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LR/RI produces a bulletin roughly every two weeks in order to inform area practitioners of news, events, and calls for participation and also as a forum for posing questions, issues and discussion topics. The current bulletin is posted below. To read previous bulletins, go to Bulletin Archives.March 5, 1998 Bulletin #37 Dear Colleagues, This bulletin contains notices of upcoming meetings, workshops and conferences. For details about anything in the bulletin, or to post information, please contact me at the address/phone above. Thanks.
Janet Isserlis ____________________________________________________________ NOTICES Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in women's issues in adult education: Wednesday, March 11 at 3:45, Rochambeau Branch of the Providence Public Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence. At the last meeting, we agreed to think of two important things we'd like to see happen for women and adult education and to think about how to translate those priorities into recommendations and possible change in policy and legislation. Please bring your ideas to this meeting. Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in learning disabilities Friday, March 13 at 3 PM, at the International Institute of Rhode Island, (IIRI) 645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Louise Cherubini and Phylis Leventhal, co-authors of A Roadguide to Understanding Learning Disabilities will be at the meeting to share her work with us, including its resource list and information about learners with ADHD. A short planning meeting will be held at 11:30 on March 23, at IIRI, in preparation for Dr. Susan Baum's workshop on March 28th (see below). A sharing/discussion session will be held on April 27 from 12 to 1, to reflect on the two conferences sponsored around intergenerational literacy learning and also to focus on ongoing concerns and issues. Please bring your lunch and join us. PRACTITIONER WRITING GROUP: Practitioners are invited to meet, write, and give feedback in a supportive environment on Thursday, April 2 at 1:15 PM at Dorcas Place, (270 Elmwood Avenue, Providence). Participants have agreed to bring writing to share, and invite others to do the same (although everyone is welcome - with or without writing). Adult Literacy Council will meet on Tuesday, April 7 at 1:00 PM at Knight Memorial Library, Elmwood Avenue, Providence. ESOL sharing/discussion group: Tuesday, April 14 at 3:00 PM. Genesis Center, 620 Potters Avenue, Prov. Please join us to explore issues around language and culture, and ongoing concerns. March 28, 9 to noon - Dr. Susan Baum on Multiple Intelligences Theory in the Classroom: Pathways to Implementation. An overview of practical yet authentic strategies for implementing Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) with all types of learners. The strategies suggested are based on a publication co-authored by Baum and Gardner and represent GardnerÕs charge that we use MI as a tool to improve teaching and learning, not as an end in itself. Through activities and reflection, workshop participants will explore five specific uses for MI Theory to improve teaching and learning. Please join us on March 28th at the IIRI. For information, contact Terri Coustan (351-4252 or TCoustan@aol.com). Registration fee, payable to Connections through Literacy, is $10, and can be sent to Debbe Fate, LV-NRI, 303 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895.
