Hello Holly and others,

I agree that a blended model (FL plus F2F) would, in most cases, be  
preferred, and that face-to-face is especially valuable at the  
beginning in working with those who have little or no computer  
experience and who may also be new to adult literacy education/ 
English language learning) .  However,when I launched  this  
discussion I set out some ground rules  -- which you might have  
missed -- that no face-to-face was possible.  The situation we are  
responding to is one where -- because of an epidemic like Asian Bird  
Flu -- face-to-face instruction would not be possible, and all  
learning, for a time, would rely on pure distance learning options.   
The idea is 1) to prepare for this possibility, hoping against hope  
that we never have to implement this, and 2) in exploring a pure DL- 
only model to think together about how to use online and other  
technology possibilities that we have not thought of or given much  
attention to before.

I would like to hear from those who see possibilities for the use  of  
radio and TV for distance learning, and from those who have ideas  
about how telephone could be better used, in combination with radio,  
TV, CD-ROM, DVD, videotape and/or online instruction.

Also, what about snail mail?  When I was a kid I subscribed to  
something called "Things of Science" which mailed me a box of science  
experiments each month.  This was fun, and I also learned science.   
Would something like this be useful for GED prep or adult diploma  
students?  If so, what should it look like for adults?  What else  
could snail mail be used for? Delivery of CD-ROMs and DVDs?  Anything  
else?

David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net


On Nov 27, 2005, at 3:51 PM, smilin7 at direcway.com wrote:


> Hello David (you had a busy Thanksgiving weekend -- do you ever  

> relax away from the computer?  Hope so!)

> and all,

>

> Interesting ponderings.... a few notes below:

>

> <<Here are some thoughts about building community online using

> technology.  In this scenario I am assuming that a potential adult

> learner has little or no experience with a computer and does not own

> one.

>

> Let's assume we have a learner with intermediate level literacy

> skills in English  who has a new (for her) computer and an interest

> in getting online to take a basic skills course, but has not

> purchased Internet service.  She gets a one-page, easy-to-read notice

> with the computer (which she got inexpensively on a one-year or two-

> year lease/purchase agreement) which says "For help in setting up

> your computer, call this phone number."  Online technical assistance

> is provided 24/7 by a pool of people who have been adult learners who

> now have their high school equivalencies.  They have been trained to

> help new users set up their computers and to help them with basic

> computer operations. They are backed up by techies. When they talk

> with a new user  for the first time, they:

>

> 1. Explain that they are there to help, that the service is free,

> that the new user can call as often as she wishes

> 2. Give their name and phone extension (or other identifier) so that

> the new user could ask for them by name

> 3. Ask the new user, if this hasn't been done yet, to take the

> computer (monitor, internal CD-ROM player, printer, hard copy

> manuals, software and surge protector) out of the box and choose a

> place for it to be set up (on a table, near a wall plug, and perhaps

> near a telephone outlet or cable modem outlet)

> 4. Walk the new user through setting up the computer, printer and

> modem, one step at a time, then through testing it out, and

> 5. Ask the new user if they want Internet access, and if so walk them

> through the options, and then ask them to call back once they have

> chosen one.>>>>

>

>

>     *Some people are just determined to try things themselves --  

> and succeed partially -- or get so frustrated they give up -- and  

> let someone else use the machine, or try again days/weeks later --  

> I think an oft-times crucial step is to have someone at the GET-GO  

> -- for many folks, a real live person is needed at this step --  

> more than a phone call -- this is the group of people I'd like to  

> reach more of!  So, although there are possibilities with this  

> outline, it is still not enough for a certain target population --  

> BUT... if we reach one group, and expand the knowledge base, these  

> folks might BE the human connect for their neighbors, friends,  

> etc... SO -- they make the first phone call and... it works!   

> Hooray!   [I've actually been at this point -- more times than I  

> like to confess -- when I'll postpone weeks/months to make the  

> phone call (hating to sound stupid, to admit I can't figure it out  

> myself, afraid I'll be hours on the phone with no results -- like  

> what used t

> o happen... but the past several experiences have been wonderful!   

> Fast, competent, pleasant service -- I do believe things are  

> improving!]

>

>

>

> <<<There is a another set of steps for the ISP installation phone  

> call.

>

> Once the ISP is operational, there is another set of steps for

> opening a browser, for using e-mail, for using an online messenger

> (such as Instant Messenger),for using Internet telephony, and  for

> using (free multi-tool office software program) Open Office.  These

> are all described in plain English in the manual, but are also

> available by telephone.  After e-mail is set up, the New user is

> asked to practice this by sending the online T.A. person questions by

> e-mail or Messenger. Gradually, e-mail and messaging are increased,

> but telephone is always an option.>>>

>

> I still think some sort of intervention on a f2f level is  

> necessary.  One program in our area, Computers4Kids,  

> www.computers4kids.net  has a great program -- I've seen its  

> benefits spread from the children to the families/adults/friends  

> within the smaller community networks -- I think this type of  

> grassroots effort, although slower, has stronger positive  

> effects... building community awareness and goodwill along the way,  

> uncovering and encouraging chidren's talents, more.

>

> I think the community building needs to start sooner.

>

> I like the breadth of ideas you suggest -- and the ideas they'll  

> give others --

>

> Again, I'll plead the case for Moodles -- http://www.moodle.org    

> -- I love the community aspect they build, the ease of maintenance,

>

> Re:  <<Could anyone envision this happening with a handheld device --

> a Blackberry or Ipod telephone -- instead of a desktop computer?>>

> ...or newer advanced cellphones, even?

>

> yes!  I believe this could happen -- and that the next few years  

> will see amazing changes in the use of computers by a greater  

> majority of people -- as folks use them at work in many different  

> ways, it will ease their familiarity with other products at home...  

> as schools, including community schools and adult ed programs,  

> expand their knowledge base, it will burgeon -- but I FEAR that  

> funding changes could 'force'/coerce people into losing the options  

> of the vital f2f piece -- and I believe that human real connect is  

> still crucial!

>

> I don't want to see technology do it all...

> Holly

>

> Charlottesville City Schools Adult Education Program

> Charlottesville VA

>

>

>

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------

> National Insitute for Literacy

> Technology and Literacy mailing list

> Technology at dev.nifl.gov

> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to

> http://dev.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/technology