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EDHF 4001 Life Skills Education
Course Review
We embarked on this journey just about twelve weeks ago. It was long and required us to dig deep within ourselves to keep at it at meet the demands of the course. I wish to commend those of you who have come this far. I applaud you for this journey was not for the faint at heart. It required you to utilize many of your life skills including effective communication, problem solving, critical and creative thinking, time management, coping with emotions and healthy self-management among others. You were able to network and forge relationships which I am sure will go beyond the course.
INTRODUCTION
It is now time to pause and reflect on your learning. I know that in addition to the content you were exposed to many of you have become more competent in the use of the computer and related technology. You comfort level should have increased as it relates to the use of ICT in education. Take this back to the classroom with you. As we embark on this review take the opportunity to revisit concepts you learnt, to identify those you may have missed and to secure your collection of resources so that they will be available to you long after the course is completed.
INTRODUCTION
In week one we looked at an introduction of the concept of lifeskills and tried to operationalize a working definition. The following was widely accepted."Life skills" are defined as psychosocial abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life.” They are loosely grouped into three broad categories of skills: cognitive skills for analyzing and using information, personal skills for developing personal agency and managing oneself, and inter-personal skills for communicating and interacting effectively with others.
UNIT ONE
Life Skills
Social Skills
Interpersonal skillsCommunication skills
Refusal skillsNegotiation skills
Empathy skillsAdvocacy skills
Cognitive Skills
Decision makingCritical ThinkingCreative thinkingProblem Solving
Emotional Coping Skills
Healthy Self- management skillsSelf- monitoring skillsSelf-awareness skills
Coping with emotions (anger, self-esteem, grief loss)
For the purposes of HFLE Life Skills are grouped into three broad categories
It is clear that there are many different life skills and psychosocial skills. Some are more significant than other depending of the field of study. The following link may be useful in further clarifying the concept.http://www.unicef.org/teachers/teacher/lifeskil.htm
Life Skills
Life skills education is significant in four critical areas of development.
Significance of life skills
Life Skills
Promotes the development of emotional intelligence
Empowerment of young people
Foundation for holistic
development
Promotes the development of an ethical value system
Generally refer to skills which should be acquired as one goes through the various stages of development. These include but are not limited to :• Motor and physical skills e.g balance, movement• Self expression skills• Language skills• Social Skills
Psychosocial Skills
Psycho social skills are developed as one goes through the various stages of development.
Many theorists have presented diverse theories of development. Several of these theories support the teaching of life skills. In this course we focused on the following:• Piaget – cognitive Development• Erickson- psychosocial development
Child and Adolescent Development
Another theory which is quite relevant to the teaching of life skills is that of emotional intelligence. This refers to being able to recognise our feeling and that of others for motivating others, and for managing our emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships. (video.about.com/psychology/Overview-of-Emotional-Intelligence.htm)
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence
In Unit 2 we turned our attention to three key concepts:
1. Learner centered Strategies2. Effective classroom management strategies3. Effective Assessment Strategies
UNIT 2
In a learner centered classroom the teacher functions as a facilitator in the learning process and students become more involved in their learning. (Weimer 2000) identified five principles of learner centered classrooms.• We need to give students power to choose and influence
what and how they are learning.• Students should have a choice in how they are assessed.• The learning environment should cater to their needs and
learning styles. • They should be exposed to a diversity of learning
experiences
Leaner Centered Strategies
Like the learning experience, assessment should meet the needs of students and cater to their learning styles.
Students should know how they are going to be assessed on any given task before they begin working on the task.
There needs to be a paradigm shift from the traditional paper and pencil test to more authentic assessment.
Assessment
Some of the ways students can be assessed in a life skills classroom include;• Journal writing• Portfolios• Projects• Simulations• Role plays• presentations
Assessment
The teacher can use a number of different tools in assessment including:• A checklist• Questionnaire• Rubric couple with a perfomance task
Assessment
Effective classroom management is critical to the success of life skills education.
• When a class is poorly managed there is inadvertently discipline problems among the students.
• There are many strategies one can employ throughout the day to keep students focused and on task.
Class Room Management
.Morning Meetings• Managing transitions through out the day• Developing a postive rapport with students• Building competence through professional development• Arranging the physical space to facilitate the various learning
activities• Setting classroom rules and teacher expectations
Class Room Management
.Morning Meetings• Managing transitions through out the day• Developing a postive rapport with students• Building competence through professional development• Arranging the physical space to facilitate the various learning
activities• Setting classroom rules and teacher expectations
Class Room Management
Thanks!