High Performance Through Understanding Systems (The Learning-A-Living Library)

McGlothlin, Bruce

ISBN 10: 0823922103 ISBN 13: 9780823922109

Publisher: Rosen Pub Group, 1996

Synopsis

The school-to-work transition has never been easy. Now students need both traditional academic preparation and skills designed for success in the work world. This important series is the first of its kind to respond to the findings of the U.S. Secretary of Labor's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) competencies for students. These eight titles provide an accessible format for students to become familiar with these competencies and thus be better prepared for high performance in school, on the job, and in their future careers.

"Systems thinking" can be successfully applied to school and work to enhance performance. Readers learn how to understand and improve systems, predict outcomes, and diagnose problems.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up--Two general overviews targeted toward adolescents preparing to enter the work world immediately after high school graduation. McGlothlin defines a system as "any combination of elements that operate together and form a whole." He looks at family, school, and the work world and encourages young people to examine the relationships between people and processes within the social, organizational, and technological systems they encounter every day. The author presents information on how systems are constructed and how effective employees understand and help improve them through creativity and initiative. The text is a bit more technical and cumbersome than in Communicating Information and may be a turnoff for some students. Rosen discusses the basics of verbal and written communication and the importance of being an active listener, and cites various examples of how good skills can help remedy a situation while poor ones can exacerbate a problem. Despite the use of a large, clear typeface to aid readability, the pages are type intensive and lack variety. The average-to-poor quality, black-and-white and full-color photographs are merely decorative. While suitable for large public libraries, these books will be of most use to guidance counselors or school librarians as part of a broader curriculum supplemented with other materials.

Joan Soulliere, Wenham Public Library, MA

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Rosen Pub Group
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0823922103
• ISBN 13: 9780823922109
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 64