1. Essential Skills Workshop 2006 Looking Back Moving Forward Montreal 2006

2. Essential Skills and the College Curricula Bow Valley College and the Search for College-Wide Outcomes Robin Houston-Knopff Essential Skills Workshop June 2006

3. Looking Back 2002 BVC dedicated to the concept of becoming a learning college The learning college places learning first and provides educational experiences for learners anyway, anyplace, anytime Learning is placed first in every program, policy and practice Learner-centered and learning-centered are integrated into the college

4. Moving Forward College-Wide Learning Outcomes Communication Thinking Numeracy Working with others Technology skills Positive attitudes and behaviours Continuous Learning Wellness (health literacy/working safely) Citizenship and intercultural competence

5. College-Wide Learning Outcomes Communication (RT, DU, W, OC) Thinking Numeracy Working with others Technology skills (computer skills) Continuous Learning Positive attitudes and behaviours Wellness (health literacy/working safely) Citizenship and intercultural competence

6. Searching for Essential Skills; From the Outside In College Success pilot project with career programs ePortfolio pilot projects with targeted Health and Community Care programs (from outside departments – new course materials)

7. Searching for Essential Skills: From the Inside Out Departments look for skills as they exist in course outcomes (Practical Nurse, Event Planner, Academic Upgrading) Determine what outcomes already are being met in curriculum Document how students learn and demonstrate the skill (assessment)

8. Current Status of College Wide Outcomes June 2006 Career Programs will complete Learner Pathways for each course curriculum September 2006 program delivery for career courses: College Success Course ePortfolio College Wide Outcomes All above are for credit

9. Challenges: (early stages) 1. Institutional change issues

10. Challenges: 2. Introducing students to a new way of learning and new expectations

11. Challenges Instructor buy-in and training

12. Challenges Integrating skills into every curriculum or discovering where they currently exist

13. Rewards: (early stages) Nine outcomes involve the whole college Creation of a common culture