strategies for conducting interactive synchronous distance classes online marta bret & frank...

STRATEGIES FOR CONDUCTING INTERACTIVE SYNCHRONOUS DISTANCE

CLASSES ONLINE

Marta Bret & Frank Quebbemann

Miami Dade College

FETC, January 24, 2004FETC, January 24, 2004 22

FETC PresentationFETC Presentation

I.I. Background on e-Reach ProjectBackground on e-Reach Project

II.II. Some Built-in Features of Horizon Some Built-in Features of Horizon Live to Promote InteractivityLive to Promote Interactivity

III.III. Additional Activities Used by Additional Activities Used by Online InstructorsOnline Instructors

E-Reach:Electronic Outreach

ThroughCommunity Service


I. What is e-Reach?I. What is e-Reach? e-Reach is an electronic outreach

program which offers Adult Basic Education, GED, and Workplace Readiness instruction on-line.

It is a collaboration between MDC and South Florida Workforce.

It is funded by the Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) of the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).


What is E-Reach about?What is E-Reach about? e-Reach uses state-of-the-art computer technology

(HorizonLive) to transmit live,synchronous classes on-line to participants at One Stop Centers several times a day. Hybrid Distance education program.

e-Reach has computer tutorials in math, reading, English, GED test preparation, and employability skills that can be used whenever the One Stop Centers are open.

Lab staff are available at the One Stop Centers to help with the technology, and teachers are accessible on-line to answer questions about class work.


Who is e-Reach for ?Who is e-Reach for ? One Stop customers and

community residents who need to improve their basic skills or who want to get their GED.

People who need to take classes at the One Stop Center near their home. Child care and other services are provided for One Stop customers. Locations are in their community.


How e-Reach WorksHow e-Reach Works

Participants are located at different One Stop locations around Miami-Dade County.

They are able to use Basic Skills, GED, and Workplace Readiness software programs at each site.

Classes and Workshops are held on-line. One-on-one tutorials on-line


On-Line Classes & On-Line Classes & WorkshopsWorkshops Participants receive schedules for

upcoming on-line classes & workshops. At the time of a class/workshop,

students log in to the course on the Internet and begin interacting with the instructor.

Interactions are via written chat and two-way audio using HorizonLive.

At the end of class, instructors

are available to answer questions.


Why e-Reach is set up this Why e-Reach is set up this wayway

Convenient for studentsConvenient for students Case managers are another level of Case managers are another level of

motivatorsmotivators No need for individual user technical No need for individual user technical

supportsupport Transition program to campus Transition program to campus

programsprograms Doorway to further collaborations with Doorway to further collaborations with

SFWSFW


E-Reach staff on siteE-Reach staff on site Retention Specialist

Interacts with South Florida Workforce staff

Motivates students to continue, get their GED, and move on to additional training or jobs

Keeps paperwork on project participants

Site coaches Help students access programs Answer basic questions related to

programs, or refer participants to on-line tutoring help

Record-keeping


Admission into ProgramAdmission into Program Participants can be referred by One-

Stop Center staff They can be referred by community

organizations They must take the TABE Test Their TABE scores must be at least:

Reading: 6.0 Language 5.0 Math 4.0


Participant OrientationsParticipant Orientations Basic computer skills

Computer workshops Site coach assistance On-line computer lessons

Computer application programs Use of multicasting software

(HorizonLive) Use of software programs

(PACEware, Contemporary GED and Pre-GED, SkillsTutor)

Course management (WebCT)


Lab Set-up & EquipmentLab Set-up & Equipment Up to 19 computers with GED

preparation software, as well as software for Adult Basic Education (Reading, Math, Language) and Employability Skills (Workforce Readiness Skills training). Some have ESL

Use of headsets for audio interactivity.

Printer, calculators, print materials for test preparation, server for database/records.


TimelineTimeline 2002

May: Memorandum of Understanding between M-DCC and SFW

August: Open House at Carol City August 27: Carol City e-Reach opens October: On-line classes begin November: North Side e-Reach opens December: West Dade e-Reach opens

2003 March: 2 GED graduates! October: Edgewater e-Reach opens November (projected): Perrine e-Reach opens More GED graduates!

2004 September 30, grant ends. Project continues


Project NumbersProject Numbers

Over 1,000 participants have been Over 1,000 participants have been referred by their case managers or referred by their case managers or recruited by e-reach staff.recruited by e-reach staff.

