JobScout - A TRAIL Initiative


		A TRAIL INITIATIVE
	What is JobScout?
	What is JobScout?

JobScout is a web and mobile platform that uses game design to teach and reinforce digital literacy skills by:

➡	Engaging users in self-paced online activities;
➡	Assisting users in mastering these skills to apply online for a job; and
➡	Enabling users to network on and offline.

Who is the target audience?

The target user community in the pilot phase is anyone seeking a job in California.
The platform was build to accommodate skills levels that may include:

➡	Users without digital literacy competency;
➡	Users with limited digital literacy skills;
➡	Users who may be overwhelmed by the diversity and amount of online job resources that are to complex to navigate and manage; and
➡	Users who desire a streamlined resource offering and management tools for their job hunt.

Where is JobScout available?

JobScout will be accessible 24/7 online with a mobile version of the site available for web-enabled phones.

In the slim beta phase, launching December 7, 2011, the JobScout team will work with more than 130 California public libraries through Q2 2012. V.2 of the platform will include all California public libraries starting in Q3 2012. The V.2 implementation will include partnerships with community based organizations, rolling out through 2013.

What features are being launched in the slim beta version of JobScout?

➡	Interactive lesson content, teaching users skills ranging from how to use a web browser to fill out an application for a job online;
➡	A Resume Builder function to help create a resume;
➡	Auto-population features to enable users to avoid redundancies in filling out job applications online;
➡	Skills assessment to help position users at the right entry level to the platform; and
➡	A system that will "learn as you go," making sure users remain engaged and avoid being overwhelmed by platform content.

What will the user experience be like?

Learners will experience digital literacy learning activities in a game environment that is consistent with the Basis Digital Literacy Skills Framework developed and supported by the State of California.

The platform allows the user to assume the role of a "scout", searching for digital literacy skills to find employment. Imagine learners on a discovery trail with the guidance of a master scout being able to navigate through many digital literacy skills activities, mastering each point and reaching the destination successfully to achieve their badge.

Why use social gaming?

People love games. Sixty-seven percent of American households play games. Learning digital literacy skills should be fun and engaging.

The badges, points and other game elements to JobScout provide opportunities to new experiences and a sense of accomplishment for users in learning tasks, something that has worked well with offline training .

This is not just about playing a game for the sake of playing a game. Rather than just playing a game to win points, JobScout will lead users through activities where the result will be that they have completed a resume, successfully uploaded it, can use online databases to find a job and are collaborating and networking online with peers.

What are JobScout’s Goals?

➡	Users interact with each other, and this interaction facilitates the job search;
➡	Users increasingly access the resources on the site;
➡	Users finish all the lessons with the JobScout program;
➡	Users continue to interact with the program once the lessons are complete;
➡	Users turn in a certain number of applications online;
➡	Users find a job; and
➡	Users are equipped with a toolkit to move forward in the job market, and most importantly, the information economy.

What is the larger vision for JobScout?

JobScout is the first application launched under the TRAIL platform.

TRAIL platforms use social gaming and standards of the social web to create a safe and accessible entry point for users to engage in a situated learning environment in the ever expanding information economy.

TRAIL’s platforms are being built to track user progress and intelligently identify what lessons and opportunities should be provided to users. The system will “learn as you go,” providing relevant and meaningful education content to the individual user.

JobScout is available at jobscout.caltrail.com.

it's so easy.