AleNewDesignsOnlineDistanceLearning1
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From: reders@pdx.edu
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1099] Re: New Designs in Online and Distance Learning -- your questions
Date: November 17, 2008 2:38:04 PM EST
Thanks, Sherri. I tried to describe in my initial response how a "learning support system" like the Learner Web differs from other types of online products. You can also find some information about that on the project website, www.learnerweb.org <http://www.learnerweb.org/> . We hope that a variety of organizations will develop Learning Plans for various life-skills. As developers of the Learner Web platform, we want to encourage and support others to develop content for it. That is already happening in the areas of family literacy and college transition, for example. Anyone interested in possibly developing Learning Plans in other areas should contact me (reders@pdx.edu).
-Steve
From: DJRosen@theworld.com
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1100] Re: Learner Web's Learning Plans
Date: November 17, 2008 6:17:47 PM EST
Steve,
I wonder if you could briefly describe a couple of the LW Learning Plans, perhaps one being developed by a LW region or collaboration of regions, and another being developed by an individual or organization. I find this process of collaborative courriculum development at the regional and national level one of the LW's most interesting features. It is rare that adult education teacher/curriculum developers from different parts of the country have an opportunity to work together in this way.
David
David J. Rosen
Special Topics Discussion Moderator
djrosen@theworld.com
From: katherine.gotthardt@gmail.com
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1101] Re: New Designs in Online and Distance Learning -- your questions
Date: November 17, 2008 7:10:39 PM EST
Yes, this does help, and you answered my second question in your introduction. You're good! : )
From: JUDY.MORTRUDE@spps.org
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1102] Re: Learner Web's Learning Plans
Date: November 17, 2008 7:55:46 PM EST
Steve
As one of the Learner Web pilot sites, St. Paul has learned this about Learner Web -- it isn't Rosetta Stone or Lifetime Library or any other computer-assisted instruction.
Rather, the learning plans are evolving structures that our agencies (libraries, community based organizations, school district, workforce centers, etc) will implement to support the adult learner as s/he moves around and through the systems of our community.
It's what makes Learner Web difficult to describe but ultimately so powerful.
Judy Mortrude
ABE Supervisor
Saint Paul Adult Learning
From: kathy_borgone@nbps.k12.nj.us
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1103] Re: Learner Web's Learning Plans
Date: November 17, 2008 10:21:48 PM EST
Judy
As one of the pilot sites for the Learner Web, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts. You said it was a "powerful" tool. That leads me to believe that you are very encouraged based on what you have seen thus far . I teach ABE and ESL and was wondering if you were equally pleased with the potential interaction students could have with the Learner Web?
Thanks!!
M. Kathy Borgone - Instructor
New Brunswick Public Schools
ADULT LEARNING CENTER
268 Baldwin St. 2nd Fl.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
From: reders@pdx.edu
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1104] Re: Learner Web and digital literacy
Date: November 18, 2008 2:14:43 AM EST
Tom - great questions. We will have multimedia materials (e.g., videos showing how to do things on LW) to help Learners with basic digital literacy and navigation skills for the LW. We also hope that various types of assistants (including telephone-based Helpers) can help adults get started using the LW. For example, an adult walks into a public library and the reference librarian notices that the adult has trouble reading some of the materials of interest. The librarian might sit down with the adult, make them a LW account on the spot, help them get started with an appropriate Learning Plan and show them how to get help when it's needed. All of these things may scaffold some adult with weak computer skills to get started. But how low a skill level can be effectively scaffolded in this way? We don't know yet but should have more information about this as our piloting process continues.
Hope this helps a bit.
-Steve
From: reders@pdx.edu
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1105] Re: Learner Web's Learning Plans<br?
Date: November 18, 2008 2:30:25 AM EST
David - I'd be glad to mention a couple examples. The National College Transition Network (NCTN) is developing a Learning Plan to support the successful transition of adult education students into postsecondary institutions. An example of cross-site collaboration on a Learning Plan would be that between the St. Paul Literacy Consortium and Union County College in New Jersey, who are working together on Learning Plans for preparation for specific career tracks.
In general, Learning Plan designers can set attributes on their plans so that they can be shared by other Regions implementing Learner Web. We hope this sharing of Learning Plans will encourage organizations and communities to develop still more Learning Plans. Our partners are engaged in an interesting discussion about how we will maintain content quality standards in our Learning Plans and their associated Resources. A number of alternative processes are being considered.
