Distance Learning Distance Learning Offers New SolutionsOffers New Solutions

Lynn Bartlett, Lynn Bartlett, SJUSD/OTAN ConsultantSJUSD/OTAN Consultant

Marian Thacher,Marian Thacher,Director, OTAN Director, OTAN

May 2010May 2010

This workshop will:This workshop will:• Discuss the new realities for adult educationDiscuss the new realities for adult education

• Review distance learning basicsReview distance learning basics

• Review the Review the newnew application application

• Identify strategies appropriate for adult Identify strategies appropriate for adult basic learnersbasic learners

• Discuss distance learning resources and Discuss distance learning resources and trendstrends

• Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

The future of AE is …?The future of AE is …?• Along with the Along with the flexing of adult education state flexing of adult education state

funding, bfunding, block entitlement for the next three lock entitlement for the next three years was reduced. The years was reduced. The districtdistrict chooses how chooses how to use that money.to use that money.

• Education Code has been suspended. Education Code has been suspended.

• DL is an established modality and should be DL is an established modality and should be integrated into program delivery. integrated into program delivery.

• Those using WIA funds, however, will need to Those using WIA funds, however, will need to continue to follow the federal rules.continue to follow the federal rules.

““Can I?” to “How can I?”Can I?” to “How can I?”

• National research that shows by 2015 50% of National research that shows by 2015 50% of all learning will be online.all learning will be online.

• OTAN web site offers evidence – assessment OTAN web site offers evidence – assessment data, persistence information, graphs, charts, data, persistence information, graphs, charts, other information that supports this other information that supports this statement.statement.

• ““Flexibility” does not mean we relax our due Flexibility” does not mean we relax our due diligence to maintain good programs – diligence to maintain good programs – maintain the data, maintain standards. maintain the data, maintain standards.

• Lay the groundwork, establish the program by Lay the groundwork, establish the program by the 2013 to ensure the future.the 2013 to ensure the future.

Don’t stop now!Don’t stop now!

• By continuing to collect data, we’ll have By continuing to collect data, we’ll have valuable information for future.valuable information for future.

• Serving students by this modality is “the Serving students by this modality is “the right thing” because the ability to use right thing” because the ability to use technology is a life skill.technology is a life skill.

• Using distance learning may strengthen Using distance learning may strengthen future funding. future funding.

• Look within your agency for logical Look within your agency for logical partnerships---CAHSEE, credit recovery etc.partnerships---CAHSEE, credit recovery etc.

Distance Learning Offers FlexibilityDistance Learning Offers Flexibility

Primary means of instruction Primary means of instruction (majority of instruction.)(majority of instruction.)

oror

Supplemental means of instructionSupplemental means of instruction (enrichment.)(enrichment.)

• Same TimeSame TimeSynchronousSynchronous instruction requires the simultaneous participation of all students and instruction requires the simultaneous participation of all students and instructors.instructors.

• Any TimeAny TimeAsynchronousAsynchronous instruction instruction doesdoes not require the simultaneous participation of all students not require the simultaneous participation of all students and instruction. Students do not and instruction. Students do not

need to be gathered together or need to be gathered together or

linked together at the same time.linked together at the same time.

Delivery System CategoriesDelivery System Categories

•Classroom LearningClassroom Learning

•Distance Learning Distance Learning

Blended-combines Blended-combines elements of bothelements of both

Comparing ESL average readingComparing ESL average readinggains for regular, distance, andgains for regular, distance, and

blended learnersblended learners

Definition of Distance Learners:

• Learners who receive more than Learners who receive more than 50 50 percent of instructional hours in a distance percent of instructional hours in a distance learning format during the program year learning format during the program year are considered distance learners for NRS are considered distance learners for NRS reporting purposes. reporting purposes.

Workforce Investment Act Title II Workforce Investment Act Title II

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Adult Education and Family Literacy Act

Revised for Program Year 2009-10 Revised for Program Year 2009-10

Why Use Distance Learning Why Use Distance Learning with Adults?with Adults?

• Potentially can serve more learnersPotentially can serve more learners

• Interesting curriculumInteresting curriculum

• Stimulates higher-order thinkingStimulates higher-order thinking

• Uses multiple senses in learningUses multiple senses in learning

• Addresses learner needs as knowledge Addresses learner needs as knowledge and technology changeand technology change Self–paced Self–paced Convenient Convenient IndividualizedIndividualized

Distance Learning Distance Learning Addresses BarriersAddresses Barriers

• Work hour conflictsWork hour conflicts

• Child care issuesChild care issues

• Transportation/distanceTransportation/distance

• Learner pace and opportunities to reviewLearner pace and opportunities to review

• Confidence/comfort issuesConfidence/comfort issues

• Full classesFull classes

• Health or age issuesHealth or age issues

Some Program BenefitsSome Program Benefits• Increase access at a time when traditional Increase access at a time when traditional

classes are being limited or cut entirely.classes are being limited or cut entirely.

