Understanding the Syllabus
Understanding the Syllabus
Read and understand a college course syllabus.
- Task Document and Questions
- Pen and paper
- A computer with Internet access
Alternative: Consider using a syllabus for a course your learner is interested in. The Ontario North website (http://www.ontariolearn.com/en/) has a search engine for online College courses across Ontario and many of the syllabi are available on college websites.
A1. Read continuous text
Competency A: Find and Use Information
Task Group A1: Read continuous text
Level: 2
At this level, learners: Read texts to locate and connect ideas and information
Performance Descriptors
The learner:
• Makes connections between sentences and between paragraphs in a single text
• Scans text to locate information
• Locates multiple pieces of information in simple texts
• Reads more complex texts to locate a single piece of information
• Makes low-level inferences
• Follows the main events of descriptive, narrative, and informational texts
• Obtains information from detailed reading
• Begins to identify sources and evaluate information
Task Descriptors
• Scope of task is clearly defined
• Involves one text
• Is one paragraph or longer
• May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)
Text types:
instructional, descriptive, narrative, and informational texts
Examples:
- Letters
- Emails
- Notices
ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario - A1.2
A2. Interpret documents
Competency A: Find and Use Information
Task Group A2: Interpret documents
Level: 2
At this level, learners: Interpret simple documents to locate and connect information
Performance Descriptors
The learner:
- Performs limited searches using one or two search criteria
- Extracts information from tables and forms
- Locates information in simple graphs and maps
- Uses layout to locate information
- Makes connections between parts of documents
- Makes low-level inferences
- Begins to identify sources and evaluate information
Task Descriptors
- Scope of task is clearly defined
- Involves one document
- Uses a simple format
- Displays a limited amount of information
- Is typically up to one page in length
- May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)
- Documents at this level may contain a paragraph or more of text
Examples:
- Forms
- Tables
- Simple graphs
- Street maps
- Simple flow charts
- Floor plans
ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – A2.2
B2. Write continuous text
Competency B: Communicate Ideas and Information
Task Group B2: Write continuous text
Level:2
At this level, learners: Write texts to explain and describe information and ideas
Performance Descriptors
The learner:
- Writes texts to explain or describe
- Conveys intended meaning on familiar topics for a limited range of purposes and audiences
- Begins to sequence writing with some attention to organizing principles (e.g. time, importance)
- Connects ideas using paragraph structure
- Uses a limited range of vocabulary and punctuation appropriate to the task
- Begins to select words and tone appropriate to the task
- Begins to organize writing to communicate effectively
Task Descriptors
- Scope of task is clearly defined
- Content of writing is routine
- Addresses a familiar or unfamiliar audience
- Requires a degree of formality, such as appropriate tone
- Is one paragraph or longer
- Requires organization to support the message (e.g. sentence order, paragraphs)
- May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)
Text types:
instructional, descriptive, narrative, and informational texts
Examples:
- Emails
- Brief letters
- Notices
ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – B2.2
Competency D: Use Digital Technology
Level: 2
At this level, learners: Perform well-defined, multi-step digital tasks
Performance Descriptors
The learner:
- Selects and follows appropriate steps to complete tasks
- Locates and recognizes functions and commands
- Makes low-level inferences to interpret icons and text
- Begins to identify sources and evaluate information
- Performs simple searches using keywords (e.g. Internet, software help menu)
Task Descriptors
- Scope of task is clearly defined
- May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)
- Requires multiple steps to complete
- Requires the use of a limited range of features and options
- May be completed in more than one way; each way has a set procedure
- Uses a simple format
- Contains text, icons, or both
- Text and icons required to complete tasks are easy to interpret
- May contain distracting information
- Interface offers a variety of options through menus
ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – D.2