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39-2011.00 · Learning planner

Animal Trainers: a task-based learning plan

Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.

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Understand the profile before choosing priorities

The table shows the ten highest importance ratings among 30 skills with usable ratings. Skills tied on importance can share a rank. Importance (1–5) and level (0–7) describe different dimensions. A level of 4 is not 4/7 of a course, and neither scale is your personal score. Source dates refer to the underlying rating, not the database release date.

SkillImportance / 5Level / 7Rating date
Instructing3.753.1207/2014 · Analyst
Learning Strategies3.503.8807/2014 · Analyst
Speaking3.503.0007/2014 · Analyst
Critical Thinking3.383.3807/2014 · Analyst
Active Learning3.253.1207/2014 · Analyst
Monitoring3.123.5007/2014 · Analyst
Active Listening3.123.0007/2014 · Analyst
Judgment and Decision Making3.122.8807/2014 · Analyst
Social Perceptiveness3.003.0007/2014 · Analyst
Coordination3.003.0007/2014 · Analyst

Anchor the plan in an actual task

Choose one reported task you want to understand better. Then choose one to three skills and describe an appropriate learning activity, evidence you will review and a date. For practical work requiring authorization, choose relevant coursework, observation or supervised training.

Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 4: Instruct a coworker in how to operate a software program

Level 2: Instruct a new employee in the use of a timekeeping system

How would you explain one step, observe a practice attempt and give useful feedback?

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 4: Identify an alternative approach to help trainees who are having difficulties

Level 2: Learn a different method of completing a task from a coworker

Which practice activity and feedback would help you learn this task, and how would you check progress?

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 2: Greet tourists and explain tourist attractions

Level 4: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history

How would you explain the task, audience needs and next step in a short conversation?

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 4: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses

Level 2: Determine whether a subordinate has a good excuse for being late

What assumption could change your conclusion, and what evidence would you check first?

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 4: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements

Level 2: Think about the implications of a news article for job opportunities

What new information would change your approach, and how would you record the change?

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 4: Monitor a meeting and revise the agenda to ensure important topics are discussed

Level 2: Proofread and correct a letter

What result or exception would you inspect during the task, and when would you revisit it?

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 2: Take a customer's order

Level 4: Answer inquiries regarding credit references

What would you ask the other person to clarify, and how would you confirm you understood?

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 2: Decide how scheduling a break will affect work flow

Level 4: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk

Which options, constraints and consequences would you compare, and what could change the choice?

Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 2: Notice that customers are angry because they have been waiting too long

Level 4: Be aware of how a coworker's promotion will affect a work group

What perspective or concern might another person bring to this task?

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for animal trainers.

Level 2: Schedule appointments for a medical clinic

Level 4: Work with others to put a new roof on a house

Who would need what information, and at which handoff would timing matter?

Review the result

Your plan should explain why the selected skills matter for your chosen task, what you will do next and what evidence you will examine. Revisit the plan after that activity. Completing a worksheet or matching an occupation’s ratings does not establish professional competence.

Keep your worksheet

Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.