Return-Path: <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id eA7KoL913723; Tue, 7 Nov 2000 15:50:21 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 15:50:21 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <LAW2-F225XUqgNkcI4300008c3f@hotmail.com> Errors-To: rgspacone@worldnet.att.net Reply-To: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Eileen Eckert" <eileeneckert@hotmail.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:1250] Re: small group vs 1:1 X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Status: O Content-Length: 3406 Lines: 72 Vicki, I've worked with small groups and one-on-one both in tutoring situations and within large classes as a teacher. My preference is almost always for small groups over one-on-one, even in the context of continuous enrollment in which I've been working (when a new student enters the group, another student often takes on the role of tour guide and/or interpreter). Here's why, and I'll put it in EFF terms :) Since adult literacy learners often don't stay very long in our programs, and since those who do tend to get pretty dependent on their teachers (a result of the way we set up learning environments, I think), one of our most crucial tasks is to help them with what are categorized in the EFF Content Standards as Lifelong Learning Skills. In order to help students learn to take responsibility for their own learning, they should be given explicit instruction and practice in doing so. When they are not in class or in their tutoring sessions, chances are they won't have a teacher conveniently nearby to ask for help, but they probably will have a sibling or friend around somewhere. They should have practice learning from and with peers and building the confidence to find the information they need to solve problems on their own and "reflect and evaluate" to check that their solution is workable. A small group, where the instructor is there to provide scaffolding for the development and increasing independence of use of the skills, is a safe way to get that practice and build confidence. In addition, small group learning encourages the development of interpersonal and communication skills as well as more independence in decision-making skills. In a one-on-one with a teacher or tutor, there is almost always an imbalance of power in which the teacher is the one who knows and the student is the one who needs to soak up the wisdom of the teacher. In a small group, however, there is a greater likelihood that individual student strengths will emerge and students will, in turn, take on the role of teacher or "the one who knows." Eileen >From: Vicki Trottier <628091@ican.net> >Reply-To: nifl-4eff@nifl.gov >To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> >Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:1245] small group vs 1:1 >Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 09:04:21 -0500 (EST) > >Hi everyone >I'm doing some research about small group literacy. I'm interested in >why programs choose small group or 1:1 -- do you choose one over the >other or use a combination of both? > >If you use small groups, how do they work? (continuous intake, grouped >by area of interest or by level, etc.) Who decides on what goes on in >the group -- the facilitator, the learners or both? > >Are your small groups facilitated by volunteers or staff or both? What >is the rationale? > >Do you know of any good resources (either on the internet or in print >form) about small group literacy (including theory, best practice, >curriculum, etc.) > >Any information would be appreciated. You can e-mail me directly at >628091@ican.net. I can also be reached by fax at 705-672-4212. Thanks! > >Vicki Trottier >Community Literacy of Ontario > _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Mon Oct 29 2001 - 15:04:18 EST