Professional Documents
Culture Documents
O2 Life Skills - Module 1 - Personal Development - Modular - FINAL VERSION 8 13 2020 PDF
O2 Life Skills - Module 1 - Personal Development - Modular - FINAL VERSION 8 13 2020 PDF
0 Program:
Second-Chance Opportunities for Out-of-school Youth
Acknowledgements
Education Development Center (EDC) would like to thank the staff of the USAID Opportunity 2.0
Program, Philippines local team, and the DepEd Alternative Learning System Task Force, whose invaluable
insights guided the adaptation of this curriculum.
As part of the Journey to Self-Reliance, the education system of DepED ALS will be strengthened to reach
vulnerable out-of-school youth through providing them with second chance education so that learners
are better equipped with the soft and leadership skills they need to excel in the labor market today and
into the future.
The Life Skills Curriculum is an adaptation of EDC’s globally recognized Work Ready Now.
This curriculum is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc.
and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
EDC 43 Foundry Avenue Waltham, MA 02453 Education Development Center (EDC) is a global
nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve
Contact: [email protected] education, promote health, and expand economic
opportunity.
Phone: 617-969-7100 Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing,
implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative
programs in more than 80 countries around the world.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 2
Introduction Learner’s Handbook
Introduction
Welcome to the Life Skills Self-Directed Learning Modules! These modules will help prepare you
to transition to further education and training as well as equip you with the knowledge and skills
necessary to successfully find work or start your own business. Upon completion of the modules,
you will be able to:
There are nine Life Skills modules, all aligned with selected learning strands, content standards,
performance standards and learning competencies of the DepEd ALS K-12 Basic Education
Curriculum.
1. Personal Development: identifying values & interests; assessing attributes & skills;
identifying learning styles & learning strategies; goal setting, planning & tracking progress;
professional development plan; mapping workplaces in the community; workplace
observations
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 3
Introduction Learner’s Handbook
2. Communication Skills: listening and speaking; following and giving instructions and
feedback; presentation skills; choosing forms of communication in the workplace;
cooperating/working as a team member; providing good customer service; observing
communication in the workplace
4. Work Habits and Conduct: identifying and applying for jobs (writing applications, CV’s,
application letters); interviewing; informational interviewing; workplace behaviors and
attitudes; time management; balancing work and home life
5. Safety and Health at Work: practicing healthy habits; identifying and avoiding hazards in
the workplace; responding to emergencies and accidents; health and safety practices in the
workplace; observing safety in the workplace
6. Rights and Responsibilities of Workers and Employers: Philippine labor laws; identifying
rights and responsibilities of employees and employers using Philippine labor law;
interviewing employers and employees about rights and responsibilities in the workplace
In each module, you will do an activity that will get you out into your community, into real
workplaces. You will learn by looking and talking to people. (These can be modified if there are
active health and movement restrictions in place.) You will observe and learn about how
businesses work and take notes about what you see. You will talk to employees and business
owners or managers. This helps you to make more informed career choices and have realistic
expectations about the working environment. You will be prepared for future work immersion,
jobs or running your own small business.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 4
Introduction Learner’s Handbook
Module Details
Module 1: Personal Development What is work exposure?
Mapping workplaces in your community
Module 2: Interpersonal Communications Observing Communication in the
Workplace
Module 3: Leadership and Teamwork Leadership in Real Workplaces
Module 4: Work Habits and Conduct Informational Interview
Module 5: Health and Safety Observing Health and Safety
Module 6: Rights and Responsibilities Interviewing employers and employees
about rights in the workplace
The Life Skills modules are meant to be engaging and interactive. Even though it is a self-directed
learning approach, there are many opportunities to be learning through interacting with others,
including other learners, the mobile teacher, your family and friends and people in the
community such as business owners, employers, managers and employees. Sometimes you will
be reading, writing and reflecting about new topics. You will also be given opportunities to
practice, apply, analyze or synthesize the content and skills you are introduced to.
