Competencies and practices for computing and IT

• Paper: Competencies and practices for computing and IT
• Infographic: competencies for computing and IT
• US DOL competency model for IT
• Outline of competencies and practices for computing and IT

Research and reports on engagement

• Gallup-Purdue Index | Research | Report
• NESSC Briefings – Proficiency-based diploma | Proficiency-based learning

News stories about after-school computing in Maine

• BDN: South Berwick computer whiz starts after school program
• BDN: Students create the next Maine Game

Videos on learning, thriving, and digital studies

• Peter Benson on thriving
• Ken Robinson on changing paradigms in education
• John Seely Brown on entrepreneurial learning
• Computational thinking: A digital age skill for everyone
• Proficiency-based learning in Maine: Student voice and choice | Demonstrating learning
• Steve Jobs on passion at work
• Caine’s Arcade on tinkering

Resources on Digital Badging (microcredentials)

• About Open Badges 
• Mozilla Backpack 
• Badge Alliance: Why Badges 
• Afterschool Snack: The Potential of Digital Badges
• Digital Badges for Learning-US Dept of Education
• The Teacher’s Guide to Badges in Education
• Chicago City of Learning | Video | Paper on Badges | Sample Badges – Learning opportunities across organizational boundaries. Emerged from the Connected Learning and Badges movement.

• Paper: Expanding Workforce and Education Opportunities through Digital Badges
• 10 Million Better Futures – Goal: to scale up the existing badge ecosystem to a national level to benefit 10 million workers and students by 2016

K-12 Student Engagement Resources

Curated by Lisa Phelps, Program Administrator, University of Maine, Cooperative Extension

• 4-H Essential Elements –  Independence, Mastery, Belonging, Generosity
• University of Maine 4-H SPIN Clubs – The 4-H SPIN Club is a special interest club where four or more young people ages 9-18 gather with a volunteer and, for at least six sessions, learn about a selected topic of interest. Topics vary according to the volunteer’s expertise.

Adult and Workforce Development Resources

Curated by Amertah Perman, Program Director, Next Step Maine Employers Initiative, Maine Development Foundation

White papers

• The Hidden Classroom of the Workplace – How employees learn at work in both formal and informal ways. From the Council of Adult and Experiential Education (CAEL)
• Are you employees asking for career development? – What’s driving employee needs, and possible strategies to address career development in the entry and mid-level workforce. From CAEL.

Career discovery tools

• Career Explorer for health professionals – From Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Career Action for advanced manufacturing – From Colorado’s Advanced Manufacturing Industry
  • Matching current job with manufacturing jobs
  • Org chart of a product development division
  • Employers in the sector
• Science Career Investigation – For a younger audience

Prior Learning Assessment

• Council for Adult and Experiential Learning – Prior Learning Assessment
• American Council on Education – Credit for Prior Learning
• Next Step Maine – Prior Learning Assessment
  • How does PLA work in Maine?
• Paper: Fueling the Race: A 48-Institution Study of Prior Learning Assessment and Adult Student Outcomes 
• Employer Views on the Value of Prior Learning Assessment 

Organizations

• Council on Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL)
• Next Step Maine Employers’ Initiative

Employer engagement: Papers and reports

• Paper: Employee Engagement: The Key to Realizing Competitive Advantage (Development Dimensions International)
• Report: 2012 trends in employee engagement (AON Hewitt)
• Report: Job Satisfaction – 2014 report | Summary (The Conference Board)
• Paper: Strategic Employer Engagement: Building Dynamic Relationships with Employers in Teen and Young Adult Employment Programs (Commonwealth Corporation)
• Report: National Fund for Workforce Solutions Employer Engagement (Jobs for the Future)
• Paper: Employer Engagement Strategy (US Department of Labor)
• Paper: Characteristics of a High-Performing Industry Partnership (National Fund for Workforce Solutions)
• The Conference Board Human Capital Exchange (community of practice)
• The Engagement Institute (community of practice)

Employee engagement: articles

• The 8 Elements of Employee Engagement (Achievers.com)
• Five Critical Conditions for Employee Engagement (MasteryWorks.com)
  • Missions that inspire, attract and give meaning to the sacrifices of work;
  • Leadership in the industry and core technologies
  • Work that is challenging, meaningful and provides career opportunities
  • Social responsibility and philanthropy for employees and communities
  • Great Managers, who build strong partnerships with their employees, supporting their career and life needs.
• Employee Engagement: Being Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself (Water Cooler newsletter)
• Enable Thriving at Work (Water Cooler newsletter)
• Talent Management: Winds of Change (Water Cooler newsletter)
• The “Engagement Ring” – Getting started with employee engagement (Human Capital Exchange)
• Before Competence: Confidence (Human Capital Exchange)
• M.A.G.I.C. – The Five Keys of Employee Engagement – Meaning, Autonomy, Growth, Impact Connection (Decision Wise)