Thomaston Mills uses the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and Work Keys assessments to evaluate workers, and the scores determine job placement. Based on those scores, the Mill often recommends workers to the company's Educational Renewal Program at Hint River Technical Institute. This program is voluntary, with workers coming in on their own time, without compensation from the company.
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The worker's motivation for attending is either personal satisfaction, attaining a GED, or a desire to improve their test scores in order to qualify for promotions within the company. A growing number of workers want to be introduced to computers. Many come with the desire to be better at what they already do. Once enrolled, they establish their own goals and the curriculum is developed to fit their individual needs. A functional context approach makes assignments relevant.
One of the most successful assignments has been to develop a PowerPoint presentation of the individual’s job description. This activity was chosen because it allows users to practice a range of academic skills emphasized in the course, including critical thinking, vocabulary, graphs and charts, grammar, composition, and computer literacy. Yet the activity requires the simplest of computer skills. The instructor introduces this activity toward the end of a quarter after the learner has started to feet somewhat comfortable in front of the computer. The time frame varies with the individual. Once the task is undertaken, learners analyze their jobs, organize their thoughts to communicate clearly with brevity, and apply computer skills to create the product. |  |
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Learners are given the following brief outline of topics to be included in the slide presentation:
Each presentation should include the following:
When the project is complete, workers have new pride in their profession. They also have increased self-esteem as well as having developed new basic and academic computer skills.
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