Post Secondary

Post Secondary

Here you will find resources, links and information for learners who have selected the Post Secondary Goal Path

OALCF Goal Path Description– Post- Secondary

What is Post-Secondary education?

Post-secondary education includes all formal educational programs offered at colleges or universities for which high school completion or equivalency is the normal entrance requirement. After completion, learners will attain a diploma, degree or certificate. Program duration usually ranges from one to four years.

OALCF Goal Path Description– Post-Secondary

Learners need to develop all six OALCF competencies (Find and Use Information, Communicate Ideas and Information, Understand and Use Numbers, Use Digital Technology, Manage Learning and Engage with Others) to achieve their goals. The Key Development Skills below list the specific skills a learner needs to develop a Post-Secondary goal. These skills were drawn from goal path-specific research and development projects conducted in Ontario.

Self-Management Key Development Skills

• meets attendance expectations

• shows commitment to the program

• demonstrates motivation

• demonstrates a positive attitude

• shows determination

• stays on task

• shows ability to multi-task at a level of maturity appropriate for adult learning

• has well-defined, realistic goals

• sets short-term goals and follows through

• understands own weaknesses and strengths

• uses available resources strategically

• meets both program and self-imposed deadlines

• demonstrates time management in and out of class

• manages workload with outside commitments

• demonstrates ownership of learning needs

• shows willingness to spend time getting help outside of class

• shows self-reliance

• demonstrates self-discipline

• possesses self-awareness related to readiness for next steps of learning, testing, etc.

• demonstrates initiative

• works independently

• works with distractions

• “ask the right questions” - a willingness to take ownership and request assistance when stuck on a problem or task

• shows curiosity; asks questions

• shows persistence

• strives for constant improvement

• exudes a positive attitude; sees difficulties as a positive challenge

• works both independently and as a team member

• demonstrates interpersonal skills with peers (e.g. group support)

• uses organizational skills

• demonstrates familiarity with college services

• displays good study skills

Academic Key Development Skills

• reads, interprets and proceeds with minimal support

• asks questions which demonstrate higher cognitive thinking

• uses quantitative thinking

• masters math skills over and beyond the basic skills numeracy required for the program and demonstrates good algebra skills

• tackles postsecondary-type math questions successfully

• grasps formula manipulation – this demonstrates cognitive ability

• demonstrates reading comprehension (e.g. reads and follows instructions to successful completion of the task)

• follows and carries out instructions especially from several sources; able to synthesize and integrate

• reads an article or text of several pages with no clear organization, then demonstrates understanding, reads and extracts information and comments on that information

• uses proper grammar in oral and written work

• uses correct sentence structure

• demonstrates a high level of organization, coherence and unity in writing

• demonstrates essay writing skills

• uses correct documentation skills

• writes a technical report or essay, proofreads and submits first draft without questions

• locates, organizes, analyzes and documents information for essays/reports

• synthesizes information from various sources

• delivers oral presentations by effectively summarizing text and sources, paraphrasing and quoting sources

• goes “above and beyond” (e.g. asks questions to take learning further)

• uses critical thinking skills

• demonstrates problem solving skills

• grasps abstract concepts

• achieves success on unit tests

• answers the question being asked

• completes demonstration activities with minimal or no support

• applies learning to own life (e.g. transfers skills and knowledge)

• demonstrates technological proficiency in order to survive in a technology-based learning environment (e.g. Microsoft Office applications)

Math and Science:

• Many postsecondary programs have specific course prerequisites in math and science. It is important that learners develop the necessary foundational skills in these subjects so that they are able to transition towards their goal. Although many college programs do not have specific math and science prerequisites, those that do typically require Grade 12 or equivalent courses to be completed.

Additional Key Development Skills

• sets goals and accomplishes them

• demonstrates commitment to the program and to goals

• assumes ownership of goals; sets timelines and benchmarks to determine/assess progress

• confirms commitment to results

• works in groups successfully (e.g. getting the project completed, dealing with non-contributing members, etc.)

• possesses strong reading comprehension skills

• embraces proactive problem solving, following through to resolution

• works to achieve academic levels beyond the necessary basic skill levels for the chosen goal

• secures social, housing and financial supports (e.g. Ontario Works, OSAP, EI, etc.)

• manages personal life appropriately including health, child care, transportation and finances

• resolves transportation issues

• knows college systems, database and facilities

• shows excitement about the “next step”