Transitioning & Contextualized Instruction NCTN Effective Transitions Conference - 2010 Southern Illinois Professional Development Center part of the Illinois Community College Board Service Center Network

Transitioning To Work and Post-Secondary Education What is transitioning? What does it mean? Who transitions? What types of transitioning does one do? How often does one transition?

Creating Pathways for Adult Learners “Strategic Plan for Illinois Adult Education and Family Literacy” “Unlike in the past, Illinois workers can no longer expect to hold a family-sustaining job with only a high school diploma. Illinois must ensure workers are prepared to thrive in this new world, and currently, far too many are not.”

Creating Pathways for Adult Learners “Strategic Plan for Illinois Adult Education and Family Literacy” Assessment, Curricula and Instruction: Adopt aligned assessment, curricula and instructional practices that support adults as they prepare for family-supporting jobs and career advancement.

What curriculum do you use? What are you doing to prepare your students for the GED® Tests? What are you doing to prepare your students for post-secondary or employment?

What have you heard about contextualized instruction?

Contextualized Instruction Developing skills, knowledge and attitudes drawn from the context in which they will be used, using real-life materials and situations from that context Teaching relevant behaviors in relevant contexts

Contextualized Instruction Increases the likelihood that what is taught in the training or classroom setting will be used in future applicable settings The focus is on the application or the process rather than on the possession of basic skills and knowledge

Think about a situation where you had a chance to learn through the active application of knowledge and skills. What difference did this make for you?

Contextualized Instruction Research has shown that knowledge learned only at the level of rote memory rarely transfers. Transfer is most likely to occur when the learner knows and understands both the facts and the “big picture” The underlying principles that can be applied to problems in new contexts

Contextualized Instruction In Adult Education we may teach how to write a business memo Our student may memorize the parts of a typical business memo and how to punctuate sentences BUT…to fully understand, the student needs to know how to apply this knowledge What are the various purposes for writing memos at work How to organize and tailor what is written for different audiences

Contextualized Instruction Further transfer of learning – making connections Student learns how to write a business memo Next apply what they have learned to sending notes to a child’s teacher Or how to apply what they have learned to writing a letter to the editor of the local paper

Contextualized Instruction REACT Relating – linking the concept to be learned with something the student already knows Experiencing – hands-on activities and teacher explanation allow students to discover new knowledge Applying – students apply their knowledge to real-life situations Cooperating – student solve problems as a team to reinforce knowledge & develop collaborative skills Transferring – students take what they have learned and apply it to new situations and contexts

Learners are encouraged to work as a collaborative team to identify and solve problems – just as scientists, mechanics, nurses, musicians, citizen group members, and parents do in everyday life

In workforce education: Acquiring job-related content of basic academic skills is not enough to prepare adults to be effective on the job. Also need Interpersonal Decision-making Planning Skills & knowledge of when & how to apply these skills within the social context of the workplace These skills need instructional approaches that focus on: Cooperative learning Apprenticeship models Teamwork

Soft Skills – What are They? Confidentiality Positive Attitude Works Independently Initiative Appropriate Appearance/Hygiene Communication Skills Flexibility Managing Personal Issues Problem Solving Workplace Etiquette Dependability Ethical Behavior Work Ethic Punctuality Interpersonal Skills Job Commitment Customer Service Teamwork Accountability Understand Expectations

How, within adult instruction, can we teach soft skills? Without teaching skills separately what can you do? How would you incorporate those skills (in training/instruction) in your educational program? What would you do differently? How, specifically, would you include each soft skill into your current instructional plan?

States’ Career Cluster Initiative Essential Knowledge and Skills Essential skills necessary for success all in careers Persons preparing for careers at any level should be able to demonstrate these skills in the context of their chosen cluster and pathway. www.careerclusters.org

Contextualized Instruction Planning for contextualized instruction requires that teachers make a fundamental shift in their understanding of what it means to plan curricula and instruction

Contextualized Instruction Instead of mapping out all the prerequisite knowledge and skills students need and planning lessons before discovering learners’ immediate needs, teachers begin with tasks learners need immediately in their daily lives and then “back into” the knowledge, skills, and strategies required to perform those tasks Basic skills are covered in an repeating rather than a sequential manner

Contextualized Instruction Curriculum development cycles and recycles skills across a series of tasks Avoids teaching a curriculum that is “a mile wide and an inch deep” Allows learner to develop a deeper understanding of the “big picture” ideas and real-life applications

Let’s Try it Out! Phil’s Promotion What are your thoughts on Phil’s needs and the instructor’s concerns? What tips, insights, or new ideas do you have for instructors? Do you have systems/materials in place in your program to support these ideas?

Contextualized Instruction – Workplace Skills When teaching reading an adult education instructor may use the following workplace materials: Food order slips Logs of working hours Appropriate safety procedures Operation procedures Safety logs

Contextualized Instruction – Workplace Skills When teaching math an adult education instructor may use the following workplace skills: Compute sales prices Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete Weigh or measure ingredients Collect payments from customers Balance currency, coin, and checks in cash drawers

How do we know what skills are needed? Local labor market information Targeted industry clusters High priority occupations Learner self-appraisal

How do we organize these skills? The Foundation Skills Framework Basic Workplace Skills Basic Workplace Knowledge Basic Employability Skills Lifelong Learning Skills

Lessons and activities… …are built around teaching the particular skills using materials and scenarios needed for success in the workplace. …are designed to include measures for learner gains through observation, surveys, checklists, and role plays.

What else? Thoughts and questions

Transitioning & Contextualized Instruction Bevan Gibson bgibson@siue.edu Sarah Goldammer sgoldam@siue.edu (618) 650-2254 Linda Cox lilyhollow@dishmail.net Colleen Potter colleenpotter@yahoo.com Southern Illinois Professional Development Center -part of the Illinois Community College Board Service Center Network