[NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:2961] NRS and tracking time on task in DL

From: Frances Keenan (fkeenan@pbs.org)
Date: Tue Jul 22 2003 - 10:00:45 EDT


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From: "Frances Keenan" <fkeenan@pbs.org>
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Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:2961] NRS and tracking time on task in DL
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I am posting this for Cameron Cox of Intelecom (FK):

I saw your post on NIFL-TECH (see below).  As we roll out our family
literacy series, Madison Heights and Lifelines, the issue of tracking is
coming up all the time.  In fact, it is an issue that has been out there
since Crossroads Cafe debuted in 1996 (the CA 5% projects, for example).
But accountability under NRS, etc. is in full swing now, and rubber is
now meeting road at the program level.  As a result we are seeing more
and more innovative, often rudimentary ideas for tracking
time-on-task....per video, per worktext unit, per activity, etc.  

We will be making some sample tracking forms created by pilot programs
available online at www.intelecom.org/ilrn.  Between time-on-task, pre-
and post- measurements and benchmarking, assessment using CASAS, BEST,
TABE, PEP, other State-created standards....then trying to align all of
that with NRS....there's a whirlwind of activity this way.  And
confusion.  And exhaustion.  But the programs are rolling up their
sleeves.  It will be interesting to see how things shake out and shape
up.  

I would should share this info in NIFL-TECHNOLOGY, but I can only
receive posts.  I can't reply to the group.

Cameron Cox



-----Original Message-----
From: David J. Rosen [mailto:DJRosen@theworld.com] 
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 7:08 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:2945] Re: National Reporting System Assessment
for DL students


Fran, Marian and others,

There may be many solutions to this problem.  In SDL, as compared with 
pure DL, it might not be a big problem.  If students come for a 
face-to-face orientation, and periodically for face-to-face 
instruction, they could also take the same standardized pre- and 
post-assessments that classroom-based students take. This could be made 
clear as a requirement when students choose to enroll. This is the 
model we have used in the pilot sites in the Massachusetts Anywhere 
Anytime ABE DL program.  Also, it's worth noting that the British Open 
University, the grandmother of pure DL, offering college courses to 
adults all over the world, requires students to pass a proctored 
face-to-exam at the end of the course for credit.

Another possibility might be to use the NRS Project-based learning 
option.  Has anyone offering SDL (or DL) done that?

David J. Rosen
NIFL-Technology Guest Moderator
DJRosen@theworld.com


On Thursday, July 17, 2003, at 06:42 PM, Marian Thacher wrote:

> Fran Keenan writes:
>> I'm interested in whether anyone has ideas for how the NRS can take 
>> DL into account. If adult learners are doing all or some of their 
>> learning outside of the classroom, how is it getting tracked? What do

>> these states who are investing in DL for adult education do? How are 
>> peope measuring the effect of distance learning?
>
> Well, that's the magic question. If anybody has an answer, I want to
> hear
> it! Assessment for DL is the big issue. I know here in Sacramento in 
> San
> Juan Unified they have an extensive TV broadcast DL program. They
track
> the equivalent of "seat time" by a formula of so many minutes for each
> lesson completed, so many for coming to orientation, so many for a 
> phone
> call, and email etc. A similar formula is being used for the online
> students.
>
> But as far as measuring learning gain, the only way they have right
> now is
> mailed in student work and portfolio assessment. The students are 
> learning
> via TV because they can't come to school, and they can't come for 
> testing
> either. Some will come in if invited, and offered an incentive such as

> a
> bus pass, but many won't. What's the solution?
>
> Marian Thacher, OTAN
> www.otan.us




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