PARENTING MATTERS CONFERENCE, Saturday, March 28, is a full day program on child rearing, including discipline, health and home-school issues; appropriate for parents of children of all ages. Cost is $25 per person. Scholarships, limited child care and workshops in Spanish are available. Organizers suggest encouraging parents to attend by making it a class project. For further information, contact Bev Chase at 455-8066. To register, contact Lifespan Health Connection at 444-4800 (593 Eddy Street, Providence, 02903). For scholarship coupons, contact the RI Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, 728-7920. Preparing your student to pass the US citizenship exam, co-sponsored by RIDE, LVA-RI and LV of Washington County will be held on Tuesday, March 24 from 9:30 to noon at Literacy Volunteers of Washington County, (at the Westerly Public Library). The first 12 people to register will receive a free copy of the manual Citizenship Now. To register call (401) 596-9411. LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: HRIC English for Work Program -This is an ESOL program with a workplace-centered content. Prerequisites: Students should be 18 years or older, they should be currently employed but in need of more English skills in order to advance in the job; or unemployed and looking for work. International Institute of RI, 645 Elmwood. The program began on February 17, and continues through to early June. Class hours: Monday through Thursday 9:30 - 11:30 AM or 7 to 9 PM. Registration is ongoing; contact Julie Fischer 784-4607 for information and/or to register. WORD6 FOR WINDOWS an introductory course at International Institute of Rhode Island IIRI is running computer classes on Saturday mornings (9:00 - 12:00) and afternoons (12:30 - 3:30). Both classes run for 8 weeks; the tuition is $100 (includes Registration and Lab fees. If a textbook is required by the teacher, there will be an extra charge); limit 15 people. Registration for the next afternoon session will take place in on March 9 through March 13, the class will begin on March 28. The Saturday afternoon computer class (2:30 - 3:30) will start again on March 28. Registration will begin on March 9, 1998 and end on March 13, 1998. The tuition is $100. If textbook is required, there will be an additional charge. First come, first served. Limit 15 people. On-line electronic workshop: "But I'm Not a Therapist: Literacy Work with Survivors of Trauma" continues with workshop facilitator Jenny Horsman whose research has shown that violence has profound impacts on womenÕs ability to learn and to meaningfully participate in literacy programs. Participants are looking at the research together, searching for ways to improve practice and programs to respond in ways that support all learners. Information,workshop registration is available at women.html If you need assistance with access to the discussion paper and/or to the internet, please contact LR/RI.
On Thursday, April 23, from 2 - 4 PM, WSBE/Channel 36 will be receiving the teleconference, Integrating technology in the ABE/GED curriculum. The program will demonstrate how technology plans progress from words on a page to actual use in adult education settings. It is also designed to show how to integrate technology into instruction. PBS invites us to "see how adult educators are using technology to improve instruction and strengthen learning for ABE/GED students." Through pre-produced case studies and live discussions with teachers and curriculum specialists, learn why teachers and learners think technology is important; how teachers began using educational technology and overcame the barriers people often encounter ways in which teachers are integrating educa tional technologies into classroom activities, and you'll see some great examples of quick and easy technology-based learning activities! During the program, call in and share your ideas and experiences with other educators around the country or ask the teachers and specialists on the panel your questions. Julie Phillips - jphillips@pbs.org or (703)739-8600. LiteracyLink is a partnership of Public Broadcasting Service, National Center on Adult Literacy, KET/The Kentucky Network, and the Kentucky Department of Education. WSBE is located at 50 Park Lane, Providence. MindShare is a Boston based company that refurbishes computers (486's and better) and sells them at very low rates. For more info check their web site at http://www.citysource.com/mindshare or call 617-787-7870. Another web site listing similar programs: PEP National Directory of Computer Recycling Programs, at http://microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/recycle_index.html
