For the past four years, my writing has changed from developing and adapting resources for language learners to writing for facilitators, workplace training, the web, and post- secondary environments.
In my current position at the Centre for Education and Work, I have been fortunate to combine my talents, interests, and recent emerging technology skills into a beneficial writing career.
Within 1.5 years, I have been able to use my research techniques to create paper-based and electronic learning resources for adult learners.
- Research and develop curriculum, course materials, lesson plans, learning resources, and facilitator's guides;
- Compile project information to create Activity Reports;
- Analyze and synthesize information from focus groups/interview transcripts and various websites to provide necessary information to lead researcher;
- Assist in editing French website and lesson plans as needed;
- Develop activities, introductions, and instructions for e-courses; and
- Write company blog and e-newsletters to inform potential and existing clients of current project outcomes and/or status
Even my last employer, Manitoba Start, was pleasantly surprised that I was willing and able to adapt, design and format employment learning resources from existing handouts into two comprehensive booklets for facilitators and career coaches to use with their learners/clients.
In addition, I was encouraged to create mini workshops and presentations for new/existing staff to use in orientations, staff meetings, and other designated times slots.
Even in my role as a facilitator, I taught my adult learners how to improve their 21st Century Skills, such as
- how to navigate settlement, employment, education, and professional regulatory body websites;
- how to write career marketing tools (I.e. resumes, cover/reference/ thank you letters, etc.);
- how to fill out lengthy online applications; and
- I even sent them basic computer assessments to encourage them to upgrade their skills in MS Office and accounting software.
- If you already have the writing bug, then see what creative path you can take to teach in an alternative way.
- If you don't have the confidence to explore writing curriculum, start small by adding to an existing lesson plan.
- Try to observe the structure of learning resources you already use in order to figure out what is effective with your learners.
- Here's a link to a great website, Smashing Magazine, that has an article/ blog post titled, 50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills by Vitaly Friedman.
- ProBlogger.net is another great resource for those of you who want to start a blog, but don't know where to begin.
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