As you move through the modules, you will notice that they are organized in the same way. Each
module starts out with objectives and an overview of activities and time required, and a list of
written assignments. A module begins and ends with a learner reflection (self-assessment).
There is also an End-of-Module Assessment at the end of each module.
Modules are divided into sessions which each contain 2 – 5 activities. At the beginning of each
session, you will find a table that links the session to DepEd’s learning strands, content standards
and learning competencies.
Learning Strand 5:
Content Standard:
Learning Competencies:
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 5
Introduction Learner’s Handbook
This is followed by a textbox containing the key topic and learning points of the session.
1.
2.
3.
Then there are the main activities, including that activity name, objectives, time required and a
variety of tasks for you to do.
Activity x:
Objectives:
Read
Write
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 6
Introduction Learner’s Handbook
Think or reflect
Let’s Exercise! – This section is for comprehension check questions to ensure you
have understood introduced concepts before moving to application.
Let’s Apply! – This section is for application of concepts learned. You are
putting the information learned into action!
This section encourages you to express your opinions to family and friends about a topic. Start a
discussion with them face to face, via text, chat, or whatever means available and comfortable to
you. It’s always great to share your ideas and hear more points of view .
Sharing is caring
This section encourages you to share your output to family and friends. You worked hard on
this so now it is time to tell others about the task you have just completed. Do it face to face,
via text, chat, or whatever means available and comfortable to you. It’s always great to share
your thoughts and hear feedback from people who care
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 7
Introduction Learner’s Handbook
Requirements
There are a number of requirements that you will need to fulfill to pass the course and that will
form part of your portfolio.
2. Written Assignments: These are a range of assignments that need to be completed as you
move through a module. A list of written assignments is found at the beginning of each
module.
3. End-of-Module Assessment
An ALS teacher will be there to support you throughout the modules. The teacher will check in
with you several times a week by phone, email, FB, FB messenger or in person to answer any
questions you have and to monitor the progress you are making with assignments and activities.
They are a great resource and will be able to help you when you do not understand something or
want to know more about the session.
Good luck on your journey and have fun! By the time you finish with the modules, you will be
well prepared to continue with your education, find a job or start your own business. Thank you!
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 8
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Module Overview
Activity Time
Session 1: Values and Skills
1: Introductory Activity & Learner’s Reflection 30-60 minutes
2. Values, Beliefs & Qualities 40-60 minutes
3: We Are All Unique 30-60 minutes
4: My Skills and Qualities 30-60 minutes
Session 2: Setting & Achieving Goals
5: Introduction & Process for Setting and Achieving Goals 90-120 minutes
6. Community Mapping 60 – 80 minutes
7. Session 1 & 2 Review & Application – Values, Skills, Goals 25-60 minutes
&
Planning
Session 3: Learning New Skills
2: Sessions 1 & 2 Review – Values, Skills, Goals & Planning 20 min
8: Learning Style Assessment 25-60 minutes
9:
2: Learning
Sessions 1Strategies
& 2 Review – Values, Skills, Goals & Planning 40-60 minutes
20 min
10: Session 3 Review & Application – Learning New Skills 60-120 minutes
2: Sessions 1 & 2 Review – Values, Skills, Goals & Planning Total Time:
20 7-12
min hours
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 9
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Written Assignments
This is a checklist of all the written documents for learners to accomplish. The facilitator will
put a tick mark on the submitted outputs and follow-up on those that have not been
submitted yet.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 10
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
2 Identify observable values or character traits that are passed on from elders – LS5US-
ID-PSA-LE-B.2
Objectives:
Describe the topics that are important for planning one’s future
Read the proverb at the beginning of the module. What does it mean?
Read the objectives of the module. How does the proverb relate to the objectives?
