Showing posts with label Online. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Online. Show all posts

Thursday, January 21, 2021

37 Digital Resources For EL Students ▬ New America

37 Digital Resources For EL Students

Digital Resources
New America: 3.30.2020 by Amaya Garcia and Elise Franchino

New America’s Education Policy Program is closely tracking how school closures are impacting students and their families around the country. We have written about online learning in the wake of COVID-19, the struggles of childcare providers and early educators, the implications for incarcerated students, and more.

Over 4.8 million English learners (ELs) have been impacted by school closures. ELs have unique learning needs and require specialized services to support their language development. As school districts across the country continue to develop strategies for how to best meet the needs of ELs, we have compiled a list of digital resources to help supplement learning at home.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Bath ME :: Philadelphia PA :: Lincoln NE

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

@MidcoastLit
Midcoast Literacy To Present Free Readers Theater Online
Press Herald: 12.03.2020

Midcoast Literacy, a non-profit organization that provides free literacy tutoring to people of all ages, announces a free, live Readers Theater performance of two children’s books to be streamed online. The event will be held one time only on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. It will feature local professional actors reading “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse,” by Kevin Henkes and “Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree,” by Robert Barry.

“We are thrilled to be trying out a new way to share children’s literature with families in the towns we serve,” said Don Lader, Midcoast Literacy’s executive director, in a news release. “Originally, we had planned to launch our first-ever Readers Theater performance as a live, in-person event. Now, having made accommodations for the pandemic, we think this online version will be just as entertaining.”

The Readers Theater production will feature actors performing all the parts in the two books over Zoom.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 9
Reading Level: standard / average.
Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old
(Eighth and Ninth graders)

 

How thousands of Philadelphians Are Overcoming Literacy Barriers To Cast Their Vote
WURD Radio: 12.05.2020 by Sojourner Ahebee

           CLC   @FreeLibrary      @Center4Literacy

Linda Hyden cast her first ballot shortly before the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The year was 1964, and she had recently moved to Philadelphia. She was 20 at the time and remembers voting for Lyndon B. Johnson in that presidential election.

“I was 16-years-old when I left North Carolina,” recalled the 75-year-old Philadelphia resident.

Hyden is one of the six million African Americans who left the rural south between 1916 and 1970 in the advent of the Great Migration.

Though the 19th Amendment granted Black women in the United States the right to vote, voter disenfranchisement in the South persisted into the late 60s. It was common for white election officials in the south to tell Black voters they got the election day or polling location wrong.  And Hyden is from the same rural south that instituted literacy tests as a way to disenfranchise Black voters from casting their ballots.

That means theoretically, by law, Hyden would have been eligible to vote in North Carolina when she turned 18.  When she moved to Philadelphia and could take part in the next Presidential Election, she was free of the many voter intimidation tactics that characterized the south.

She’s never missed an election since then, even though she’s one of the 550,000 adults in the city who struggle to read.

And the obstacles to voting when you have low-literacy skills abound.  LISTEN 03.29

Community Learning Center

Free Library of Philadelphia

Center for Literacy


Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 10
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old
(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

The Refinery

Refugee Women Learning To Run A Small Business With The Help Of Mentors And Businesswomen
Journal Star: 12.08.2020 by Cindy Lange-Kubick

Friday night was graduation night for the entrepreneurs.

The six women made up the first class at The Refinery, a program designed to give immigrant and refugee women the opportunity to achieve economic independence and social capital.

A 10-week program that offered business education and professional mentorships — by women, for women.

The virtual ceremony, courtesy of COVID-19, lasted 15 minutes.

═════════►
Their mentors’ faces appeared in the video, too, and so did the businesswomen who taught them, and Kelly Ross, who dreamed up the nonprofit, created a program and made it happen.

═════════►
She started the nonprofit in September and launched its first program — The Refinery — the day after Labor Day. She plans to have three more classes in 2021.

The idea was born out of work with refugee and immigrant women and a need that she saw going unfilled, particularly for women who were still learning English.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)


Sunday, December 27, 2020

Literacy – Spanning North America :: Long Beach CA :: Fishersville VA :: Cleveland OH :: Fort St. John BC

Literacy In The News :: Spanning North America

@LBCityLibrary

New LB Reads' Article Club

The new LB Reads' Article Club invites adult learners to join our virtual meeting where we'll learn about national and international events with easy-to-read news stories and fun activities.

Our club meets the first Saturday of the month @ 10AM.

El Club de Noticias de LB Reads los invita a aprender inglés leyendo sencillos reportajes sobre acontecimientos nacionales e internacionales, además de divertidas actividades.

