<div><font size="4">Hello David, all, </font></div>
<div><font size="4">Bring on the guilt! I'm very intrigued by The Learner Web and USA Learns projects (especially USA Learns). I've just made time to read through FAQs and explore the Learner Web site. </font></div>
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<div><font size="4">Concerns I have stem primarily from direct learner support (effectiveness/meaningful learning/encouragement) and funding.</font></div>
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<div><font size="4">I am a hands-on learner, and feel I need to explore the site as a learner would before I can formulate more questions. Now, I'm a bit confused. </font></div>
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<div><font size="4">As an online learner (I've completed many courses through many online mediums -- WebCT, D2L, Yahoo groups, Moodle, more -- and am presently completing a master's online). Through these experiences, and as a facilitator for online classes of my own planning, I know that some courses can feel like "going through the motions" (and satisfying required 'evidence' of participation in educational opportunities) and yet not really propel one to meaningful learning; others can be incredible life-changing experiences. Except for a few cases, it is also my belief that blended/hybrid models engage and promote retention, motivation, meaningful learning MUCH more than 'solo' pure online efforts. </font></div>
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<div>• Do you want to know how <i>USA Learns</i> and the <i>Learner Web</i> became federally-funded projects, what needs or research base they grew from, or other things about their history and development?</div>
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<div><strong>Definitely, yes. I'm interested in knowing whether the developers' personal experience in online learning was tapped as models were explored</strong></div>
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<div><strong>Have all of the developers themselves been online learners -- synchronous, asynchronous, team/group projects or solo, self-paced or timelined, etc.?</strong></div>
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<div>• Do you want to know how they differ from other online adult basic education and English language learning models? If so, which kinds: online courses, online course management systems, wikis, portals, or something else? </div>
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<div><strong>a comparison chart would be useful for reflection. But every online learning adventure I've been on has been different. There are SO many 'little things' that affect positive outcomes. </strong></div>
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<div><strong>I'm an advocate for Moodles, or other platforms that allow photos (or other avatars of choice) so that each communication with another person 'feels' more personal. Will either USA Learns or the Learner Web include a feature like this?</strong></div>
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<div><strong>Will social networking components be built into either USA Learns or Learner Web?</strong></div>
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<div>• If you are thinking about using either <i>USA Learns</i> or the <i>Learner Web </i>with your students, what is the situation you are hoping it will address? What group(s) of students, at what level(s) with what needs? What questions do you have about the model's usefulness for that situation?</div>
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<div><strong>I use WiZiQ (interactive whiteboards/web-based classrooms) and Moodles. In what ways will these programs offer the same options, in which ways more options, in which ways less? Presently, I'm facilitating private tutoring -- Basic Literacy, Pronunciation, Citizenship, Writing, Reading comprehension, Listening and Speaking, Idioms, "USA culture and history", using Drama in ESOL, GRE prep, TOEFL prep, business English -- a wide range! </strong></div>
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<div><strong>I'll be actively following this discussion. </strong></div>
<div><strong>As always, thank YOU, David, for all your efforts and contributions,</strong></div>
<div><strong>Holly</strong></div>
<div>Holly (Dilatush)<br>Charlottesville, VA USA </div>
<div>ABA Virtual Learning Center<br><a href="mailto:holly@dilatush.com">holly@dilatush.com</a><br>(434) 960.7177 cell phone<br>(434) 295.9716 home phone<br>[OK to call 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST / GMT -5 time]<br><br>"Live with intention. Share inside~out smiles, inspire hope, seek awe and nurture in nature." (original by Holly)<br>
<br><a href="http://tales-around-the-world.blogspot.com">http://tales-around-the-world.blogspot.com</a><br><a href="http://abavirtual-learningcenter.org">http://abavirtual-learningcenter.org</a> <br><a href="http://blogblossoms.edublogs.org">http://blogblossoms.edublogs.org</a><br>
*Twitter and Skype IDs = smilin7<br></div></div>