Parents & Teachers
The Big Question series of resources provide parents and teachers with an integrated approach to helping young people develop career-life direction and employability skills.
"The arrival of computers and the internet have forced many changes in the way we do work."
"For many of us, we simply can't work if our computers are not functioning. One of the biggest changes that will soon be felt will be the increased competition for jobs driven by internet technologies."
"Thomas Friedman warns parents - DO NOT assume that your kids will have the same standard of living that you enjoy."
"Parents use to say to their children - Eat your dinner there are kids starving overseas. Now parents need to say to their kids - Do your homework, there are kids overseas dying to take your jobs." Thomas Friedman The World is Flat
In addition to English, Math, Science - students will need new skills to thrive in a global labour market. These broad skill sets are known as 'employability skills'.
Employability skills include the range of abilities and attributes that underpin success in education, employment, relationships and personal development. They are the underlying learned abilities that play an important role in allowing a wider range of knowledge and skills to be used effectively in a variety of settings.
Employability skills include:
- Self-concept building (recognise self-talk, build confidence, face personal fear)
- Communication (intra and interpersonal communication)
- Teamwork & Leadership (to work & interact with others effectively)
- Problem solving (develop solutions using a range of strategies in different situations)
- Initiative (adapting to change, develop ideas, harness opportunities, taking action)
- Learning (habits of mind, attitudes, perceptions, strategies)
- Planning and Organising (managing time, prioritizing, managing information)
- Self Management (goal focus, persisting, doing what is important)
These skills are at the core of a student's ability to:
- persist when the answer is not readily apparent
- plan to get homework completed even though a favourite TV show is on
- deal appropriately with a negative peer relationship experiences
- solve problems before they escalate
- succeed when working in groups
- deal effectively with new and unfamiliar situations
- communicate needs, ideas and suggestions
The above examples transcend any specific level of education with the efficacy to deal with these issues influencing performance across the life-span.
The Big Question series form an integrated curriculum solution that provide a structured approach to developing employability skills.
Book 1 is an activity book for upper primary students and first year secondary students. This book helps students answer the big question: "What do I want to do when I grow up?"
Book 2 is for lower secondary students. This book helps students to answer the big question: "What makes me unique and special?"
In the books, students follow Max and Mia through a series of real-life situations and how they answer life's big questions. Through various scenarios, questions and reflection activities, readers are encouraged to explore career pathways and better develop their employability skills.
Additionally, each book integrates with the quarterly career-life development TBQ Magazine.
TBQ Magazine explores and profiles success stories from different careers and industry groups. Published quarterley this interactive resource provides readers with:
- up-to-date information about interesting career pathways,
- inspiration from people that readers can relate to,
- opportunities to get experience and develop their skills,
- information on how to develop their career interests,
- Classroom activities and assessable outcomes,
- strategies to develop employability skills, and
- activities, competitions and prizes to win!
The books and magazine can be used as a complete curriculum approach to career education and associated skills development.
TBQ Magazine can then be used as a current resource to populate the students mind with stories and information from people the students can relate to who have succeeded within a career-path of interest.
The employability skills the reader explores and learns about in the TBQ book 1 and 2 are highlighted in each issue of the magazine and the in-focus interviews encourage students to develop these skills NOW. Competitions, prizes and interactive activities motivate involvement.
The Big Question series fits in with recent curriculum developments in all Australian states with its emphasis on interpersonal development, personal learning and interdisciplinary learning.
Cut and Paste the following information for your school newsletter
The latest edition of TBQ Magazine looking at is now available. TBQ Magazine is an excellent resource for parents and students to learn more about how to develop employabilty skills and to help clarify career direction. Additionally, the career development company producing the magazine offers a range of interactive activities on its website and also provides answers to parent and student questions. More information is available from and the website: www.careersfasttrack.com.au
Use the following links for further information and please contact us if you have any questions.