Workplace Essential Skills Training Module

Sample Agenda

Introduction - 9:00-9:30

- Brief run-down of the day

- Orientation to Workplace Essential Skills

• Who created it
• Who it's for / its purpose
• What it includes, resource-wise
• Possible incentives for using it / product relevance

Digging In: Previewing Workplace Essential Skills - 9:30-10:00

- Review Workplace Essential Skills resources.

• Your primary task is to familiarize yourself with WES resources and begin to evaluate their potential value in your program.
• You may review the resources on your own or with other participants.
• You may look at the workbooks, the videotapes, the website - or, if you are feeling particularly ambitious, two or all three.
• As you review the resources, write down any questions that occur to you. Try to come up with 3-5 questions (if you are working on your own) or 5-7 questions (if you are working in a small group.)
• There are no rules for how to do this. This is free time for you to investigate. You will have 1/2 hour.
• Go!

- In large group, share questions.

Interviews - 10:00-10:30

- In pairs, discuss the following questions:

• Who do you serve - who is your audience?
• Why are they seeking your support - what are their goals?
• What do you hope this resource will do for your students?

Break - 10:30-10:45

Reviewing a Video Clip - 10:45-11:30

- Preview Program 2: Matching Skills and Jobs.

- Consider the following question during the video:

• Does the segment complement your learners' needs/goals? Why/why not?

- Writing response - jot down a response to the above question. Then, brainstorm 3 (very general) lesson ideas that meet your learners' needs and complement themes in the video clip.

- Reconvene and in a large group, discuss:

• the relevance of the video
• lesson ideas

Reviewing Print Materials - 11:30-12:30

- In small groups, review the lesson that accompanies Program 2: Matching Skills and Jobs, and discuss the following questions about the workbook:

• How well does the workbook "fit" with the video? Is it an effective, complementary resource? Why/why not? (Be specific.)
• What aspects of the workbook correspond to your preliminary lesson ideas?
• How could you leverage the workbook activities to advance your lesson?

- In a large group, discuss:

• question responses
• differences between product-driven lessons and student goal-driven lessons

Lunch 12:30-1:30

Reviewing the Website - 1:30-2:30

- Walk through the Workplace Essential Skills website, with particular attention to the section that corresponds to Program 2: Matching Skills and Jobs. Discuss the following questions:

• How well does the website complement the video and workbook?
• What does it add/provide that the other resources do not?
• How could you leverage these activities to forward your preliminary lesson ideas?

Roadblocks to Implementation - 2:30-3:15

- In a large group, discuss the following question:

• What roadblocks to implementation do you foresee in your program?

- Brainstorm possible solutions and next steps.

Break - 3:15-3:30

Collaborative Activity: Creating a Sample Lesson - 3:30-4:30

- In small groups, "flesh out" a lesson plan, using the materials reviewed during the day. Please refer to the basic lesson guidelines in your packet.

- Reconvene and share your lesson plan with the large group.

Introduction to Discussion Board - 4:30-5:00

- Learn about the Professional Development Kit (PDK) discussion tool. Practice navigation and posting/reading/responding to messages.

- Discuss next steps and expectations for ongoing online discussions.