Train-the-Teacher Workshop

Skills for Life! Pursuing your Dreams with Confidence & Determination

(“Life Skills Orientation”)

10-13 December, 2018

with Professor Julie Felker

Workshop Overview

Making the transition from high school to the University can be challenging for many students. Expectations for learning are different, students must take a more active role in the learning process and assume greater responsibility for their own learning, and the adjustment to a new learning culture has to be made rather quickly. In recognition of this sometimes “bumpy” transition, and as part of Palestine Polytechnic University’s strong and ongoing commitment to student success, the University felt that incoming undergraduate students would benefit from a “Life Skills Orientation” course prior to the start of their academic classes.  The course, Skills for Life! Pursuing your Dreams with Confidence & Determination, is comprised of several modules to be taught over 30 hours. It is designed to prepare students with important life skills, so that they are better prepared for their academic and professional careers. It less about traditional study skills such as preparing for exams, writing effectively, and doing research. Rather the course is built on self-awareness, personal growth and building positive relationships with others. With these skills, along with the desire to learn, and a desire to help others, students will not only be successful at PPU, they will go on to make significant contributions to their families, employers, communities and the world-at-large.

Workshop Purpose and Objectives

PPU faculty who are likely to teach in the new Skills for Life! course have been invited to participate in the four-day training workshop. The purpose of this workshop is to provide content knowledge and practical advice about teaching the modules in the new orientation course. Specifically, in the workshop we will:

• review the teaching/learning materials.
• discuss how the content may be tailored to the Palestinian context and culture.
• share techniques for successful teaching and learning, in particular in the “soft skills”.
• practice delivering course modules.

Learning Outcomes

Through this workshop particpants will:

• strengthen their knowledge about building personal relationships through self-awareness.
• expand their content knowledge related to inter-personal skills and skills development, and the understanding of human behavior. 
• develop “soft skills” teaching techniques through discussion, observation and practice.
• enhance the delivery of course content by capitalizing on their own unique experiences and teaching styles. 
• be able to mentor faculty colleagues who may deliver the new Skills for Life! course in the future.

Workshop Schedule

Please note: timing and topics will be flexible in order to accommodate the needs of the participants and the flow of discussions.