Career Related Learning Experience [CRLE]
What is a CRLE?
A Career Related Learning Experience is a structured learning
experience in the community, workplace, or school that connects course
content with life and work beyond the classroom. A CRLE consists of
five essential components - inquiry, adult connection, product,
professional standards, and reflection - which require students to
apply knowledge and skills in a career context.
- Inquiry:
Student address an essential question related to the course content
that might be tackled by an adult in the workplace or community.
- Adult Connections: Student work with at least one adult with expertise in a relevant career field.
- Product: Students create a product that connects course content with life and work beyond the classroom.
- Professional Standards: Students demonstrate applicable Career Related Learning Standards and identify evidence in their work.
- Reflection: Students describe what they have learned.
The Purpose of a CRLE
The purpose of a CRLE is to provide students the opportunity to:
- Apply what they learn in school
- Tackle authentic problems and issues
- Encounter new ideas
- Be exposed to new adult role models
- Broaden their understanding of how different skills and knowledge are used
- Better understand themselves and their interest
CRLE Planner in Word [pdf]
CRLE Revision Tool in Word [pdf]
Career Related Learning Experience (CRLE) - Senior Seminar Experience (SSE) Comparison |
Common Concepts |
CRLE |
SSE |
Structure |
Teachers decide if students work individually, in a group, or as a class. |
Each student does an individual experience. |
| Inquiry |
Students address an essential question most often teacher developed. |
Students brainstorm and pose an essential question with personal meaning that frames the SSE |
| Working With Adults |
Some contact (via email, by phone, or in-person) with adults |
On-going collaboration with an adult community consultant |
| Creating a Product |
Evidence of learning is typically teacher prescribed and may be limited in complexity and scope due to shorter time frames. |
Product(s) is complex and requires mastery and appreciation of a wide range of skills. |
| Presentation |
Sharing of findings with teacher-determined audience. |
Formal exhibition before panel of teachers and community members. |
| Reflection |
Informal and/or formal reflection on process and learning. |
Inherent
in all SSE components addressing issues, challenges, and key learning,
including status reports and the reflective essay. |
