Hey everyone … I want to share with you a potential “Best Practice” from the USW/U.S. Steel-Minnesota Ore (MinnTac) Career Development Program.
The program is piloting a new language program in an attempt to boost participation in light of 12-hour shifts, which, according to Coordinator Amy Payton, have made it more difficult for members to attend class. I know that is a common refrain when we get together and ask local programs what some of their biggest obstacles are.
So instead of hosting a language class with minimal participation, the MinnTac LJC is turning to technology and Rosetta Stone in an attempt to meet its workers’ educational need in this area.
The LJC has purchased one Rosetta Stone Spanish program and are conducting an informal member survey on a second language. It has also purchased two new laptop computers on which Amy will load the programs. Members will be allowed to check the laptops out of the center for up to two weeks – just like one would check a book out of the library. If, at the end of the two weeks, there is not someone else waiting for a laptop, that member is free to extend for another two weeks.
The thought is that Rosetta Stone provides the program a new methodology to deliver the curriculum at MinnTac. Part of ICD’s mission is to explore those new methodologies, so it is encouraging to see the LJC being so proactive. The program is offering an in-house Spanish class this spring, so it will be interesting to see the results. According to Amy, if the demand for the Rosetta Stone is larger than anticipated, the LJC may consider purchasing additional packages and additional laptops on which to load the program.
I believe such outside-the-box thinking is what separates Career Development from other worker education programs. We at ICD applaud the dedication of all the LJCs and Coordinators in serving their members. Well done.
Until next time … Jerry.
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