• Contain costs by taking advantage of Contain costs by taking advantage of technology.technology.

• Enhance quality and accelerate learning gains.Enhance quality and accelerate learning gains.

• Improve community visibility and offer value Improve community visibility and offer value to partners including K 12 students and their to partners including K 12 students and their families.families.

Growth in Adult School Growth in Adult School Distance LearningDistance Learning

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

Learners

1999 –2000

2000 –01

2001 –02

2002 –03

2003 –04

2004 –05

Program Years

The New Education Code 52522 for The New Education Code 52522 for Distance Learning —Distance Learning —

High PrioritiesHigh Priorities• Workforce skills for adults.Workforce skills for adults.

• Adult class in English as a second language.Adult class in English as a second language.

• Enhancement of curriculum for high-risk pupils Enhancement of curriculum for high-risk pupils likely to drop out.likely to drop out.

• Expand offerings to rural and inner city Expand offerings to rural and inner city schools-college prep.schools-college prep.

• EC EC 51865 51865 Efficiency and accountability as state budget is reduced,Efficiency and accountability as state budget is reduced,

Diversity of instruction for adults, Equity and quality in education. Diversity of instruction for adults, Equity and quality in education.

How Do WeHow Do WeGet Started?Get Started?

http://http://adulted.otan.us/

151 California Districts participate151 California Districts participate

Some things haven’t changedSome things haven’t changed

• Although state adult education apportionment Although state adult education apportionment funds have become flexible, those agencies funds have become flexible, those agencies collecting federal Workforce Investment Act, collecting federal Workforce Investment Act, Title II funds for distance learning classes are Title II funds for distance learning classes are requiredrequired to submit an application. to submit an application.

““Without documented information about services Without documented information about services provided, it will be a challenge to justify our programs provided, it will be a challenge to justify our programs and explain the key role we play in the state's and explain the key role we play in the state's economy.”economy.”

Debra Jones, Administrator CDEDebra Jones, Administrator CDE

(Formerly) (Formerly) apportionment-funded programsapportionment-funded programs

• If you are not receiving federal funds, since If you are not receiving federal funds, since adult education funding has been made adult education funding has been made flexible – Ed. Code requirements no longer flexible – Ed. Code requirements no longer apply.apply.

• It is important to track and report distance It is important to track and report distance learning activity and student outcomes.learning activity and student outcomes.

• Tracking and reporting demonstrates Tracking and reporting demonstrates effectiveness for future funding – Continue effectiveness for future funding – Continue to submit your application and evaluation.to submit your application and evaluation.

Federally Funded ProgramsFederally Funded Programs

If your agency is using federal funds for If your agency is using federal funds for distance learning, distance learning, nothing has changednothing has changed in terms of requirements except that in terms of requirements except that there is no legal limit to the percent of there is no legal limit to the percent of your budget you can spend on distance your budget you can spend on distance learning. learning.

New Agency ApplicationsNew Agency Applications

• The application is open to all agencies The application is open to all agencies funded through the Adult Education Office funded through the Adult Education Office of the California Department of Education.of the California Department of Education.

• A complete application must be submitted A complete application must be submitted and approved by CDE.and approved by CDE.

• The form with instructions can be found atThe form with instructions can be found at• adulted.otan.us/

• Due September 30, 2010.Due September 30, 2010.

September 30, 2010September 30, 2010

• The application for the Innovation and The application for the Innovation and Alternative Instructional Delivery Program Alternative Instructional Delivery Program and the Annual Evaluation Form are now and the Annual Evaluation Form are now available online, and both are dueavailable online, and both are due

September 30, 2010.September 30, 2010.

• If you need help signing in, the contact If you need help signing in, the contact information for support is at the bottom of information for support is at the bottom of the Web page.the Web page.

Let’s look at the Application…Let’s look at the Application…

Curricula and Proxy Hours: Curricula and Proxy Hours:

• Curricula used for distance education: Curricula used for distance education: Agencies may use Agencies may use curricula approved by CDE that has been used curricula approved by CDE that has been used successfully with field-based distance learning programs. successfully with field-based distance learning programs. Programs may also submit other curricula for CDE Programs may also submit other curricula for CDE approval that meet the needs of the population they are approval that meet the needs of the population they are serving. serving.

