[NIFL-AALPD:1252] teacher needs & the technology learning curve

From: jataylor (jataylor@utk.edu)
Date: Tue Mar 30 2004 - 12:10:30 EST


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Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1252] teacher needs & the technology learning curve
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Hi Beth, Jean, everyone,
I'm glad to see such energetic participation today! :)
Beth, you noted, "the course has been offered three quarters now and each 
quarter the instructors revised it to more completely meet the needs of the 
students. there is a waiting list each quarter and instructors who have been 
in the system for several years are asking to be admitted."

Could you tell us more about some of the needs of your students, and what 
changes were made based on those needs?

Further, have you or others who have implemented a new teacher orientation 
found that many of your new teachers to adult basic education and literacy 
were also teachers who may not have had much experience with technology?

The reason I ask is because Jean noted yesterday the additional challenges of 
older students and using technology:

"For some older folks, it's taking the ideas and figuring out how to implement 
them, and the technology takes an extra step because of the learning curve to 
use it. That may also be an impediment for our teachers. Historically Adult Ed 
has not been on the leading edge of technology so they may not have the 
experience with the tools to make it automatic."

Has anyone addressed this unique need of teachers in professional development 
online or at a distance?  If so, what changes did you make to address those 
needs?  If not, what changes can be made?

Thanks!
Jackie


>===== Original Message From nifl-aalpd@nifl.gov =====
>good morning,
>
>washington state adult education is exploring distance learning for abe/esl
>students.  as part of a pilot effort, able network staff designed and
>piloted an online "new teacher orientation".  this course helps instructors
>new to the system understand more about relationships - with the state
>office, their individual campus, and with other instructors at their site.
>there is some philosophy of adult education, lesson planning, etc. as some
>folks come to our system without the benefit of prior teaching experience.
>
>the course has been offered three quarters now and each quarter the
>instructors revised it to more completely meet the needs of the students.
>there is a waiting list each quarter and instructors who have been in the
>system for several years are asking to be admitted.  when this course was
>offered, there was not intent to move farther into the realm of online staff
>development.  however, with the success of the course, able network is
>exploring additional offerings online.
>
>beth wheeler, program administrator
>distance learning
>sbctc
>olympia, washington



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