Thinking Skills
Level 1
College and Other Vocational Instructors
- deal with equipment not working correctlyPossible Solutions
- inform department secretaries
- change learning plans
- try to figure out why the computer isn’t working
- contact help lines
- ask for help from information technology technicians
Level 2
College and Other Vocational Instructors
- change room set up or equipment to teach activities
Level 3
College and Other Vocational Instructors
- modify timelines for teaching activitiesPossible solutions
- change their lesson plans to make sure they teach the most important items when they don’t have enough time to cover everything planned
- add more activities when they find they have extra time in class
Level 4
College and Other Vocational Instructors
- help students understand content, do the tasks well all the time or take an active part in learning activitiesPossible Solutions
- communicate with the students one-on-one
- work with career counsellors to reassess students’ academic abilities and find the right support and training for them
- review student’s tests and marks to find a reason they aren’t doing the tasks well every time
- discuss any problems with the student
- review current lesson plans and make changes to how they teach to keep students interested in learning
Level 3
College and Other Vocational Instructors
- decide if resources and learning materials used give the students what they needExamples
- review course outlines and learning objects
- consider if information is available, the format and the costs
- consider how much class participation is needed with each activity
- consider how much time is needed to finish each activity
- consider students learning styles and interests
- consider their own level of knowledge and experience with the topics
- decide if exams are fair, valid and reliable
- review learners’ intake assessments, interim progress reports and course completion resultsExamples
- consider classroom attendance and if students are participating
- consider student presentations, practical demonstrations and performance using assessments that are specific to content
- consider the tone students create through stage design, use of materials, lighting, costumes and accessories– when courses are for theatre production
- consider how well students do each tasks, use of equipment, where they place equipment and how they interact
- assess if a person is right for a teaching positionExampleDepartment heads
- review candidates’ academic qualifications, background and experience
- consider candidates’ levels of practical knowledge and if they are able to use different technology
- interview potential teachers to identify thinking and communication skills and attitudes
- do reference checks to see if the person does have the experience that is needed and to see if the person is the right one for the job
Level 4
College and Other Vocational Instructors
- evaluate the programs and courses
Own Job Planning and Organizing
College and Other Vocational Instructors plan and organize each day within the timelines of class schedules. They
- plan and order instructions to meet the learning outcomes in course outlines
- change how they teach to respond to students’ abilities and needs
Department heads may need to reorganize their job tasks to
- accommodate students’ requests
- respond to instructors’ needs
- provide reports, projections and updates to college administrators
Planning and Organizing for Others
Department heads plan and schedule the work of instructional staff.
Instructors may participate in strategic planning.
College and Other Vocational Instructors need to remember
- names of students who need extra help and learning resources
- passwords needed to access computers, databases and video email messages
Level 2
College and Other Vocational Instructors
- find information about students by
- interviewing them
- reviewing education and training records
- communicating with other instructors
- find information on industry trends and changes in their fields by
- reading trade magazines
- searching the internet
- communicating with colleagues
Level 3
College and Other Vocational Instructors
- gather data on course content by
- talking with colleagues
- reviewing course materials and outlines
- asking for student comments
