Tutor-Facilitated, Community-Based Digital Literacy Learning: A National Initiative with Examples from Five States

Tutor-Facilitated, Community-Based Digital Literacy Learning: A National Initiative with Examples from Five States

Presenters Steve Reder & Drew Pizzolato Portland State University Eric Nesheim, Minnesota Literacy Council Petrice Sams-Abiodun, Loyola University James Matt, Cayuga Community College Wendy Wampler Taylor, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas David Rosen & Heide Spruck Wrigley

National Broadband Plan Adoption and Utilization 65% of Americans have broadband at home 40% of low-income (< $20,000/year) 24% of those without high school diplomas 50% of rural Americans 35% of older Americans (65+) 42% of people with disabilities 59% of African Americans 49% of Hispanics FCC Consumer Survey, 2009

Digital Literacy Working Group U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Energy Federal Communications Commission U.S. Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development U.S. Department of Labor Institute of Museum and Library Services Corporation for National Service U.S. Department of Agriculture

Opportunity for Adult Education Digital literacy as a cross-agency initiative offers opportunities for strategic partnerships Focus on digital inclusion of vulnerable populations creates opportunities for coordinated services Interests in tutoring and community partnerships draw on adult education expertise

Learner Web Digital Literacy Partnership Funded by Department of Commerce (BTOP) Approach to serving vulnerable populations: Tutor-facilitated, community-based Learning support system trains tutors and learners in public computer centers Self-paced digital literacy, broadband consumer education and introduction to career pathways Content customized by partners in five states: locally meaningful yet globally connected

Learner Web BTOP States State % Internet users Rank among 50 states & DC California 67.1 35 Louisiana 60.5 48 Minnesota 76.1 5 New York 66.1 38 Texas 60.4 49 Current Population Survey, 2009

Key Features of Learner Web Learner-driven Goal-directed Customized individual content Blended management of learning Structured & unstructured e-portfolio Roles for assistants (teachers, tutors, counselors, ) Links with other online and offline resources and systems

Learner and Tutor

DIGITAL LITERACY PARTNERSHIP

PARTNER S Portland State University: project lead & Learner Web host Minnesota Literacy Council: content developer for learners ProLiteracy Worldwide: content developer for tutor training Subrecipients with networks of community partners: Richmond Public Library (Richmond CA) Goodwill of Southeast Louisiana (New Orleans) Minnesota Literacy Council (4 cities in MN) Cayuga Community College (18 Literacy Zones across NY state) Literacy Coalition of Central Texas (3 counties in Austin TX area) South Texas College (2 counties in McAllen TX area) Nearly 90 community anchor institutions: schools, libraries, workforce centers, community-based organizations

Each Partner is building a network of community anchor institutions: adult basic education (ABE) and employment/training programs colleges and community colleges K-12 schools public libraries social services agencies public safety and public housing agencies nonprofit community-based organizations dedicated to improving adult literacy, employability, and related skills

Digital Literacy Plans

Broadband Consumer Education

Introduction to Career Pathways

Tutor Training Plans

LEARNER WEB IN MN We have six regions using LW. Three are BTOP regions.

SIX BTOP LOCATIONS Workforce Centers Ramsey County (St. Paul) Minneapolis Mankato New Ulm Project for Pride in Living (Minneapolis) McDonough Public Housing (St. Paul)

MN LITERACY COUNCIL COORDINATION

BTOP STRATEGY FOR DIGITAL INCLUSION Tutors are used to scaffold digital literacy learners access to technology Tutors help learners learn to click before we ask them to click to learn

Petrice Sams-Abiodun, Ph.D. Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy, Loyola University

Some Video Testimonials

Current Partnership Areas Comprehensive One Stop Community Center CCRA at Mahalia Jackson Center Public Housing Sojourner Truth Neighborhood Center Harmony Oaks Community Center Family Literacy Program Even Start Family Literacy Program Faith-based Initiatives Faith Full Gospel Baptist Church Holy Faith Temple Baptist Church Incarnate Word Community Center St. Joseph Baptist Church St. John the Baptist Center One Stop Career Solution Center Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, Inc. English Language Learners Hispanic Apostolate Community Services Criminal Justice System Regional Re-entry Center US Probation Office Post-Secondary Southern University at New Orleans

Literacy Zones New York State Made in New York!

