Return-Path: <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h6HNGo700729; Thu, 17 Jul 2003 19:16:51 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 19:16:51 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <fc.004c56fb017295f93b9aca003c5eb9e6.1729728@scoe.net> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Marian Thacher" <mthacher@otan.us> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:2946] Re: Tech21 Project X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Status: O Content-Length: 2560 Lines: 48 Thanks, David. English for All is a great resource. The quality of the videos is very good, and the web site is free. (The content was developed by Los Angeles USD. One of the advantages of being in LA is lots of talented out-of-work actors!) The content of the lessons includes lots of cultural information about how to survive, defend your rights, and thrive in the US. Some teachers are using the materials in a supported distance learning format, but many are also using it in a lab setting, or showing the videos in the classroom. Several states are disseminating information and materials on EFA as part of their professional development. Because there's a lot of video, if you don't have a fast Internet connection it's better to get the CDs. Then the website pulls the video from the CD instead of trying to stream it from the Internet. In the SDL format, the biggest issue, after assessment, is community-building. Tommy is right that it does require a level of language AND computer sophistication to make use of communication tools such as a bulletin board, instant messaging, or chat. It seems to me that in order to get lower level students comfortable and proficient with these, you need some face-to-face time before they go off on their own. Some programs in California have done a good job of teaching an online class in a lab setting. This sounds funny, but, for example, the students from two different ESL labs in Long Beach "meet" once a week in the class chat room and discuss their weekly vocabulary exercise. They are in the same rooms with each other, so they can help each other as needed, but they are also kind of experiencing the anonymity of chat, so that even the more shy students can express themselves. These students are then much more able in the future to enroll in an online class and make use of the various modes of communication, because they experienced them in a safe and supportive environment the first time. I think this hybrid model might turn out to be a key for us in preparing our students to take advantage of SDL. Marian Thacher, OTAN www.otan.us David Rosen writes: >Marian, > >Thanks for sharing this information about the Tech21 Project. I am >very interested in English for All. As a free, online course with video >segments (also available on videotape) I think it deserves our >attention here. Tell us more about it if you wish. Or if other >subscribers have questions, feel free to ask them and perhaps Marian -- >or others who have used English for All -- will be able to answer them.
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