Work Ethic
Work ethic is the demonstration of self discipline, the ability to map, plan, and generate a product; to be responsible to oneself and to others; and the constant, energetic application to study or work with the intention of achieving excellence.
The Air Traffic Control Project develops work ethic by requiring learners to solve several different challenges within the context of directing several landing airplanes to alter their speeds in order to avoid "crashes." Work ethic is required to complete the task, because finding the right solution requires significant trial-and-error (perseverance), and a commitment as a teammate to "doing it right" so that the performance is satisfactory. Maintaining focus on the task is necessary to avoid crashes. During the performance and several practice activities, learners have to "do it now," as limited time is available to make decisions. After experiencing the project, one student observed that work ethic was actually the key ingredient to success in the project.