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<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>Words are
important for the sake of clarity of expression, and should be used properly (my
current pet peeve is the universal overuse of the term "absolutely").
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=611313521-07122007>And
</SPAN>I agree with Jeffrey Fantine that being too wordy can lead to
confusion. But I also see that excessive attention given to "wordsmithing"
can detract from an issue and make us overly worried about <SPAN
class=611313521-07122007>anything</SPAN> we say.</FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff> Criticisms of the use
of the term "lurker" is one previous example that comes to mind. In the
case below, "improve" is seen as having a negative context, that something is
wrong. I see "improve" as implying that something is not perfect, not
static and can get better, and not one of these
characteristics is normally deemed a criticism.
Professional athletes who have completed spectacular seasons will be the first
to tell you that there is still room for improvement in their performance.
Moreover, the word "advance" could also imply that one is lagging behind.
And on we go (or can't go) because we get mired in trying to be perfectly
politically correct with each word used.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>Submitted
respectfully,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>Allan
French</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>ESL
Instructor</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>South Seattle
Community College</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff><A
href="mailto:afrench@sccd.ctc.edu">afrench@sccd.ctc.edu</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=611313521-07122007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
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<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
professionaldevelopment-bounces@nifl.gov
[mailto:professionaldevelopment-bounces@nifl.gov]<B>On Behalf Of </B>jeffrey A
fantine<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:39 AM<BR><B>To:</B> The
Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List<BR><B>Subject:</B>
[ProfessionalDevelopment 1781] Re: AALPD: Please post feedback byDec.
7th<BR><BR></FONT></DIV><!-- Converted from text/enriched format -->
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New"></DIV>
<DIV align=left>
<DIV>PD Peeps: </DIV><BR>
<DIV>I've been reflecting on the AALPD PD Standards, as many of you have, and
would like to share the following comments (I, like Mev, did not read the
entire discussion to date, so some of this may have been said already):
</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1. I think the committee did a great job of drafting these standards -
probably because they are very similar to the PD standards developed by the
National Staff Development Council and I've always liked theirs:
<http://www.nsdc.org/standards/index.cfm>. </DIV><BR>
<DIV>2. In the heading of the table under "standards," it reads "PD that
improves the instruction and learning for all adult learners." I suggest, "PD
that advances the field of adult education" or something other than the
deficit model (in other words, not using the word "improves") - PD is
necessary for any field, and it's never ending - so let's not suggest
something is being done wrong by using the word "improves" - maybe something
like, "PD that ensures appropriate adult education services are provided in
order that all adult learners meet their goals." - or "equips," or "allows
for" ... </DIV><BR>
<DIV>3. My personal opinion is not to make them too wordy - which ultimately
tends to make them confusing and attempt to tackle too much. I would suggest
making them very short and explicit: </DIV><BR>
<DIV><U>For example</U> </DIV>
<DIV>Quality PD is PD that: </DIV>
<DIV>1. builds knowledge and skills. </DIV>
<DIV>2. is based on research. </DIV>
<DIV>3. is flexible, varied and ongoing. </DIV>
<DIV>4. is driven by data, relevant stakeholders, and a written plan. </DIV>
<DIV>5. accommodates all learners. (although this should be an indicator for
#1 or #6 depending on what is meant here) </DIV>
<DIV>6. practices what is preached. (models adult learning theory) </DIV>
<DIV>7. is supported by leadership. </DIV>
<DIV>8. fosters collaboration. </DIV><BR>
<DIV>Column 2 is where we should elaborate on each one of these with
indicators. I may be the only one on this list that prefers fewer words, but
as the saying goes, sometimes less is more... </DIV><BR>
<DIV>If you do keep them relatively the same - I would consider combining #'s
3 and 4. </DIV><BR>
<DIV>-J </DIV><BR>
<DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV>--On Thursday, December 06, 2007 12:25 PM -0500 "Taylor, Jackie"
<jataylor@utk.edu> wrote: </DIV><BR>
<DIV>> http://www.aalpd.org/AALPDStandardsandIndicatorscombined11-06-07.doc
</DIV><BR><BR><BR>
<DIV>Jeffrey A. Fantine </DIV>
<DIV>Director, Literacy Center </DIV>
<DIV>College of Education </DIV>
<DIV>Ohio University </DIV>
<DIV>340 McCracken Hall </DIV>
<DIV>Athens, OH 45701 </DIV>
<DIV>800-753-1519 </DIV>
<DIV>Fax: 740-593-2834 </DIV>
<DIV>www.ohio.edu/literacy </DIV><BR>
<DIV>“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
</DIV></DIV>
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