Sorry I'm a bit late to get in on the discussion but there was one point 
that I wanted to respond to that I hope will elicit more discussion. Katrina 
Hinson stated, "I think [our] students need to not focus so much on passing 
a "standard" tests but on truly learning the information. The problem often 
comes from outside though - they're being pushed to "pass the test" by 
various agencies or life needs." Yes, we would all hope they truly learn the 
information, because it's the knowledge that provides the foundation for 
post secondary education. But most of our students don't even have any 
interest in even reading unless there is some explicit reward - passing the 
GED test and getting their diploma. Unfortunately, utilizing knowledge in 
life isn't about passing pencil and paper tests.

I teach in a GED program in a prison for incarcerated adults. Many of the 
students seem to lack that natural curiosity and love for learning but seem 
doggedly committed to passing the GED test and getting their diploma. They 
have so little genuine interest in knowledge and spend no time learning 
outside of class but prefer spending their time watching drama and 
action-type serials on television.

Can anyone throw a little wisdom born of experience on this: What innovative 
instructional approaches might light that fire which will motivate, inspire, 
and engage our students to invest themselves in learning and encourage them 
to discover, for instance, the joy of reading.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie McKinney" <julie_mcKinney at worlded.org>
To: <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 10:06 PM
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 739] Thanks for a lively discussion!



> Hi Everyone,

>

> Thank you all for sharing your information, questions, and insights about 

> the transition from GED to postsecondary education. It seems like a topic 

> that we should continue to discuss, and I hope that you all will. Thanks 

> especially to Barb, Cynthia and Sandy for being our guests this week!

>

> Although the discussion formally ends today, I hope we can all continue to 

> discuss questions and successes in this area and share resources. In the 

> next 2 weeks I will get the discussion and a list of the resources posted 

> on the NIFL website and also on the Transitions page of the ALE Wiki.

>

> Have a great weekend!

>

> All the best,

> Julie

>

> Julie McKinney

> Discussion List Moderator

> World Education/NCSALL

> jmckinney at worlded.org

>

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>