the role of study circles in promoting health literacy
DESCRIPTION
The Role of Study Circles in Promoting Health Literacy. A Presentation to NIFL Health Literacy Summit Regional Resource Center I Indianapolis, Indiana March 25-26, 2008 Winston Lawrence Ed. D. OVERVIEW OF SESSION. The LAC and context Need for health literacy - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Role of Study Circles in Promoting Health Literacy
A Presentation to NIFL Health Literacy Summit Regional Resource Center I Indianapolis, Indiana March 25-26, 2008 Winston Lawrence Ed. D
OVERVIEW OF SESSION
The LAC and context Need for health literacy Why study circle ? A different approach to instruction Study circles in action Other Initiatives
Literacy Assistance Center (LAC)
Professional Staff Development(ESOL, ABE, GED, Family literacy, Health literacy) New York City Regional Adult Education Network (RAEN)ASSITS Database
Demographics
New York City – Population 7MEstimated : 1.5M need adult literacy servicesLiteracy students served – 60,000Adult ESOL – 60%Languages served in K-12 – 178
Need for Health Literacy
LAC brought to issue through Mayor’s Office
Large number of low income citizens not accessing free/low cost health insurance
How could LAC assist in addressing the issue?
Why Study Circle?
Need to train teachers in new approach Traditional approach - teachers teach
some health content – e.g. asthma Teachers teach topics they are
comfortable with The teacher attempts to be the expert Health literacy instruction depends on the
teacher’s interest
A DIFFERENT CONCEPTUAL DESIGN – Health Literacy Model
Developed by Dr Rima Rudd and team from National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) and Harvard School of Public Health
Instructional focus is on health tasks and underlying skills
Teacher’s literacy instructional strength is maximized
What is the new model?
Three (3) critical areas of health related tasks HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND NAVIGATION
CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT
DISEASE PREVENTION AND SCREENING
Why were these three areas chosen?
Chosen because they have been highlighted as areas of the greatest health disparities in the US affecting literacy students.
Examples of health tasks
Using an automated telephone Offering informed consent Making appointments with the doctor Reading prescription labels Advocating for self and others Engaging in disease screening
Examples of underlying skills
Language - oral, listening Literacy - reading, writing Numeracy (math) Problem solving, Communication, Advocacy
Health-related tasks and underlying skills
Using automated telephone (oral) Reading prescription labels
(reading) Taking tests (reading, writing, math)
How do teachers learn the new approach? Professional Development Model
NCSALL has identified the Study Circle as an effective professional development tool for teachers.
SC provides an opportunity for teachers to translate theories and research into practice
What is a study circle?
Participants reflect and discuss: Their contexts and experiences in relation
to the topic Theories and concepts from the research
or readings about the topic. Their ideas about implications of these
theories and concepts for practice, policy and further research.
The Health Literacy Study Circle PLUS
TEACHERS
Explore students’ needs and interests in relation to the topic
Try out sample lessons and develop their own lessons
Develop plans for implementing skills- based teaching.
Study Circle Sessions
Duration : 3 – 5 sessions
Typical session: Introductory activities
Discussion and analysis – bulk of time
Planning activities
Closure activities
Partnerships – A complement
* Students learn first hand about US health system
Literacy programs have opportunity to enhance instructional capability of health personnel
Collaboration increases community capacity Health agencies have opportunity to reach
wider community with health message.
Study circles activities - Summary
* Trained more than 200 teachers* Established more than 20 partnerships Teachers have had opportunities to
experience professional growth Impacted at least 6,000 students –(and
their families) Given program managers confidence in PD
(evidence based)
Evaluation Comments from Teachers
“I became so interested in this subject that I found it hard to leave the material and go on with my other curriculum”
“This approach opened up a lot for me. It made me think about what it means to do skills-based teaching for health or anything else”
Evaluation Comments from Students
‘I feel comfortable. I’m not afraid”
“I don’t need to visit doctor because I can ask questions on phone. Feel confident”
Other Initiatives
* NY State Education Department WIA Title II RFP
Mayor’s Office of Adult Education
Health Literacy Fellowship Program Health Literacy Campaign
MORE INFORMATION
Winston Lawrence Ed. D Literacy Assistance Center New York, New York 10004 [email protected] Tel: 212-803-3326 Website: www.lacnyc.org