November 11, 2018 Increased Learner Engagement: Strategies for Education Credential Attainment

Toni Wilson Workforce Analyst U.S. Department of Labor ETA/OWI/DYS

Jason Marshall Michael Anderson Director of Education GED Instructor YouthBuild USA Michael Anderson GED Instructor YouthBuild Omaha

Mike Deragon Academic Director YouthBuild Providence

Understand type(s) of program supports needed in order to effectively implement strategies and sustain momentum Understand implementation process when Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Problem-Based Learning (PBL) were first being implemented Discover the impact of strategies on programming and educational credential attainment Hear student and program success stories Share educational resources

Engaging Students & Empowering Learners Engage & Empower Engaging Students & Empowering Learners

Engage & Empower The WHY HSE diploma attainment *66% ’14 *60% ’15 *41% ‘16 PBL & UDL in YBUSA learning spaces UDL concept: UDL at a Glance Differentiated Learning & UDL

MICHAEL ANDERSON YOUTHBUILD OMAHA

My Experience with UDL Brief Career History and Teacher Fellows Experience with UDL Initial Attempts at Implementation of UDL Philosophy and Techniques Present Strategies with the UDL Performance Measure Gains and Other Results Benefits of Gains Questions???

YOUTHBUILD PROVIDENCE MICHAEL DERAGON YOUTHBUILD PROVIDENCE

Student Engagement through Problem-Based Learning 1 YouthBuild Providence (YBP) uses an interdisciplinary problem/project-based learning model. The model allows for students to make the connection between subjects. It also provides space for a student-centered approach, allowing students choice in content while teachers provide skills.

Problem-Based Learning: How Did We Get there? 2 Our Director of Transition Services held a focus group with alumni to find out how well prepared they were for PSE success. They were asked: What was helpful from your YBP experience? What could we have done more of? How would you go about preparing young people for PSE success?

Problem-Based Learning: What Did We Find Out? 3 They liked: The exposure they had to college from tours and classes The connections they already had at the community college The use of syllabi in our classes They needed: More rigor More homework and stricter deadlines Better explanation of the syllabus and how it would be used at the college level Note taking and test taking skills Reading skills

Problem-Based Learning: Getting Started 4 Problem-based learning can be a heavy lift, especially when you are new to it. It is vital to have support and buy-in from staff and program management for planning and resources. It is important to start small. Choose a relatively simple problem as your first challenge to students. Include one or two teachers/subject areas in your first attempt.

Problem-Based Learning: Getting Started, con’t. 4 Use this as the test subject for scaling up, identifying strengths and weaknesses in the following areas: Planning Student engagement Student skill level Success of the final product Get student feedback to use in the planning process for the next challenge. Increase number of teachers/subjects over time until all areas are included.

Problem-Based Learning: Challenges 5 Students’ learned helplessness and lack of motivation (moving from student to learner) Time management Working around other program requirements Developing the necessary skills and content resources to effectively solve the problem Student attendance and attitude Issues with technology

Problem-Based Learning: The Results 6 Students felt more prepared for PSE The students felt more comfortable with the rigor and expectations of PSE work Curriculum is stronger and students have more control of what they learn Completion rates have risen from 70% on average to 90%+ over the last three years All students who complete the program make at least one EFL gain in Math, Reading and/or Language on TABE 9-10

Problem-Based Learning: Resources 7 For resources and sample lesson plans, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ydh674rd

Engagement Strategies & UDL Room Engagement Strategies & UDL Press 1## on your phone’s keypad. Room Problem-Based Learning Press 2## on your phone’s keypad.

UDL Learning Guidelines Free Learning Tools from CAST Free Learning Tools Problem-Based Learning Resources Learning Resources Todd Rose Video Myth of the Average Learner

Jason Marshall Director of Education YouthBuild USA Michael Anderson jmarshall@youthbuild.org Michael Anderson GED Instructor YouthBuild Omaha manderson@goodwillomaha.org

Michael Deragon Academic Director YouthBuild Providence mderagon@ypprep.org