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 i9QKrHa00688; Tue, 26 Oct 2004 16:53:17 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 16:53:17 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <p05200f4bbda467c48afd@[128.118.94.106]> 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: Eunice Askov <ena1@psu.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3329] Re: The tech we use X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" Status: O Content-Length: 5862 Lines: 151 I enjoyed David's description of the Office simulation software. Simulations are a powerful way to teach literacy skills because they require problem solving and they are contextual. The Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy at Penn State in the early 90s created "A Day in the Life..." computer simulation. It was distributed by Curriculum Associates. It just went out of print because the publisher did not want to update the software. It posed simulated workplace problems involving literacy skills in the contexts of retail, maintenance, clerical, health, and customer service jobs. At any point that a student could not perform the task, s/he was referred into an instructional module (also contextual). We also developed assessment modules for each job context. It actually sold very well for about 10 years, but clearly the technology needed to be updated. We had lots of good testimonials on its use in schools and community colleges as I recall. We wanted to move to a web-based format, but the publisher decided that the investment was too big. I still think it was a good idea. Are there other simulations that people have found useful? Nickie Askov, Penn State >Thanks Marian and David. How about others of us? > >What is one use of technology in adult literacy/basic education/ESOL >that you are very excited about? It could be something cutting edge, >or something that has been around for awhile but which you have figured >out how to make especially useful in your program(s). Please describe >your population of learners and under what circumstances you have used >it with them and had success. > >Best, >Mariann > > >At 05:23 PM 10/25/2004 -0400, you wrote: >>Hello Mariann and others, >> >>I recently did a workshop with a group of teachers in New Jersey. They >>picked out software from my Recommended Software list >> >> http://home.comcast.net/%7Edjrosen/software.html >> >> and, in pairs, reviewed one piece and reported on it to their >>colleagues. Much of the software they reviewed was free, and available >>online. >> >>A couple of groups reviewed _The Office_ and they loved it. I confess >>that it is one of my favorites, too. >> >>Created by Mike Hillinger, a software developer in Vermont, with a >>grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and >>Adult Education, this free online basic skills simulation places you in >>an office setting. To your left is your computer with "review customer >>accounts," "new mail" and "spreadsheet" icons. In front of you is a >>phone, rolodex, calculator and in-basket. To your right are job aids >>and company information books. Everything is interactive. Pick up the >>phone, click on the calculator to compute or the rolodex to open an >>address database. Send e-mail to your boss or a client. Research >>information in the reference books. >> >>But this is not a job skills training program. Its purpose is not to >>teach secretarial skills, but rather to teach reading, writing and >>numeracy in the context of an office. >> >>You can set the pace -- from "beginner" to "hits the fan" (I recommend >>beginner) . >> >>Here are some tips for trying it out: >> >>Go to >> >> http://www.workingsimulations.com/theOffice.html >> >>1) there is an icon on this page which reads "The Offi..." Click this. >> If you have Shockwave installed, the program loads. If not, you are >>sent to a Web page to download Shockwave (free.) If you have high-speed >>access this is quick. If you have dial-up it's slower. >>2) Click "start" (You may have to hit start again.) >>3) After you enter a name (and hit next) you can choose "welcome" to >>see a demo or "settings" to get going. (I recommend "settings.") >>4) Although you can mess with the settings, I recommend just leaving >>the slider at the bottom of the page on "beginner," and hitting "start" > >5) You should now be in your office. From here, move around, look at > >and play with things -- it's intuitive. After awhile your boss sends > >you a note with some work to do. He whistles first, and then there's a >>red "new" work order in your "in" basket. >> >>Warning: Some students love this. It's a game. They may not want to >>quit at the end of class. >> >>Take a look and tell me (us) what you think. >> >>All the best, >> >>David >> >>David J. Rosen >> >> >> >>On Monday, October 25, 2004, at 04:23 PM, Mariann Fedele wrote: >> >>> Good day all, >>> >>> Some of you have shared some wonderful tech resources related to voter >>> and >>> civic participation in the last couple of weeks. Since we are only >>> days a >>> way from the election you are encouraged to keep them coming. >>> >>> In that spirit what are some other ways you are using technology with >>> learners that other practitioners might gain from? >>> What is one use of technology in adult literacy/basic education/ESOL >>> that >>> you are very excited about? It could be something cutting edge, or >>> something that has been around for awhile but which you have figured >>> out >>> how to make especially useful in your program(s). Please describe your >>> population of learners and under what circumstances you have used it >>> with >>> them and had success. >>> >>> Best regards, >>> Mariann >>> >>> Mariann Fedele >>> Coordinator of Professional Development, >>> Literacy Assistance Center >>> Interim Moderator, >>> NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List >>> 32 Broadway 10th Floor >>> New York, New York 10004 >>> 212-803-3325 >>> mariannf@lacnyc.org >>> www.lacnyc.org >>> >> >> >> >Mariann Fedele >Coordinator of Professional Development, >Literacy Assistance Center >Interim Moderator, >NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List >32 Broadway 10th Floor >New York, New York 10004 >212-803-3325 >mariannf@lacnyc.org >www.lacnyc.org
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