El club se reúne cada primer sábado del mes a las 3 pm.  READ MORE ➤➤

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)


LEARNVA

Literacy Group Moving To Online & Willing To Train New Tutors For The Staunton, County & Waynesboro Areas
Staunton News Leader: 12.02.2020 by Laura Peters

Judith Shuey is concerned for those who have a hard time reading and have lost their jobs. She says it's going to be harder for them to get back out there and find a job when they are struggling with literacy. 

"Many people have lost jobs during this pandemic and when those jobs open up again or there are new jobs, they require a higher literacy," Shuey said. "If our people aren't served in this time, they will be left behind."

That's where Learn English and Reading Now, or LEARN, comes in. Shuey is the executive director for the program.

LEARN is an adult literacy, volunteer organization that provides free tutoring in reading and English in the Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro areas. The group's mission is to increase opportunities for adults in our community through literacy.

In 2019, they served 55 people in the area.

It was established in 1981 as an affiliate of Literacy Volunteers of America.  READ MORE ➤➤

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 8
Reading Level: standard / average.
Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old
(Seventh and Eighth graders)


@seedsofliteracy

Maryland Couple Finds Hope Across State Lines at Seeds
* Seeds of Literacy Blog: 12.02.2020

Launched in September, Seeds of Literacy’s Virtual Classroom has become a lifeline to learning for students across the country.

Anaya and Isaac, who live in Maryland, are grateful for discovering the warm, welcoming way Seeds helps pupils thrive.

Anaya met her future husband, Isaac, in 2010, when Anaya (who has a master’s degree in public health from Boston University) moved to Tanzania to spearhead global health initiatives. The couple married in 2015 and settled in Maryland.

Isaac, who is fluent in Swahili and Maasai, wanted to sharpen his English skills and began taking adult-education classes at the Washington Literacy Center. When the center was forced to close as a result of COVID-19, the couple began searching for a safe alternative that would allow Isaac to continue his studies.

“We looked for education programs online that were virtual,” Anaya says. “Our Google search included virtual adult education and adult literacy, and Seeds came up.”

“We are so impressed with the way Seeds is creating a program tailor made for Isaac’s needs and that they do the same for everyone.”

One link takes students and tutors to the Virtual Classroom, with no complicated schedules to remember. The Virtual Classroom is open during the same hours as Seeds’ on-site locations (Monday through Thursday: Morning 9-11am, Afternoon 1-3pm, and Evening 6-8pm), and the staff continues to be able to pair tutors and students, just as they would in the classroom.  READ MORE ➤➤

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

* Newsletters ◻ Blogs ◻ Stories

 

@FSJLitSoc

Rotary Drive Thru Breakfast raises $6,000 for Fort St. John Literacy Society
Alaska Highway News: 12.04.2020

Fort St. John Rotarians visited the Fort St. John Literacy Society on Dec. 3 to present a $6,000 donation, raised with the community’s support at this year's Rotary Drive Thru Breakfast.

These funds will put more than 1,700 books into the hands of children in our community through the Literacy Society and its partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. There are 823 local children registered in this FREE program, which delivers one book a month to children aged 0-5, helping to build their literacy and social-emotional skills.

“Literacy is so important to our children and future generations. Having a child not only be excited about receiving a gift in the mail, but having something for a parent or sibling to read to them and having the opportunity to read back is incredible,” said Rotarian Vince van Wieringen. “This program does such a great thing for children all over the world, and we are happy to be able to help.”

“By increasing literacy at all levels, the community benefits in many ways including broader social inclusion and full participation in society such as social, civic, and political engagement,” said Jessica Kalman, Executive Director, Fort St. John Literacy Society. “The Imagination Library helps to prepare children for school, and builds early years literacy that is not only affordable for families, but delivered at home, where many often learn better. It builds family connection and social communication skills by encouraging caregivers to read and participate in the stories."  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)


Sunday, December 13, 2020

Literacy – Spanning North America :: Athol MA :: St. John's NL :: Moneta VA :: Troy NY

Literacy In The News :: Spanning North America

LVOA

Online Learning Has Been Life-Changing For Adult Literacy Students
Athol Daily News: 11.18.2020

“Surprising and wonderful” are not words that most of us associate with the pandemic. But for the adult students at The Literacy Project’s North Quabbin Classrooms, online learning has brought new opportunities for success, according to Executive Director Judith Roberts.

An adult literacy and high school equivalency program, The Literacy Project moved quickly last spring to offer their classes online. They began the Fall semester online and have recently announced that they will continue to teach classes remotely for the remainder of the school year.

Roberts notes, “We knew from the start that our success depended on getting computers to our students and getting them connected online. Our donors stepped up to help us do just that.”

Since March, The Literacy Project has distJributed [sic] 66 laptops to adult students to allow them to study from home. They have also supplied dozens of calculators, workbooks, notebooks, and novels for classes to read together.

