Learning

Jamaica Plain Community Centers Adult Learning Program

WHAT | Learners will use digital annotation tools to highlight, annotate, and take notes directly within their course materials. This process encourages active reading, concept retention, and mimics the documentation and information management demands of the workplace.

WHY | This routine supports content retention while building digital skills essential to the workplace. Clinical trainees must organize and retain large amounts of digital information to pass their credentialing exam. This information management occurs while also developing the English skills required for effective workplace communication. In addition, learners must develop proficiency with digital tools that mirror real-world workplace tasks.

By integrating active reading and digital annotation, this routine reinforces comprehension and memory through active engagement with texts. When learners highlight and annotate, they practice key metacognitive strategies that support ownership of the learning process. This routine also gives learners authentic opportunities to apply and transfer digital navigation, notetaking, and information management skills—skills that are often required in workplaces.

HOW | Digital Annotation Tools

1. During each class, teachers will instruct students on how to access the relevant portion(s) of the digital textbook or digital materials. Students will access their texts, find the relevant sections, and annotate as the material is presented.

2. Students may also engage in pre- or post-reading of the relevant sections, annotating key information as they read. For example, teachers may assign pre- or post-reading as a homework activity or cover material from the texts during class sessions.

3. Teachers will provide initial modeling and guided support so that learners become familiar with their texts and learn about the embedded features that support active reading. Teachers will emphasize the importance of active reading for overall comprehension and information retention.

4. Learners will be taught to use the embedded features of each digital text to highlight, annotate, and take notes on course content. Embedded text tools include highlighting, drawing/writing, and adding digital sticky notes.

5. Teachers may also choose to highlight 1-3 annotation goals for a class session.  Annotation goals might include tasks such as the following:

   1. Preview the text using features such as bold print and headings; note areas that you have any familiarity with.

   2. Add at least one vocabulary annotation for a key term and define it in your own words.

   3. Highlight and annotate at least 2 key terms and restate them in your own words using the “note” function.

   4. Add at least one annotation that connects today’s content to a patient scenario or other workplace issue.

   5. Use the “highlight” and “note” functions to reflect on/identify one area that is confusing or that you still have questions about.

6. Using the gradual release of responsibility model, learners will be guided through the notetaking and annotation process. For example, they will be prompted to consider which information to annotate and how to take notes effectively. Teacher modeling is critical in the initial phases of this process. As learners gain confidence and proficiency, they will gradually be released to take notes and annotate independently.

DIGITAL SKILLS | Implementing this routine connects to the following digital skill(s):

• IS.1 Use and Apply Information | In the workplace, learners increasingly need to use digital tools to communicate with coworkers and supervisors. They also need to be proficient with recordkeeping. This routine directly prepares learners for digital communication in the workplace and to produce accurate records. Ask: How is notetaking in class similar to what you will do at work? How does taking digital notes help you prepare for your credentialing exams or other pre-work requirements? Why is it important to keep a record of what you are learning in class? Why is it important to keep good records at work? How does a computing device help you keep good records?

• LL.1 Find Learning Resources | This routine strengthens learners’ ability to locate and utilize digital documents.  Each of these skills are necessary for employability. In addition, by using digital annotation tools across texts, learners are building digital resilience and are learning to transfer skills across settings and platforms. Ask: What challenges and successes are you having with annotating your text? How does annotating your text help you understand and remember what you are learning? How does annotating help you study for your credentialing exam?

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS | Implementing this routine connects to the following employability skill(s):

• Technology Use: Understands and uses technology | In most workplaces, it will be mandatory to be proficient with technology. This routine enables learners to be proficient with devices and will enable them to transfer skills learned to the workplace. Ask: What workplace skills are you gaining by using digital notes? How can being comfortable taking notes within texts help you at work? How do you think taking digital notes will make work easier later?

• Information Use: Analyzes information | As learners highlight, annotate, and synthesize digital information, they are learning to evaluate and apply it accordingly. These are integral employability skills. Learners are gaining skills to help them distinguish between essential and supporting information and determine which is necessary to retain. Ask: How did you decide which information belonged in your notes? How do you decide which information to leave out of your notes? How does taking notes within the text save you time? How is it beneficial to have all of your notes accessible on your device? How does digital notetaking help you ensure that what you are recording is accurate? How do digital notes make it easier to go back and check your work? How does knowing how to take digital notes prepare you for the workplace?

• Resource Management: Manages time | As learners use this routine in their studies, they are learning important resource management skills such as how to manage time and resources. They are learning to study in class, off campus, and as time allows. They are also learning to utilize their digital devices in various settings to prepare for both their credentialing exam and the digital demands of the workplace. Ask: Why is it important to study outside of class and to review your notes? What is the advantage of having your notes digitally accessible? How does having digital notes help you to manage your time better?  Where and when can you study outside of class? What can you do to protect your device so that it is always available to you? Where can you get access to wi-fi outside of class?

Julie’s Family Learning Program

WHAT | Participants will use an online typing program to practice the essential keyboarding skills necessary for education and most careers.

WHY | Keyboarding skills are foundational to effectively using a computer. Participants can practice at their own pace and at any time, as online programs can facilitate learning without the need for an instructor. They can develop a practice regimen where they are working on keyboarding skills routinely and over time. 

HOW | Typing.com

1. Direct learners to Typing.com. (Note that Julie’s posts Typing.com on their website with easy-to-follow instructions using Screencastify.)

DIGITAL SKILLS | Implementing this routine connects to the following digital skill(s):

• EF.3 Use Basic Browser Tools

• EF.4 Use the Mouse and Keyboard

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS | Implementing this routine connects to the following employability skill(s):

• Technology Use: Understands and uses technology | Participants need to learn keyboarding skills to use computers effectively.

• Personal Qualities: Demonstrates responsibility and self-discipline | Participants will need self-discipline to initiate their keyboarding practice routine. They need to take responsibility for their own professional growth. They have to remain motivated to learn the skills and improve them.