Connecticut Association for Adult and Continuing Education holds its annual conference at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Meriden, Connecticut on April 2 and 3. For information, please contact LR/RI. Registration for hotel accommodation is due before March 18th, CEUÕs are available. LVA-RI 1998 Annual Conference will be held at Providence College's Feinstein Center on Saturday, April 4, from 8:30 AM-4 PM. LVA has a great line-up of workshops during three time periods. Keynote speaker: Dr. Judy Cheatham, director of the writing center at Greensboro College, Greensboro, NC. Voter Education and Registration (VERA) Institute Two: Opening the Doors of Democracy will be held Saturday, April 4 at Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence, MA. Peter Mallary, former Vermont Congressman is keynote speaker; in addition, the institute features workshops covering democracy from a historical perspective, rights and responsibilities as community members, facilitating democratic participation in the newcomer citizenship education class, political participation in a democracy, working together as a collective and developing skills to participate in a democratic process, a presentation of the Social Action Theatre, and a music performance. The institute is free. Registration, due by March 23rd, is limited to 60 people on a first come-first served basis. For registration information please contact LR/RI. Registration brochures for Laubach Literacy Action 1998 Biennial Conference are available. Registration deadline is May 8, 1998. Columbus, Ohio, June 11-14 (preconference June 10-11) "Literacy Empowers" The conference includes: Preconference workshops - 12 Conference seminars, 140 speakers, Senator Paul Simon, longtime advocate for adult literacy, Dr. Thomas Armstrong on multiple intelligences. Contact: Janet Hiemstra jhiemstra@laubach.org Laubach Literacy Action, 1320 Jamesville Ave, PO Box 131, Syracuse, NY 13210-0131 315-422-9121, ext.283, fax 315-422-6369 Please support participation at the Highlander Learner Conference - Recently we received information about a learner summit being held at Highlander Center in Tennessee. Frank Symonds has been chosen to participate in this important event, representing RI adult learners. Unfortunately, costs for the trip are not covered by the summit organizers. If you are able to make any kind of contribution to Frank's travel expenses (estimated to be about $500), Donna Sherman has graciously agreed to handle any donations through LVA-RI. Please make checks payable to LVA-RI, with "Highlander" in the memo, and send to LVA-RI at 260 West Exchange St., Suite 201/2, Providence, RI 02903. LVA will see that these funds reach Frank as part of the literacy community's effort to support his participation during this event. Archie Willard has sent this message to the National Literacy Advocacy listserv: "The last weekend of this month, a group of adult learners will be meeting at the Highlander ...to form a national adult organization. Some of these people have struggled to learn to read and write, others to learn English as their second language, and for still others to improve their basic skills or to get a high school diploma. They will represent literacy groups and state organizations from across the nation. They have all shown leadership as adult learners. 23 states and the District of Columbia will be represented. Altogether, 42 adults learners will be delegates and there will be a few mentors for a total of 50.... There were more adult learners that applied to come and a lot of professionals from the field that wanted to come and be a part of this historic meeting...People were asked to fill out an application to become an adult learner delegate at the Highlander meeting. Points were scored from the different questions that were asked on the application, then totaled. This was how the different people were selected. Everyone on the planning committee took part in the selection process. We are sorry that everyone who applied could not come and participate in the forming of this new group. However, this is just the beginning. It will take a coming-together of adults from all over the country. The next meeting or conference should be in a place where everyone who applies and becomes a member of this organization can take part. There should be a place in this organization for all adult learners. All adult learners are important. We invite adult learners to become members of this organization.... I think this upcoming organization has great potential to help the literacy field. I hope that we will become a voice within the field of literacy and people from this organization will become members of boards that make policy for literacy. I hope that business, education,technology, unions, and research will build bridges with our organization and allow us to make contributions to them. Because of the forming of this organization, we as adult learners should be seen as a finished product of literacy students who can make a difference. This is what society and our Congress have never seen before. This is what needs to be done to make a difference so every adult who wants reading help can have the opportunity and people who have struggled with reading can be accepted in this world. A lot of different sources of help have made this meeting possible. Literacy programs, some states, and other literacy entities are financing adult learners to come to this meeting... People have given time and themselves to make all this happen. I hope that those who believe in this organization will support us in whatever way they can. To all who have contributed and helped, I thank you."