During this module, you are going to identify what is important to you and how you can
grow and move ahead. The first session will focus on identifying your own values, beliefs,
interests, and strengths and weaknesses.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 11
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
It is important to know what employers value and to behave in a way that respects those
values. (ex. be respectful, hardworking, take initiative…)
Knowing your values, interests and skills will help you in finding work and being successful.
We are all unique, with our own values, interests and skills.
Ang mga katanungan dito ay hindi test. Ito ay isang paraan upang malaman mo ang iyong kaalaman,
kasanayan o kakayahan tungkol sa paksang ito. Basahin mo ang mga kaalaman, kasanayan o kakayahan
na nakalista sa kaliwang kolum. Magbalik-tanaw sa iyong sarili at mga karanasan, basahin ang lahat ng
mga pangungusap at i-tsek ang sagot na naaangkop sa iyong sitwasyon. Ang iyong kasagutan ay magiging
gabay mo at ng iyong guro sa pagpapalawak ng iyong kaalaman tungkol sa paksang ito.
My experience 1 2 3 4
I don’t have any I have very little I have some I have a lot of
Knowledge, skills and experience doing experience doing this. experience doing experience doing
this.
abilities this. this.
May kaunting
Wala akong karanasan ako sa Mayroon akong Marami akong
Kaalaman, kasanayan karanasan sa paggawa nito. karanasan sa karanasan sa
at kakayahan paggawa nito paggawa nito paggawa nito
Identifying my own
strengths, interests &
challenges / Pagtukoy sa
sariling kakayahan,
interes at mga pagsubok
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 12
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
My experience 1 2 3 4
I don’t have any I have very little I have some I have a lot of
Knowledge, skills and experience doing experience doing this. experience doing experience doing
this.
abilities this. this.
May kaunting
Wala akong karanasan ako sa Mayroon akong Marami akong
Kaalaman, kasanayan karanasan sa karanasan sa karanasan sa
paggawa nito.
at kakayahan paggawa nito paggawa nito paggawa nito
ang layunin
Paying attention to
progress on following
the plan and achieving
the goal / Pagbibigay-
pansin sa progreso ng
plano para makamit ang
layunin
Understanding different
ways of learning new
skills and ideas / Pag-
unawa sa iba’t ibang
paraan upang
matutunan ang mga
bagong kakayahan at
ideya.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 13
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Objectives:
Think about someone you respect and who has served as your role model. (A role model
is someone you look up to and whose behavior you would like to imitate.) What makes
that person so special to you?
Write down the words that describe the person (e.g. passionate, honest, hardworking,
committed, humorous…).
Our values guide us in planning for our future. Our values and beliefs serve as a
foundation for choices we make, jobs we are interested in, and how we behave at work
and in our personal lives.
1. Read
1.1: Examples of Values, Beliefs and Desirable Qualities below. There are
so many values, beliefs and desirable qualities that influence the way people behave!
These are just some examples. Are any of the words you wrote to describe your role
model on the list?
2. Fill in the table. First choose the 5 most important personal values for yourself by
marking an X next to the word under the “ME” column. Then choose the top 5 values
for your family/friends in the next column. Finally, choose what you think are the 5
most important values to employers.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 14
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 15
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
This section encourages you to express your opinions to family and friends about a topic.
Start a discussion with them face to face, via text, chat, or whatever means available and
comfortable to you. It is always great to share your ideas and hear more points of view
1. How do the values that you have compare to those you think are important to
family/friends and employers?
2. Given what you think employers value, how do you think you should behave at work?
3. Think about the things you do on a regular basis. What values are reflected in your
daily activities?
Often the things you are involved in or like to do reflect your values. Many of the values
you have might be similar to those of an employer. It is important to be aware of what
employers value and to try and behave in a way that reflects those values when seeking a
job or when working.
Sharing is caring
This section encourages you to share your output to family and friends. You worked hard
on this so now it is time to tell others about the task you have just completed. Do it face to
face, via text, chat, or whatever means available and comfortable to you. It is always great
to share your thoughts and hear feedback from people who care .
