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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The Learner Web is exciting with all its possibilities. It looks like a
very valuable tool. This would be a great opportunity for independent learners
with basic computer skills. Finding the learner’s needs from the student
assessments and developing a learning plan with all the resources to help is a
creative use of technology for education. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
specialtopics-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:specialtopics-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>David J. Rosen<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, November 17, 2008
4:37 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">specialtopics@nifl.gov</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [SpecialTopics 1075] New
Designs in Online and Distance Learning</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Special Topics Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Today we begin a discussion of two new online and distance
learning models specifically designed for adult literacy education, including
ESL/ESOL. They are the Learner Web and USA Learns. Each has much to
offer, but they differ in their design, audiences, and also in their stage of
development. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>
Learns, with core funding from the Office of Vocational and Adult
Education, launched earlier this month (<span class=MsoHyperlink><u><font
color=blue>http://usalearns.org</font></u></span>) and is a national adult ESL/ESOL
portal. It is available now at no cost to adult learners
everywhere.The Learner Web is beginning its second year of a three-year,
federally-funded demonstration grant from the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Institute</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Museum</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>
and Library Services. The Learner Web is available
now only for piloting, and only in certain regions of the
country. I am an advisor to USA Learns, and am a Regional Implementation
Advisor for the Learner Web, so I have had the privilege of watching
both projects evolve.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>We will begin today with a presentation of the Learner
Web by Stephen Reder from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Portland</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
He will be joined in the discussion by Clare Strawn, a co-developer with Steve,
of the Learner Web. Clare is also on the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Portland</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> faculty. On
Tuesday we will have a presentation about USA Learns by John Fleischman,
from the Sacramento (CA) <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Office</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> of
Education. John will be joined by Jere Johnston and Leslie Petty, both
from the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType>
of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">MIchigan</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>. They
will also be joined by Sheryl Adler, from the U.S. Department of Education's
Office of Vocational and Adult Education as there may be questions about the
development of USA Learns which she can best address.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I am delighted that our guests -- and you -- can join us for
this discussion. Please feel free to post your questions and comments for
our guests at any time this week.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>David J. Rosen<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Special Topics Discussion Moderator<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><span class=MsoHyperlink><u><font color=blue>djrosen@theworld.com</font></u></span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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