Unlocking the Possibilities of General Education Courses: Activities for Exploring Learning and Teaching Styles, College

1. Kathleen Hartman Linda Lantaff Vera Brancato George Paterno Kutztown University Unlocking the Possibilities of General Education Courses: Activities for Exploring Learning and Teaching Styles, College Success Strategies, and Majors and Careers 

2. Session Objectives Review John Holland�s theory of Vocational Choice (focus on career personality types or Holland Codes) Participate in and learn about hands-on classroom activities based on Holland Codes Learn how to use activities for learning styles assessment / linked to Kolb�s learning styles Learn to help students relate Holland Codes / Kolb�s Learning Styles to general education courses / disciplines/ teaching styles Learn to help students relate general education courses to skills needed and learned

3. Holland's Theory of Career Choice Basically, this theory proposes that �birds of the same feather flock together." People like to be around others who have similar personalities, values, interests, and abilities. People who choose to work in an environment similar to their personality type are more likely to be successful and satisfied.

4. Holland's Theory of Career Choice Holland defines six vocational personality types and work environments: Realistic Investigative Artistic Social Enterprising Conventional

5. John Holland�s Hexagon of Vocational Personality Types The types closest to each other on the hexagon have the most characteristics in common. Those types that are furthest apart, or opposite on the hexagon, have the least in common.

6. Holland Code Connections Each student can utilize his or her Holland code for major and career exploration � as well as learning style and course selection Formal assessments Computer-assisted programs Paper assessments Informal assessments Hands-on activities Checklists Interviews

7. Career environments and academic environments are similar; each discipline has faculty to whom that discipline is their workplace or �career home� (this impacts course content and teaching style) Students also feel more comfortable in certain academic environments

8. Each discipline (and therefore each general education course) requires a different mindset and different learning strategies. Each general education course is also an opportunity to learn new strategies to apply to other areas inside and outside the classroom.

9. Realistic Activities Candy Toss Create a Game Build a Catapult Soda Can Bowling

10. Realistic Vocational Personality Prefer technical, outdoor, and athletic pursuits Describe themselves as reliable, reserved, athletic, persistent, well-coordinated, adventurous, practical Have skills in handling plants and animals, operating machinery, making and repairing things, physical coordination

11. Realistic Vocational Personality Value nature, common sense, practicality Enjoy outdoor activities, gardening, working out, repairing mechanical equipment Some possible careers: Athlete, Horticulturist, Mechanical Engineer, Recording Engineer, Surveyor, Fish and Game Warden Some possible majors: Forestry, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science

12. Application to Advising Realistic (Computer Science, Physical Education, Geology, Geography) Hands-on problem solving Physically involved with work (labs, experiential learning, activities) Understanding of practical, concrete concepts Persistence *According to Holland�s theory, true realistic types tend to avoid interaction with people

13. Investigative Activities Crossword Puzzle Brainteasers What is it?

14. Investigative Vocational Personality Prefer scientific, research and intellectual pursuits Describe themselves as analytical, curious, intelligent, observant, precise, logical, independent, scientific Have skills in solving complex calculations, interpreting formulas, writing technical papers, researching, using computers

15. Investigative vocational Personality Value accuracy, achievement, independence, inventiveness Enjoy playing strategy games, using computers, solving crossword puzzles Some career possibilities: Aeronautical Engineer, Biologist, Cartographer, Programmer, Mathematician, Psychiatrist, Physician, Technical Writer Some possible majors: Chemistry, Medical Technology, Computer Science, Psychology

16. Application to Advising Investigative (Math, Psychology, History, Biology) Analytical skills Persistence in problem-solving Documentation of new knowledge Research skills Observation skills Independence in working through problems *According to Holland�s theory, true investigative types tend to avoid persuasion or sales activities.

