CAR: Lesson - Vocabulary

Image: a desk with the following description of Skill: training, learning, knowledge, growth, ability.Vocabulary

Remember when we created a vocabulary flipbook in an earlier module?  We will continue to add to our book with new terminology related to computational thinking and problem solving.

Some students wonder from time to time, "Why do I need to learn this?" This sometimes refers to a math lesson, history assignment, some other academic subject or even, if you can believe it, computer science. You've probably heard a lot of answers to this question. Our answer: we (educators, parents, and guardians) need to provide you with the necessary foundation, knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful no matter what you choose to do after high school.

Using Standards

This is not an easy task, in no small part because we do not know exactly what you will choose to do. To ensure that all students are as well prepared as possible, common educational standards are developed for a state or even the entire country. Teachers are instructed to align lessons, activities, and assessments with the provided standards. The standards are developed by teams of teachers, industry professionals, and other stakeholders to prepare the future workforce for their careers. Some of the careers that educators prepare students for do not even exist yet! Yes, you read that right, we have to consider that the career you may choose may not exist today! As an example, a person who went to school in the 1990s would not have learned about smart phones (they didn't exist yet), but now what career can you think of that doesn't involve them in some way? With that in mind, what exactly should be taught for careers in which technical training may not be available? The answer: employability skills.

Vocabulary about Employability Skills

Employability skills, also referred to as work-readiness skills, are specific skills that have been identified as necessary for individual and corporate success in the workplace (face-to-face and virtually). Let’s explore some of those skills:

  • Communication Skills: the ability to give and gain understanding effectively through writing, speaking, listening, reading, and interpersonal abilities.
  • Collaborate: effectively working with others to achieve a common goal or desired outcome
  • Integrity: Integrity is the quality of having strong ethical or moral principles and following them at all times, no matter who's watching. A person with integrity acts with honesty, honor, and truthfulness. Integrity is a valuable skill in an employee, because it indicates they will perform to the best of their ability and act on their principles.
  • Honesty: adherence to the facts
  • Accountability: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions
  • Punctuality: being on time; prompt
  • Time management: the practice of using the time that you have available in a useful and effective way, especially in your work.
  • Respect for diversity: willingness to be open minded and receptive of various viewpoints from others with different experiences and perspectives
  • Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is a kind of thinking in which you question, analyze, interpret, evaluate and make a judgment about what you read, hear, say, or write. The term critical comes from the Greek word kritikos meaning "able to judge or discern". Good critical thinking is about making reliable judgements based on reliable information.
  • Problem-solving: the process or act of finding a solution to a problem.
  • Professionalism: demonstrating what is acceptable and appropriate in appearance, behavior and language in a work or business environment.

Note: Certain definitions were sourced from the Cambridge Online Dictionary Links to an external site. and the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary Links to an external site..

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