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 16
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Discuss values, beliefs and desirable qualities with others in your household,
neighborhood or community. Who have been their role models and why? What has been
their experience related to values in the workplace?
Objectives:
Gather a few people nearby and read the following statements. Each person should
decide if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree
with the statement.
Share your responses with each other and discuss. What do you notice? Did everybody
have the same responses or were they different?
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 17
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Everybody has their own opinions, feelings, interests and skills. Sometimes we have
similarities with others and sometimes we have differences. We are all unique! It is this
uniqueness that makes you who you are.
Continue the discussion with others. Share with each other your thoughts on:
1. Interests
2. Likes
3. Ambitions
4. Perfect leader
5. Principles in life
6. Beliefs
7. Hobbies
8. Talents
9. Person you look-up to as a role model
Objectives:
Identify skills and qualities that are important to you in general and for work
Assess your own skills and qualities
Begin to determine next steps in improving skills and qualities
Values influence how we spend our time and also lead us to developing skills and
qualities that are useful for work.
Read 1.2: My Skills and Qualities and choose the top 6 skills or qualities that you
would like to use in a job and circle them or write them in your notebooks. Rate yourself
for all the 6 skills/qualities that you selected (using the 4 columns in the table). These
skills and qualities can apply to work, to your education, or personal life.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 18
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper, creating 2 columns. Write Strengths on
the left side and Areas for Improvement on the right side. Look at the 6 items you circled
at the beginning. If you rated yourself as very good or good for a skill/quality, it means it
is a Strength. If you rated themselves not so good or needs to improve a lot, it is an Area
for Improvement.
This section encourages you to express your opinions to family and friends about a topic.
Start a discussion with them face to face, via text, chat, or whatever means available and
comfortable to you. It is always great to share your ideas and hear more points of view .
Answer the following questions after you have completed the worksheet.
2. Which areas were my strengths and which areas do I need improvement in?
3. What skills/qualities can I improve under Areas of Improvement to turn them into
Strengths? How can I do this?
Choose one of the following activities to do and share with someone in your home or
community:
1. Write an essay. Select three areas for improvement and write about the steps
that you will take to improve oneself.
2. Choose an object that represents yourself and write how that object relates to
your skills and qualities.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 19
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
needs to
very good Good not so good improve
a lot
Dependable
Patient
Honest
Responsible
Punctual
Courteous
able to work in teams
able to lead others
able to work without supervision
Creative
self-confident
Organized
learn quickly
Hardworking
use money wisely
give advice to people
communicate clearly
make decisions
Write
Supervise
solve problems
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 20
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Use this space to complete any of the written assignments above or write any thoughts or ideas
that have come to mind on values, qualities and skills.
Congratulations! You have completed the session on Values, Qualities, and Skills. You are now
ready to move to the next session on Setting and Achieving Goals!
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 21
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 22
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
3. What steps must I take in order to know and be able to do these things?
4. What abilities and experience do I already have that are going to help me take
these steps?
5. What obstacles might be in my way and how can I deal with them?
Objectives:
Think about the values and skills you identified in the last activity. How can you apply
these values and skills to your future?
Go to the writing space at the end of Session 2. Draw a large tree that includes the roots,
trunk, major branches, smaller branches, leaves, flowers and thorns.
The growth of a tree is like the growth and development of a person. The parts of the tree
represent the following:
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 23
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Leaves: resources that you will need to reach goals (people, information)
Flowers: goals in the far away future or future achievements
Label the tree you have drawn with your own information.
- What were the values and skills you identified in the previous activities? Put those
near the roots.
- Who are the people or what are the places that give you strength?
- What are your shortterm goals (in the near future)?
- What are the obstacles you think you may encounter?
- What kind of resources or people will you need?
- What are your longterm goals (in the far away future)?
