Webinar: E-learning for learners developing literacy in English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL)

Webinar on 10th December 2008 at 9-10 am New Zealand time

Niki Davis will talk with international CALL expert Carol Chapelle, about e-learning in relation to her current Ministry of Education project asking: "What are the characteristics of programmes, such as e-learning, mixed mode and distance learning programmes that have been successful in raising the literacy, numeracy and language skills (LLN) of adult learners and could be used to supplement workplace training?" Around 1/4 of the adult population in New Zealand has literacy and/or numeracy needs and the picture is similar in the USA and Europe.

Carol is Professor of TESL/applied linguistics in Iowa State University, USA, and Vice-President of the American Association for Applied Linguistics. Her research explores issues at the intersection of computer technology and applied linguistics. Books include Computer applications in second language acquisition: Foundations for teaching, testing, and research (2001); English language learning and technology: Lectures on applied linguistics in the age of information and communication technology (2003); and Assessing language through technology (Chapelle & Douglas; forthcoming)

This online seminar (webinar) is one in a series provided by DEANZ, the Distance Education Association of New Zealand, see http://www.deanz.org.nz/home

You are recommended to prepare early using the following resources:
1) Make sure you have everything necessary on your computer. Go to http://www.elluminate.com/support/ that will check your configuration. If you are on a work computer and all is not working please involve your IT dept EARLY.
2) If you wish to get familiar with Elluminate you can get yourself a free Vroom http://www.elluminate.com/vroom/
This will enable you to play with the software. There are lots of support materials at http://www.elluminate.com/support/ and http://www.elluminate.com/support/training/

New Designs in Online and Distance Learning: Online discussion November 17 - 21, 2008

The US National Institute for Literacy Special Topics discussion, to be held from November 17th through November 21st, 2008, will focus on two new adult education models: a national learning portal for English language learning at a distance, called USA Learns, and a web-based and telephone-based learning support system, called the Learner Web, for ABE, ASE and ELL students enrolled in classes to supplement their learning, as well as for those who study on their own. We have four distinguished guests, researchers as well as product developers, who will describe these two models and answer questions.

For USA Learns, our guests are John Fleischman and Dr. Jerome (Jere) Johnston. For the Learner Web our guests are Dr. Stephen Reder and Dr. Clare Strawn. You will find more information about them below.

To subscribe to the discussion, go to: http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/specialtopics

Webinar: Harvey Mellar "E-learning to increase adult basic skills"

On Friday 26 September Niki Davis facilitated Dr. Harvey Mellar's webinar on the topic: "Can adults use E-Learning to increase their literacy and numeracy?"

We were delighted to have over 30 participants online with us during the webinar and you can watch a recording on the web, which is linked to the web site of the Distance Education Assocation of New Zealand (DEANZ) web site

Thanks to the Distance Education Association of New Zealand (DEANZ) who provided the webinar with support from Elluminate.

Dr Harvey Mellar is an international leader in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in adult basic education in the UK and internationally. He leads a group based in the Institute of Education, University of London, UK.

Welcome & invitation to contribute

Welcome to our project Blog. We are researching this question for the New Zealand Ministry of Education:

What are the characteristics of programmes, such as e-learning, mixed mode and distance learning programmes that have been successful in raising the literacy, numeracy and language skills (LLN) of adult learners and could be used to supplement workplace training?

Please contribute through Comments to support our study with:

• Literature or people we should read or talk with
• Case studies or locations using e-learning for LLN