eTrac: Facilitator Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

TIPS FOR USING MOODLE EFFECTIVELY

How to Set Up a New User

How to Enroll a Student in an eTrac Course

How to View/Export Grade Results

How to Generate a Report

GETTING STARTED WITH eTRAC

INTEGRATING eTRAC INTO YOUR TRAINING

SUGGESTIONS FOR MAXIMIZING COMMON ELEMENTS

Pre-Assessments

Post-Assessments

Exams

Exercises

Assignments

Wrap-up Videos

COURSE 1: EXPLORING A CAREER

Module 1: Getting Started

Module 2: Choosing a Career

Module 3: Exploring a Career

Module 4: Wrap-Up

COURSE 2: FILLING OUT THE PAPERWORK

Module 1: Getting Started

Module 2: Filling Out Job Applications

Module 3: Resumés

Module 4: Supporting Materials

Module 5: Wrap-Up

COURSE 3: STARTING YOUR JOB SEARCH

Module 1: Getting Started

Module 2: How and Where to Look for Jobs

Module 3: Career Networking

Module 4: Start Your Job Search

Module 5: Wrap-Up

COURSE 4: INTERVIEWING FOR A JOB

Module 1: Getting Started

Module 2: Preparing for the Interview

Module 3: Completing the Interview

Module 4: Following Up After the Interview

Module 5: Wrap-Up

COURSE 5: EVALUATING AND ACCEPTING A JOB OFFER

Module 1: The Waiting Game

Module 2: Deciding If the Job Is Right for You

Module 3: Employment Paperwork

Module 4: Disclosure and Accommodations

Module 5: Wrap-Up

COURSE 6: KEEPING A JOB

Module 1: Getting Started

Module 2: Your First Day

Module 3: Keeping Your Job and Resolving Problems

Module 4: What’s Next for You?

Module 5: Wrap-Up and Graduation

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

This eTrac Facilitator Guide is intended to supplement eTrac online instruction and assignments. Research shows that integrating online learning into traditional group training, one-on-one sessions and skill building activities creates a more effective learning experience by engaging the learners on various levels. A blended learning approach also adds a more dynamic element to the curriculum and increases learners’ exposure to and comfort using technology.

All sixeTrac courses are created as a set of consecutive modules, comprised of a series of short self-contained topics. eTrac’s modular design makes it easy for you to customize your training sessions to meet the specific needs of individual learners and learning groups. Here are a few examples of the way that a blended learning approach can benefit learners with different skill and ability profiles.

Example 1: Moderate to Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Learners with moderate to significant cognitive disabilities that impact comprehension and their ability to apply what they’ve learned are likely to benefit most by working one-on-one with a job placement specialist to complete each eTrac module. As the facilitator, you can use eTrac to customize the instruction to your client’s unique needs. This may include:

  • Reviewing all module content together to ensure understanding;
  • Having one-on-one discussions on how the content correlates to the client’s individual experience;
  • Eliminating specific topics, exercises or assignments that do not apply directly to the client’s situation;
  • Working with the individual to complete exercises or assignments and;
  • Modifying or replacing existing exercises or assignments to better reflect the person’s goals, needs and situation.

You also may want to consider completing content or exercises and discussing key concepts and how they apply to the job search process as part oflarger group sessions.

Example 2: Low Reading Skills

Learners with low reading skills or minimal independent learning skills will benefit from eTrac’sfully narrated text. Text appears on screen simultaneous with the narration, helping to increase learners’ comprehension of the material presented. Clients with reading challenges also benefit from eTrac’smodular approach. Because each module stands alone, learners can complete each course at their own pace, module by module. Facilitators have the option to customize the learner’s experience by assigning specific modules, topics, exercises or assignments that relate to each person’s learning needs. Facilitators also can vary how each learner completes eTrac exercises and assignments. For example, you may opt to require a client to complete them independently or assign several learners to work together on an assignment or exercise.

Example 3: Normal Reading Skills and Cognitive Abilities

Learners with normal reading skills and cognitive abilities, but who have a mental health challenge or other issue, typically will be able to complete the course independently with minimal support. Again, learners can set their own pace because eTrac’s modular structure offers natural breaks in the content. These learners may benefit from suggestions outlined in this Facilitator’s Guide that focus on different ways to apply and practice new and existing skills.

Example 4: Visual Impairments or Other Physical Disabilities

Because eTrac complies with all Section 508 requirements, it is fully accessible to clients with physical disabilities who require assistive technology, such as screen readers, to facilitate learning. eTrac goes further than most online training by allowing learners to choose between a graphic intensive version and a text-based version at the outset. The text-based version contains no illustrations, interactivities, etc., thereby creating a smoother, more streamlined learning experience for users of assistive technology devices. This version also is optimized for use with mobile device technology.

