THE EXPECTATION OF
COMPUTER LITERACY IN JOB
HUNTING: OVERCOMING THE
CONTENT AND LANGUAGE
DEMANDS
Presenter:
Mallory Fix Lopez
Affiliations: Temple University College of Education and
the Garces Foundation
The Job Hunt
Workforce Education Standards
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By the end of the workshop, teachers will be able
to...
...feel more equipped to facilitate a learning environment that
is conducive to learning workplace skills, such as job hunting
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...facilitate lessons that are directly linked to students’
employment goals-obtaining a job
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Standard 2 Instruct guided by knowledge of students’ employment goals and opportunities
....give their students the resource of the internet for job
seeking purposes, taking students beyond the concept of
finding jobs through word of mouth.
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Standard 1-Establish an environment conducive to learning workplace skills.
Standard 3-Facilitate connections with systems and resources
...empower their students to be independent job seekers
through facilitating guided practice that they can then continue
at home.
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Standard 4-Plan, prepare, and facilitate student centered workplace instruction
Agenda
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Part I: What is computer literacy?
Part II: What are the consequences of low literacy
(computer and language?)
Part III: Confidence in the Job Hunt
Part IV: Time to Apply
Part V: Webquest
Part I: Computer Literacy
What is computer literacy?
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Starting the computer/logging on (cntrl+alt+delete)
Opening, saving, and printing files
Reading and sending email messages, including attachments
Downloading attachments (and converting, if necessary)
Using simple software
Creating tables/charts
Editing documents, photos, etc.
Using the Internet to find information
Completing online applications and registration
Java
TROUBLESHOOTING!
A digital divide
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Imagine that you are looking for a job- in any field.
Where is the first place you would begin your
search?
 Newspaper
 Flyers
on Telephone Polls
 Phone a friend
 Internet
 Walk in
Encounters while hunting
Computer Skill
1. Thousands of websites with job postings
1. Navigation of Internet;
bookmark
2. Setting up accounts for job
search/applications
2. Completing online forms and
troubleshooting; creating emails
3. Researching job tips, interview strategies,
etc.
3. Navigation of Internet; ability
to read for relevant information
4. Not getting scammed
4. Identifying credible sources on
the Internet
5. Using the computer
5. Mouse, clicking, troubleshooting, download/upload,
conversion of documents...and
much more!
A digital divide
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According to the Pew Research Center in a
February 2014 report:
 81%
of adults use computers
 Only 66% of those with high school diploma or less use
computers regulary
 Only 65% of those with a household income of less
than $30,000 use computers regularly
 However, 96% of individuals with a household income
of $75,000 use computers regularly
http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/02/27/part-1-how-the-internet-has-woven-itself-into-american-life/
Literacy Divide
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According to Proliteracy.org, in 2012, of adults over
16yrs of age :
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http://www.proliteracy.org/the-crisis/adult-literacy-facts
Part II: Consequences of Illiteracy
What are the potential
consequences?
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Turn and Talk with the person
closest to you
Consequences of Low Literacy
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to Proliteracy.org (2012):
among those with the lowest literacy rates, 43% live in
poverty
 75%
of state prison inmates and 59% of federal prison
inmates did not finish high school or can be classified as low
literate
 The
effects of low literacy cost the U.S. more than $225
billion each year in non-productivity in the workforce and
the loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.
http://www.proliteracy.org/the-crisis/adult-literacy-facts
Double Duty
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Low computer literacy
Low literacy
Triple Threat
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Low computer literacy
Low literacy
Non-native speaker of English
Part III: Confidence in the Job Hunt
Feelings...
Feelings...
Part IV: Time to Apply
It’s important to continue to talk to students about
feelings and confidence throughout the application
process.
Resumes..references..interviews..oh my!
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PT
FT
OT
TBD
BOH/FOH
Yrs. Exp.
No exp. necessary
2 refs.
M-F ,9-2
Please visit our website...
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to find more information about employement
opportunities
And another...
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Community College of Philadelphia
Student Support
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1. Build Confidence
 Job Hunting Journey Journal
 Consider doing an online blog
 Discuss feelings and ‘emotional rollercoaster’
2. Explicitly Teach vocabulary
 Allow students to encounter words in multiple ways
 Facilitate activities that allows them to use the word
Student Support
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3. Gather necessary information in advance
 Contact
info
 Full
formal name
 Address, phone number
 Working email address (necessary for online applications)
 References
 Full
names
 Contact Info
 Ask or notify reference
 Prior
work history
 Chronological
order- most recent to oldest
 Dates, supervisors, tasks of job
Resumes
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Resume writing
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will allow students to compile all necessary information in one location
will give them a piece of paper to present at a job interview
will allow them to have it available upon request
will allow them to feel prepared and knowledgeable to navigate the
job-hunting process
 Resume.com
Summary
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Emotional Support and Encouragement
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Explicit Teaching of Vocabulary
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Not just matching definitions to words, but rather using the
vocabulary
Consider assigning a few vocabulary words to use in their journal
writing
Authentic Assignments
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Journaling – consider online blogging
Learning by Doing ...but with support.
Building of Computer Literacy
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Practice online (not just paper applications in class)
Gently force troubleshooting and problem solving
Use Think Alouds in troubleshooting
Web Quests
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Please log on to the computers
Go to philaliteracy.org
Click on link to today’s conference
Click on Sessions at a Glance
Scroll down to Concurrent Session 3
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