Chat Online with Experts in Language Education Delta Systems Co. Inc. and the Center for Applied Linguistics will provide free live professional development events on the Internet for ESL/EFL educators. Using chat room applications, participants will be able to have real-time discussions with experts Jim Crawford, Jim Cummins, Tamara Lucas, and Catherine Snow. All you do is show up at your computer and join in with your questions and comments. The format for each event will be a one-hour chat session followed by four days of bulletin board discussions with the speaker. These bulletin board discussions will be available on the Web 24 hours a day for you to read and respond to. TO PARTICIPATE Visit CAL's Web site (http://www.cal.org) or Delta's Web site (http://www.delta-systems.com) for more information on each session and instructions on how to participate. For additional information, contact Chris Montone at chris@cal.org or call 202-429-9292 ext. 270. Schedule of speakers/topics follows: Wednesday, March 4 8:00-9:00 pm EST "How Best to Help Immigrant Students Through Secondary School" with Tamara Lucas, Ph.D., an expert on immigrant education answers questions concerning what it takes to help immigrant secondary school students stay in school and succeed academically. Wednesday, March 18 8:15-8:45 pm EST, "Innovative Ways to Write with Adult Learners" with Joy Kreeft Peyton, Ph.D. On March 18, we'll be hosting a mock chat event live from the International TESOL Convention in Seattle. If you're at TESOL, come join us in Room 608, from 5:15 pm to 5:45 pm (PST) and find out more about how these sessions work. Tuesday, March 24 8:00-9:00 pm EST "How to Craft Relationships with Your Students that Promote Success" with Jim Cummins, Ph.D. "Human relationships are at the heart of schooling." This is often thought, but rarely spoken. This session will take you beyond technical teaching skills to address the critical issue of forging social relations with your culturally diverse students that will encourage them not only to stay in school, but to succeed. Wednesday, April 1 8:00-9:00 pm EST, "When and How Should Students Transition to English Reading?" with Catherine Snow, Ph.D. Many schools teaching students whose native language is not English are faced with questions about the right balance between native and English language instruction, especially in reading. This session will present what is known and what is still unknown about transitioning to reading in English. Tuesday, April 14 8:00-9:00 pm EST, "Q & A on Two-Way Immersion" with Liz Howard and Chris Montone More and more schools around the nation are turning to two-way immersion education to preserve immigrant students' native language while promoting their English development, and to foster second language skills in native English speaking students. Two-way immersion is catching on like wildfire, but a program will only be as good as its implementation. Is your school doing it right? Come chat with two CAL researchers and find out for yourself! Tuesday, April 21 8:00-9:00 pm EST, "How to Respond to English-Only Initiatives" with James Crawford Research information, guidelines, or strategies for countering the movement against native language instruction.
REMINDERS: Resource available: Teaching and Learning with Internet-based Resources, by Susan Cowles, is available in hard copy or on line at http://www.nifl.gov/susanc/inthome.htm From the on-line introduction: "Literacy students, instructors, program administrators, and other life-long learners are all in the group moving along the information superhighway. Some people have been running for a while; others are just starting down the road. Beginning to use the Internet can sometimes seem as grueling as participating in a marathon. This short course is designed to make the jour ney as informative and enjoyable as possible." To order a hard copy of the document, please call 1-800-228-8813. Susan Cowles is a Literacy Leader Fellow for 1996-97; this document is her fellowship report to the National Institute for Literacy.
The 11th Annual National Adult Learning and Technology Conference will be held at Michigan State University's Kellogg Center, from July 28-31, 1998. Proposals for presentations are due on 2/13/98; registration materials will be available in hard copy after 3/15, or on-line now. For more information, please contact LR/RI or check the conference website at http://slrc.ehhs.cmich.edu/altconference/
HEALTH AND LITERACY: From the NIFL-FAMILY listserv, for agencies working in collaboration with health care agencies: Pfizer Inc. is inviting applications for two $50,000 grants. One will support research and the other will support programs to improve health literacy. Any individual or organization involved in health care delivery is eligible to apply, and the grants may be used to fund existing projects or programs. The application deadline is April 30, 1998. Information: contact Charlene Landis, Pfizer Inc. 235 E. 42nd St. New York, NY 10017; 1- 888-457-3033.