What is a Literacy Zone? Stabilizes Families Establish a Welcome Center Trusted by the Community Educational Services Health & Financial Literacy Career & Job Skill Development Postsecondary Transition

What makes it so different? Clear Focus on Case Management Support the Family First Bring Services into the Welcome Center Not Just About Literacy

Why Learner Web? Student driven Allows partner agencies to co-serve and support learners Communicate with one another Connect students to postsecondary transition services

4 Learner Web Regions in Central New York: 6 Literacy Zones 5 Community Colleges 5 Workforce Development Centers Literacy New York volunteer contingent

Broadband Technologies Opportunity Program Implemented in existing 18 Literacy Zones stretching across New York State Literacy New York volunteer corps provides tutors

Correctional Facility Onondaga County Justice Center Maximum Security Jail 750 Bed Capacity 3 hour to 3 years stay 16 years old through adult Sheriff seeking strategies to prevent recidivism and aid in transition services Unprecedented in NY Internet use within the facility for inmates!

Central Texas Learner Web A Community Partnership Literacy Coalition of Central Texas Austin Area Urban League Austin Community College Austin Free-Net Austin Public Library Community Action, Inc. Foundation Communities Multicultural Refugee Coalition San Marcos Public Library The Austin Academy Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area

WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS One-Stop Career Centers One rural: Bastrop, TX One urban: Austin, TX Recruitment Walk-in clients Recruitment table By appointment only

WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS Meeting a unique need Email requirement Tracks work Comprehension checks Immediate access to external resources More in-depth

CAREER PATHWAYS Career Paths Career Awareness Career Success Career Exploration There s a whole world in the computer and I didn t know that. I suspected it, but I had no idea how to access any of it. But these classes showed me how. -Learner Web Student

CAREER EXPLORATION

HEALTHCARE FIELD CAREER PATHWAYS

FLOW CHART: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CAREER PATHWAYS HIGHLIGHTS Description of career Education/certification requirements Employment setting Average salary in Texas

CAREER PATHS LEARNING PLAN A Learning Plan is an individually-paced, customized curriculum The new Learn about Career Paths Learning Plan is a base camp introduction to the idea of career pathways and to five specific career pathways* It is intended to be used by adult learners who may be at the early stages of learning, in ESOL, ABE or GED classes, and by others The base camp" of a mountain is an area used for exploring, reconnaissance, or beginning a mountain climb.

THIS LEARNING PLAN BUNDLE HAS FOUR GOALS THAT A LEARNER CAN CHOOSE FROM 1. Introduction to Career Paths What is an industry? Four example Career Paths: Medical Information, Nursing, Manufacturing, Green Jobs

2. Career Awareness Know your goals and values Know yourself and your skills Know your career options Know your training needs 3. Career Success: how to be successful in your career Getting ready for the job Self management skills Workplace barriers Workplace problems (communication, dealing with stress and anger, resolving conflict) 1.Career Exploration

4. Career Exploration Job Resources Networking Career Pathways IT Technical Support as one example of a Career Pathway Resume strategies Applying for a job

Q. How long does it take to complete the Career Paths Learning Plan? A.This Career Paths Learning Plan is new so we don t yet know how long, on average, it takes a learner to complete the whole plan. We estimate 10 hours. Q. How can I make this available to our students? A.You have to be in a Learner Web region. For more information, talk to us or go to http://learnerweb.org

Q. Does this Learning Plan include vocationspecific Career Pathways that show someone exactly how to advance in their chosen career cluster, industry, or occupation? A.No. This is a basecamp or onramp for those who would later choose a particular Career Pathway or career roadmap. Your Questions???

PROGRAMMATIC & RESEARCH ISSUES RAISED Access to technology is mediated through F2F interaction with a more knowledgeable tutor ( cognitive apprenticeship ) Help is offered just in time and on demand L1 is offered a resource and kicks in as needed Websites with video are used to illustrate and illuminate key processes

PROGRAMMATIC & RESEARCH ISSUES RAISED Planning and decision making are thoughtful, involve a team, and get sharpened over time Technology is focused on situated learning (critical thinking using authentic materials, not just workbooks on the computer) Teaching is intentional and explicit - guiding students step by step toward what they want and need to learn Students have options and paths diverge depending on interests and goals

For more information visit the Learner Web booth in the exhibit hall or click on www.learnerweb.org THANK YOU!