL program/intermediary site.
I am passionate about career-connected learning and work-based learning opportunities for students. This is crucial for a student to have the knowledge to make an appropriate decision about post-secondary options. Anytime I read materials defining WBL, and providing additional methods to categorize and explain what, exactly, WBL is and what the benefits are, I feel better equipped to convey to my colleagues, classroom teachers and both district and school-based admin staff members.
This first module did a great job of identifying the different components and definitions associated with work-based learning. I appreciated the different models shared and how work-based learning can begin as early as elementary school with the introduction of career awareness activites such as industry tours, guest speakers and field trips (North Dakota model).