• Proxy Hours: Proxy Hours: Proxy hours are determined by a review of Proxy hours are determined by a review of agency Innovation program applications, and are based agency Innovation program applications, and are based on a CDE-approved range for each curriculum and may on a CDE-approved range for each curriculum and may include hours for additional activities to meet local needs. include hours for additional activities to meet local needs. CDE provides proxy contact hours for curricula that are CDE provides proxy contact hours for curricula that are used extensively in distance learning programs used extensively in distance learning programs throughout California. throughout California.

• California Department of California Department of Education Education promotes a promotes a rigorous outcome-based rigorous outcome-based learner mastery model with learner mastery model with designated benchmark levels designated benchmark levels for program completion for program completion verified by an identified verified by an identified process that may include process that may include teacher and/or external teacher and/or external certification. certification.

Outcome-based learnerOutcome-based learner mastery model mastery model

California Distance Learning - Materials and California Distance Learning - Materials and Proxy Hours Recommendations for ESL Proxy Hours Recommendations for ESL

CurriculaCurricula

California Distance Learning - Materials and Proxy California Distance Learning - Materials and Proxy

Hours Recommendations for Test PreparationHours Recommendations for Test Preparation

DL AccountabilityDL AccountabilityInnovation Programs – use TOPSPro student Innovation Programs – use TOPSPro student

tracking softwaretracking software

• Check “Distance Learning on Item 13Check “Distance Learning on Item 13““Special Programs” optionSpecial Programs” option

• Create unique class ID for Distance LearnersCreate unique class ID for Distance Learners

• Run TOPSPro entry filters –Run TOPSPro entry filters –run TOPSPro QueryMakerrun TOPSPro QueryMaker

Popular Distance Learning Popular Distance Learning ApproachesApproaches

1.1. DVD/workbook/audio cassettes/CDs DVD/workbook/audio cassettes/CDs checkoutcheckout

2.2. Laptop computers with computer assisted Laptop computers with computer assisted instructioninstruction

3.3. Internet learning materialsInternet learning materials

4.4. Tele-courses with staff supportTele-courses with staff support

Distance Learning VenuesDistance Learning Venues

• Classroom and Classroom and classroom supplementclassroom supplement

• Learning centersLearning centers

• Community centersCommunity centers

• WorkplaceWorkplace

• HomeHome

• Virtual classroomVirtual classroom

• K-12 campuses for K-12 campuses for specific Adult programsspecific Adult programs

• ChurchesChurches

• RestaurantsRestaurants

• FactoriesFactories

• CasinosCasinos

• LibrariesLibraries

• Apartment Apartment complexescomplexes

• Recreation centersRecreation centers

• ClinicsClinics

• BusinessesBusinesses

STRATEGIES TO CONSIDERSTRATEGIES TO CONSIDER

What delivery methods workWhat delivery methods workbest for you?best for you?

Instructional and Program Instructional and Program DesignDesign

• Address knowledge acquisition, skill building, Address knowledge acquisition, skill building, and /or influence attitudes.and /or influence attitudes.

• Understand strengths and weaknesses of Understand strengths and weaknesses of media.media.

• Define learning curricula.Define learning curricula.

• Pilot test the intervention.Pilot test the intervention.

• Start with a plan.Start with a plan.

• Integrate the intent of Ed Code into the design.Integrate the intent of Ed Code into the design.

Importance of InstructorImportance of Instructor

The role of the instructor cannot be The role of the instructor cannot be overstated in distance learning for adult overstated in distance learning for adult basic learners.basic learners.

• Face to faceFace to face• Remote — phone, blog, computerRemote — phone, blog, computer• Who initiates contact – instructor, learner, Who initiates contact – instructor, learner,

or both?or both?

Some cost-cutting Some cost-cutting considerationsconsiderations

• Seek partners in the district and community-Seek partners in the district and community-possible underwriting or in-kind services.possible underwriting or in-kind services.

• Use curriculum licensed by the state.Use curriculum licensed by the state.

• Re-examine how the program operates:Re-examine how the program operates: Charge a registration or materials feeCharge a registration or materials fee Put materials online and have students Put materials online and have students

download at homedownload at home

• Other ideas?Other ideas?

Improving persistence will also Improving persistence will also encourage retention and increase encourage retention and increase

benchmarksbenchmarks

• Set clear goals and expectations.Set clear goals and expectations.• Develop a clear assignment and orientation process.Develop a clear assignment and orientation process.• Make learners aware of choices and ability to Make learners aware of choices and ability to

transfer to DL at a later date.transfer to DL at a later date.• Test blended learning for motivated learners.Test blended learning for motivated learners.• Make extra efforts to conduct CASAS post testing.Make extra efforts to conduct CASAS post testing.• Make learning more engaging — add Internet lab

opportunities, small group activities, simulations.• Offer DL options until there are class openings.• Alternative instructional strategy.

