2.2SoftSkillsinWorkplace

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Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.

Lesson Plan-Communicating at WorkSoft Skills in theWorkplace

Course Title: Business Information Management IISession Title: Communication at WorkSoft Skills in the WorkplacePerformance Objective:

Upon completion of this lesson, the student will understand the importance ofaccurate communication and following directions in the workplace.

Specific Objectives:

Students will understand the rewards and consequences of accurate businesscommunications.

Students will understand the implications of hard and soft skills in the workplace.

Preparation

TEKS Correlations:130.115.C.2 A-FInterdisciplinary Correlations:

Accommodations for Learning Differences:It is important that lessons accommodate the needs of every learner. These lessonsmay be modified to accommodate your students with learning differences by referring tothe files found on theSpecial Populations pageof this website.Teacher Preparation:

References:

http://www.atctraining.com/soft_skills_definition_of_communication.htm

www.tensigma.org/media/samples/l_n_e/lne.../3393_scenario.pdf

http://www.okcareertech.org/cimc/titles/toolbox/index.htm

http://www.tensigma.org/products/life_and_employability.html#RE

Instructional Aids:1. Communication at Work- Soft Skills in the WorkplacePowerPoint presentation2. How Well Can You Follow Directions? Sheet (at end of lesson plan-found at the

okcareertech website)3. The Scenario Sheet: Explain the consequences of not following directions promptly

(at the end of the lesson plan)4. Hard and Soft SkillsBusiness Leader Report Assignment #15. Hard and Soft Skills Business Leader Rubric6. Instructional Manual Assignment #27. Instructional Manual Rubric8. Following Directions ScenarioAssignment #3

9. Following Directions Scenario RubricMaterials Needed:1. Scenario handout: Explain the consequences of not following directions promptly2. Poster board to record student responses on activitiesEquipment Needed:1. Computers for students to complete projects2. Projector for PPTLearner Preparation:
http://cte.unt.edu/home/special.htmlhttp://cte.unt.edu/home/special.htmlhttp://cte.unt.edu/home/special.htmlhttp://www.atctraining.com/soft_skills_definition_of_communication.htmhttp://www.atctraining.com/soft_skills_definition_of_communication.htmhttp://www.tensigma.org/media/samples/l_n_e/lne.../3393_scenario.pdfhttp://www.tensigma.org/media/samples/l_n_e/lne.../3393_scenario.pdfhttp://www.okcareertech.org/cimc/titles/toolbox/index.htmhttp://www.okcareertech.org/cimc/titles/toolbox/index.htmhttp://www.tensigma.org/products/life_and_employability.html#REhttp://www.tensigma.org/products/life_and_employability.html#REhttp://www.tensigma.org/products/life_and_employability.html#REhttp://www.okcareertech.org/cimc/titles/toolbox/index.htmhttp://www.tensigma.org/media/samples/l_n_e/lne.../3393_scenario.pdfhttp://www.atctraining.com/soft_skills_definition_of_communication.htmhttp://cte.unt.edu/home/special.html


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1. Give students a piece of paper and tell them they are going to do an activity. Readthe directions on the How Well Can You Follow Directions? sheet. See how studentsdo at the end by walking around the room and tallying correct and incorrect answers.Write on the board or document camera. Then discuss the results with the students.2. Ask students if they have ever had to assemble something they purchased and had

to read directions. What if the person (usually a technical writer) who wrote thosedirections had left out a step or had incorrectly labeled the parts? Discuss theconsequences for different types of products from a shelving unit to automobileassembly lines.3. Discuss the importance of instructional manuals for different types of products andthe components of these manuals. Also, discuss with students the importance oftraining sessions on the job, for example, teaching employees how to use products orservices so they may demonstrate to the customers.

Lesson Plan

Introduction (LSI Quadrant I)1. Bring in samples of advertising, business letters, and instruction sheets or manuals

for various products. If you do not have these at home, you can search the Internetfor miscellaneous manuals. Point out different steps that, had they been erroneousor omitted, could cause negative consequences, such as: injury to a consumer, lostbusiness for the company, defective products, or termination of the employee.

