On-line Lessons for Work Ethic Instruction
People who do good work generally take pride in what they produce. For consumers the results of this work can be very rewarding. Having access to high quality goods and services can enhance quality of life. When it comes to helping people be better at creating quality goods and services it can be difficult to decide where to begin.
Another issue that is important to consider is determining who the beneficiary is. Will work ethic instruction enable a company or employer to take advantage of someone? Are people with a strong work ethic more vulnerable than those who exhibit poor work behaviors? Is work ethic instruction designed to benefit the learner or to enrich the employer? The answers to these questions are important to consider. Many philosophical discussions and debates have addressed these types of concerns and the views regarding these issues fall on a wide spectrum. Some are socialist and some are capitalist and some are classified with other words or definitions. There are even perspectives that are eclectic or still waiting to be defined.
The perspective of the researcher and author for this website is that all people are important, physical and mental labor has the potential to be a fulfilling activity, and all persons should strive to reach their maximum potential. Research has demonstrated that individuals who display good interpersonal skills, show initiative, and are dependable have advantages over those who do not have these attributes. Combined with job-related knowledge and technical competence, work ethic can enhance a person's opportunities to be successful in work and in life. This is the vantage for the on-line lessons provided.
The on-line instructional resources provided here are designed for use in schools or training programs where people are being encouraged to appreciate the importance of work ethic, further develop their own work habits and attitudes, and improve employability skills.
Teachers and instructors using these materials will find a link on the lower portion of this page that will assist them in using the lessons in a classroom setting.
Select the lesson you are to work on next:
- Lesson 1 - Why Work Ethic?
A brief lesson about why work ethic is so important in the information age workplace and why it will continue to be important in the future.
- Lesson 2 - What is Work Ethic?
A lesson that defines work ethic and includes information about important worker characteristics that employers are seeking.
- Lesson 3 - Interpersonal Skills
Examines the role of interpersonal skills as an aspect of work ethic, emphasizes its importance in the workplace, and helps learners to develop strategies for improving interpersonal skills.
- Lesson 4 - Initiative
Explains initiative as a part of work ethic, helps learners to evaluate their own initiative, and encourages them to use initiative in appropriate and productive ways.
- Lesson 5 - Being Dependable
Emphasizes the importance of being dependable and helps learners to identify areas for improving personal dependability.
- Lesson 6 - Other Employability Skills
Other employability skills related to work ethic are considered in this lesson along with activities to prepare people for success in the information age workplace.
Materials for teachers and instructors:
For teachers who are using these materials in class or instructors using the website for some other type of education or training, some additional items are provided here to enhance the presentations done in conjunction with use of the web materials. An Instructor's Guide has also been developed and is being pilot tested in selected sites.