The branches represent goals – where people want to reach or what they want to
accomplish. What general steps do you think you will need to take to reach one of your
goals? To help answer this question, look at the picture in 1.3: Setting and Achieving
Goals below.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 24
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
We may have short term goals and long term goals. Short term goals are those that you
might want to accomplish in 1 – 6 months. Long term goals are those that extend more
into the future – 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, … Regardless if they are short or long, goals
need to be SMART – specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time framed. Read the
information and examples below the picture.
Write two short term goals and two long term goals. Use the information and examples to
make sure they are SMART. Share them with someone in your house or community.
1. 1.
2. 2.
Fill out the table in 1.4: Steps for Achieving My Goals that will lay out the steps you
need to take, the time frame for each step and the resources you need to be able to carry
out each step.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 25
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Setting Goals
What is your vision of success? The image is different for each of us. For one person it's working
in an office setting, for another it is being a successful farmer.
Achievable I will become president of the I will become the president of the
Philippines by next year. youth group in our barangay by
next year.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 26
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Realistic I will become a player of one of I will play basketball with the
the famous Philippine Basketball basketball team in our barangay.
Association teams.
Time Framed I will find a construction job. I will find a construction job in the
next 2 months.
The first step to success is knowing where you want to go. The second step is having a plan
to get there. Your goals are your road map. Follow them and you'll be well on your way.
3. What steps must I take in order to know and be able to do these things?
Example: To improve my basic math skills, I will need to identify a math tutor who can spend
time with me each week. To participate in an evening study group, I will need to ask my
friends and teachers of existing study groups including the days and times they meet.
4. What abilities and experience do I already have that are going to help me take these steps?
Example: I will talk to people I know who are in my youth group, ask friends and teachers
involved in on-going study groups, etc.
5. What obstacles might be in my way and how can I deal with them?
Example: It will be difficult to find time to participate in an evening study group because I
take care of my younger siblings. I will see if I can get assistance from friends and see if
there are any day time study groups.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 27
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Let’s Exercise!
Read the statements one by one and decide if the goals are reachable or not reachable. Circle
your answer per statement. Then, beside the statements you selected as not reachable, edit
the statement to make it reachable.
For example:
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 28
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
1.
2.
3.
Sources:
Carney, Susan. Goal Setting for Teens: Helping Kids Define and Meet Their Objectives.
http://youthdevelopment.suite101.com/article.cfm/goal_setting_for_teens
Practical Education for Citizenship and Employment (PECE) Resources and Planning Guide, Philadelphia. Group
Goal Setting Activities: An Approach from Youth Service Corps.
http://sabes.org/resources/publications/adventures/vol4/4pece.htm
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 29
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Objectives:
In this course you will do work exposure activities. These activities are designed to help us
achieve our goals and develop our work readiness skills. We will go to workplaces and look
and see. We will start to meet people and get information that will help us refine our
goals determine and our next steps.
All of these activities can be incorporated into your Steps for Achieving your Goals plan
and your biodata.
A workplace is a place with customers. They are of all sizes and of any sector. There are
government offices and other services that you may not even think much about. A
workplace can be an informal livelihood like a sari-sari store or a fisherman who has his
own boat and sells his fish to a cannery. Workplaces include places run by the government
such as schools and utility companies that provide water and electricity. Workplaces are
businesses of all sizes, ranging from local businesses to large national and international
brands with well-known names.
We can learn about workplaces and workplace behaviors in any of these places.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 30
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Let’s Apply!
Sharing is Caring
Share your map with someone who can give you ideas of other businesses in your community.
Think about the mapping process. What did you learn about your community?
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 31
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Let’s Exercise!
