THE EXPECTATION OF COMPUTER LITERACY IN JOB HUNTING: OVERCOMING THE CONTENT AND LANGUAGE DEMANDS

Presenter: Mallory Fix Lopez

Affiliations: Temple University College of Education and the Garces Foundation

The Job Hunt

Workforce Education Standards By the end of the workshop, teachers will be able

to...  ...feel more equipped to facilitate a learning environment

that is conducive to learning workplace skills, such as job hunting Standard 1-Establish an environment conducive to learning workplace skills.

...facilitate lessons that are directly linked to students’ employment goals-obtaining a job Standard 2 Instruct guided by knowledge of students’ employment goals and opportunities

....give their students the resource of the internet for job seeking purposes, taking students beyond the concept of finding jobs through word of mouth. Standard 3-Facilitate connections with systems and resources

...empower their students to be independent job seekers through facilitating guided practice that they can then continue at home. Standard 4-Plan, prepare, and facilitate student centered workplace instruction

Agenda Part I: What is computer literacy? Part II: What are the consequences of

low literacy (computer and language?) Part III: Confidence in the Job Hunt Part IV: Time to Apply Part V: Webquest

Part I: Computer Literacy

What is computer literacy? Starting the computer/logging on (cntrl+alt+delete) Opening, saving, and printing files Reading and sending email messages, including

attachments Downloading attachments (and converting, if necessary) Using simple software Creating tables/charts Editing documents, photos, etc. Using the Internet to find information Completing online applications and registration Java TROUBLESHOOTING!

A digital divide Imagine that you are looking for a job- in

any field. Where is the first place you would begin your search?

Newspaper Flyers on Telephone Polls Phone a friend Internet Walk in

Encounters while hunting

Computer Skill

1. Thousands of websites with job postings

2. Setting up accounts for job search/applications

3. Researching job tips, interview strategies, etc.

4. Not getting scammed

5. Using the computer

1. Navigation of Internet; bookmark

2. Completing online forms and troubleshooting; creating emails

3. Navigation of Internet; ability to read for relevant information

4. Identifying credible sources on the Internet

5. Mouse, clicking, trouble-shooting, download/upload, conversion of documents...and much more!

A digital divide According to the Pew Research Center in a

February 2014 report: 81% of adults use computers Only 66% of those with high school diploma or

less use computers regulary Only 65% of those with a household income of

less than $30,000 use computers regularly However, 96% of individuals with a household

income of $75,000 use computers regularly

http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/02/27/part-1-how-the-internet-has-woven-itself-into-american-life/

Literacy Divide According to Proliteracy.org, in 2012, of adults

over 16yrs of age :

http://www.proliteracy.org/the-crisis/adult-literacy-facts

Part II: Consequences of Illiteracy

What are the potential consequences?

Turn and Talk with the person closest to you

Consequences of Low Literacy

According to Proliteracy.org (2012): among those with the lowest literacy rates,

43% live in poverty

75% of state prison inmates and 59% of federal prison inmates did not finish high school or can be classified as low literate

The effects of low literacy cost the U.S. more than $225 billion each year in non-productivity in the workforce and the loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.

http://www.proliteracy.org/the-crisis/adult-literacy-facts

Double Duty Low computer literacy Low literacy

Triple Threat Low computer literacy Low literacy Non-native speaker of English

Part III: Confidence in the Job Hunt

Feelings...

Feelings...

Part IV: Time to ApplyIt’s important to continue to talk to students about feelings and confidence throughout the application process.

Resumes..references..interviews..oh my!

PT FT OT TBD BOH/FOH Yrs. Exp. No exp. necessary 2 refs. M-F ,9-2

Please visit our website... to find more information about employe

ment opportunities

And another... Community College of Philadelphia

Student Support 1. Build Confidence

Job Hunting Journey Journal Consider doing an online blog Discuss feelings and ‘emotional rollercoaster’

2. Explicitly Teach vocabulary Allow students to encounter words in multiple

ways Facilitate activities that allows them to use the

word

Student Support 3. Gather necessary information in advance

Contact info Full formal name Address, phone number Working email address (necessary for online

applications) References

Full names Contact Info Ask or notify reference

Prior work history Chronological order- most recent to oldest Dates, supervisors, tasks of job

Resumes Resume writing

will allow students to compile all necessary information in one location

will give them a piece of paper to present at a job interview

will allow them to have it available upon request will allow them to feel prepared and knowledgeable to

navigate the job-hunting process

Resume.com

Summary Emotional Support and Encouragement

Journaling – consider online blogging Explicit Teaching of Vocabulary

Not just matching definitions to words, but rather using the vocabulary

Consider assigning a few vocabulary words to use in their journal writing

Authentic Assignments Learning by Doing ...but with support.

Building of Computer Literacy Practice online (not just paper applications in class) Gently force troubleshooting and problem solving Use Think Alouds in troubleshooting

Web Quests Please log on to the computers Go to philaliteracy.org Click on link to today’s conference Click on Sessions at a Glance Scroll down to Concurrent Session 3 Under this presentation description you

will see 3 word documents; please open