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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I imagine you might have many learners
from other countries. This might lead to other literacy programs globally
soliciting volunteers---</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>Maureen Hoyt</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>Basic Education Manager</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>ACYR </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>602-252-6721ext 223</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>fax: 602-252-2952</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'><a href="http://www.azcallateen.k12.az.us">www.azcallateen.k12.az.us</a></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'><a href="http://www.az-aall.org">www.az-aall.org</a></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><b><i><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Equal
Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon
request to individuals with disabilities.</span></font></i></b></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
specialtopics-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:specialtopics-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Steve Reder<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, November 17, 2008
9:44 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> specialtopics@nifl.gov<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [SpecialTopics 1090] Re:
initial response to questions aboutLearnerWeb</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Good question,
David. The Learner Web (LW) has a number of user roles. The most
important, of course, is the Learner. There are also roles for a number
of assistants – individuals who use the LW to interact with Learners in
ways specified by particular learning plans. There are various types of
assistants – Teachers, Tutors, Helpers, Counselors. Helpers are
telephone-based volunteers who are matched to Learner’s real-time
requests and connected via a toll-free telephone application that is closely
integrated into LW. They can provide help with use of the LW software as
well as with particular topics or steps in Learning Plans. Helpers have
profiles within the LW that indicate the kinds of topics they have
expertise/training to assist with – e.g., math, writing, etc. When
Learners request help with a special topic, they can be are matched with
Helpers having that expertise who are currently online. With the
Learner’s permission, the Helper can view their screen. The system
connects the learner and helper in a way that hides the each other’s
phone number. One part of the screen capture demo you mentioned
illustrates how this happens.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Helper volunteers are
recruited, trained and managed by programs, organizations or coalitions
implementing the Learner Web. We have training materials available that
can be used in training for helper volunteers. Helpers can work from any
phone – whether at home, at work, in a homework hotline-like calling
center, a community-based organization calling center, etc. Helpers log
in via the phone system and declare their availability for a certain period of
time. The way the LW maintains confidentiality of the phone numbers being
used makes this very portable. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I hope this answers some
of the questions people may have about Helpers.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>-Steve</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<div>
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size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><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
2:28 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> specialtopics@nifl.gov<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [SpecialTopics 1077] Re:
initial response to questions aboutLearner Web</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Thanks, Steve, for this thorough
introduction. Those who would like to see a screen capture video showing what
the Learner Web looks like from a learner or from an administrator point of
view, could go to <a href="http://learnerweb.org">http://learnerweb.org</a>
(Select "View Demonstration" to request a password to view the
video.)</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>One series of questions that I am
sure many people have concerns telephone helpers. Who are they, what kinds
of help do they provide, how are they recruited, how often do they do telephone
helping, how do they differ from (face-to-face or online) tutors, and how is
the privacy of the learner and the online helper protected?</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Now would be a good time for others
to post their questions about the Learner Web, too. What would you like to
know?</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>David J. Rosen</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Special Topics Discussion Moderator</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><a href="mailto:djrosen@theworld.com">djrosen@theworld.com</a></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
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style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
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style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
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<div>
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style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>----- Original Message ----- </span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='font-color:black'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:reders@pdx.edu" title="reders@pdx.edu">Steve Reder</a> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:specialtopics@nifl.gov" title="specialtopics@nifl.gov">specialtopics@nifl.gov</a>
</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Sunday,
November 16, 2008 9:09 PM</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
[SpecialTopics 1076] initial response to questions about Learner Web</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Hello, everyone. We’re delighted to have
this opportunity to discuss the Learner Web this week and to answer questions
you have. And, indeed, you’ve already posed some excellent
questions. Before turning to specific questions, however, let’s
briefly review what the Learner Web is, as it’s quite different in intent
from other online or distance learning systems. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Learner Web is a <i><span style='font-style:italic'>learning
support system</span></i> intended to help adults reach important learning
goals they may have, such as obtaining a GED, improving their English,
transitioning to college, preparing for a particular career, etc. A
learner can access the system through the Internet. In addition to on-line
resources, the Learner Web integrates support services from existing local
education programs, community based organizations, tutors, and telephone
helpers. The Learner Web consists of a Web-based software system that is
implemented regionally. The System is organized around Learning Plans. A
Learning Plan is a set of steps structured around achieving an identified goal.
