[NIFL-HEALTH:3836] Re: using computers for adult literacy education

From: Mark V. Williams, MD (mwillia@emory.edu)
Date: Fri Dec 13 2002 - 20:11:42 EST


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From: "Mark V. Williams, MD" <mwillia@emory.edu>
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Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3836] Re: using computers for adult literacy education
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This is terrific and visionary!

*******************************
Mark V. Williams, MD, FACP
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Hospital Medicine Unit
Executive Medical Director, EHCA
Emory Healthcare
 
President, National Association of Inpatient Physicians
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-health@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-health@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of
Ellen Loebl
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 6:49 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3835] Re: using computers for adult literacy
education

In Santa Clara County, we have a unique partnership. The county hospital
has
partnered with the county library's adult literacy program and a health
library to offer a center inside the hospital where patrons can find
health
information in three languages (English, Spanish, and Vietnamese).
Patrons
can research their health using print, audio, and video materials, as
well
as the Internet. Many items in the collection are marked with a special
sticker that identifies them as low level health literacy materials.

Vision Literacy's adult learners can drop in to the center to use basic
literacy phonics software or to use the Internet. We have bookmarked
health
literacy websites and literacy websites. Staff members at the Community
Learning Center are there to offer assistance to any learners or patrons
who
need help using the computers.

This Center opened in May 2001. In April 2002 we opened the second
center in
the rural southern part of Santa Clara County.

We also offer a drop-in basic literacy class at PlaneTree Health
Library's
main site, mostly for learners in substance abuse treatment programs who
are
referred by counselors, probation officers, and judges. We have seen
dramatic results from this weekly class with people who are captivated
by
learning how to use computers and to conduct research on the Internet.
Most
of them have never used computers before conducting research on what
happens
with amphetamine use or on how to prevent HIV. One learner had trouble
following the steps listed to search on the Internet, so he drew
pictures of
all the icons on each screen that he needed to click on. He is very
confident now in his ability to navigate on the Internet.

For more information about the three partners, please see
www.visionliteracy.org, www.planetreesanjose.org, and www.scvmed.org.

Ellen Loebl
Assoc. Manager of Curriculum and Instruction
Vision Literacy (formerly the Reading Program)

40 N. Milpitas Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035

408.293.2326 x 3070
408.322.7956 (numeric pager)
4087987201.1123873@pagenet.net (text pager)

www.visionliteracy.org


-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-health@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-health@nifl.gov]On Behalf Of
David J. Rosen
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 1:42 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3832] Re: using computers for adult literacy
education


  Hello Cynthia,

Computers are used as part of adult literacy education programs in many
places across the U.S., including some workplace literacy/workplace
education programs.  There are many different ways in which they can be
used with success,  However, they should be integrated into an education
program with face-to-face instruction.  Computers can be used to
supplement instruction, they can be used as tools as part of learning
projects, and they can be used in "mixed-model" or "supported" distance
learning programs.  But in all cases an essential ingredient is
including good face-to-face teaching.

Here's one example.  In Massachusetts we have several early childhood
education programs where teachers want to improve their reading and
writing skills -- and their computer literacy, too.  We provide
face-to-face instruction at the worksite and also access to a Web-based,
contextualized reading and writing skills curriculum. The content is
early childhood education and family literacy.  The goals are to help
teachers improve their reading and writing skills so they can succeed in
entering and completing community college courses.  We have many other
examples of this kind of "supported distance learning" or
"anywhere/anytime ABE learning" in Massachusetts.  If you want I can
suggest how to follow up on these other models.

And there are some examples of workplace education programs in
healthcare facilities where computers are an important part of the
model.  For example, St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston has had a basic
skills program for its employees for many years that includes a computer
lab for those with limited English proficiency and/or who want to
improve their basic skills. It's called "Computers as Tutors" and is
under their Workforce Education program.  The contact is the Manager of
Education and Training, Priscilla Sullivan.

All the best,

David

David J. Rosen

Baur, Cynthia wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I made a presentation to a science educators' group at NIH this
morning,
and
>someone asked me if there are organizations using computers to teach
adult
>literacy. This is not computer or technical literacy but adult literacy
>education via computers. I would appreciate any information I can pass
on.
>Thanks.
>
>Cynthia Baur
>HHS
>
>



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