Contextualized Learning Activities (CLA)

 Contextualized Learning is an instructional approach that helps to relate curriculum content to real world situations.  It incorporates a learning process that helps students to make sense of information by connecting what they are learning to real world situations in which that learning could be used.  It enables students to receive feedback on their ability to relate and apply their learning to real world situations. Defining Contextualized Learning

 A required element of a Specialist High Skills Major  Delivered in English, Math and “other required courses”  A minimum of 6 hours of learning that contextualizes the subjects’ curriculum expectations to the SHSM sector Contextualized learning activities

 The “other required courses” vary from sector to sector, typically there are 3 other required courses:  Math  English  Other Required in either grade 11 or grade 12 in Business or Science Other required courses

Course Pathway chart

 Class list (but not on attendance sheet!)  i.e. BUS beside a student’s name indicates they are in a Business SHSM program  Credit Counselling Summary – two pages for SHSM students How do I identify an shsm student in my class?

 CLAs enable instruction to be differentiated using sector- specific content, to meet one or more curriculum expectations.  CLAs in the other required credits make the course content more relevant enabling students to connect their learning to their SHSM sector. How do CLA s Benefit students?

 There are a variety of delivery models, including:  To an entire class, some of which are SHSM students (recommended – necessary for some, good for all)  To an entire class, all of which are SHSM students  To individual or small groups of SHSM students within an existing class  To individual SHSM students, through e-learning or independent study How are cla s delivered?

 …they must be evaluated  …they need to be a big project  …if you fail the CLA you fail the course  …you must do the CLA exactly as it was written  …you cannot use a CLA unless it was “approved”  …must use expectations from the SHSM major credit courses  …it must be from the OERB  …can only be done by the SHSM students  …I cannot make up my own CLA  …I have to make up my own CLA  …are “extra” work the SHSM kids have to do CLA Myths…

 As of May 2012, there were 1329 CLAs posted to the OERB   User id: tcdsbteacher  Password: oerbt Ontario Educational Resource Bank (OERB)

LevelLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4 CriteriaThe CLA Is viewed as an "over and above" activity so both the students and the teachers see it as extra work. Teacher prints CLAs from OERB and they are assigned as homework/ independent work. Often the student doesn't see connection with their "in-school" assignments and their interest in the sector The CLAs are delivered, but very little collaboration between major subject teachers and other required subject teachers to ensure authenticity of the activity, student begins to see connection with subject and sector. Contextualized instruction is embedded so students see the connection in English, Math, Science, etc. to their sector. Teachers see this as part of Differentiated Instruction and not something “over and above” from what is already occurring as part of good teaching practice. CLA ministry report rubric