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Work-Based Learning

What?

Work-based learning at the HIGH SCHOOL level stresses career preparation and application. Career preparation activities integrate academic and technical skills learned in the classroom with work-based skills. Many students select a career cluster and/or area of emphasis. Application is public education's last stage of student transition from school to work. Students will prepare for further training and/or a career. Activities may include:

  • Computer aided career exploration (E-choices) or Virtual Job Shadow
  • Career seminars
  • Internships
  • Apprenticeships
  • Cooperative work experience
  • Project-based/problem based learning
  • Community service learning
  • Job shadowing
  • Entrepreneurial projects

Why?

Work-based learning helps answer the questions often posed by students: "Why do I have to learn this?" or "When will I ever use this?" Students perform better academically when they see relevance and application of what they are learning. Some of the benefits of work-based learning activities are:

  • Exploration of career options
  • Better decisions and plans
  • Application of classroom learning
  • Improvement of scholastic student motivation
  • Exposure to state-of-the-art practices and technology

How?

Listed below are several ways to incorporate work-based learning into high school curriculum:

  • Career Fairs - speakers that support career awareness and exploration focused on a specific career cluster.
  • Service Learning - a strategy in which students learn and develop skills through active participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences. These experiences are coordinated between the school and community.
  • Field Studies - a great awareness and exploratory strategy used with students. Field studies support student identification of skills necessary on a particular work site.
  • Guest Speakers - provide well planned reinforcement of activities and core concepts currently being taught.
  • Job Shadows - students make a brief visit to a workplace during which time students observe and ask questions of individual workers.
  • Internship Course - activities in which students engage in learning through practical work-site experience.
  • Apprenticeship Assignment - formal system of training supervised by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. These work-based learning experiences combine training and work-site experience in a program similar to a college education.

Workplace Skills/CTE Internship Registraton Packet.  Click here for more information about a CTE Internship.

Buffy Blunck is your Work-Based Learning Coordinator and will gladly help you implement any of these activities! You can contact her at 256-5886 or e-mail her at buffy.blunck@jordandistrict.org