Tower
  • Technology in Instruction - In the Digital Adult School every classroom will be connected to the internet and technology will be integrated into the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning.
    1. Academic Software on the Network: It is even more apparent that computerized learning applications play a key roll in our students success. Here the students approach their computer aided learning assignments with enthusiasm because they know the courseware and projects are worthwhile, challenging and within their grasp.
      1. The main Dell server provides CCC, Computer Curriculum Corporation, academic software, EDL Reading Software and PLATO Learnings Systems software, which is accessed in the 300 and 400 buildings by the HSD, GED, ABE and other departments. The network is used to manage other grammar and english single subject packages.
      2. The ESL Department maintains site licenses for Rosetta Stone English, Levels I, II & III; Focus on Grammar (4 levels); Live Action English Interactive; and Type to Learn, etc. These programs are accessed by ESL students in respective computer laboratories of IAC and OAC.
      3. To make sure we get the most out of our academic software we use computer lab teachers to customize the curriculum to the students' and the classroom teachers' needs. The Technology Coordinator provides a bridge between the lab. instructors, classroom teachers and the students. (Appendix I)
      4. Computer Lab Manuals, procedures and use schedules are used to define computer maintenance, student projects and classroom teacher preferred reporting schedule (Appendix H).
      5. Each Classroom teacher is consulted on the placement of their class's 40 minute time slot on the lab schedule and the courseware they want their students to run in the computer lab (Appendix G).
    2. Intranet curriculum delivery: Citizenship classes currently receive instruction and practice in some basics about the history and government of the United States in the computer labs at OAC and IAC. The lessons are viewed through a browser and the source files on an intranet server. They practice the INS "100" questions about citizenship in order to prepare for their interviews.
    3. Internet Instruction with Assessment: Internet courseware delivery: Internet instruction must come into the 21st Century. Presently the largest unresolved problem center around students assessment and accountability to the course content as defined by the course outline when using the Internet for instruction. To put it simply: how do you know if course objectives are being met by students if an accountable method for assessment is not in place. Internet instruction and assessment software could be put in a lesson plan framework that uses the Internet and a test generator to instruct and assess.
      1. The first phase, designing a Social Studies/Government course for Local and State government was began. The tutorials were available online with an online test at each unit. A demonstration of this is available.
    4. Distance Learning: Distance learning is available through the Study at Home ESL Program. Fee based online courses are contracted through Boston Reed.
      1. What is Distance Learning? There are several definitions of distance learning or distance education that are popularly used. The California Distance Learning Project (CDLP) uses this definition:Distance Learning (DL) is an instructional delivery system which connects learners with educational resources. DL provides educational access to learners not enrolled in educational institutions and can augment the learning opportunities of current students. The implementation of DL is a process which uses available resources and will evolve to incorporate emerging technologies.
      2. Defining Elements - Several key features define distance learning. They are:
        1. The separation of teacher and learner during at least a majority of each instructional process;
        2. The use of educational media to unite teacher and learner and carry course content;
        3. The provision of two-way communication between teacher, tutor, or educational agency and learner;
        4. Separation of teacher and learner in space and/or time;
        5. Volitional control of learning by student rather than distance instructor.
      3. Within rapid technological changes, the American education system is challenged with providing increased educational opportunities without increased budgets. Many educational institutions are answering this challenge by developing distance education programs. At its most basic level, distance education takes place when a teacher and student(s) are separated by physical distance, and technology (i.e., voice, video, data, and print), often in concert with face-to-face communication, is used to bridge the instructional gap. These types of programs can provide adults with a second chance at a college education, reach those disadvantaged by limited time, distance or physical disability, and update the knowledge base of workers at their places of employment.
      4. Video Checkout: The ESL Program offers Study at Home, a distance learning program that offers an alternative to traditional class study to ESL students at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced level. Students use video and audio tapes accompanied by workbooks
      5. Laptop Checkout

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    5. Online Class Offerings: Presently Community Education offers online courses through another web site. We provide a link to this site on our Community Education home page and the Schedule of Classes index page.
      1. As our community changes in age, economic status, distance learning will be seen as a venue for our classes. To date community education had nine (9) registrations for its first on-line class listing. The registrants listed the following as reasons to take this type of class: homebound easier to take a class at home due to work and home schedules comfort of home versus the traditional learning environment and STE indicates over the next decade, we can expect...extraordinary growth in distance learning and online classes.
      2. Online Class Offerings: Study at Home students have participated in a pilot of the online English For All curriculum. Citizenship also augment their study with assignments on the Citizenship webpage.

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    6. Computer/Projector Carts as a teaching tool - These tools can be used to:
      1. Support document cameras, laptops & video projectors to complement the current overhead projector technology.
      2. Improve teachersí technology skills by having easy access to using technology on a daily basis.
      3. Research lesson plans on OTAN and other rich sources of lesson plans and other materials.
      4. Share the teachers' finds of useful internet sites with colleagues teaching similar courses ... and bookmark ESL and Citizenship web page of valuable links, downloads, etc.
      5. Provide immediate access of online information to answer off-the-cuff questions  (e.g. factual data, graphs, photos, on-line language translator sites, etc.)
      6. Build up an archive of PP presentations that is currently available to all teachers who wish to use them in their classrooms.
      7. Provide a versatile, diversified and interactive learning environment for our ESL students.
      8. Enhance teachers' instructional approaches.
    7. Internet Training
      1. ESL : The ESL program has copies of handouts used at Internet workshops that have been hosted in our labs. Sun's Telecommunication manual from the SJEN Summer Institute is available for check-out. There is also a manual available for purchase from Labyrinth (Discover the Internet by Enid Powell) that is a good source of Internet fundamentals. Staff development workshops will continue to be scheduled by the ESL program, the District Office, and the Staff Development Institute to help teachers feel comfortable using Internet and other technology tools.

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