Topic 23 - Entering Work-Based Learning Plans
The Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan is built into the School to Career Database. It is included in the database for two reasons. First, it is convenient to use the computer to type the Work-Based Learning Plan (rather than hand-writing). The computerized version makes it easy to print out extra copies, modify a job description, etc. You can also use the optional bank of Job Descriptions to store and re-use job descriptions from jobs and internships that more than one student works in.
Second, the computerized version makes it possible to analyze information in order to develop a picture of the range of job descriptions, skills used, and skills gained by students in work-based learning. A built-in "Skill Gain Report" automatically analyzes data from any WBL Plans you enter into the database.
HOW TO USE THE WORK-BASED LEARNING PLAN:
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PLACEMENT, CREATE A JOB DESCRIPTION AND A LIST OF SKILLS AND TASKS.
From the student's job placement/internship/coop record in the STW file, click the button at the top of the page called Create WBL Plan. This brings you to the 'Create WBL Plan' layout in the STW file. Click the orange button that says 'Fill in Heading.' This will fill in the student's name, ID, employer name, supervisor name, and other information. Type in the job description. Click the button that says 'Go to AllPlans...' This will bring you to the AllPlans file. Click the 'Next Page' button to go page-by-page to complete the plan.
(Alternate route: You can also open the Work-Based Learning Plan section of the database directly from the main menu, but the method above is recommended because it will link the Work-Based Learning Plan to the student's internship/coop placement record.)
A FEW WEEKS INTO THE INTERNSHIP, CONDUCT AN INITIAL REVIEW.
1. Open the program. From the main menu, open the student's plan by clicking the Open button next to his/her name. If you haven't already done so, put today's date in the Review Date field.
2. Click the Next Page button to move from page to page and fill in the review, goals, and comments.
4. You can use the buttons or the SCRIPTS menu to print each page one at a time or select 'Print All Pages.'
CONDUCT THE SECOND REVIEW NEAR THE END OF AN INTERNSHIP ... OR CONDUCT PERIODIC REVIEWS FOR LONGER-TERM INTERNSHIPS.
1. Open the program. Then click 'Open' to open the student's plan. Fill in the new Review Date and click 'Next Page' to move from page to page to complete the second review.
The Work-Based Learning Plan is also available as a Word document. Information entered into the Word version can be imported into the database, if desired. See http://www.skillslibrary.com/wbl.htm for more information.
From the Report menu, open the Skill Gain Reports file and explore to see the various reports that can be created using Work-Based Learning Plan information.
On the web, download and read the Skill Gain Report (at http://www.skillslibrary.com or at http://www.doe.mass.edu/stc) to see how information from a sample of Work-Based Learning Plans statewide was used to create a picture of skills gained by students.