>From Ruth Stadnik:


 

In answer to Mary's question, I have had very consistent success with my LD
adult ed students and ESL students using an online program called NovaNet
from Pearson Digital Learning.  I've discovered this by accident and
observation over the 10 years I have used the program.

 

When I have had students who struggled with reading skills, I have found
that with the NovaNet program as a delivery system, it frees me to work
one-on-one with the students who need help.  Often I learned later, when I
reviewed their records, that they were RSP students.  Strangely enough, I
have always required 80% or above on all lessons and post-tests using
NovaNet.  In order to achieve the 80%+ the students must take notes.
Repeated exposure to the information in the lessons comes from this process:

 Reading

 taking notes

 answering questions

 referring to their notes for the answers they don't remember

 reviewing

 taking the post-test

 retrieving the info from their notes to apply what they have learned

 then reviewing what they have missed

 Re-taking (a different) post-test if necessary, or re-studying the lesson

 

This process actually gives them 8 reviews of the material, much more than
they would get by the usual methods.  One of the beauties of the program is
that each time it will give different practice questions in the lessons and
different test questions, so they really need to understand the material in
order to apply their learning to answer the questions at the 80%+ level.

 

I believe that no one can memorize everything there is to know anymore.
Using the process mentioned above, my students learn how to record and
retrieve information effectively and apply the information to solve problems
or respond to questions.  If they don't pass the post-test, NovaNet's
prescriptive curriculum suggests which lessons they need to re-study.  I go
over the tests with the students as often as I can, though they can also
review on their own, highlighting the evidence for the answers in their
notes.  Then together we choose which lessons to re-study, or whether to
just re-take (a different ) post test.

 

The result is earned success at a high "mastery learning" level.  This
success builds confidence.  I teaches effective study skills.  Students
learn how much work it takes to get a "B" or "A" and that it is possible if
they apply themselves.  They also quickly learn to organize their notes for
efficient retrieval.  They find that they can even learn (the other 20%)
from their mistakes.  I can work with them one-on-one if they don't
understand part of a lesson or if they need to have test questions explained
in a different way after trying on their own.

 

The best part is that the NovaNet curriculum is so rich and deep, that I can
use it for Diploma Completion (all HS subjects), GED Preparation, ABE, and
High School Credit recovery simultaneously.  It is completely individualized
for each student.  The "hands-on" nature of the online instruction keeps
students highly engaged for hours.  ADD students can use earphones to listen
to music while they study-2 hours later you'll still see them sitting there
and much (documented) work will have been accomplished.  If your computers
have the capability, other adaptations may be possible (contact Pearson for
more info).

 

Many teachers and schools are shy about using technology to enhance
education, for fear of losing their accustomed role in teaching.  I have
received students who have obviously been greatly helped by the special
education they have achieved.  My experience is that my role as a teacher
changes to one I have always dreamed of-the ability to help every student
with what they need, when they need it, and to let them proceed at their own
pace on the material they need most to learn.  Using technology as the
delivery system frees the teacher to respond to the needs of ALL students
with the material as a focus-and with immediate positive and negative
feedback, no papers to correct, and an excellent reporting system from which
to document progress (pre-test and post-test on each module) and grades.
Multiple teachers can be spread across different programs or groups of
students and different coverage times, rather than different "classes."
(While you're at it, check out Write to Learn-a writing program that also
corrects students' writing and gives thought-provoking reading prompts-also
from Pearson).

 

In Adult Ed we have to think of who are students are-everyone who has fallen
out of school for various reasons.  They have had up to 12 years of
traditional teaching methods.  Isn't it time we tried a different technology
with them?  

 

Ruth Stadnik

Healdsburg Adult Education

Healdsburg, CA

rstadnik at husd.com

 

 

Eric Stadnik, Instructor

Business Office Technology

Santa Rosa Junior College

1501 Mendocino Avenue

Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Office (707) 527-4815 

     Cell (707) 486-4075

 

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present
are certain to miss the future."

~ John F. Kennedy

 

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