Return-Path: <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id i2TFojm24994; Mon, 29 Mar 2004 10:50:45 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 10:50:45 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <00f401c415a5$24734de0$0b00a8c0@DDQPYT21> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Art LaChance" <arthur@ellijay.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1227] Re: participating online or at a distance X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 3549 Lines: 80 I entered adult literacy back in the late 80's. At that point most of us couldn't even spell adult literacy. All we were trying to do was help folks learn to do math better or maybe build up reading and writing skills. The majority of people involved were retired school teachers from local churches or community clubs who had organized volunteer programs. I got involved in response to a friends suggestion that the program needed help. There was no "training". I remember clearly my first day. I walked into the evening classroom and was greeted by an elderly gentleman, husband of the retired school teacher organizer of the church program. He smiled and asked if he could help me and I told him I'd like to volunteer as a tutor. He asked if I had a GED or HS diploma, I told him I had a BS in Occupational Ed. He stepped asided and said "OK, go ahead ", and motioned me into the large room with about 10 students sitting at tables. At the time the various lists became available via NIFL the only information gathering options were to participate in the limited state provided staff development or somehow get engaged with the higher institutions in some sort of practitioner inquiry project. Staff development consisted primarily of K12 philosophically based curriculum delivery options, while virtually all of the computer based delivery systems were designed for middle school students. I became interested in the lists mainly as a means of acquiring validation for issues that we were experiencing in the classroom. Issues that violated standard K12 "education" philosophy. What I discovered from discussions on the lists was that a very large proportion of our adult literacy field is locked into that which they know best, or the K12 processes. We are changing, albeit slowly and painfully, to discussion and philosophy that is far more relevant to adult level learning. Additionally, State provided training is gradually adapting over to what is needed vs what is popular. I guess one could cruise the internet and research applicable self training options but how would one identify that which is relevant? I think most of us rely on administrators to provide training to help improve the efficiency of our efforts. Art Art LaChance Gilmer Learning Center Ellijay,Ga ----- Original Message ----- From: "jataylor" <jataylor@utk.edu> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 9:42 AM Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1225] participating online or at a distance > Hello Everyone! > This question is for any/all of us on the list. > Our experiences in participating in professional development online are as > important as our experiences in developing/delivering online PD. Some may > feel it is more important. With that in mind, I cannot think of a better > place to start! > > What have been your experiences in *participating* in professional development > online or at a distance? (Examples include online courses, webcasting, > videoconferening, audioconferencing, discussion lists, email, chat sessions, > etc.) Why did/do you participate online or at a distance, versus other > options? > > Please describe the professional development experience(s). What stood out to > you? What aspects/features of the online or distance professional development > did/do you like or not like? What can be done to improve the learning > experience? How do these experiences compare to your experiences with other > types of professional development? > > > Thanks! > Jackie >
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