AssessmentAssessment

RememberRemember‘Introspection is good for the soul.’‘Introspection is good for the soul.’

Introspection is also good for the survival and Introspection is also good for the survival and advancement of your program. Ask the hard advancement of your program. Ask the hard questions and look for real and innovative questions and look for real and innovative solutions. solutions.

EffectivenessEffectiveness

Research indicates that the instructional format Research indicates that the instructional format itself has little effect on learner achievement as itself has little effect on learner achievement as long as the delivery technology is appropriate to long as the delivery technology is appropriate to the content being offered and all participants the content being offered and all participants have access to the same technology. have access to the same technology.

Workforce Investment Act Title II Workforce Investment Act Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Adult Education and Family Literacy Act

Assessment Policy Guidelines Assessment Policy Guidelines

• C. Testing for Distance Learning Programs C. Testing for Distance Learning Programs

Learners in distance learning settings must Learners in distance learning settings must fulfill the same assessment requirements as fulfill the same assessment requirements as all other learners. Agencies must assess all other learners. Agencies must assess distance learners in a secure proctored distance learners in a secure proctored environment, either at the adult education site environment, either at the adult education site or other proctored and secure location with or other proctored and secure location with staff trained to administer the assessmentstaff trained to administer the assessment. .  (Page 8) (Page 8)

Learner AssessmentLearner Assessment

• Measuring progressMeasuring progress CASAS pre–post testingCASAS pre–post testing Subject matter testingSubject matter testing

• Authentic assessmentAuthentic assessment (alternative or performance) (alternative or performance) Complete tasks with acquired knowledgeComplete tasks with acquired knowledge Assessment should serve the needs of Assessment should serve the needs of

learnerslearners

Authentic AssessmentAuthentic Assessment• Flexible approach that reflects curriculum and Flexible approach that reflects curriculum and

demonstrates acquired knowledgedemonstrates acquired knowledge

• Examples Examples Observing performed task (s)Observing performed task (s) Outcomes of simulations or role playOutcomes of simulations or role play Journals, portfolios, reflectionsJournals, portfolios, reflections

• Assessments should be tied to measurement Assessments should be tied to measurement rubricrubric

• Industry certification for career technical Industry certification for career technical coursescourses

Resources and TrendsResources and Trends

What is out thereWhat is out there

to help meto help me

??

Video and Workbook MainstaysVideo and Workbook Mainstays

•Crossroads CaféCrossroads Café•EASY ESLEASY ESL•Connect with EnglishConnect with English•Putting English to Work 1, 2, 3Putting English to Work 1, 2, 3•English For AllEnglish For All•Sharing English TogetherSharing English Together•Watch and ListenWatch and Listen•TV 411TV 411•In EnglishIn English•GED Connection GED Connection •Workplace EssentialsWorkplace Essentials

CyberstepCyberstepwww.cyberstep.orgwww.cyberstep.org

English For AllEnglish For Allwww.myefa.orgwww.myefa.org

Read TV NewsRead TV Newswww.readtvnews.orgwww.readtvnews.org

TV411TV411www.tv411.orgwww.tv411.org

USA LearnsUSA Learnswww.usalearns.orgwww.usalearns.org

Internet ResourcesInternet Resources

CA Licensed Electronic CA Licensed Electronic Learning ResourcesLearning Resources

GED Connections (KET)GED Connections (KET)

- Analog and digital rights- Analog and digital rights

- Streaming and print materials- Streaming and print materials

GED Online (McGraw-Hill Contemporary)GED Online (McGraw-Hill Contemporary)

- Hybrid CD and online product- Hybrid CD and online product

ESL resourcesESL resources Crossroads Café, On Common GroundCrossroads Café, On Common Ground Lifelines, Madison Heights (Intelecom)Lifelines, Madison Heights (Intelecom)

- VHS license- VHS license English For All (SCOE / OTAN)English For All (SCOE / OTAN)

- DVD, VHS and streaming (public domain)- DVD, VHS and streaming (public domain) Putting English to Work (LAUSD)Putting English to Work (LAUSD)

- DVD license- DVD license

Emerging Tools for DLEmerging Tools for DL

•Communication and collaborationCommunication and collaboration•User created contentUser created content•Social NetworkingSocial Networking•Virtual environmentsVirtual environments•Course and learning management systemsCourse and learning management systems•Ultra portable PCs and personal digitalUltra portable PCs and personal digitaldevices devices

OTAN ResourcesOTAN Resources

www.otan.uswww.otan.us

Resource – ListservResource – Listserv

Colleagues

You

OTAN

• Group email for Group email for Californians involved Californians involved in distance learningin distance learning

• One message reaches One message reaches all registered usersall registered users

• mthacher@otan.us