Let’s count jobs! You have 15 minutes to count how many jobs you can see. (For
example shopkeeper, bank teller, security guard.) If you are able to leave your home,
walk around your community and write down all the jobs you see. If you cannot, do it
from memory.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 32
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Activity 7: Session 1 & 2 Review & Application – Values, Skills, Goals & Planning
Objectives:
Review the main topics presented during the session (values, beliefs and qualities;
skills & qualities assessment; and goal setting and action plans)
Recognize that our values, interests, skills, qualities and goals in life are interconnected
Formulate plan of action using the ways/steps learned from the session that will help
them achieve certain goal
Think about all the main topics you have covered since the beginning of the module.
What have you learned so far?
Values often serve as the foundation, or roots, of our interests and goals. In order to
achieve our goals it is important to go through the steps covered during the last activity. It
is important to know our values, beliefs, and qualities when planning for anything in our
lives, including work and career.
Continue identifying your goals and the steps to reach them. You may have a long term
goal that requires reaching several small term goals to achieve it. Use the template in
1.4: Steps for Achieving My Goals to continue planning. You can use the Writing Space at
the end of the module if you need more room.
Another option, if you are feeling creative, is to create a collage of cutouts (pictures,
words) from old magazines and newspapers that represent your goals and the steps you
need to take to reach them.
Sharing is Caring
Share your goals and plans with someone who can give you advice on how to best
accomplish your goals.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 33
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 34
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Congratulations! Now that you know how to set goals and the steps on how to achieve these,
you are ready discover your learning styles and strategies!
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 35
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
People learn in different ways – by listening, seeing, doing, writing, reading, speaking.
People typically have a dominant learning style but usually combine different learning
methods to accomplish a task.
Knowing how you learn best will help you develop strategies to learning in school and
while at work.
Objectives:
Recognize that people learn in different ways, using different skills
Appreciate different ways of learning new things
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 36
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Think about a time when you learned something new. How did you learn it? Were you
alone or with other people? What helped you to learn? What was challenging in the
process?
You are now going to assess your learning style. Complete 1.5: How Do You Learn
Best? found below. Check all the statements that apply to you. Afterwards, add up the
number of items you checked for each category. The categories with the most check
marks indicate your preferred learning style.
As you think critically about your learning style, keep in mind the following:
People learn in different ways and often combine learning styles to be able to
understand or do something new.
For example, in learning how to operate a new machine, a person may need to observe
someone else running it and then try it themselves with the guidance of someone
experienced. It is important to be aware of learning styles that do not work for you so
when learning something new you can be clear with others on how you learn best.
Listening
I like to listen to people talk about things.
I usually remember what I hear.
I learned more in school by listening to the teacher's explanation rather than by
reading the textbook.
I prefer listening to the news on the radio than reading the newspaper.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 37
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Observing/Seeing
I get pictures in my head when I read.
I remember faces better than I remember names.
When I have to concentrate on spelling a word, I see that word in my mind.
I remember what pages in a book look like.
I remember events in the past by seeing them in my mind.
Doing
It's hard for me to sit still and study.
I prefer learning by doing something with my hands than reading about that same
thing in a book.
I like to make models of things.
When I see something new and interesting I usually want to touch it in order to
find out more about it.
I prefer going out with friends than staying home and reading a book.
Writing
I write down things that I need to remember.
I make fewer mistakes when I write than when I speak.
I like it when people explain something to me by writing down the main points.
When I read, I take notes to better understand the ideas I've read.
After I take notes, I rewrite my notes to remember better.
Reading
I like to read in my free time.
I usually remember information that I read better than information that I hear.
I prefer reading the newspaper than watching the news on TV.
I can learn how to put something together by reading the instructions.
I like it when teachers write on the board, so that I can read what they write.
Speaking
When I have a problem to figure out I often talk to myself.
I remember things better when I say them out loud. For example, if I have to
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 38
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Source: http://literacynet.org/icans/chapter03/learnbest.html
Objectives:
Link your learning style with strategies on how to learn new skills and information
Read the scenario below and think about the approach to learning you might take if you
were the new caterer.
