Download the activity sheet (pdf, 290 kB)
Aim: To raise awareness of the place of university in planning post-school pathways.
Objectives: To formulate an educational pathway for an imaginary person. To demonstrate this knowledge in a real situation.
Timing: 30-60 minutes
Materials:
- 1 copy per student of the entire Activity
- 1 extra copy per student of the case study grid AND the stepping stones pathway
Notes:
It is sometimes difficult to think about our own skills and interests in abstract terms. This activity provides students with four case studies and invites them to consider life, vocational and academic choices. It also asks them to imagine the subjects they might do as they approach the end of their secondary schooling. Having considered others’ situations, students could do a similar exercise for one of their group.
Directions:
- Students are divided into groups of four or five.
- Students read all of the case studies and choose two to be examined by their group.
- On the front page of this activity, there is a table to be completed for each of their chosen subjects. Whilst there is specific material within the case study, students might also like to make informed guesses to add to these blocks .
- Within the groups and/or with their teachers, students discuss the sorts of courses and/or careers that might appeal to ‘their’ students. They could consult the careers section of the newspaper and material from their Careers Room.
- On the final page of this activity, there is a series of stepping-stones for students to fill in to create a pathway for ‘their’ student. They could start from the bottom of the page with ‘Possible Career Paths’ or they could begin at the top with ‘Possible Subject Choices Year 11 and 12′.
- When members of the group have completed the pathway for their imaginary student, each student could interview another member of the group and formulate a pathway for them, thus demonstrating their understanding of the components required for future choices.