CONTACT CONFERENCE 2017

The Essential Skills: A Foundation for Continuous Learning

Saskatchewan Literacy Network

What skills are needed to be successful in the workplace?

…while proficiency in prose literacy (the reading part of the 3 Rs) learned in school is a

highly desirable skill for becoming an educated, informed individual, having that skill does not necessarily mean that the person can read and understand a blueprint, data sheet or

technical instruction manual at work. It takes more to be successful in the workplace

and in society overall. -Workplace Education Manitoba

Today, at least four broad paradigms

describe how literacy is view and used:

1. A set of skills – to read and write (basic

literacy)

2. Ability to engage in tasks that involve

reading and writing and are essential

for life and work (functional literacy)

How do you view literacy?

3. A tool for critical reflection and action

for social change (critical literacy)

4. A set of social and cultural practices

linked by the use of written words

(multiple-literacies such as media

literacy, health literacy, civic literacy,

cultural literacy, etc.)

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO), 2006

Essential Skills

• Core or Generic skills used in virtually all occupations and throughout daily life in different forms.

• They are transferable from school to work, job to job and further education or training.

• They provide the foundation for learning other skills, such as technical skills and job/workplace specific skills.

• Enable people to perform tasks required by their jobs and to learn new ones.

www.skills.edu.gov.on.ca/native/grants002779

•

1. Reading Text

2. Document Use

3. Numeracy

4. Writing

5. Oral Communication

6. Working with Others

7. Thinking Skills

8. Computer use

9. Continuous Learning

9 Essential Skills (ESDC)

Employment and Social Development Canada, Government of Canada

No.

ESDC (9 Essential

Skills, Levels 1-5,

national, workplace

ES

SLN (Foundational Skills, Levels 1 and 2, SK based,

workplace, home, community literacy)

1 Reading Text Reading – reading and analyzing a variety of texts,

searching for documents, reading for practical purposes

and for enjoyment.

2 Writing Writing – basic writing skills, expressive language, work-

related writing.

3 Document Use Document Use is not included as a separate Foundational

Skill. It is included in the outcomes of the other

foundational skills.

4

Computer Use Computers and Digital Technology – using computers and

other digital technology to locate, process, and manage

information; thinking critically* and analyzing information,

developing awareness of social responsibility and digital

citizenship..

5

Oral Communication Oral Communication – active listening, verbal and non-

verbal cues, listening and responding to conversations,

sharing information, empathy, gaining confidence to speak

in formal and informal situations.

No.

ESDC (9 Essential

Skills, Levels 1-5,

national, workplace

ES

SLN (Foundational Skills, Levels 1 and 2, SK based,

workplace, home, community literacy)

6 Numeracy Numeracy – practical use of mathematics in daily life.

7

Thinking Skills Observing and Reflecting – observing for practical skills

and social skills, observing and reflecting critically* on

different points of view, understanding different messages

for different audiences, being and becoming an active

observer and reflecting on what you are observing.

8

Working with Others Working with Others – confidence building, examining

factors that influence self-concept, awareness of human

diversity, collaboration, teamwork, etc.

9

Continuous Learning Continuous Learning – identify personal strengths, goal

setting, lifelong learning, soft skills, applying creative and

critical thinking strategies*, using technology to acquire

skills and knowledge.

Workplace Specific Skills

Customer service, organization,

teambuilding, detail orientation...

Technical Skills

IT, mathematical, engineering, scientific

tasks

Essential Skills

In Saskatchewan

Formal: content-driven

Non-formal: learner-driven

Levels One &

Two

Level Three

(Adult 10)

Level Four

(Adult 12, GED)

1. Shuffle your deck of cards and find the Ace of Spades. Once you are done, think about the process!

Process: Locating

ES Complexity Levels Source: Ontario Skills Passport

2. Put the card back into the deck and shuffle the cards. This time, locate all four aces. Once you are done, think about the process!

Process: Locating and Cycling

3. Put all the cards back in the deck and shuffle. Find all the diamonds and place the cards in order from A (low) to K (high). Once you are done, think about the process.

Process: Locate, Cycle, and Integrate

4. Put all the cards back in the deck and shuffle. From highest to lowest, identify two high-scoring hands in Poker & share with your group. Once you are done, think about the process.

Process: Locate, Cycle, Integrate, Generate

•The process of locating, cycling, integrating, and

generating requires an increasing amount of brain power. • The degree of complexity for a task is raised.

Raising levels of literacy (critical and functional) enables and empowers learners to

seek and engage in continuous learning opportunities.

To get an appreciation for ES think of the ways that you are using your ES.

Integrate real life applications into content as a way to embed ES into a learning activity or program.

Use authentic materials and resources.

Integrating/Embedding ES

Engage learners/clients/staff in a process of identifying how what they are learning is connected to the workplace, community, and home.

Integrate the development of individual and interpersonal skills into content areas.

https://www.tomwujec.com/design-projects/marshmallow-challenge/

In addition to the need to embed practice with learning strategies within the content classroom [history class], students must gain more awareness of their own learning process. Their learning effectiveness is increased through development of metacognitive processes that allow them to self-monitor their comprehension level and then make changes in their study strategies to meet the

learning task need. Embedding Skill Development in Content Courses

http://www.cehd.umn.edu/CRDEUL/pdf/TheGCVision/section3.pdf

Use task based activities to build and assess skills. Start with small successes and build complexity levels.

Use self-assessments for goal planning or developing a learning plan.

Find ways to help learners and clients gain awareness of their own learning processes.

Plan for Assessment and Evaluation

Use portfolios as a

- career planning tool

- assessment tool

- evaluation tool

- professional development planning tool

- part of the learning plan

Helpful Websites and Resources: SLN Circle of Learning http://saskliteracy.ca/essential-skills/professional/benchmarks/ -Level 1 and 2 benchmarks and descriptions of the ES for use at home, work and community. SLN Environmental Scan - http://saskliteracy.ca/workplace-literacy-resources/ -examines events and trends that affect how literacy and ES is perceived, practiced, and taught in SK. Decoda Literacy Solutions http://www.decoda.ca/practitioners/workforce-literacy/

Skills Canada Saskatchewan https://www.skillscanadasask.com/essential-skills - school presentations Saskatoon Industry Education Council https://www.saskatooniec.ca/programs - online portfolio development, Relevance magazine Douglas College https://www.douglascollege.ca/~/media/BEBF648326EE4A28BD4A20DFF2BC1B20.ashx?la=en - Resource manual: Planting the Seeds: An Aboriginal Essential Skills Journey

Literacy Link South Central - http://www.llsc.on.ca/node/99 and http://www.llsc.on.ca/services/workplace-literacy/literacy-and-essential-skills -online and printable workbooks Canadian Business http://www.canadianbusiness.com/insights/literacy/ -report on how ES training unlocks business value and return on investment ABC Life Literacy http://abclifeliteracy.ca/nine-essential-skills - Essential skills, workplace literacy, financial literacy, etc.

Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/essential-skills/tools.html - self assessment tools; tip sheets; indicators; online assessments. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/essential-skills/tools/building.html - hard and soft returns on investment of ES https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/es_all-eng.do -explore careers by essential skills

Contact information:

Saskatchewan Literacy Network

www.saskliteracy.ca

306-651-7288

1-800-511-2111