from previous bulletins: LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION ON-LINE (from Fran Keenan at the Center for Applied Linguistics): http://www.StateServ.hpts.org provides current and exclusive state legislative information on welfare reform & immigrants. The 1996 welfare law rewrote the rules for immigrants, originally cutting $24 billion in cash, medical, and food stamp benefits. Although $12 billion in SSI benefits were restored in 1997, states are still challenged by the cost shifts from federal to state and local safety net programs, and are determining whether and how to serve particularly vulnerable immigrant populations. State legislation is summarized by cash assistance, medical assistance, nutritional assistance, and naturalization. Also available on-line are the Project's popular new series of issue briefs "Welfare Reform & Immigrants." Currently posted are briefs on: State Trends, Nutritional Assistance, and TANF. The website was launched by the Health Policy Tracking Service at NCSL. StateServ also provides information on state policies and legislation in the areas of adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, and youth access to alcohol. The website is supported with grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ford Foundation. For more information on StateServ, call The Health Policy Tracking Service at 202-624-3567 or e-mail them at: info@hpts.org. For more information on Welfare Reform & Immigrants, contact Ann Morse, Immigrant Policy Project, (ann.morse@ncsl.org) or Jeremy Meadows (jeremy.meadows@ncsl.org). We welcome your comments. (The IMMIGRANT-NEWS-L distribution list is a service of NCSLnet, the Electronic Information Network for State Legislatures. National Conference of State Legislatures. For information on NCSLnet services send a blank e-mail message to: NCSLnet-Info@ncsl.org).
AIDS RESOURCES ONLINE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1s national AIDS clearinghouse is located at http://www.cdcnac.org. It's Up to Us: An AIDS Education Curriculum for ESL Students and Other English Language Learners, by Henry Lesnick, is available on line at http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/homepages/lesnick/AIDS. AVERT, AIDS Education and Research Trust, a British site, is at http://www.avert.org/ World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st, but the need to work on appropriate educational strategies around HIV and AIDS prevention education persists year round.
PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND ACCESS TO THE INTERNET How is the internet being used in adult education? What are some helpful uses, and how do we sort through the huge amount of material available on line? Susan Gaer is interested in helping programs link to one another, and has been doing so through an email project homepage on-line, at http://www.otan.dni.us/webfarm/emailproject/email.htm. If you have or know of similar learner work on line, please contact Susan at SusanG2@aol.com. As well, David Rosen (who in addition to advocacy work, has done a great deal of work on and research into using the internet) has asked that we have a look at the inquiry maps on the Adult Literacy Resource Institute1s home page. As he explains, "[a]n Inquiry Map is a group participatory research process on a topic of high interest to the group. Participants (in this case, adult learners) make their own questions, and then set about finding answers to them. The Inquiry map is a process which is never finished. Many of the questions go unanswered, are only partially answered, or have only one answer given where other points of view are possible. So, there is room for other participants to join in the process at any time, to add their answers, their comments on the answers already given, and questions which they might also choose to research." Questions, answers and comments can be posted to David Rosen <DJRosen@world.std.com>, and he'll add them to the inquiry map. So, it keeps on being an inquiry process with each new person who reads and adds to it. He welcomes additions of questions and answers; as you may know, many internet sites run threaded conversations on a variety of topics. The ALRI sites are: http://www2.wgbh.org/MBCWEIS/LTC/ALRI/I.M.html and http://www2.wgbh.org/MBCWEIS/LTC/ALRI/IM3.html (How to make inquiry maps). The LR/RI website has added a page about technology and learning as well. The page consists of the beginning of a discussion about the ways in which technology can be used interactively -- is the screen just a big flashy workbook, or is there more to it? Your comments can be sent by email, fax or regular mail, and will be added to the page to continue the conversation.
and also from previous issues:
Workshops available - During the past few years I've worked with a team of women from around Canada, through the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women, on Making Connections: Literacy and EAL Curriculum from a Feminist Perspective. The curriculum was developed for learners in basic education and English language programs. A series of workshops have been developed and are available to anyone in the area with an interest in learning more about incorporating the curriculum and its approaches into their own work. Please contact me (Janet) at LR/RI for more information and/or to schedule a workshop. Information about the curriculum is also available online at http://www.nald.ca/canorg/cclow/EAL.HTM. While the cost of the curriculum document itself is $20, there is no charge for the workshops.
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