TIPS FOR USING MOODLE EFFECTIVELY

eTrac is accessed through Moodle, a user-friendly learning management system that allows you to manage, document and track learners’ use of eTrac, measure learner progress, create reports, and more.

How to Set Up a New User

  1. Type the following URL into your browser window:
  2. Sign onto Moodle with your username and password.
  3. Move to the Site Administration area on the left of your screen.
  4. Click on Users to expand the folder.
  5. Click on Accounts to expand the folder.
  6. Click on Add a new user to open the Profile screen.
  7. Complete the following fields in the main section of the Profile screen:
  • User name
  • New password
  • First name
  • Surname (last name)
  • Email address
  • City/town
  • Select a country
  1. Complete the following fields in the other section of the Profile screen:
  • Functional Limitation
  • User Group
  • Primary Disability
  • Secondary Disability
  • Gender
  • Race
  • Birth Date
  1. Click the Create User button to save your entries.

How to Enroll a Student in an eTrac Course

  1. Type the following URL into your browser window:
  2. Sign onto Moodle with your username and password.
  3. In the "Available eTrac Courses" section, click the course name that you would like to enroll a student.
  4. Move to the Settings section of the screen on the left.
  5. Select the Course administration option.
  6. Click onUsersand then click on Enrolled users.
  7. The right side of the window shows all students currently enrolled in this course. Click theEnroll usersbutton.
  8. A pop-up window appears with the list of users who are not enrolled in this course. Either scroll down to the name of the person you would like to enroll or enter the person’s name in the Search area and hit the Enterkey.
  9. Click on the Assign roles dropdown at the top of the window and select Student.
  10. Click on the Enroll button next to the person’s name.
  11. Click on the Finish enrolling users button to complete the enrollment.

How to View/Export Grade Results

  1. Type the following URL into your browser window:
  2. Sign onto Moodle with your username and password.
  3. In the "Available eTrac Courses" section, click the course name that you would like to review grading results.
  4. Under Settings on the left hand side, select Course Administration.
  5. Click on Grades.
  6. Click on Grader Report.
  7. The Grader Report is displayed. Click on the magnifying glass next to any scores for more detailed information.
  8. To export this data to excel, select the Export tab and follow the instructions.

How to Generate a Report

To generate a report, do the following steps:

  1. Type the following URL into your browser window:
  2. Sign onto Moodle with your username and password.
  3. Move to the Settings area on the left of your screen.
  4. Click on joule Reports to show the listing of available reports.
  5. Click on the down arrow next to Course Reports. A drop-down appears showing you the following report options:
  • Course Reports
  • Correlation Reports
  • Exception Reports
  • LearnerView Reports
  • Comparison Reports
  • Admin Reports
  1. Select one of thereport options.
  2. The Select Report option appears on the right of the screen. Click on the down arrow and a select the type of report.
  3. Enter your filter options for your selected report and click Generate Report.
  4. To export the data to Excel, go to the Export dropdown at the bottom of the screen.
  5. Select CSV and follow the instructions.

GETTING STARTED WITH eTRAC

Before you begin using eTrac with your clients, you may find it helpful to:

  • Complete each eTrac course from start to finish. By actually taking each course, you will become familiar with eTrac’s robust content and will be better equipped to integrate eTracefficiently into your work with a client. You will be in a better position to identify ways to use eTrac to reinforce key information, as a vehicle for initiating group discussions, etc.
  • Understand how to navigate eTrac.All eTrac courses feature the same simple, easy-to-use navigation. It is designed to allow you to move within a course quickly and efficiently. Simply clicking on the Bus Route icon found in the lower right hand corner of the screen allows you to pull up a list of all modules in the course. Selecting the module name allows you to access a specific topic directly. You can learn other navigation tips in Module 1/Welcome of each course. And, because eTrac is housed on Moodle, you have easy access to all six courses.
  • Create sub-groups. Facilitators often find that several clients need extra practice or support in the same areas, while the rest of the group does not. Creating sub-groups of individuals who have the same level of experience, share a career or job interest will allow you to customize the training experience while maximizing your time.
  • Encourage clients to retain eTrac information in one place.eTrac courses build on each other and the modules often refer to or use information gathered and materials completed in other courses. For example, a worksheet created in Course 2 will be helpful for an assignment in Course 3, etc. Each client should be encouraged to retain the information he or she gathers in one place. This includes research results, assessments and interest inventories, completed worksheets, homework assignments, notes, handouts, etc.

INTEGRATING eTRAC INTO YOUR TRAINING

As you complete each of the six courses, you’ll discover many ways to integrate specific modules or topics into your group and one-on-one sessions. eTrac learning content, interactivities and videos can be assigned as pre-work, reinforcement, homework or used to debrief a job search activity.

