Classroom Setting

Road to Success utilized course and unit organizers, instructional devices that benefit learners with learning difficulties. The organizers illustrated big ideas and essential information, keeping the instructor and learners focused on key concepts and not the less important details.

The Unit Organizer

The organizers demonstrated how course units are connected to one another, which helped learners to see the relationships between various topics and lessons and keep track of their own progress toward mastering course content.

The organizers helped learners understand the expectations, routines, and purposes of the course, which contributes to a safe, supportive atmosphere for learning new skills.

Road to Success classrooms operate with:

 
• Community Principles, which were intended to build commitment from learners, are self-determination, urgency, action, and positive attitude (e.g., “We are all taking action to gain employment;” “The time is now, we’re making serious effort and not waiting for everything to be perfect.”)
 
• Learning Rituals that helped learners to accomplish the course goals are: class discussions, small group activities, daily assignments, case studies and scenarios—to make the experience as interactive and near to the real world as possible.
 
• Performance Options - Instructors relied on activities (e.g., role-playing a job interview, filling out a job application) rather than traditional tests to assess learner competence regarding practical skills.