[NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3412] Distance and Persistence

From: Marian Thacher (mthacher@otan.us)
Date: Sun Feb 06 2005 - 16:13:09 EST


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From: "Marian Thacher" <mthacher@otan.us>
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Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3412] Distance and Persistence
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Good Afternoon Technology List!

In light of the recent discussion about the evolving Adult Literacy
Education Wiki site, I'm developing a page on the relationship betwee
distance learning and learner persistence. My thought is that we can have
a more fluid relationship than we tend to think of between classroom and
distance learning.  Distance learning classes could bridge learners into
classrooms, and vice versa. When learners move or change schedules,
perhaps they could continue to log attendance hours in their home class
via web-based assignments, discussion and feedback.
I have been encouraging teachers to create a website for their class for
the purposes of supporting classroom work, teaching online skills, and
providing information and publishing opportunities for learners. But what
if the class website was seen as the way to keep in touch with your
teacher and fellow students when you can't come to school because of job,
illness, new baby, or whatever? What if we had policies that supported
maintaining the connection? What would those policies look like? For
example, what if programs could document attendance through student emails
and online work, if the student had been previously enrolled? What would
be needed in order to put such a policy in place?
What kinds of supports would we need for students to participate in this
way? What kinds of supports would the teacher need? Is this a totally
outrageous expectation of a classroom teacher? Would team teaching help,
one person to focus on the classroom and one to focus on the website?
Would an aide help, someone who could respond to email, post documents,
keep an online discussion going?

I would love to have the thoughts of others on this topic. Please reply to
the list and/or visit the wiki page at
http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/DistanceAndPersistence

Thanks,
Marian
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marian Thacher, Coordinator of Technology Projects
OTAN
P.O. Box 269003
Sacramento, CA  95826-9003
(916) 228-2597
mthacher@otan.us
www.otan.us



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