Although
each of the featured projects comes complete with descriptions of the content
standards it addresses, you might want to check out these other sites for
additional information on state and national content and technology standards.
PBL
is not only a wonderful way to meet content standards, it is also one of
the best means for teaching career and life skills to your students (responsibility,
time management, working cooperatively, communicating clearly, creative
problem-solving, SCAN Skills, etc). Following is a description of the WorkPlace
Know-how skills (from SCANS 2000) and the Career Preparation Standards (from
OERI and WestEd). We recommend that you talk with your students about the
importance of these skills and that they complete self-evaluations of their
progress on them as they progress through their projects.
The
workplace know-how identified by SCANS as essential for success in job performance
is made up of five workplace competencies and a three-part foundation of
skills and personal qualities. These are:
WORKPLACE
COMPETENCIES- Effective workers can productively use:
Resources- They know
how to allocate time, money, materials, space, and staff.
Interpersonal skills-
They can work on teams, teach others, serve customers, lead, negotiate,
and work well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Information- They
can acquire and evaluate data, organize and maintain files, interpret
and communicate, and use computers to process information.
Systems- They understand
social, organizational, and technological systems; they can monitor and
correct performance; and they can design or improve systems.
Technology- They
can select equipment and tools, apply technology to specific tasks, and
maintain and troubleshoot equipment.
FOUNDATION
SKILLS - Competent workers in the high-performance workplace need:
Basic Skills- reading,
writing, arithmetic and mathematics, speaking and listening.
Thinking Skills-
the ability to learn, to reason, to think creatively, to make decisions,
and to solve problems.
Personal Qualities
- individual responsibility, self-esteem and self-management, sociability,
and integrity.
Based
on the SCAN Skills, the career preparation standards set forth seven areas
of competence that are necessary for success in the workplace.
Standard
I: Personal Skills
Responsibility, time management, self-discipline, freedom from substance
abuse, priority management.
positive attitudes
- willingly follow directions, take on tasks and responsibilities.
perseverance - complete
a task even when it is difficult.
flexibility and initiative
- adapt to change, apply your knowledge.
Standard
II: Interpersonal Skills
Work cooperatively with people of different ages and cultural backgrounds,
conflict resolution, negotiation, shared responsibilities, accept supervision,
assume leadership. Examples:
leadership - assign
work and inspire co-workers to complete tasks.
following - accept
a decision and help meet a goal.
teamwork - use group
planning and goal-setting techniques to solve problems
Standard
III: Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Analytical thinking, creativity, logical reasoning, interpreting information,
numerical estimation, measurement, calculation, evaluation. Examples:
problem definition
- recognize a problem and identify the relevant facts.
organization - identify
and gather information needed to solve a problem.
analysis - evaluate
and select information, and consider possible solutions to problems.
Standard
IV: Communication Skills
Speak, listen, read, write effectively, including turn-taking, asking appropriate
questions, giving and following instructions. Organize information, clearly
present your own ideas, write and speak with your audience in mind, use
correct grammar and spelling. Examples:
speaking and listening
- speak clearly to convey ideas and listen to others.
writing - write effectively,
using good sentence structure and vocabulary.
presentation - present
a report and answer questions orally.
Standard
V: Occupational Safety Skills
Follow safety rules, operate equipment safely, avoid physical dangers, properly
handle hazardous waste, know what to do in emergencies. Examples:
fire safety - demonstrate
general fire safety habits, such as turning off appliances when not in
use.
hazardous materials
- know the procedures for the disposal of hazardous materials.
equipment - understand
and demonstrate the correct and safe operation of equipment.
Standard
VI: Employment Literacy
Develop career plan that describes your goals and plan of action, understanding
of own talents and skills, requirements for education or training, and job
market. Examples:
knowledge of your
skills - be aware of personal strengths, weaknesses, interests and abilities,
and how they relate to specific career areas.
awareness of the
job market - research current trends in the job market, such as jobs that
are in high or low demand.
knowledge of career
paths - investigate possible careers and entry-level positions with potential
for growth.
Standard
VII: Technology Literacy
Computer skills, technical knowledge and the ability to learn and adapt
to new technologies. Use technology to complete tasks and improve the job.
Examples:
computer
skills - select and use appropriate hardware and software.
audio
and video skills - use audio and video equipment to
document events effectively.
technical
knowledge - solve a problem based on your knowledge
of technology.
