Hi all,

Below is one response I got off-list.  Certainly a lack of access to the
internet does limit certain types of computer based instruction and that
can be very frustrating when there is all this excitement about using
web 2.0 social media tools.  Perhaps some of you have found work arounds
or computer programs that don't require internet access?  Do any of you
use PowerPoint with your students?  Or cellphones?

 

"Adult education program administrators often feel the need to adhere to
the norms of the community in which the school is operating.  Sometimes
it is important to administrators to make certain the school is above
reproach with regard to upholding community standards.  At times they
point out that the Internet in the classroom can be a source of content
that is out of the bounds of community norms.  For this reason some
administrators prefer to prevent access by not making the Internet
available at all." 

 

Best,

Nell

 

Nell Eckersley

ALIES/ASISTS Program Operations Coordinator

NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List

tel: 212.803.3316

fax: 212.785.3685

email:  nelle at lacnyc.org 

twitter:  http://twitter.com/LACNYCnell

facebook:  Literacy Assistance Center

URL: http://www.lacnyc.org/ 

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to

 

<http://asists.org/> 

________________________________

From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Nell Eckersley
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 12:29 PM
To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Technology 2380] importance of technology

 

Hi all,

I'm reposting two posts for the NIFL English Language Discussion List
regarding computer based instruction. I'd be interested in hearing your
responses to the issues of lack of access to high tech tools and lack of
professional development.  Are these challenges being met where you are?
Have you found ways to overcome them independently?  Are their other
challenges or barriers?  What can we/others do to help teachers step
through their fear and trepidation of using computers with their
students? How did you step through yours?

 

Best,

Nell

 

Nell Eckersley

ALIES/ASISTS Program Operations Coordinator,

Literacy Assistance Center, 32 Broadway, 10th Flr., NY, NY 10004

http://www.lacnyc.org/ <http://www.lacnyc.org/>  

facebook:  Literacy Assistance Center
<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Literacy-Assistance-Ce
nter/89682432560> 

tel: 212.803.3316

fax: 212.785.3685

 

Moderator,
NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List

http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Technology
<http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Technology>  

 

email:  nelle at lacnyc.org <mailto:nelle at lacnyc.org>  

twitter:  http://twitter.com/LACNYCnell <http://twitter.com/LACNYCnell>


facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/nell.eckersleylac
<http://www.facebook.com/nell.eckersleylac>  

 

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to

 

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Paul and Everyone:

 

There is another very important reason why many instructors don't use
computers as an instructional tool, and that is lack of technology in
the classrooms and a deficit of labs and software on the campuses.

>From what I am seeing now, this problem is not going to be remedied

quickly because of budgetary constraints.  Administrators and
policymakers need to find some way to provide more resources because
technological advances are not going to slow down just because our
classes can't keep up.  Linked to capacity is resources for proper
professional development.  

 

 

Let's not put all of the blame on the individual instructors.  We need
to shout to those who control the resources that improved education
requires, in part, more resources for high-tech tools.

 

Allan

 

 

 

Allan D. French

 

ESL Instructor and Assessment Coordinator

Basic & Transitional Studies Division

South Seattle Community College

206-768-6836

afrench at sccd.ctc.edu

 

 

 

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Paul Rogers
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 7:39 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 5058] importance of technology

 

Computer based instruction helps students learn English faster and
should increase interest in class and probably also should increase
retention bu decreasing the drop out rate.

But at a CATESOL conference that I attended over the week-end, I foud
out that a lot of teachers are still not using computer based learning
in their classes. There are a few reasons for this: 

1. fear and trepidation

2. lack of information and knowledge

3. miscellaneus

The only thing I can say about point #1 is, to paraphrase someone I met,
it is a good thing to put the shoe on the other foot.

Point #2 could be remedied by setting up a clearing house.

Miscellaneus is a little tricky.

As part of using technology, I also recommend that everyone consider
methods of providing students and families with low cost or free
computers. Some cities are even providing free internet access to low
income households (San Francisco, I think).

As they used to say in the old days: "The future is now."

Paul Rogers
805-258-3310
pumarosa21 at yahoo.com
PUMAROSA.COM

 

 

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