This podcast explores the importance of support and guidance in creating new pathways for learners. It discusses successful advisory models and technology platforms that personalize learning. The podcast also looks at how AI technology can promote equity and access in education. Additionally, it highlights the significance of advisory in building relationships with students and fostering organic growth. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need to define success outcomes and clarify the vision in an advisory system.
Effective advisory systems build sustained adult relationships and support students in progress monitoring, course selection, and work-based learning opportunities.
Early career exploration conversations and exposure to a variety of options are essential to broaden young people's perspectives and support their dreams and aspirations.
Deep dives
Importance of Support and Guidance in Building Pathways for Learners
Support and guidance play a crucial role in creating safety, belonging, and purpose for students. Building a sense of agency is seen as the most important outcome of support and guidance, enabling students to understand their interests, strengths, and goals. Advisory systems are highlighted as essential in creating sustained adult relationships, which are vital in secondary settings. Core functions of advisory systems, such as progress monitoring, coordinating student support, and connecting students and families to resources, are emphasized. Examples of schools with effective advisory systems, such as Summit Public Schools and Big Picture Learning, are mentioned.
The Role of Advisory Systems in Personalizing Learning and Connecting to Work-Based Learning
Advisory systems are considered distributed counseling and guidance systems that promote sustained adult relationships. They support students in various ways, including progress monitoring, course selection, and coordinating work-based learning opportunities. The importance of skill-building, including social and emotional learning, is highlighted in advisory systems. Schools like Big Picture Learning are recognized for their success in personalizing learning and connecting students to real-world experiences through advisory systems. Comprehensive advisory resources, such as Crew by EL Education and Compass by Valor Collegiate, are also mentioned for their focus on mutual support and circle-based systems.
Exploring EvolveMe and Leading Support and Guidance Apps
EvolveMe, a collection of support and guidance apps, is highlighted as a valuable resource for seventh and eighth graders. It includes tools like the Agile Work Profiler and resources from Youth Drive to support career education, immersive games, and building professional profiles. The report also reviews leading support and guidance apps like The World of Work and Youth Science, which offer extensive career exploration experiences and aptitude assessments. The potential of AI in career coaching is discussed, with examples like Career Village and GenAI, emphasizing personalized and localized advice. The importance of partnerships with local community organizations for practice and experiences is stressed in supporting personalized learning.
Importance of Starting Career Exploration Early and Balancing AI with Human Interaction
Starting career exploration conversations early, even in middle school, is considered essential to avoid limiting young people's possibilities. It is emphasized that young people need exposure to a variety of careers and options to broaden their perspectives. While AI applications are recognized for complementing personalized learning and career exploration, human interaction and relationships remain crucial. The significance of focusing on the needs of students and balancing academic, mental, and physical health is highlighted to foster holistic development and support their dreams and aspirations.
On this Getting Smart Town Hall, we took a look at our latest publication, Support & Guidance For All New Pathways Journeys and spoke with practitioners and policy experts to get an overview of the current state of advisory models in U.S. schools. Together, we highlighted some exemplars in the space and discuss how support, guidance and advisory systems are critical parts of building New Pathways that serve all learners. Be sure to check out some of the links that were shared in the deck and the chat at the button below: