ACES Resources
Navigating Systems
Navigating Systems is the ability to successfully operate within the institutions and organizational structures (such as school, workplace, or community organizations) in one’s life. Successful learners and are those who are able to adapt to their environment and problem solve when issues arise.
Examples of activities in this category could include looking at and evaluating processes, evaluating and fitting into a particular environment, and understanding and breaking down policies. Teaching the skills in this category will assist the learner in understanding new experiences, and help them to become their own best advocate.
Sample Lessons – Navigating Systems (NS)
These lessons were created using a newly designed TIF lesson plan template. They include ideas for incorporating important topics like DEI (Diversity/Equity/Inclusion) and SEL (Social Emotional Learning), as well as strategies for adapting the lessons to a variety of delivery models.
TIF-Lens Series: “Zoom In” on Navigating Systems (NS)
TIF-Lens Webinars and Workshops provide hands-on practice using the A-C-E-S process to integrate TIF (Transitions Integration Framework) skills from the targeted category.
2020 Census Resources – NCL
In the spring of 2020, households across the United States will be asked to participate in the census. The National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) put together this collection of resources to help Adult Education professionals talk about the census and help learners understand why their participation is vitally important.
COVID-19 Lessons: Navigating Systems
The COVID-19 outbreak presents an unprecedented opportunity to help our students develop TIF (Transitions Integration Framework) skills as they try to understand everything that is going on. Here are a few of the ways that we can help our learners practice Navigating Systems skills.
Digital Citizenship Curriculum from Common Sense Education
This digital citizenship curriculum is helpful for teaching learners how to safely navigate online content. Lessons include topics such as why people publish misleading or false information online, how to interpret an online news article, and how to assess the validity of online information.
Federal Reserve Education – Navigating Systems
This is an excellent resource for teaching financial literacy and personal finance skills. The collection can be searched using keywords or by applying filters for audience, type, topic, or standards. No account is needed to access all the resources.
Paying for College Guide
According to the website, "For many people, how to pay for a college education is one of the first major financial decisions they'll make. These guides cover some of the big decisions you’ll face and will help you understand your options for financing your college education."
Right Question Institute
Resources to help students develop questioning skills that will enable them to get the answers that they need in order to navigate all of the systems in their lives.
Skills to Pay the Bills
This resource from the United States Department of Labor was designed to teach “soft” or workforce readiness skills. The materials are organized according to six key skill areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem solving and critical thinking, and professionalism.
Street Law
Street Law is a global, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization devoted to developing classroom and community resources that educate people about law and government. The Street Law Resource Library contains a vast array of teaching activities, lesson plans, case studies, and articles that are organized according to topic, audience, and type.
Teaching Skills That Matter – Navigating Systems
The Teaching Skills That Matter initiative provides high-quality teaching materials and instructional videos that highlight 9 skills that are essential for success in work and community life - including Navigating Systems. The lessons are also designed to build knowledge in 5 key content areas: Civics Education, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, Health Literacy, and Workplace Preparation. The toolkit lessons can be used with both native and non-native English speakers, and they were designed by national experts in each content area.