For Literacy Project student Shiraza, originally from Sri Lanka, the online classes and computer scholarship have been life-changing. With young children attending school remotely from home, Shiraza has enrolled in Literacy Project classes to prepare for college and a career in health care while also caring for her family. “The Literacy Project has been the most surprising and wonderful experience,” she reflects. “Even though it has been challenging for me, I still feel like I am so blessed that I am able to spend time with my kids everyday and take part in my classes virtually.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 12
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old
(Twelfth graders)

 

@GatheringNL

Province Funds Adult Literacy Pilot Project At The Gathering Place
NTV News: 11.19.2020

The provincial government is spending $195,000 on an adult literacy pilot project at the Gathering Place. Two new learning support workers and a resource person will be hired in partnership with the Murphy Centre to develop programs for guests at the Gathering place.  WATCH 01:24

 

Landing Love 

Project

The Landing Love Project Receives $100,000 Gift Donation
WFXRtv: 11.20.2020

The owners of The Landing Restaurant and The Landing Love Project, Bruno and Tiffany Silva, announced their group has received a $100,000 matching gift donation from David and Michelle Baldacci. This donation will be used to expand on the hot meals dinner delivery service for local at-risk families and seniors throughout the greater Smith Mountain Lake region and surrounding counties.

“The Landing Love Project is humbled by this generous financial contribution from the Baldaccis as it will go a long way in supporting our mission. We recently reached another milestone by delivering over 35,000 meals to those in need within our community. This is the most important thing we have ever done, and The Landing Love Project is a part of us now and we have no plans to stop feeding those in need within our community.”

The Love Project’s goal is to secure a facility so these additional services can be provided in a physical space that is safe and conveniently located. The facility would allow students to arrive after school where they can provide a nourishing meal and utilize volunteers to provide tutoring for students. There is also a proposed separate learning area dedicated to adult education. The adult programs would aid with the following: improve reading skills, obtaining GEDs, resume writing and job searches.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 13
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old
(college level entry)

 

@AlbanyCanCode

Digital Literacy Program Based In Albany Being Offered To Adult Learners
WNYT: 11.20.2020

Your computer skills go hand in hand with your ability to work in emerging tech fields, and your ability to work from home. 

Starting in early December, Albany Can Code is offering a digital literacy program for adult learners.

If you want to get into computer programming, Albany Can Code also offers entry level classes that can help students break into the tech fields.  WATCH 00:46



Sunday, December 6, 2020

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Chicago IL :: Calexio CA : Greenfield MA :: Wilmington NC

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

@ChiCityLiteracy

Connecting Adult Learners with Resources for Education & Employment
McCormick Foundation: 11.09.2020

The Chicago Citywide Literacy Coalition was formed in 2003 to advocate for the improvement of adult literacy programs. Today, the organization works closely with workforce development organizations and gathers resources for adult education organizations to increase their capacity. The CCLC strives to help underserved adult learners improve their quality of life and become economically successful through educational programs involving technology and health literacy, the Career Pathways program, and continued literacy advocacy.

=When the CCLC recognized the declining number of adult education programs on the South Side of Chicago, which approximately 250,000 adults could benefit from, the organization took action to launch the South Side Career Pathways Collaborative in 2019 and created an organized career pathway system for the community.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 20
Reading Level: very difficult to read.
Reader's Age: College graduate

 

Camarena Library

Reflections on COVID-19
Adult Literacy on the Border: 8.04.2020 Clara Auyon

Today's post comes from Clara Auyon who has been in the ALS program for a couple of years now. With the guidance of literacy staff, she decided to participate in the California COVID Diaries project from the California State Library and California Library Literacy Services, and these are her reflections on the impact that COVID-19 has had on her life.

How has your life changed?

My life changed because I had to reorganize my day to day trying to fulfill my personal and professional activities without leaving home. Being in contact with my family, friends, neighbors, virtually, no longer hugging, kissing, meeting or sharing important dates with them in person. We had to implement all the hygiene protocols inside and outside the house, with food and not food as indicated by health authorities. Being at home all day we had to create new activities to fill our free time.

How have you changed?

It made me even more sensitive to the reality experienced by the most vulnerable people, valuing and enjoying what I have, my husband, my kids, my friends, my work, recognizing and investing every minute in what is really worthy, thanking God for being alive, for giving me faith and hope in these difficult times, for having a roof, food. Continuing working to be a better person, more committed to help others.

Important highlights: any silver linings?

We spend more time with my children, family thru WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. I am very happy to share more time with my husband. Before I only saw him Monday to Friday from 10 pm to 8 am. We have time to sharing activities that we like, cooking, watching movies, talking about politics, technology, etc.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 15
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: College graduate

 

Literacy Project

The Literacy Project To Continue Remote Learning Through Spring
Recorder: 11.15.2020 by Anita Fritz

The Literacy Project’s executive director says “surprising” and “wonderful” aren’t words most people associate with a pandemic, but for its adult students, forced remote learning has provided new opportunities for success.