500 have taken the TABE test.500 have taken the TABE test. Majority (75%) are One Stop clients Majority (75%) are One Stop clients

(but varies according to Center)(but varies according to Center)


Expected OutcomesExpected Outcomes Improvement in participants’ basic skillsImprovement in participants’ basic skills Participants’ obtaining of high school Participants’ obtaining of high school

diplomas (GED)diplomas (GED) Improved employability skills and job Improved employability skills and job

placementsplacements Participants’ development of basic Participants’ development of basic

technological skillstechnological skills Improvement in participants’ English Improvement in participants’ English

communication skills. communication skills.


Recent OutcomesRecent Outcomes

13 students raised their grade level 13 students raised their grade level (based on State of Florida checklists)(based on State of Florida checklists)

23 students raised their grade level 23 students raised their grade level (based on TABE score results)(based on TABE score results)

9 GED graduates since April9 GED graduates since April


Recent OutcomesRecent Outcomes

GED graduate from North Side location with the Retention Specialist. Plans to enter M-DCC to become a middle school math teacher. GED graduate from Carol City to enter Navy in January.


Variables Under StudyVariables Under Study Number of children and agesNumber of children and ages

40 of the 51 women (78%) in the 18-24 age 40 of the 51 women (78%) in the 18-24 age group at NorthSide had at least one child under group at NorthSide had at least one child under the age of 8. Data to be collected on retention the age of 8. Data to be collected on retention rate.rate.

Goal orientation of participantsGoal orientation of participants Questionnaire being inputQuestionnaire being input

Perceived past accomplishmentsPerceived past accomplishments Job skills and previous employmentJob skills and previous employment Effect of non-present instructor on Effect of non-present instructor on

learninglearning


Variables Under Study Variables Under Study (cont.)(cont.)

Educational History Educational History The closer to Grade 12, the more likely to continue in The closer to Grade 12, the more likely to continue in

program (48% of attendees at NorthSide got to Grades program (48% of attendees at NorthSide got to Grades 11-12 vs. 24% of project non-attendees.11-12 vs. 24% of project non-attendees.

Language proficiency (native language)Language proficiency (native language) English, Spanish, Haitian CreoleEnglish, Spanish, Haitian Creole Language: Most frequently studied modules in PACELanguage: Most frequently studied modules in PACE

Perceived barriers and tools to overcome Perceived barriers and tools to overcome barriersbarriers Child care and Transportation are major barriersChild care and Transportation are major barriers Cohort Groups develop that stimulate some to continueCohort Groups develop that stimulate some to continue


II. Interactivity in II. Interactivity in Synchronous Distance Synchronous Distance

Classes in e-ReachClasses in e-Reach HorizonLive offers several built-in HorizonLive offers several built-in

features for interactivityfeatures for interactivity Instructor-StudentInstructor-Student Student-StudentStudent-Student


Instructor-Student Instructor-Student InteractivityInteractivity

Polling FeaturesPolling Features Multiple-ChoiceMultiple-Choice Short EssayShort Essay

Messaging FeatureMessaging Feature

Share ApplicationShare Application Two-Way AudioTwo-Way Audio Toolbar EnablingToolbar Enabling


Student-Student Student-Student InteractivityInteractivity

Messaging featureMessaging feature Avoids disruptions Avoids disruptions

caused by student caused by student “conversations”“conversations”

Two-way audioTwo-way audio Break-out roomsBreak-out rooms


Science Class Science Class


Math ClassMath Class


III. Teacher Considerations III. Teacher Considerations Regarding InteractivityRegarding Interactivity

Many students participate MORE Many students participate MORE ((because they are not in physical ((because they are not in physical presence of classmates))presence of classmates))

Need to provide more opportunities Need to provide more opportunities for interactionfor interaction


For More InformationFor More Information

The e-Reach website: http://www.mdcc.edu/kendall/ce/eReach/index.html

E-mail us: [email protected]

Marta Bret, Instructor [email protected]

Frank Quebbemann, Project Consultant [email protected]

http://www.mdcc.edu/kendall/ce/eReach/index.html

mailto:[email protected]







Thank youThank you

strategies for conducting interactive synchronous distance classes online marta bret & frank...

Documents

ereach staff

ereach worksparticipants

stop centers

stop locations

stop customers

synchronous classes

basic skills

fetc presentationbackground