2. Provide students with samples of manuals for common products and give to eachstudent. White out several steps. Have students fill in the missing steps. Exchangethe directions with another student to see if the steps you filled in work in theassembly of the product.

3. Ask students to give examples of skills required at work and write a list on the boardor document camera. As you write try to separate the responses into two columnsso you can refer to them later as hard and soft skills in the workplace. Ask

students in which category following directions would fit.Important Terms for this Lesson:

Hard skillsskills that can be easily taught and measured such as computer skills,language skills, and machinery skills.

Soft skillsusually called people skills such as communication, teamwork, andproblem-solving skills; not as easily measurable

Outline

Outline (LSI Quadrant II)

Instructors can use the PowerPoint presentation, slides, handouts, and the internet inconjunction with the following outline.

MI Outline Notes to Instructor

I. Workplace SkillsA. Hard skills

1. Completing tasks2. Operating machinery or

equipment3. Financial or mathematical

skills4. Language skills

Many skills are required toobtain jobs and keep them.

Ask students what skillsthese may be and recordtheir responses. Thenplace an H and an Snext to the appropriateskills. Explain to students


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5. More easily measurableB. Soft skills

1. People skills2. Communication skills3. Teamwork

4. Customer service5. Decision-making6. Not as easily measurable

II. Following Directions (a soft skill)A. Employment PoliciesB. Training or how-to ManualsC. Product User Guides

III. RewardsA. Increased teamwork and

employee moraleB.Increased productivity, creating

increased sales and revenueC. Increased number ofcustomers

IV. ConsequencesA. Employee reprimands or

termination, decreased moraleB. Loss of business, customers,

and salesC. Possible defective products

which could result in injury

the differences between thetwo types of skills.

Explain that hard skills areusually measurable such as

typing skills. They can alsobe more easily teachable ortrainable. These skills areusually assessed before apotential is hired for a job.Soft skills are more difficultto measure and arebasically only assessedbefore employment duringan interview.

Have students in pairs eachthink of an occupation andthen ask each other to listand identify the hard andsoft skills associated withthose occupations.

Ask students whatemployees can gain byfollowing directions. Theyshould respond with

something similar to:employees are happier,therefore sales canincrease and customerscan be satisfied as well.

Following directions is oneof the main reasons thatemployees are terminatedfrom a job. Employeesmust follow employmentpolicies. Ask students,again in pairs, each toidentify a policy and thepossible reward forfollowing the policy as wellas the consequence for notfollowing the policy. Eithera student or the teacher


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can record these responseson a poster board.

Following directionsexternally with customers

can be just as important. Ifan employee does notproperly explain usedirections for a product,injury can result as well assales can dramaticallydecrease.

Copy and Paste Multiple Intelligences Graphic in appropriate place in left column.

Application

Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):1. Provide students with a list of topics (or students may come up with their ownidea if the teacher approves) for which they will create their own visual version of ahow-to instruction sheeton the computer using either a SmartArt or other version of aflowchart. Have them type each direction in a different shape in the proper order.Examples may be: how to make a pb & j sandwich, how to send a text message and

attach a picture, how to create a spreadsheet in Excel with a formula, or how to parallelpark a car. When they have completed their diagram, exchange with a partner andhave them critique your steps to make sure you did not leave anything out.2. Have students create a table in Microsoft Word with 3 columns and 5 rows. Inthe top row type the label Occupation, then Hard, and Soft. Ask for someone tovolunteer the name of an occupation and type it in the first column. Then ask what skillsare required for the career. You may also have this on your computer or documentcamera to guide students where to place their responses. Place their skill responses inthe appropriate columns and continue with other career suggestions. They should startto see the meaning of Hard and Soft skills and how they apply to many differentoccupations. The last row should be reserved for a career in which they personallyhave an interest.

Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):

Hard and Soft Skills Business Leader Report Assignment #1Have students conduct Internet research of business leaders who possess hard skillsversus soft skills. Type a report which states the leaders particular career andsummarizes which skills his/her career requires as well as which skills that leader isbest known to possess. Use appropriate report formatting. This report will be evaluated


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according to the related rubric.

Instructional Manual Assignment #2Create a detailed instructional manual (a how-toor Usersmanual) for eitherassembling a product of your choice or performing a task (such as how to play a certaingame). Get approval from your teacher first. Include proper report formatting, including

double-spacing, 1 margins, and heading and paragraph styles. Sections shouldinclude, but are not limited to, an outline of your guide, parts description and appropriatelabeling (use clipart and drawing shapes if necessary), supplies needed, and assemblysteps or directional steps. Include illustrations as needed to help the reader understandthe steps. Remember that grammar is very important for understanding the entiremanual. This project will be evaluated using the related rubric.

Following Directions Scenario Assignment #3Use the Explain the consequences of not following directions promptly handout for thegeneral directions for this assignment. In pairs students will complete the tasks statedin the directions. Then have them display their results on two different documents. Anyapplication can be used but one document should contain the list of tasks, three per

group as stated in the directions, using possibly a table, SmartArt Graphic, bulleted listor whatever the pair decides. The other document should be the timeline as describedin the directions, as well as the possible consequences if any of the groups does notfollow the directions for each task that the pairs have produced.

Summary

Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):Q: What are hard skills and why are they important at work?A: They are the teachable skills such as computer skills and language skills that helpus with the technical aspects of our jobs.Q: What are the soft skills are why are they important?

A: They are called the people skills and, because every business has customers,these are the skills that attract and keep the customers.Q: Why is the soft skill of following directions important in business?A: If employees do not follow directions such as employment policies, they can losetheir jobs. If directions are not clear, products can become defective or injuries canresult. As a result, business can be lost.

Evaluation

Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):1. Instructor will observe students during Independent Practice.2. Instructor will assist students as needed.Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrants III and IV):

Use the assigned rubrics to evaluate the three Independent Practice Assignments.Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):1. Interview two individuals regarding the skills that are required for their careers.

Create a document of your choosing that summarizes their career, the skillsrequired, and whether they are considered hard or soft skills.

2. Create a one-page report on the fastest-growing careers and the type of skillsrequired for these careers (hard and soft). Also include the level of education ortraining required for these careers.


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Business Information ManagementSoft Skills in the Workplace

Independent Practice Assignment Sheet

Hard and Soft Skills Business Leader Report Assignment #1Have students conduct Internet research of business leaders who possess hard

skills versus soft skills. Type a report which states the leaders particular careerand summarizes the skills that career requires as well as the skills that leader isbest known to possess. Use appropriate report formatting. This report will beevaluated according to the related rubric.

Instructional Manual Assignment #2Create a detailed instructional manual (a how-to manual) for either assemblinga product of your choice or performing a task (such as how to play a certaingame). Get approval from your teacher first. Include proper report formatting,including: double-spacing, 1 margins, and heading and paragraph styles.Sections should include, but are not limited to: parts description and appropriate

labeling (use clipart and drawing shapes if necessary), supplies needed, andassembly steps or directional steps. Include illustrations as needed to help thereader understand the steps. Remember that grammar is very important forunderstanding the entire manual. Create a table of contents automatically usingthe References Tab in Office 2007 or 2010 or manually by setting dot leadertabs. This project will be evaluated using the related rubric.

Following Directions Scenario Assignment #3Use the Explain the consequences of not following directions promptly handoutfor the general directions of this assignment. In pairs students will complete thetasks stated in the directions. Then have them display their results on two

different documents. Any application can be used but one document shouldcontain the list of three tasks as stated in the directions. Students can use atable, SmartArt or a bulleted list. The other document should be the timeline asdescribed in the directions, The students should also list the consequences if anyfor not following the directions for each task that the pairs have created.


