Essential Skills Workshop 2006
Looking Back
Moving Forward
Montreal 2006
Essential Skills and the College Curricula
Bow Valley College and the Search for College-Wide Outcomes
Robin Houston-Knopff
Essential Skills Workshop
June 2006
Looking Back
2002 BVC dedicated to the concept of becoming a learning college
The learning college places learning first and provides educational experiences for learners anyway, anyplace, anytime
Learning is placed first in every program, policy and practice
Learner-centered and learning-centered are integrated into the college
Moving Forward
College-Wide Learning Outcomes Communication Thinking Numeracy Working with others Technology skills Positive attitudes and behaviours Continuous Learning Wellness (health literacy/working safely) Citizenship and intercultural competence
College-Wide Learning Outcomes
Communication (RT, DU, W, OC) Thinking Numeracy Working with others Technology skills (computer skills) Continuous Learning Positive attitudes and behaviours Wellness (health literacy/working safely) Citizenship and intercultural competence
Searching for Essential Skills;From the Outside In
College Success pilot project with career programs
ePortfolio pilot projects with targeted Health and Community Care programs
(from outside departments – new course materials)
Searching for Essential Skills:From the Inside Out
Departments look for skills as they exist in course outcomes (Practical Nurse, Event Planner, Academic Upgrading)
Determine what outcomes already are being met in curriculum
Document how students learn and demonstrate the skill (assessment)
Current Status of College Wide Outcomes
June 2006 Career Programs will complete Learner Pathways for
each course curriculum
September 2006 program delivery for career courses:
College Success Course ePortfolio College Wide Outcomes All above are for credit
Challenges:(early stages)
1. Institutional change issues
Challenges:
2. Introducing students to a new way of learning and new expectations
Challenges
Instructor buy-in and training
Challenges
Integrating skills into every curriculum or discovering where they currently exist
Rewards:(early stages)
Nine outcomes involve the whole college Creation of a common culture