1. Problem Solving in the World of Work Ronna Magy TESOL March 25, 2010 Ronna Magy TESOL March 25, 2010

2. Problem Solving in the World of Work ….. crisis today in America.... a vast number of adults need educational services to be ready for the college and job training our global economy requires, but our adult education and workforce skills development programs…….are not meeting the needs of America’s citizens or its workers. Reach Higher America Overcoming Crisis in the US Workforce National Commission on Adult Literacy 2008 ….. crisis today in America.... a vast number of adults need educational services to be ready for the college and job training our global economy requires, but our adult education and workforce skills development programs…….are not meeting the needs of America’s citizens or its workers. Reach Higher America Overcoming Crisis in the US Workforce National Commission on Adult Literacy 2008

3. Problem Solving in the World of Work 21st Century skills, knowledge and expertise  Learning and Innovation Skills –Critical Thinking and Problem Solving –Communication and Collaboration –Creativity and Innovation Partnership for 21st Century Skills 21st Century skills, knowledge and expertise  Learning and Innovation Skills –Critical Thinking and Problem Solving –Communication and Collaboration –Creativity and Innovation Partnership for 21st Century Skills

4. Problem Solving in the World of Work Objectives  Identify workplace issues  Define stages of problem solving  Participate in the problem solving process  Identify problem solving skills “transferable” from classroom to workplace Objectives  Identify workplace issues  Define stages of problem solving  Participate in the problem solving process  Identify problem solving skills “transferable” from classroom to workplace

5. Problem Solving in the World of Work Brainstorm What problems do students confront in the workplace? Brainstorm What problems do students confront in the workplace?

6. Problem Solving in the World of Work 21 st Century Workplace Readiness Skills  Collaborate in Teams  Communicate Effectively  Make Decisions  Take Leadership and Initiative  Solve Problems, Use Critical Thinking  Understand Health and Safety Practice  Be Flexible and Adaptable  Use Computers 21 st Century Workplace Readiness Skills  Collaborate in Teams  Communicate Effectively  Make Decisions  Take Leadership and Initiative  Solve Problems, Use Critical Thinking  Understand Health and Safety Practice  Be Flexible and Adaptable  Use Computers

7. Problem Solving in the World of Work Steps in the Problem Solving Process  Describe or read about a problem  Discuss the problem  Suggest ways to solve the problem  Consider the consequences  Come to group consensus Steps in the Problem Solving Process  Describe or read about a problem  Discuss the problem  Suggest ways to solve the problem  Consider the consequences  Come to group consensus

8. Problem Solving in the World of Work Roles Leader Read the problem and possible solutions Reporter Report Back Timekeeper Inform group members of time needs Roles Leader Read the problem and possible solutions Reporter Report Back Timekeeper Inform group members of time needs

9. Problem Solving in the World of Work Problem Statement Pedro has a wife and a child. He works two jobs. On his gardening job he works days: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday he works from 2:00 pm-11:00 pm as a waiter. After work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday he comes home, eats and goes to school to study English. At school he is happy to be learning, but exhausted from working. After 1 hour of studying he goes home. He wants to study more, but he can’t. What can he do? Problem Statement Pedro has a wife and a child. He works two jobs. On his gardening job he works days: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday he works from 2:00 pm-11:00 pm as a waiter. After work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday he comes home, eats and goes to school to study English. At school he is happy to be learning, but exhausted from working. After 1 hour of studying he goes home. He wants to study more, but he can’t. What can he do?

10. Problem Solving in the World of Work Solutions to Pedro’s Problem a. Stop working one job so he has time to study. b. Study distance learning materials at home. c. Suggest his wife get a job. d. Bring his child to childcare at school. e. Other Solutions to Pedro’s Problem a. Stop working one job so he has time to study. b. Study distance learning materials at home. c. Suggest his wife get a job. d. Bring his child to childcare at school. e. Other

11. Problem Solving in the World of Work Give Your Opinion Discuss the problem I think he can (should)......... Consider the consequences If he does...........then............ Come to group consensus We think he can (should)………… Give Your Opinion Discuss the problem I think he can (should)......... Consider the consequences If he does...........then............ Come to group consensus We think he can (should)…………

12. Problem Solving in the World of Work Report Back Our group thinks he should…….. because……………………… Report Back Our group thinks he should…….. because………………………

13. Problem Solving in the World of Work Beginning Level Problem Solving Procedure  Discuss Picture Sequence or Picture  Pose Guided Questions  Students Read the Story  Students Suggest Problem Solutions  Students Give Opinions by Show of Hands Beginning Level Problem Solving Procedure  Discuss Picture Sequence or Picture  Pose Guided Questions  Students Read the Story  Students Suggest Problem Solutions  Students Give Opinions by Show of Hands

14. Problem Solving in the World of Work A Workplace Safety Problem Problem Solving Procedure  Describe or Read about the Problem  Discuss the Problem  Suggest ways to Solve the Problem  Consider the Consequences of Each Solution  Come to Group Consensus A Workplace Safety Problem Problem Solving Procedure  Describe or Read about the Problem  Discuss the Problem  Suggest ways to Solve the Problem  Consider the Consequences of Each Solution  Come to Group Consensus

15. Problem Solving in the World of Work Transferable Skills How we can help students transfer the skills they are learning in school--from the language classroom to the workplace? Transferable Skills How we can help students transfer the skills they are learning in school--from the language classroom to the workplace?

16. Problem Solving in the World of Work Transferable Skills: Group Brainstorm What skills did you learn in today’s workshop that can be transferred to a job? Transferable Skills: Group Brainstorm What skills did you learn in today’s workshop that can be transferred to a job?

17. Problem Solving in the World of Work Transferable Skills Guiding Questions:  Did you communicate with others?  Did you work in a team?  Did you listen to others?  Did you come to group consensus?  Did you lead your group?  Did you discuss the consequences of your decisions? Transferable Skills Guiding Questions:  Did you communicate with others?  Did you work in a team?  Did you listen to others?  Did you come to group consensus?  Did you lead your group?  Did you discuss the consequences of your decisions?

18. Problem Solving in the World of Work Transferable Skills Statements 1.I can work in a team. 2.I can listen to others. 3.I can cooperate with others. 4.I can be a team leader. Transferable Skills Statements 1.I can work in a team. 2.I can listen to others. 3.I can cooperate with others. 4.I can be a team leader.

19. Problem Solving in the World of Work Ronna Magy ronnawrite@sbcglobal.net Ronna Magy ronnawrite@sbcglobal.net

20. Problem Solving in the World of Work Ronna Magy TESOL March 25, 2010 Ronna Magy TESOL March 25, 2010