Montana LINCS Update

1/31/11

Greetings from Montana LINCS

 

Problems with the links in the email?

Go to the Email Archives in the upper left-hand corner on the home page at http://www.nwlincs.org/mtlincs/index.htm

 

 

1.   Montana MABLE Conference Resources

 

Click here http://www.nwlincs.org/mtlincs/opi/data/data_resources.htm to access resources from the Montana MABLE Data Users Conference.

 

2.   MABLE Conference Follow-up:  Conference Call 2/15 from 3 to 4

 

Contact Carol Flynn at cflynn@mt.gov for more details.

 

The conference call has been scheduled, and we will  address the parking lot questions that we received at the conference.   We would like you to submit any questions that have come up since you have returned home and have started to think about ways to implement the various strategies that were presented.  PLEASE EMAIL ME ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE HAD COME UP SINCE THE CONFERENCE BY FEBRUARY 9, 2011.

 

3.   MABLE Update

 

Click here http://www.nwlincs.org/mtlincs/opi/mable_updates.htm to access most current MABLE update.

 

4.   Classroom Dynamics and Student Learning

 

Click here http://www.interactivistlearning.com/Jenny/reception_desk.html (sponsored by Literacy Alberta).  Check out this interesting resource (mentioned on the LINCS Diversity discussion list) about the complicated dynamics in a literacy classroom. 

 

Click on Teachers’ Room to get the big picture of the “kit”.   There are five units:  Spacing Out – not being motivated, Old Patterns – doing themselves in, Judging – feeling threatened by other learners, All or Nothing – setting impossible goals, and Crisis – giving up and disappearing.

 

5.   ESL Discussion on ELL’s Reading and Writing Skills:  Developing Academic Readiness Skills with Adult English Language Learners from the Beginning

 

Click here http://lincs.ed.gov/mailman/listinfo/Englishlanguage/#sub to subscribe to the list. 

 

There will be a discussion on the adult English language acquisition (ELA) discussion list during the week of January 31-February 4, 2011. The topic is “Developing Academic Readiness Skills with Adult English Language Learners from the Beginning.” The guest facilitators are Betsy Parrish and Kimberly Johnson.

 

This discussion may be of interest for those of you working to improve adult English language learners’ (ELL’s) reading and writing skills so they can transition to work or further education. It might be helpful to learn about reading and writing activities for all ELLs, including those at the beginning level, that help facilitate the development of academic skills.

Discussion Description

Given the realities of the skills needed for high-demand occupations, adult ESL programs need to expand their work to better prepare English language learners to transition into career pathways or postsecondary education. Programs serve adult learners with diverse educational backgrounds, interrupted schooling, or limited literacy, and it takes time to master academic language and readiness skills, such as reading and listening strategies, organizing information and note-taking strategies, and critical thinking. This discussion will explore best practices for integrating academic readiness skills at all levels of ESL instruction, particularly at the beginning levels.

 

For a brief biography of the facilitators, a more detailed discussion description, and a link to a reading related to the discussion, go to 

http://lincs.ed.gov/lincs/discussions/englishlanguage/11readiness

 

 If you are already a member of the adult ELA list, you may simply post messages at englishlanguage@lincs.ed.gov

 

To subscribe to the ELA list, go to http://lincs.ed.gov/mailman/listinfo/Englishlanguage/#sub

 

Miriam Burt

Moderator, discussion list for adult English language acquisition

Center for Applied Linguistics

mburt@cal.org

 

6.   Numeracy Resources

 

Click here http://www.adultnumeracynetwork.org/resources.html  to access a list of Internet Resources recommended by Adult Numeracy Network (ANN).

 

7.   Professional Development:  Teacher Learning in Technology Integration

 

Click here http://www.tcrecord.org/Content.asp?ContentID=15479 to access Does Research-Based Professional Development Make a Difference? A Longitudinal Investigation of Teacher Learning in Technology Integration by Chrystalla Mouza

 

This qualitative case study investigates the longitudinal impact of research-based professional development on teacher learning and practice with respect to technology. It also examines the conditions that facilitate or hinder teachers' capacity for change and the process by which changes in knowledge, practices, and beliefs occur over time.

Teachers College Record Volume 111 Number 5, 2009, p. 1195-1241

 

8.   Transitions:  National JAM on Developmental Education

 

Click here http://www.globalskillscc.org/ for more information.

 

From February 16th-February 19th, developmental education faculty from across the country will converge online to discuss specific pedagogic issues relating to developmental education as part of Global Skills for College Completion (GSCC).  The intention of the Jam is to engage hundreds of faculty in learning about, experiencing, and contributing to a new approach to developmental education pedagogy.

There is no cost to register. 

What is a Jam?  A jam is an online exchange, and like jamming in music, it is about riffing on themes.  A group of people 'speak' together using written posts about a subject of importance to them, and the discussion is actively facilitated to deepen the exchange.  One of the advantages of the Jam is that it is asynchronous, so that participants can come and go as their schedules permit--reading and commenting when they can.

The Jam Agenda: The Jam will take place from February 16, 3:00 pm EST to February 19, 3:00 pm EST, and each day there will be several discussion threads.  Each thread will be launched by a GSCC faculty member and will focus on an element of the emerging GSCC developmental education pedagogy.  The conversation becomes interesting as participants 'riff' on the topic, adding their own comments, questions and experiences.

For additional information and updates about the Jam, visit globalskillscc.org

 

  

P.S.  Remember -- if you are having trouble with the links in this email, go to the Email Archives at the top of the MTLINCS homepage at http://www.nwlincs.org/mtlincs/ .  Also if you no longer wish to receive this mailing, please let me know!  Thanks!

 

Norene Peterson
Adult Education Center
415 N. 30th
Billings, MT 59101
 norenehp@bresnan.net