Page 6 - Guidance Education 11-12 (2006)

INTRODUCTION 5
Roles and Responsibilities in Guidance and Career Education
Students. Students have many responsibilities with regard to their learning in school. Students who make the effort required to succeed in school and who apply themselves will soon discover that there is a direct relationship between this effort and their achievement, and will therefore be more motivated to work.There will be some students, however, who will find it more diffi- cult to take responsibility for their learning because of special challenges they face. For these students, the attention, patience, and encouragement of teachers can be extremely important factors for success. However, taking responsibility for one’s progress and learning is an impor- tant part of education for all students, regardless of their circumstances.
Mastery of concepts and skills in guidance and career education requires a sincere commitment to work, study, and the development of appropriate skills. Students should also be encouraged to actively pursue opportunities outside the classroom, through extracurricular activities and community service, to extend and enrich their knowledge and skills. Many guidance and career education courses provide students with the opportunity to develop a portfolio documenting their skills, experiences, and skills credentials (e.g., CPR,WHMIS, equipment training) as part of their ongoing learning and career development.
Parents. Parents have an important role to play in supporting student learning. Studies show that students perform better in school if their parents or guardians are involved in their educa- tion. By becoming familiar with the curriculum, parents can find out what is being taught in the courses their children are taking and what their children are expected to learn.This aware- ness will enhance parents’ ability to discuss their children’s work with them, to communicate with teachers, and to ask relevant questions about their children’s progress. Knowledge of the expectations in the various courses also helps parents to interpret teachers’ comments on student progress and to work with them to improve their children’s learning.
The guidance and career education curriculum promotes lifelong learning. In addition to supporting regular school activities, parents may want to encourage their sons and daughters to explore opportunities available to students through greater school and community involve- ment and participation in leadership-development activities.Attending parent–teacher inter- views, participating in parent workshops, becoming involved in school council activities (including becoming a school council member), and encouraging students to complete their assignments at home are just a few examples of effective ways to support learning.
Teachers. Teachers and students have complementary responsibilities.Teachers are responsible for developing appropriate instructional strategies to help students achieve the curriculum expectations, as well as appropriate methods for assessing and evaluating student learning. Teachers also support students in developing the reading, writing, oral communication, and numeracy skills needed for success in their courses.Teachers bring enthusiasm and varied teaching and assessment approaches to the classroom, addressing different student needs and ensuring sound learning opportunities for every student.
Using a variety of instructional, assessment, and evaluation strategies, teachers provide numerous opportunities for students to develop research and inquiry skills; interpersonal skills, including both oral and written communication skills; and the personal-management, learning, and employability skills needed for success in school and in future work. Opportunities to connect these skills and concepts to real-life situations will help make learning more meaningful for students and will motivate them to become lifelong learners.