http://www.work-basedlearning.org/toolkit.cfm - Tools for analysis and evaluation, writing and learning objectives, and Learning plans.
http://www.wcpss.net/school_to_career/work_based_learning/ - Examples of Work Based learning in Wake County Public Schools in North Carolina. Contains resources for Career Fair preparation and presentations.
http://vocserve.berkeley.edu/CenterPoint/CP1/CP1.html - Good overview of Work-Based Learning and how it operates.
If I were to offer job shadowing, I would want the following components in the program to ensure that my students have a successful experience.
1. Relevant experiences on the job site. I would expect that my students would see computer techs working on real problems. They would need to see the way customers’ problems are dealt with.
2. How to work with a team on large projects and as an individual on smaller ones.
3. Soft skills such as oral communications. How to deal with irate customers. How to handle a troubleshooting call over the phone. How to explain to a customer the problems and techniques used to fix their computer.
4. Soft skills such as written communications. Documenting work performed on a project so that another tech can tell what steps to take to finish the job if needed.
I feel that the job shadow experience should allow the student to view all facets of the job, which you included. I especially like how you included dealing with people. Sometimes that is the hardest part of work and dealing with an irate customer is especially challenging. It allows the student to see the not so glamorous parts of the job, and I think that is important. They need to see if this job is for them or not. There is more to it than just running or manageing a network, or repairing a computer.
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