Workshop Schedule

Please note that there is a free PowerPoint presentation with speaking notes available from the AWAL Web site at http://www.awal.ca/resources.asp

Suggested points to include in the time the participants are first with you before they go off to the employers (30-45 minutes):

• Introductions and Goal Setting: You may wish to reverse the order of the introductions and overview. That way when people introduce themselves they have some context and can answer: Who are you? Where do you work/with who? What is your goal for the day? Keep track of the goals on a flip chart and revisit them at the end of the day to ensure that they were met.
  • This is a good opportunity for a representative of the host organization (a member of the project team) to restate what its particular goals are for the Workshop and how that fits into the larger strategy for professional development.
• AWAL Overview:
  • HRSDC funded research and development project (1997-February 2006)
  • Part of the HRSDC ESRP (Quick brainstorm on “When we say ‘essential skills’ what do we mean?”)
  • Begun in 1997 in BC, since 2000 a national project for K-12 and adult educators
  • Workshops have been delivered in AB, BC, MB, ON, NB, NS, NWT, PEI and SK (as of Winter 2006 writing)
  • Will provide you with answers to reply to “Why do I have to learn this?”
• Overview of the day
  • Walk through the agenda
  • Let people know it will be a busy day and there will be times when they’ll feel pressured and we’ll try to work to alleviate that (good time to set any housekeeping or group rules if appropriate)
  • Encourage people to leave their preconceptions at the door
  • Acknowledge that for some leaving the classroom may mean moving out of their comfort zone – it will be OK
  • Summarize what this process is doing (combining their knowledge with new experience)
  • Clearly introduce the idea that throughout the afternoon participants will be developing teaching ideas based on what they hear to use with their own learners