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Business Information Management IICommunicating at Work - Soft Skills in the

Workplace

Hard and Soft Skills Business Leader Report

Assignment #1

Student Name: __________________________________

CATEGORY 20 15 10 5 or less

Required

Elements

Report contains

business leader

name, career,

hard and soft skills

as well as

additional

information relatedto topic

Report contains

business leader

name, career,

hard and soft

skills with no

additional

information

Report is

lacking some

career or skill

information

Report lacking

career and skill

information

Formatting Report uses

proper formatting

and is neat and

professional in

appearance

Report is neat in

appearance but is

missing a

formatting

element (could be

heading style,

double spacing, 1

margins)

Report is neat

but lacks the

majority of

formatting

Report

incomplete and

lacks most of

the information

Mechanics No grammatical or

punctuation errors

1 grammatical or

punctuation error

2-3 grammatical

or punctuation

error

More than 3

grammatical or

punctuation

errors

Sufficiency of

Information

Excellent amount

of research

information

provided that

demonstrate

business leaders

communication

skills

Adequate amount

of information

provided that

demonstrate

business leaders

communication

skills

Little information

provided as to

hard and soft

skills of

business leader

selected

Report provides

very little

research at all

Examples

related to

project

All communication

skills in report

relate to material

discussed in class

Most of the

communication

skills in the report

relate to the

classroom lesson

Little information

presented,

purpose of

report difficult to

understand

Report clearly

not related to

objectives

Total Score ________

Maximum 100 Points


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Business Information Management IICommunicating at Work - Soft Skills in the

Workplace

Instructional ManualAssignment #2

Student Name: __________________________________


Required Elements Manual contains

all required

sections-table of

contents, labeling,

supplies, and

steps

Manual

complete with

minor omission

of steps

Manual missing

steps critical to

completing the

task

Manual missing

entire section(s)

Layout Layout makes

manual well-

organized, easy

to read, very

effective use of

full pages

Layout is

organized, but

ineffective use

of full pages

Layout seems

unorganized

and slightly

difficult to follow

Information in

manual is spotty

and follows no

effective layout

principles

Mechanics No grammatical

or punctuation

errors in

document

Minor

grammatical or

punctuation

errors

Manual contains

a few

grammatical or

punctuation

errors

Amount of

errors is

unacceptable

Organization Excellentorganizational

skills

demonstrated,

order of

processes clearly

identified

Generallyorganized

manual but 1-2

steps unclear or

out of sequence

A fewinstructional

steps

ambiguous or

out of sequence

The steps thatare present are

out of

sequence,

making

following them

difficult

Use of illustrations Very good use of

illustrations that

enhance the

steps in the

manual

Good

illustrations but

not all

necessarily

enhancing the

steps

Very little, if any

illustrations to

help

demonstrate the

steps

Either no

illustrations or

illustrations that

are present are

unrelated to

steps


Maximum 100 Points


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Business Information Management IICommunicating at Work - Soft Skills in theWorkplace

Following Directions ScenarioAssignment #3

Student Name: __________________________________


Required Elements Assignment

contains both

documents fully

completed, all

areas thoroughly

addressed

Both documents

present with

minor omissions

of information

Only one

document

completed fully

or both

incomplete

Less than one

partially

completed

document

Creativity Original display of

information on

both documents,

exceptional use of

design elements

Original display

of information

on both

documents with

adequate use of

design

principles

Documents

appear

common,

typical, with

some design

elements

lacking

Documents

contain no

creativity or

design

elements

Sequencing All tasks

presented for

each of the 4

groups are in a

logical, organizedorder

1-2 tasks out of

order between

the 5-8 p.m.

time frame

3-4 tasks out of

order

More than a few

tasks out of

order

Sufficiency of

Information -

Consequences

All possible

consequences

logical and well

thought out

Most

consequences

logical with one

exception

Several

consequences

described but

some illogical

Sketchy

consequences

provided and

most illogical

Following

Directions

Entire assignment

relates to the

topic of the

importance of

following

directions

A majority of the

assignment

relates to the

topic

Assignment

product shows

only a minor

correlation to

the topic

No

understanding

of the topic

shown on this

assignment


Maximum 100 Points

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