For example, if the goal is to get a GED, the steps might include finding out
more about the tests, identifying what skills one needs to brush up on,
learning new skills and knowledge, taking practice tests, etc. Each step is
matched with online and community based resources and a workspace where
Learners can take assessments or save their work in an e-portfolio. The Learner
creates a personal profile, may take a short reading assessment and interest
inventory, chooses a goal from the available list and follows the learning plan
independently or with a tutor or a teacher. The Learning Plan is dynamically
matched by the software to both the learner profile and educational resources.
The Learner’s progress is saved and can be returned to at any time via
the internet. Learners can choose to share their workspace with a tutor or
teacher. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Learner Web is being demonstrated in a number of
sites across the country over the next two years. We plan to use the
experiences of the local communities and organizations involved in the
demonstration to help us design a sustainable national rollout starting in the
fall of 2010. It may be possible for interested programs, organization or
communities to join the project and begin using the Learner Web before that
time. At the moment, there are Learner Web implementations is Portland
OR, St. Paul MN, Boston MA, Providence RI, Westchester NY, Union County NJ and
Washington DC. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Now for some of your questions. A couple people
asked if LW could be used by free-standing adult learners, that is, by adults
who are not enrolled in formal programs. The answer to that depends on
the Region implementing it. During our demonstration project, some of our
Regions are limiting its use initially during the piloting period to students
in their classes. Other regions are allowing learners to create their own
accounts and use the system independently. Once Learners have accounts,
they log in to the system, select their goals, and start working on related
Learning Plans (which provide assessments and appropriate placements into
Learning Plans).</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Several questions asked about the reading, math, and
computer skill levels required to use the system. We will have good
answers to those questions after we complete the piloting period currently
underway. For now, I would say that we’ve seen adults with little
previous education or native language literacy struggle with the navigation
within LW, while other adult students find it relatively easy to use. The
difficulty experienced depends not just on the Learner Web software itself
(which we frequently revise to make friendlier to a broader range of adult
learners) but on the content of the Learning Plans and Resources developed for
the system. Learning Plans can be targeted to adults at different skill levels.
It is straightforward to incorporate multilingual and multimedia content,
prompts and assessments into Learning Plans.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The LW design was based on research about adult
learning that indicated that adults with quite low levels of skill can and often
do engage in self-directed efforts to improve their basic skills. But
this research did not focus specifically on the self-directed use of online
tools, so it is important to wait for the experience of our pilot sites with a
range of learners before answering the question. We hope the integrated
help systems we have built into LW (including telephone based helpers) will
scaffold its use by low-skilled adults so that a broader skill range of adults
may be able to use the system than if they had to do it totally on their
own. We plan to use videos, podcasts and other multimedia to provide
initial orientation to users. A simple Learning Plan is being developed
that will teach users how to use the system.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Several questions asked about specific features of the
LW system and how they relate to features of web-based classroom platforms such
as Moodle, WiZiQ, etc. Although there are some overlaps between LW and
other such systems, and indeed LW could be used as just a platform for an
online course, it is really designed for supporting a range of self-study and
blended learning models, working hand-in-hand with and coordinating
collaboration among community resources, programs and services to support
learners. LW can also be used to add functionality and enhance other
online products; for example, a Learning Plan could wrap around an online
product and add telephone-based volunteers who help learners working with the
other online product. Another example: using telephone-based volunteers
as conversation partners in an ESOL Learning Plan. We see the LW as
enhancing and supplementing rather than replacing live teachers and classroom
interaction. Tutors – either online or face-to-face – have
roles in LW and where available are easily integrated into Learning Plans.
Relatively little social networking functionality is built directly into LW but
it is straightforward to add social networking sites/software as Resources in
Learning Plans. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Assessment of progress in LW is measured directly in
terms of learners’ completion of key steps and goals within particular
Learning Plans. Learning Plans may be designed so that the completion of
some steps is determined by learners themselves, whereas other steps require a
teacher or tutor using the LW to determine whether the step is completed by
looking at an assessment or assignment submitted by the learner. Steps
have workspace items associated with them, which may be automatically scored
tests or assessments or assignments that must be graded by a teacher or other
LW user who views the learner’s work. If programs negotiate proxy
hour equivalents with their states for completion of key steps or goals in a
Learning Plan, those equivalents can be directly entered into the Learning Plan
design and automatically reported for NRS purposes.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>We’ll stop here. We weren’t able to
respond here to all of the questions initially posed, but I’m sure
they’ll come up as we continue the discussion this week.
We’re looking forward to it.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
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size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>-------------------------------<br>
National Institute for Literacy<br>
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To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to
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</blockquote>
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