While the main aim of K-12 curriculum is to provide students necessary education and skills to be globally competitive, it also opens up training and knowledge acquisition for possible job offers upon graduation. Therefore, there is the significance of strengthening work immersion programs of Senior High students. The problem, however, is that such programs may not guarantee gain of adequate skills and competencies from work places where students are deployed.
In Tabuk City, we found that the low performance level of grade 12 SHS work immersion students from HUMSS, ABM, STEM and TVL strands were related to lack of assessment tools and materials, twists of course preferences, readiness of student and the poor process flow of work immersion implementation.
This was thru the result of the school’s Work Immersion Monitoring Evaluation and Assessment Report of Subject Group Heads 3 years ago.
Development of assessment tools, syllabus, learning materials
With this, I looked into developing assessment tools aimed at understanding better how performance of students are affected in order to craft syllabus, course materials and other learning resources to better prepare students for the immersion at work.
After the development and implementation of the tools, we found some mismatches where students could be desiring to be immersed in a field different from the strand they are currently enrolled (or preferred course they would like to take up in the university), some have mismatch of skills, and others mismatch of preferred places.
The use of the tools evidently equipped both the teachers and learners, the teachers with information to categorize students’ preferences, skills and knowledge and the learners to better decide on preparing for the possible career path. Later, learners’ strands or preferred courses were matched to offices, agencies or workplaces as well as provided advised.
One of the tools was a readiness test. Results from the test were used to craft syllabus and learning materials for the students before immersion. Activities were defined as to when to be carried out, and identified who are responsible. It was also used as a guide to make matrices and rating or scoring rules. With this, work immersion Partner Supervisors were relieved from guessing as to what rating they should give learners. A standard grading component were provided for them to easily reflect their observation, thus giving them the points due to the learners. On the other hand, teachers became confident on just evaluation.
Concerns observed during project implementation
Although preparations have been made for work immersion, some problems unforeseen may arise. Some are the following:
1. Partner agencies invited for joint-working group did not join orientation while other sent representative not well versed with the company services and work, hence they could not feed the needed tasks the learners should comply.
2. Teachers need more time to visit learners dispatched on field and evaluate their performance using the prescribed tools. Overlapping of schedule is experienced.
3. Learners experienced being used as errands.
4. Reports were not received by the schools focal person on the completion and performance of learners, and other issues that concerns the learner.
1. Students lack time to complete hands-on activities and knowledge to perform the tasks.
2. Teachers could not accommodate big number of immersants in the assessment of portfolio.
3. Grooming/ use of prescribed attire-personal appearance and bearing
The student immersion program could be said to have difficulties. Somehow, it is a much needed program for our students. Apart from preparing them for work and for helping them decide for themselves their career path, it gives them a chance to participate in real life situations which could provide them insights on what to further develop.
This student immersion program might solve many problems of local businesses and other offices needing competent and skilled workers if future workers are well-trained. Based on the findings of the project we conducted, it suggests that there clearly is a need for further studies, and it is highly recommended that closer collaboration with partner agencies be forged to meet expectations of both parties.
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