Here are a few general ideas for incorporating eTrac into your training sessions. No doubt you will come up with more of your own once you become familiar with the courses. You can use eTrac to:

  1. Reinforce key concepts. Select and assign specific sections from the six online courses as either follow-up reading or homework to reinforce concepts that individual learners are struggling to master.
  2. Assign modules as pre-work. If you’re working with a group of people who have different levels of experience and success searching for employment, you can assign specific modules as pre-work. This will help ensure that all learners are able to participate equally.
  3. Help experienced learners refresh their understanding of essential elements. Participants with more experience can complete all of a course or you can assign specific topics or exercises.
  4. Share completed exercises and assignments as part of individual and group sessions. AlleTrac courses include assignments and exercises designed to help learners improve their understanding of a specific topic, test their knowledge and practice what they’ve learned. Learners also complete worksheets and create practical tools, such as resumés and letters, to capture what they’ve learned. Thesecan be used during their job search and to improve job success once they have obtained a job. Completed exercises and assignments can be used to encourage discussions, as a starting point for sharing experiences, and to help participants draw correlations between what they learned in eTracand the “real world.”
  5. Maximize comprehension. Because these online courses are completely self-paced, learners are able to proceed at their own speed, thereby improving comprehension and retention of information.
  6. Assess gaps in understanding and experience. Learners complete and submit assignments and exams at the end of each module. These offer facilitators the opportunity to assess knowledge gaps. This information can be used to identify gaps in understanding and opportunities to reinforce specific topics.
  7. Increase learners’ comfort using technology. Technology is considered a great“equalizer,” especially when it comes to employment because people with basic technology skills have more employment opportunities. All eTrac courses provide unintimidating, easily accessible opportunities for people with limited technology skills to boost their confidence and improve their skills. eTrac courses are designed to increase learners’ computer skills through simple interactive games and quizzes, by accessing multimedia resources, downloading worksheets and completing assignments. These activities require learners to use simple word processing skills, navigate the screen using a mouse, enter information into data cells, scroll, click to select options, etc.
  8. Build an “employment toolkit.” As learners progress through eTrac, they will create documents, download checklists, complete worksheets and gather important information that can be used during the individual’s job search. Facilitators are free to add their own resources to augment participants’ personal employment toolkits.
  9. Review and reinforce important topics during a client’s job search. As learners apply their new skills in real-life situations, it may become apparent that they need to enhance specific job search skills or activities. You can assign learners to revisit specific eTrac topics or modules.

SUGGESTIONS FOR MAXIMIZING COMMON ELEMENTS

Each course includes a pre-assessment and post-assessment, short quizzes, interactive exercises and assignments that allow your clients to put what they’ve learned into practice. Here are some ways to use these common elements in one-to-one training or group sessions:

Pre-Assessments

Before learners can begin a course, they are required to answer 10 questions to help assess their familiarity with the course’s subject matter.

Possible approaches:

Review individual learners’ pre-assessment results to identify weak areas and topics that learners should focus on.
Use the results to identify areas that several or all clients are struggling with and, therefore,warrant special attention.
Have learners complete the pre-assessment individually or during a group session, then debrief the answers as part of a group discussion.
After completing the pre-assessment individually, complete the pre-assessment as part of a group session by asking members to reach consensus on each answer. Use this discussion as an opportunity to identify client concerns and problem areas.
Instruct clients to complete the pre-assessment, then debrief his or her answers one-on-one.

Post-Assessments

Each course concludes with a 10-question exam designed to test learners’ understanding of the key information covered in the course.

Possible approaches:

Review individual learners’ post-assessment results to identify areas that a client or clients did not master.
Use the results to identify areas that should be reviewed with the entire group before moving on to the next course.
Use the results to identify and assign specific eTrac modules or topics to individuals who need to review specific topics.
Highlight improvements between an individual’s pre- and post-assessment scores. Use this as an opportunity to recognize the person’s success and reinforce his or her growth and mastery of important information.

Exams

Each module concludes with a short, five-question exam. These exams can be used as exercises in a small or large group setting and are a good way to assess learners’ mastery of the information presented, encourage further discussion and reinforce key concepts.

Possible approaches:

Use exams as part of a group exercise. Ask clients to answer each question, reach consensus and then discuss the correct answers.
Instruct clients to complete the exam individually, then discuss the correct answers as a group.
Have each client complete the exam individually and then debrief the results with him or her one-on-one. Discuss the correct answers and identify areas that need additional reinforcement or review.

Exercises

All exercises can be completed independently or as part of a small or large group session.

Possible approaches:

Use exercise results to debrief participants’ understanding of the content being presented, assess mastery and prompt a deeper discussion.
Use the exercise as part of a group exercise. Ask clients to answer each question, reach a consensus and then discuss the correct answers.
Instruct clients to complete the exercise individually and then debrief their results as a group. Discuss the correct answers, problem areas, etc.

Assignments

Each module concludes with an assignment that allows participants to practice what they’ve learned, can be used as the basis of a group exercise or as part of a review session and debriefing once it has been completed.