Tutor-Facilitated, Community-Based Digital Literacy Learning:

A National Initiative with Examples from Five States

Presenters

• Steve Reder & Drew PizzolatoPortland 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 PlanAdoption 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

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

Federal Communications Commission

• 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

Opportunity for Adult Education

• 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 DigitalLiteracy Partnership

StateState % Internet users% Internet users Rank among Rank among 50 states & 50 states &

DCDC

California 67.1 35

Louisiana 60.5 48

Minnesota 76.1 5

New York 66.1 38

Texas 60.4 49

Learner Web – BTOP

Current Population Survey, 2009

States

• 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

Key Features of Learner Web

Learner and Tutor

DIGITAL LITERACY PARTNERSHIP

PARTNERS

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 MNWe 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 ZonesNew York State

Made in New York!

What is a Literacy Zone?

Stabilizes Families Establish a Welcome Center

Trusted by the Community Educational ServicesHealth & 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 CenterNot Just About Literacy

Why Learner Web?

Student drivenAllows partner agencies to co-serve

and support learners Communicate with one anotherConnect 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!

Literacy Coalition of Central Texas

Austin Area Urban LeagueAustin Community CollegeAustin Free-NetAustin Public LibraryCommunity Action, Inc.

Central Texas Learner WebA Community Partnership

Foundation CommunitiesMulticultural Refugee CoalitionSan Marcos Public LibraryThe Austin AcademyWorkforce Solutions Capital AreaWorkforce 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 vocation-specific 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

•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

PROGRAMMATIC & RESEARCH ISSUES RAISED

THANK YOU!

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