POP Program

The Career Development subject area Applied General Education path (compulsory course) Personal Orientation Project Work-Oriented Path Introduction to the World of Work World of Work Orientation Work Skills Training for a Semiskilled Trade Applied General Education and General Education Paths (options) Personal Orientation Project Exploration of Vocational Training Entrepreneurship

What is POP? The POP gives the students the central role to plan, explore, reflect and discover various fields that interest them through the support of pedagogical resources and by actively trying out a variety of work functions It is a process that starts early in a students’ elementary school life through GOAL (Guidance Oriented Approach to Learning) It carries on throughout their lives in the development of their career identities as a consequence of the new competencies they acquire from POP

What is POP? It helps students define their personal profile by trying out work functions, researching information and visiting workplaces or educational institutions. Students learn to know themselves better and become better informed about the world of work through the reciprocal effects of their experience and analysis, their exploration and introspection.

Why POP in Secondary III? Timely for students May serve to motivate the students in their studies Shows the relevancy of school Impacts on choice of paths, courses, etc. Supports students in their academic and career choices Enables students to be responsible for their choices POP empowers students!

POP Basics  4 credit hour course  On an individual basis and taking into account his/her interests the student: develops his/her own career exploration plan experiences three to eight career exploration processes by:  using “tool kits”, consulting career resources, job shadowing, visiting to educational institutions, etc.  using a ministerial Web site – POP Index - offering a virtual resource library of specific tools such as experiential tools, virtual visits and key people tools, and methodology tools reflects on his/her career explorations and those of his/her classmates with parents or other trusted people considers hypothetical career paths

POP classroom  Computer tables  Between 16 to 22 computers  Appropriate electrical outlets  Internet access  Lockable storage unit for expensive items  Place to store consumable materials Mise à niveau des locaux pour les cours du deuxième cycles du secondaire pour répondre aux besoin du renouveau pédagogique, mai 2006 The classroom: The POP was developed for a standard classroom or an existing computer lab and if possible, in close proximity to a career resource centre. The class will consist of:  Standard tables with protective carpet to allow students to work with tool kits.  Shelving or storage units for the tool kits and accompanying activity guides.

The first career exploration What do you think it will be like for the students?

Tool kits A valuable means of exploration for the students but not the only one….

What is a tool kit? It is an experiential tool used to support a career exploration It is just one means of exploration It requires the use of a computer and Internet access Students may carry out activities in the classroom or outside the classroom

What does a tool kit consist of? A tool kit consists of:  An activity guide  An activity guide and one box of material  An activity guide and two boxes of material Let’s see

Student working on the Law tool kit This tool kit requires a computer with Internet access, an activity guide and a pen. Student in Action?

Students working on the Custom-Made Clothing and Alterations, Fashion Design tool kit. This tool kit requires a computer with Internet access, an activity guide and a box of materials. Student in Action!

Tool Kits Why?

Reasons for tool kits in a POP classroom Grounded in research Directly addresses Key Features of POP competencies Provides opportunity for experiential learning

Tool kits as a means of exploration Purpose Support students mastering career exploration competencies Allow students to try out work functions related to field of interest Guide students directly to valid and trusted Web sites, books and other resources (use documentary resources) Activities help students discover connections between career and their personal characteristics Help students consider the personal commitments required to reach his/her goals. Benefit Can lead to new career exploration activities Students discover if have aptitude or interest Provide “real life” work functions to reflect upon Practical means of exploration as access to certain jobs may be limited Learn by doing More engaging than reading about it What students have been asking for Supports the development of the competencies

Teacher’s role Introduce students to tool kits as one means of their individual career exploration Providing computers with Internet access and tables for workspace Direct students to the POP Index in order to choose tool kits Organize tool kits in classroom Establish rules and procedures for use Are not responsible for correcting student’s work Guide students as with any other tool Become familiar with kits by reading the Teacher’s Guides

Introduction  To guide itself includes recommendations and a legend of icons Chapter  Each tool kit has its own chapter and provides useful information that a teacher should know by activity. Chapter  Complete index of purchases for experiential tools Chapter  List of technological requirements for a POP classroom Chapter  List of suggested suppliers for additional purchases Chapter  List of materials for each experiential tool kit Teacher’s Guide Chapters

POP Index An other valuable means of exploration for the students….

What is the POP Index? It is a MELS website. It is one of the resources used by students. It contains some of the means of exploration. It is one of the favorites that should be saved on your classroom computers.

Features of the POP Index? Search by tool: Experiential Tools, Virtual Visits and Key People or Other Resources Search by field of interest Search by vocational training sector Search by program/level of study Search by key word But I cannot find job descriptions or academic requirements for a field or trade.

LEARN POP Web Site Another means of exploration and a resource for teachers too….

Tool kits, POP Index, LEARN Just some examples of means of exploration for the students….

Remember The purpose is not to make a final career choice, but to develop the ability to carry out a career exploration process

How do teachers survive? POP – Learn by doing: Must allow this to happen. Important to build in time to share, collaborate, learn and get support. Must appreciate that understanding POP is a process for teachers also. Must realize that the first year will have its challenges to work through. Must ask for support if needed.

R ole of involved collaborators and the POP Students Teachers Guidance Counsellors and other professionals School community The community The family

POP develops life long competencies in students Competencies that they will use throughout their lives in the transition from job to job within the 5 different sectors they work in.

POP is an ongoing learning experience for both students and teachers – enjoy the journey!