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From: "Bonnie Odiorne" <bodiorne@c4k.org>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:1657] Re: How is EFF being used in adult literacy?
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I had just begun to integrate EFF into tutor training workshops when I left
my position as Program Director at LVA-Greater Waterbury. I had first
presented the ideas in student and tutor in-services, and the reactions were
mixed. I didn't use the skills wheel or the "Blue Book," but a version of
the role maps, which people could easily grasp, and concentrate on what
skills might need to be developed from that, and then I would have taken it
further. Students were rather mystified about why we were making such a big
deal of this when all they wanted to do was learn English (or read or
whatever), and didn't easily grasp that they had to learn "with a purpose."
Tutors had an easier time because the training is already "student-centered"
with an emphasis on "language experience", realia, and teaching from
students' interests, needs and goals which would be determined from multiple
sources.
I would have changed the way I used it in tutor training workshops as
one approach among many to use it as a scaffolding for tutors' reflection on
their own learning experiences, and how they would extrapolate roles, common
activities, standards and the like to their own tutoring and student
learning.
I would also use role maps and common activities as scaffolding for
student interview questions during intake, and conversation starters for
tutors upon beginning with their students. My initial take was that this
would be a tough sell for tutors since it would require increased
accountability, which though necessary for accreditation, would add to their
time commitment. The language wasn't easily accessible and I found a need to
"translate." But that if the approach were done slowly and systematically as
you suggest, and which I didn't have the chance to develop, it would provide
tutors a little shaky on "curriculum" with a multitude of possible
approaches.
As for assessment, we're a "CASAS" state, and as such are measured by
standardized test score gains. But in terms of students' attaining goals and
objectives that can be documented by performance measures, it would seem
that as EFF develops its credibility in assessment, it would better support
even a standardized model that funders, and perhaps ultimately state levels
and National Reporting Service criteria might recognize. I would think that
EFF would work even better with individualized tutoring situations than it
might in even a small, flexible classroom situation. Hope this helps.
Bonnie Odiorne
Adult Basic Education/ESL Program Facilitator
Families Forward Through Technology
Computers 4 Kids
Waterbury, CT
bodiorne@c4k.org
----- Original Message -----
From: Jennifer Tetzlaff <jtetzlaf@snap.lib.ca.us>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2001 1:51 PM
Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:1655] How is EFF being used in adult literacy?
> Hi all,
> I find all the posting interesting and at times helpful. It seems most of
> the conversation and EFF strategies shared are involving the classroom or
> group setting. I am a program assistant for an adult literacy program and
> I work with volunteer tutors. These wonderful people work one-on-one with
> adults who read below the 8th grade level. My program is slowly and
> cautiously intergrating EFF into our tutor training, student interviews
> (intakes) and tutor discussion groups.
>
> Are there other adult literacy programs on this listserve?
> If so, how are you training your tutors to use EFF with their students?
> And are your tutors volunteers?
> Besides the role/goal map and the wheel, how are you using EFF for student
> assessment or intakes?
> What has been the response of your tutors and students?
> Lastly, are you using the language established by EFF Content Standards
> handbook? IF not, why?
>
> Thank you in advance for your responses.
>
> Jennifer Tetzlaff
> Solano Co.Library Literacy Program
> Vallejo, CA
> jtetzlaf@snap.lib.ca.us
>
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