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