Return-Path: <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id g9VEfCX24812; Thu, 31 Oct 2002 09:41:12 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 09:41:12 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <Springmail.0994.1036074977.0.01596200@webmail.pas.earthlink.net> Errors-To: alcrsb@langate.gsu.edu Reply-To: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Marguerite Lukes"<mlukes@ix.netcom.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2354] Re: software that is user friendly X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Status: O Content-Length: 2992 Lines: 96 Daphne: I would agree with Janet that basic office software programs, like Word, Excel, and eventually Powerpoint, are extremely useful with literacy and ESOL students at all levels. I would also not discount the Internet and teach some basic skills for surfing and finding information -- after students have developed some basic searching skills you as an instructor can eventually develop "Scavenger Hunts" to have them go and search for specific information and hone their skills. In addition, signing students up for free e-mail accounts through Yahoo or Hotmail can be fun and interactive -- they can communicate with each other, with you, with friends and relatives -- with policy-makers, other literacy programs -- the sky (and your time) is the limit. In this way, too, your students are developing real-life skills using computers, rather than simply doing drill and practice with pre-packaged software (which can also be expensive). [Software does have it's place, though.] If you are interested in more resources, the Literacy Assistance Center website at http://www.lacnyc.org has many resources for instructional technology lessons and resources. best, Marguerite Lukes On Thu, 31 Oct 2002 09:09:33 -0500 (EST) Janet Isserlis <Janet_Isserlis@Brown.edu> wrote: > Not sure what functions the person who asked > this question is hoping > her/his students can accomplish with software. > Absent that > information, to me, regular software > applications, like word, > especially, would be helpful to get people > acclimated to using the > computer. With adults beginning to use the > computer, and who have > relatively limited literacy skills, I've found > that using their own > writing, or short paragraphs that they can > copy, is useful in helping > them learn the basics of word processing, and > starting to learn about > using computers generally. > > Spread sheet (excel) software is also popular > with some who want to > prepare for office/clerical related work. > > Not knowing quite what the focus of the > literacy program is, though, > I'd still start with word. > > other suggestions? > > Janet Isserlis > > > >Folks, > >A member of our listserv has emailed me with > the following question > >and I would like to pose it publicly in case > someone out there has > >an answer! Here is the question: > >I'm ready to start a literacy program for > former welfare recipients during > >the evening hours. Any suggestions for > software that is user friendly for > >women with limited computer skills? > > > > > >Daphne Greenberg > >Associate Director > >Center for the Study of Adult Literacy > >Georgia State University > >University Plaza > >Atlanta, GA 30303-3083 > >phone: 404-651-0127 > >fax:404-651-4901 > >dgreenberg@gsu.edu > > Marguerite Lukes Director of Instructional Technology Literacy Assistance Center 32 Broadway, 10th floor New York, NY 10004 tel: 212.803.3322 fax: 212.785.3685 mlukes@lacnyc.org http://www.lacnyc.org
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