Hey Jeri,

 

Don't we all wish that keeping learners in our programs were as easy as
providing peppermints and bottled water? 

 

Persistence is a complex issue and is pretty highly individualized, yet
is something all adult education programs have to deal with. Studies
over the years about persistence have suggested ways to keep students in
programs-i.e., having a goal and making progress toward it; enjoying the
classroom relationship with other learners; having an intake process
that effectively counters barriers to attendance; and helping with
logistical barriers such as transportation and child care, etc. 

 

How about it list subscribers-share your practical experience with us.
What do you do to ensure that you keep learners in your program? What
have you tried that has worked well? What has not worked quite so well?


 

Gail J. Price

Multimedia Specialist

National Center for Family Literacy

325 W. Main Street, Suite 300

Louisville, KY 40202

gprice at famlit.org

502 584-1133, ext. 112

 

 

Join us for the 17th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy!
"Literacy Grows Families and Communities"
March 30, 31, & April 1, 2008-Louisville, KY
Register online at www.famlit.org/conference

 

________________________________

From: familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of jalsails at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 11:15 PM
To: familyliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 893] Re: Peppermints Help Test-Takers

 

Gail, 

 

Back when Brain Research was hot (about 10 years ago) we read research
on the negative effects of dehydration on concentration and fatigue. We
(LIFT, Missouri's Literacy Center) began providing bottled water at all
of our workshops which in turn motivated family and adult literacy staff
to provide it for their adult learners. Drinking water was encouraged to
maximize extended attention spans for study and test taking. Perhaps it
was the halo effect, but we had enthusiastic feedback. Now, if we'd used
ordinary tap water to preserve the environment, added a peppermint candy
to cut the frustration, and given ginger snaps for pregnant moms to
reduce nausea, we may have made the news!

 

What other practical strategies appear to spark and maintain learner
persistence?

 

Jeri Levesque, Ed.D.

Evaluator, Missouri and Kentucky Even Start

LIFT


-----Original Message-----
From: Gail Price <gprice at famlit.org>
To: The Family Literacy Discussion List <familyliteracy at nifl.gov>
Sent: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 12:23 pm
Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 891] Peppermints Help Test-Takers

Just for fun!

An article titled "Peppermint prepares test-takers, a study says"
recently appeared in the Middletown Journal, Middletown, OH.

The articles states, "Candy canes greeted test-takers at Middletown's
Adult Education center Friday before the General Educational Development
exam. The purpose of the treats was two-fold: spread a little holiday
cheer and awaken the test-takers, said Principal Rose Marie Stiehl. A
NASA-funded study revealed that the smell of peppermint decreases
fatigue and frustration by 15 percent and 25 percent respectively and
increases alertness by 30 percent, said Stiehl. Ever since the study,
the center has offered peppermints to test-takers."

 

And Middletown's Adult Education programs seems to be doing very well.
You can read the article at
http://www.middletownjournal.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/12/
29/mj122907gedcanes.html

I think I'll buy a stash of peppermints for my students. How about you? 

 

 

Gail J. Price

Multimedia Specialist

National Center for Family Literacy

325 W. Main Street, Suite 300

Louisville, KY 40202

gprice at famlit.org

502 584-1133, ext. 112

 

 

Join us for the 17th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy!
"Literacy Grows Families and Communities"
March 30, 31, & April 1, 2008-Louisville, KY
Register online at www.famlit.org/conference

 

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