17. Artistic Activities Making a Band Improv Drawing �hot � cold� Sculpt it

18. Artistic Vocational Personality Prefer creative, imaginative, and intuitive pursuits Describe themselves as creative, emotional, idealistic, imaginative, impulsive Have skills in writing, drawing, painting, designing, composing, acting, playing music

19. Artistic Vocational Personality Value creativity, imagination, self-expression Enjoy taking photographs, speaking foreign languages, visiting museums, performing Some career possibilities: Actor, Book Editor, Architect, Journalist, Interior Designer Some possible majors: Music, Crafts, English, Speech Communications, Studio Art, Theater

20. Application to Advising Artistic (English, Speech, Music, Languages) Intuitive thinking Emotional development and self-understanding Independent thinking / work Creativity Ability to express ideas Visual thinking skills *According to Holland�s theory, true artistic types tend to avoid routines and conformity to established rules.

21. Social Activities Tanya�s story Share Your Expertise Share Your Plans Interpret the Photograph

22. Social Vocational Personality Prefer helping people, training people, providing information Describe themselves as cooperative, helpful, responsible, friendly Have skills in expressing themselves verbally, mediating disputes, listening to and understanding others, and teaching

23. Social Vocational Personality Value service to others, empathy, understanding Enjoy organizing social events, caring for people, volunteering, making new friends Some career possibilities: Art Therapist, Teacher, Employee Relations Specialist, Probation Officer, Politician Some possible majors: Education, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Communications

24. Application to Advising Social (English, History, Psychology, Speech) Interpersonal Skills Emotional development / insight / tact student-directed decision making / problem solving Interpretation skills Summary writing / explanation Group work / ability to work with others *According to Holland�s theory, true social types tend to avoid mechanical and technical activities.

25. Enterprising Activities Marketing a product Taste Testers The �Must See� in New Mexico Plan a Theme Party

26. Enterprising Vocational Personality Prefer persuading, leading, managing Describe themselves as persuasive, enthusiastic, ambitious, self-confident Have skills in selling things, leading a group, giving speeches, organizing activities

27. Enterprising Vocational Personality Value success, initiative, responsibility, status Enjoy making decisions, operating a business, discussing politics, attending conferences, raising money, leading groups Some career possibilities: Business Manager, Sales Representative, Principal, Judge, Buyer Some possible majors: Business, Political Science, Public Administration, Psychology

28. Application to Advising Enterprising (English, Speech, Political Science) Leadership skills Management skills (managers of projects and people) Persuasive abilities Self-confidence Interpersonal skills Public speaking / debate skills *According to Holland�s theory, true enterprising types tend to avoid scientific or theoretical activities.

29. Conventional Activities Interpret the chart / graph Solve a math problem Organize It �Save these notes!�

30. Conventional Vocational Personality Prefer working with data and numbers, carrying out assigned tasks Describe themselves as accurate, well-organized, conscientious, structured Have skills in organizing information, keeping records, completing paperwork, using a computer

31. Conventional Vocational Personality Value honesty, order, accuracy Enjoy collecting things, working with numbers, managing financial records, playing card games Some career possibilities: Accountant, Paralegal, Librarian, Tax Preparer, Medical Records Technician, Court Reporter Some possible majors: Accounting, Finance, Industrial Psychology, Information Technology, Library Science

32. Application to Advising Conventional (Computer Science, Math) Organizational skills Ability to work through problems in a systematic, structured way Value accuracy / attention to detail Ability to work through problems involving numbers and other data More formal classroom setting *According to Holland�s theory, true conventional types tend to avoid ambiguous or unstructured undertakings

33. Holland and Course Connections

34. Learning Styles Connection

35. Quick and Dirty Learning Styles Inventory

36. Buying a Car (from Jennifer Hurd, Houghton Mifflin)

38. �Who wants to play catch?�

43. Implementation Individual Advising Sessions First-year Seminars Orientation Activities Workshops Portfolio Activities

44. Discussion

45. Sources Uhlik, K. (2005) �If Advising is Teaching, Then Style Matters.� Clearing House for Academic Advising Resources retrieved 2/21/08 from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/mental-Health.htm Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Lattuca, L. (2005) �A Sophomore�s Guide to the University� Six Annual Professional Development Conference on Academic Advising, The Pennsylvania State University, October 5, 2007. Gottfredsun, G., & Holland, J. (1996). Dictionary of Holland Occupation Codes, 3rd ed. Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.

46. Vera Brancato brancato@kutztown.edu Kathleen Hartman hartman@kutztown.edu Linda Lantaff lantaff@kutztown.edu George Paterno paterno@kutztown.edu