Scenario: You were recently hired in a food catering business. There are many new
things you need to learn – policies, procedures and protocol at work; the use of
utensils, equipment and kitchen tools you have not operated before; and the
processes involved in preparing and preserving food, etc.
Given your learning style, what strategies will you use to learn all of these new
things?
It is important to speak up about your learning styles to others when you are learning
something new. If for example you learn best through reading information, ask for the
written information instead of just being told it.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 39
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Read 1.6: Learning My Way. It provides learning strategies for the different learning
styles. Add more strategies to the list if you think of others, especially those related to
your preferred learning style.
• Watch other people do the things that you are going to need to know how to do.
You will be able to visualize their actions later on.
• As you read something imagine what it would look like if it were happening in real
life or on TV.
• Take note of the shape and color of the things that you will want to remember.
• Visualize telephone numbers and words in your mind.
• Use charts, graphs, pictures.
• If given a choice, show others that you know how to do something by showing
them how you do it.
• Go on visits to places to see how things are actually done.
• When you have to learn how to do something new, watch someone who is
actually doing it and ask them to coach you while you do it.
• Choose a job that lets you work with your hands and move around.
• When you read, underline and take notes as you read along.
• Take notes when listening to instructions.
• Write down the things that you need to do. Make lists. Keep a written schedule.
• Get a job that involves writing.
Many people aren't aware that learning preferences exist. Others are usually not aware of
what your particular learning preference is. Let them know. Feel free to share with them
what you know about your own learning style.
Doing: "I wonder if you could show me how this works?" Listening: "Could you explain to me
how this works?"
Reading: "Would you mind giving me written instructions of how this works?"
Writing: "Let me write down what you are saying about how this works."
Other Considerations: It is also important to strengthen your weak learning styles. Select a
style that is weak and share ideas with classmates for improving that learning style.
Source: http://literacynet.org/icans/chapter03/myway.html
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 41
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Objectives:
Review the main topics presented during the module
Apply the knowledge gained to particular situations or scenarios
Reflect on what you have learned in this module. What lessons did you learn from each
session?
Let’s Apply!
Read the scenarios below and write an ending to the story. The ending should lead to the
achievement of a certain goal in the story. You should also incorporate general styles of
learning into the story.
Scenario 1:
Julius, a young father, has a long term goal of getting a certificate in plumbing in one year. With
the certification, he will get more work and receive a higher pay that could help him send his
son to a pre-school. What short term goals should Julious have to help him achieve his long
term goal?
Scenario 2:
Marian is a very hands-on learner. She could quickly learn by observing and doing. As her
supervisor is getting ready to leave, he quickly gives her instructions on how to use a new saw
and asks her to cut some pieces of wood for the next day. Marian is worried that she will not be
able to cut the pieces properly. What should Marian do?
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 42
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Scenario 3:
To be a teacher is Bea Elaine Quicho’s biggest dream. With her parents’ seasonal income and
Bea’s 5 younger siblings who are their priority, she accepted the fact she really cannot proceed
to college. Upon learning about a free skills training, she immediately grabbed it and enrolled in
the food processing course. She passed the NC2 assessment and got her certificate. With newly
gained confidence after receiving her certificate, she thinks about her dream of becoming a
teacher. What short term goals could Bea set to help her achieve her long term goal of
becoming a teacher?
Remember our values, qualities, interests and skills help us to reach our goals. As we
strive to reach our long term goals, we need to set shorter term goals and plan to help
us get there. Often as we work towards achieving our goals we are learning. We all have
different learning styles. Being aware of what your learning style is will help you
advocate for what you need and will help you perform better in your personal and
professional life.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 43
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
1. How do the skills and other things I learned relate to my daily life?
2. How can the skills and what I learned help me work better?
3. What steps can I take to improve any of the skills or attitudes that I learned
more about?
Use this space to answer these questions and reflect about your ongoing learning.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 44
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
Remember this? You answered this at the beginning of the module. Answer it again and compare
your results with your previous reflection. Is there a difference?