-Steve
From: Gary.Upham@maine.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1107] Re: Special Topics Digest, Vol 26, Issue 8
Date: November 18, 2008 7:06:49 AM EST
I am the principal at the Maine State Prison, where we have an active education department but little resources available. I also am President Elect of the Maine Adult Corrections association. Due to the nature of this program our access for inmates (which demographically would have about 25-50% of a population that could use this program), is not available through the web. How can we access and is it a possibility to create a special program for this population? My goal is that all facilities would have access to programs like this in a secure web environment.
Thanks
Gary Upham/MSP
From: jfleischman@scoe.net
Subject: [SpecialTopics 1108] U.S.A. Learns overview
Date: November 16, 2008 4:08:13 PM EST
U.S.A Learns – A New Web Resource to Help Immigrants Learn English
On November 7, 2008, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), U.S. Department of Education announced the availability of U.S.A. Learns – a new Web site to help immigrants learn English (www.usalearns.org). The site was developed by Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) in conjunction with the University of Michigan and Project IDEAL, as part of a larger project on technology innovations and distance learning for adult education (www.adultedonline.org).
U.S.A. Learns is a free ESL instructional program developed primarily for immigrant adults with limited English language skills who cannot attend traditional classroom programs because of difficulty with schedules, transportation, or other barriers. The site offers practice activities in listening, reading, writing and speaking skills as well as life skills necessary for success at work and in the community. All instructional materials are online; there are no videos, workbooks, or other materials for printing. Learners can use U.S.A. Learns independently or under the auspices of a tutor or teacher. The potential learner might work from home, a public library, or a workplace setting.
Three Courses of Study
The U.S.A. Learns Web site consists of 3 distinct programs:
- First English Course: 20 video-based, beginner-level units - Second English Course: 17 video-based, intermediate-level units - Practice English and Reading: 42 intermediate-level stories and activities
The First English Course in intended for beginning-level learners functioning at NRS levels 2-3. These students are often considered Low Beginning to High Beginning ESL.
The Second English Course is intended for learners functioning at NRS levels 4-5, generally considered Low Intermediate to High Intermediate ESL. Some aspects of this course may contain slightly lower and higher level material. Those familiar with English for All developed by SCOE will recognize the Second English Course as an upgrade and expansion of that popular online course.
The activities in the Practice English and Reading section will be beneficial to ABE and GED students, as well as immigrants building their English skills. The stories in this section are designed to build vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Computer Skills and Technical Requirements
Learners do not need advanced computer skills to use U.S.A. Learns. Our usability testing to date indicates that learners with fairly limited computer skills and only moderate educational attainment in their native country can do well in the program.
Basic computer skills needed to navigate the learning activities: - Mouse (click and scroll) - Keyboard (letters, punctuation, backspace, shift key, space bar) - Web browser (open a browser, navigate a basic Web site, click buttons and links)
Hardware Requirements
The U.S.A. Learns site is accessible from almost any computer with a fast Internet connection. U.S.A. Learns will not operate via a dial-up modem connection.
Learners need a computer with: - A fast broadband Internet connection (384 Kbps or faster). - An up-to-date Web browser with the Flash plug-in. - A sound card. - Speakers or headphones.
A microphone connected to the computer is recommended for speaking practice, but use of the microphone is optional.
School or Classroom Use
The wide bandwidth requirements for U.S.A. Learns make it unsuitable for use in classrooms or computer labs. Even with a fast Internet connection in the school or lab, simultaneous use by as few as three learners could slow the program to a crawl and make the learning experience frustrating.
The Role of Teachers and Tutors with U.S.A. Learns
U.S.A. Learns is designed primarily for individual distance learning outside of the traditional classroom. But a tutor or teacher can use the Web site's learning management system to create an online class and support one or more students in their studies. The learning management system enables educators to view students' work and provide feedback online.
Teacher management features allow teachers to: - Create an online class. - Print an instruction document to help learners sign up for the online class. - Monitor a student's progress and scores. - Score and comment on writing assignments. - Post messages to the online class.
To access the management system, go to www.usalearns.org/teacher. Students who enroll in an online class with a teacher go to www.usalearns.org/class.
One of the appeals of distance learning is the freedom it gives students to study at their own pace and at times and places convenient to their busy everyday schedules. However, it also removes the social support of a classroom teacher and fellow students who offer encouragement, feedback and motivation. Teachers and tutors of U.S.A. Learns will need to develop strategies to support and motivate students to stay focused on their learning needs and goals in the online learning environment.
The official fact sheet on U.S.A. Learns can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/factsh/usa-learns-fs_0811.pdf
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