EAL Link

I learned about the Johari window almost 20 years ago, and it has always been a very helpful way for me to understand myself and others around me.  This website has some helpful features that could be used in the classroom.

http://www.businessballs.com/johariwindowmodel.htm 

I would be remiss if, as a Winnipeg EAL teacher, I did not mention Mavis Harper's website here.  Many of my learners have benefited greatly from her website.

It contains both citizenship information and links to sites where learners can hone language skills. 

http://mavis.ca/ 

In case you were trying to think of a reason or 2 to incorporate collaborative learning into your classroom, check this out:

http://www.gdrc.org/kmgmt/c-learn/44.html

I am currently involved in a project where I have had the opportunity and privilege to learn about the Stages Framework that used by Literacy programs in Manitoba funded by "ALL" - Adult Learning and Literacy.

If you teach literacy, this is worth checking out.  The Framework is:

a. Learner centred. Each learner is working at their own pace on tasks that are of interest to them.

b. Essential Skill focused.  Learners are very aware of the 4 Essential Skills highlighted in the Framework.

The learners that I have met are huge fans of the Stages Framework.  The progress that they have made is significant, sometimes in a relatively short period of time.  As an example, one learner that I talked to went from reading very little English to working on her grade 12 credits in four years.

This link provides a nice introduction to the Stages Framework:

http://www.basicskillsforliving.ca/PDF/Manitoba_Literacy_Stages.pdf

And here are the Stages:

http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/ael/all/publications/stages/index.html

The Facilitator Guide on the same page provides more in-depth information on how to use these documents in the classroom. 

Robin Millar and her team at the Centre for Education and Work (www.cewca.org) put together a report containing DACUM's of high school courses offered at Adult Learning Centres in Manitoba.  

Consumer Math

Transactional English

Native Studies

English Technical

Skills for Success

Academic Writing

Computer Applications

Career Exploration

Applied Math

http://www.cewca.org/PDF/cbcreport.pdf

If you are a Canadian adult educator, then you are most likely familiar with the "NOC codes".  (You can check these out at:  http://www10.hrsdc.gc.ca/es/english/ES_Profiles.aspx)

 What caught my eye today is an American website that lists skills by "career clusters", as opposed to individual occupations.  

Check out:  http://careerclusters.org/resources/web/ks.php

For example, you can click on "education and training" to see a great list of educator skills.

Here is an interesting way to introduce a topic.  I clicked on the link 'create' and typed in my website.  The words that are used more frequently are given more prominence.  

http://www.wordle.net/