West Des Moines Community Schools Community Education

Grasp how good HR is not just following rules, but increasing productivity, employee satisfaction, retention, and organizational success. Find out the most common rules most unintentionally violated. Know when to seek an HR professional. Conquer three of the most common tasks managers face with HR: Onboarding; Talent Development; and meeting Organizational Goals. Whether you work with a small organization or a large one with HR specialists, you play a critical role in creating a positive HR environment. Interact with an experienced non-HR manager. Position yourself with the ability to deal with the most common issues with your employees. Be versed in the rules and best HR practices every manager needs to know. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Explore key workplace laws and leadership enhancement skills that are needed in today’s work environment. Acquire the best methods to solve difficult situations and disruptive employees. Learn how to use company policies to set employee boundaries. Acquire the ability to detect and address threatening behavior. Come away with an understanding of how to employ rules and positive responses to create a worker friendly supportive environment. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Take back the tools to enhance employee performance and engagement and develop crucial skills to manage poor performance. It forms the basis for confident, effective team management, ensuring you lead with assurance, making the right decisions without fear of escalating issues. This course is pivotal in developing the confidence essential for effective leadership. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Especially for Gen Y (born 1980-1999), the course serves as the first of three in a series addressing the development of Generation Y leadership. Find out what it takes to become an effective leader. Discover your style of leadership. Discuss task completion, building relationships with your subordinates, becoming socially perceptive to changes in the workplace, utilizing your emotions in a positive and effective manner, and addressing challenging goals. Finally, the course offers the opportunity to perform a case study analysis of workplace conflicts that require effective leadership, allowing you to apply your unique leadership characteristics revealed through completing the class. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Especially for future and emerging leaders in Gen Y, come discover the key concepts of being a leader and the best strategies for developing your leadership skills and influence. Learn the unspoken secrets that leaders know and the strategies they employ/exhibit in for influencing others. Leadership skills are acquired and learned. The action takes place in attending meetings, running meetings, interacting with others 1:1, and employing successful techniques to convince and influence others. You can become a leader if you know the do’s and don’ts; what to say, what not to say; what to do, what not to do. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of reading the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Have you ever wondered how do I get to that next level in my career? What does it take? This course will help you identify those skills that all great leaders possess, while learning new skills that will help take you to the next level. Whether you are leading a department or a organization you will gain the knowledge you need to be successful. Learn how to incorporate a developed image and communication skills that will rocket you to that next level. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of reading the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Enhance your management skills through this course for supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders. Nothing creates success like a solid foundation. Discover the keys for effectively managing your employees. Find out how to create clear expectations, engage and motivate employees, and increase your effectiveness. By the end of the course you will be managing like a pro - quickly and with confidence. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Move your management style and abilities to the cutting-edge of successful practice. Shatter issues and meet both organizational goals and employee satisfaction and productivity. Take advantage of your opportunity to develop new strategies to enhance your management skills. Conquer a new management skillset that will last a lifetime. Advance from challenges to solutions for your organization, and your career. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Get an understanding of managing workers in different generations in the workplace. Discover what motivates each generation at work, what incentives they respond to, and what messages they value. Generations X and Y are significantly different than the Boomer generation. Each generation has different expectations and styles of work in the workplace. Come explore the characteristics of the different generations in the workplace. Discover the current motivations of Boomers, Gen Xers and Gen Yers and what messages they value. Then Identify practical, how-to tips and techniques for managing Boomers, Gen Xers, and Gen Yers in the workplace. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Six Sigma methods have been successfully deployed in many industries and organizations. This challenging Introduction to Six Sigma Green Belt course teaches critical skills required for Six Sigma practitioners. This first course in the certification program explains the basic terms and proven Six Sigma problem-solving methods, team building tools, and descriptive statistics that are the basis for the statistical tools that contribute to the success of improvement projects and to the overall success of your organization. Topics covered include Lean Principles, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Team Tools, Project Charters, and Basic Statistical Tools. The instructor uses the “flipped” classroom technique and expects participants to go beyond the classroom and use the internet and other resources to learn the material. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

To be successful, organizations must manage by fact. As such, organizations depend on the measurement and analysis of performance to make key decisions that affect the organization. This Intermediate Six Sigma Green Belt course builds on the ideas and skills learned in the Introduction to Six Sigma Green Belt course that organizations use, specifically their Six Sigma teams, to improve. In this second course in the certification program, participants will learn process analysis, data collection and analysis, probability and valid statistical conclusions, and hypothesis testing. Many participants find this course to be the most challenging of the certification courses. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

The final course in the Six Sigma Green Belt program is the Advanced Six Sigma Greenbelt course which teaches participants to improve and control processes. Topics included in this course include hypothesis testing, design of experiments, and statistical process control. Participants will have to apply the concepts learned in the Introduction and Intermediate Six Sigma Green Belt courses. The instructor will share many handouts, spreadsheets, and web links that have tools participants will use while completing Six Sigma projects. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Your employees are your most valuable resources. Ensuring the efficiency of your team is the key to your success and is your most important responsibility. Get practical, easy to understand, and insightful methods for new and even experienced supervisors and managers. Learn about effective delegation, performance management, and writing performance reviews. Discuss the specifics of the supervisor's role and responsibilities, and strategies for improving your overall effectiveness as a leader. Take home practical information along with tips and techniques that can be applied at your job immediately. To progress through this course you will: Read the print readings. Have the option of accessing the online readings. Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides. Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned. Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants. The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience. Discussion: The discussion for each unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night. Your instructor will log into the discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants. We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.