We explore the use of text message reminders to improve student performance. The effectiveness of text messaging reminders is examined by comparing two large sections of a course where students focused on personal branding. One section received deadline reminders by email, while the other section received opt-in text reminders. The results of the…

A mini-economy is an ongoing classroom project in which elementary school students apply for jobs, receive simulated income, go shopping at the classroom store, and ultimately create their own businesses. This study uses design-based research methodology to find out what classroom practices emerge when the College, Career, and Civic Life Framework…

This report focuses on the outcomes of vocational education and, in particular, on the transition from education to work in the current employment situation for young adults in the European Union. Using anonymised microdata from the EU labour force survey 2009 ad hoc module, this is one of the first studies to undertake a large cross-country…

This paper studies the relationship between competitiveness and higher education systems in Europe. It explores whether more competitive countries have developed more labour-market-oriented systems of higher education (HE) that thereby give their graduates greater short term employability potential. Based on and a large-scale survey among 45.000…

This article proposes the use of a four-component multimodal employment project that offers students a 360-degree understanding of the rhetorical situations surrounding job searches. More specifically, we argue for the use of the four deliverables of written resumes and cover letters, mock oral onsite interview, video resume analysis, and peer…

Business educators understand the value of improving students' written and oral communication skills. However, too often assignments used to develop these important skills are taught in isolation. The purpose of this article is to enhance a student's written and oral skills by integrating all aspects of the job search written documents and…

Examines cover letters, curricula vitae, and teaching statements of 82 doctoral candidates and 74 Ph.D. applicants for an assistant professor position. Discovers that all of the applicants presented very little teaching information. Discusses reasons for this and offers recommendations for correcting the problem. (MJP)

This digest is intended to help vocational educators learn to make the best use of the World Wide Web. Among the vocational education-related websites and uses of the web profiled are the following: a website that Minnesota high school students can use to search for career opportunities and check local classified ads; a website through which…

The New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District in Wilmington, Delaware, has made great strides in integrating academic and vocational studies by adopting a "project" approach to integrated learning. Students at the district's high schools are involved in a variety of real-life projects aimed at advancing technical knowledge…

These proceedings summarize the information exchanged at a teleconference involving more than 3,000 participants focusing on the following aspects of the relationship between schooling and employment: (1) what employers are looking for in employees, (2) employers' priorities in making hiring decisions, and (3) education and training on the job.…

An educational research and demonstration program was implemented in learning centers at five correctional institutions across Missouri. Included in the demonstration project were the following programs: a prescriptive learning system that served 253 students; a program in attitude, basic, and life skills; an ex-offender program that involved 20…

Most of the job losses that occurred in New York City after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center occurred in low-wage jobs held by lower-skilled workers. Many of those affected faced multiple obstacles limiting their employment prospects, including limited literacy and English language skills and a lack of "connections" to…

This document contains the 15 publications constituting the third stage of the Voyager program, which is a four-stage program that utilizes contemporary content and instructional approaches to teach the reading, writing, critical thinking, and communication skills that adults need in today's world and to take adult learners from the beginning…