TBOS: Technology Business and office Systems

The Program of Practice

"We take students and run them through a 4 week basic computer course (Comp 101) then they move into TBOS (if they show they have computer skills we move them on right away to T-BOS)

Adding this computer course really helped students not become frustrated when trying to learn a technology based curriculum in other courses. "

The Response

We have had more students due to the change of course. Initially the class was offered as Word or Excel. We noticed right away that teaching the class left some students feeling rushed and others felt held back. So we adjusted and made it a self paced lab with teacher support. At the end of each Comp 101 rotation or as as students join the TBOS Lab the teacher has a one on one with each student to determine their personal goals and helps guide them into curriculum choices.

The Unique Features of the Program

"Once we realized we had more success and retention due to this change we realized we could offer much more into the lab time. That is when we changed the name to allow students to become a ""technology Boss, Hence TBOS was formed. We began adding other curriculum based on student requests. We now have, QuickBooks's, Digital literacy & Microsoft Office Suite, Typing, and will begin offering Soft Skills course, Workforce skills and financial literacy in 24-25 school year. The class name we hope to change to Technology, Business, Office and Soft Skills. TBOSS.

Another unique feature is we can have a student come and share their personal story and we can tailor the courses they will take and we can find new courses at anytime. Having only one comuter teacher on campus it solved a great problem of only being able to offer 1 course. "

The Outcome

"Students who once just wanted to learn how to use a computer , are now getting certified in GS6 . (Global Standards) digital literacy and gaining confidence to move onto other classes. Students retention is better and more students are getting jobs and testing their skills.

We also had such a good response that two other Adult Schools in our consortium adopted the Comp 101 -TBOS lab concept.

ie: We had a student who was a stay at home mom for 17 years wanted to try and go back to work. She took comp 101 and began taking Office course. A company reached out and was looking for someone to replace an office employee. We found out they wanted them to know a bit of QB. The teacher was impressed with the student and her attendance and the way she working through her Office suite book she encouraged her to apply for this position. She was able to get the job and take QB while beginning the position at the company. She has 2 1/2 years with the company!

We had an ESL student who needed to get her HiSET once she completed it she came to our Compt 101 then TBOS and has since recieved her Certificate in digital literacy, her completion in Microsoft Office 365 while getting her real estate license. And is attending Delta College now too! "