This is not a test but is a way for us to see what you already know or do not know about the topics.
You will read a skill that is listed in the left column. Think about yourself and your experience.
Then read the statements across the top. Check the column that best represents your situation.
The results will help you and the instructor know which topics may require more time, effort and
guidance.
Ang mga katanungan dito ay hindi test. Ito ay isang paraan upang malaman mo ang iyong
kaalaman, kasanayan o kakayahan tungkol sa paksang ito. Basahin mo ang mga kaalaman,
kasanayan o kakayahan na nakalista sa kaliwang kolum. Magbalik-tanaw sa iyong sarili at mga
karanasan, basahin ang lahat ng mga pangungusap at i-tsek ang sagot na naaangkop sa iyong
sitwasyon. Ang iyong kasagutan ay magiging gabay mo at ng iyong guro sa pagpapalawak ng
iyong kaalaman tungkol sa paksang ito.
My experience 1 2 3 4
I don’t have any I have very little I have some I have a lot of
Knowledge, skills and experience doing experience doing experience doing experience doing
this.
abilities this. this. this.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 45
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
My experience 1 2 3 4
I don’t have any I have very little I have some I have a lot of
Knowledge, skills and experience doing experience doing experience doing experience doing
this.
abilities this. this. this.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 46
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
End-of-Module Assessment
Congratulations for finishing Module 1: Personal Development! At the end of every module you
will take a short assessment to see how much you have learned. It will help you and your
teacher identify the knowledge and skills you know and what still needs reinforcing. The results
will not affect your ability to continue in the program.
Structure of the Assessment: It has a total of 10 questions. Some questions are multiple choice
and some questions are true or false. You should choose only ONE answer for each question.
Once you have finished answering the questions, note down any clarifications you want to ask
your instructor.
English Tagalog
1. Identifying one’s values, strengths, 1. Ang pagkilala sa mga paniniwala,
challenges, opportunities and interests kakayahan, hamon, oportunidad, at
are part of personal development. interes ay bahagi ng pansariling pag-
unlad.
a. True
b. False a. Tama
b. Mali
2. Your values are reflected in the following: 2. Nasasalamin ang mga paniniwala mo sa
sumusunod:
a. Your interests
b. How you spend your time a. Mga hilig
c. Choices you make b. Mga pinagtutuunan ng panahon
d. All of the above c. Mga pasya
d. Lahat ng nabanggit
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 47
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
3. Values and skills are the same thing. 3. Ang mga paniniwala at mga kakayahan
ay pareho.
a. True
b. False a. Tama
b. Mali
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 48
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
6. Once you write a personal development 6. Matapos mong makasulat ng isang plano
plan, you should stick to it and not para sa personal nap ag-unlad, kailangan
change it until you have reached your mo itong panatilihin at hindi ito binabago
long-term goals. hanggang sa makamit mo ang mga
pangmatagalan mong layunin.
a. True
b. False a. Tama
b. Mali
7. Everyone has the same way of learning 7. Pare-pareho lang ang paraan ng lahat ng
new skills. tao sa pagkatuto ng mga bagong bagay.
a. True a. Tama
b. False b. Mali
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 49
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
9. The best way to learn something new is 9. Ang pinakamabuting paraan para matuto
to: ng ibang bagay ay:
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 50
Module 1: Personal Development Learner’s Handbook
10. If you do not like learning in a certain way 10. Kung hindi mo tipong mag-aral sa isang
(for example, through reading or writing), paraan (halimbawa, sa pagbabasa o
you should avoid it as much as you can. pagsusulat), kailangan mong iwasan iyon
hangga’t maaari.
a. True
b. False a. Tama
b. Mali
Congratulations! You have completed the module on Personal Development! You are now
ready to conquer the next module on Interpersonal Communication.
Life Skills for Self-Directed Learning | USAID Opportunity 2.0 Program| Philippines Page 51