“We knew from the start that our success depended on getting computers to our students and getting them connected online,” Executive Director Judith Roberts said. “Our donors stepped up to help us do just that.”

An adult literacy and high school equivalency program in Greenfield, Orange, Amherst, Northampton and Ware, The Literacy Project moved quickly in the spring to offer its classes online. Students now have the opportunity to study at home any time of the day. The program recently announced it will continue to teach classes remotely for the rest of the school year.

Since mid-March, when the pandemic hit the area, The Literacy Project has provided 66 laptops to students, allowing them to study from home or wherever they’d like. The agency also supplied dozens of calculators, workbooks, notebooks and novels for classes to read together.

The program’s students attend classes through Zoom video conferences and do math problems at home using Google Classroom. Roberts said teachers work from home, providing educational opportunities and points of connection with students.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 13
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old
(college level entry)

 

@cfliteracy

Bridging The Digital Divide
Wilmington Biz: 11.16.2020 by Erin Payne, Dir FD- Cape Fear Literacy Council

We exist in a digitized world, and the COVID-19 pandemic has placed particular emphasis on the level of digital literacy and access to digital resources required to execute the essential aspects of our daily existence. For many low-income families, seniors, and immigrants, this new reality is challenging to negotiate.

Well before the pandemic emerged, Cape Fear Literacy Council (CFLC) and many of its community partners recognized these critical disparities in digital access and education across the Cape Fear region. CFLC has a 35-year history of providing effective, personalized education to adults through one-on-one tutoring and small classes.

Like so many other organizations and businesses, the pandemic has forced us to rethink our priorities and reimagine the way we provide services. Our goal is to continue to provide our students with high-quality educational experiences in Adult Literacy, English as a Second Language, Citizenship, GED Preparation, and of course, Digital Literacy. Our hope is that we can use this opportunity to help bridge the gap so many of our students are experiencing as they try to connect to an increasingly online world.

Recently, CFLC has been operating on a hybrid model. Our facility is open on an appointment-only basis for tutor pairs who lack computer access or the digital skills to work remotely. However, for safety reasons, all multi-person classes are being offered online, and many one-on-one pairs are also meeting remotely. As we look to the near future, and see our COVID numbers rising, we are taking this opportunity to provide computer orientations to our students, so they can establish email addresses and connect to classes online.

We are also providing training to tutors, so they can use Zoom or other video platforms to continue to teach. Recently, the Literacy Council was fortunate to receive a grant award from The Landfall Foundation for remote-learning equipment, technology, and data packages – thus allowing us to provide access for learners in digitally-vulnerable areas.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 15
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: College graduate

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Cleveland OH :: Provo UT :: Westminster MD

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

@seedsofliteracy

Virtual Tutor Wins Most Treasured Volunteer Award from Community Solutions
Seeds f Literacy: 11.01.2020

Julie Rea was excited to become a tutor and a simple Google search brought her to Seeds.

“I think working with a student one-to-one, where you can really understand what they need to know — and how they learn— is incredibly effective,” she said.

But Seeds closed shortly after she completed Tutor Training. She never had a chance to tutor onsite.

Still, Julie Rea has become a household name for students and staff alike. Determined to make a difference, she was one of the first volunteers willing to tutor virtually and was a pioneer in the Virtual Classroom, eager and available to help.

Technology has proven to be a difficult adjustment for many students and tutors. But Julie was a champion of virtual learning and her enthusiasm encouraged others tutors to participate. Her comfort with technology puts students at ease and she is able to troubleshoot any tech difficulties that arise during lessons.

She developed and presented more than 20 lessons which are now available in the Seeds archives for students to review at any time. The majority of them cover math concepts.

═════════►
Julie’s efforts at Seeds during the pandemic, and her deep respect and empathy for the students, earned her a Most Treasured Volunteer award from The Center for Community Solutions.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 10
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old
(Ninth to Tenth graders)


@ProjectReadUtah

Project Read Shares Success Stories
Daily Herald: 11.06.2020 by Genelle Pugmire

The ability to read and write are everyday skills that most people take for granted. For some residents and neighbors those skills are nonexistent.

Those who lack reading and writing skills are typically ones who also miss out on good employment opportunities or just communicating with friends.

Project Read, a nonprofit organization that helps with adult literacy education, can help those who can’t read and write. Through volunteer tutors, they build a bridge to help them to better function in life.

With all of the extra issues that have been a part of 2020, Project Read continues to have successful students.

One student identified as Kenia has taken advantage of what Project Read can do and is reaping the rewards.

“Kenia’s positivity and desire to improve are contagious. She studies diligently and is even excited to take tests because she likes seeing her results and knowing how she’s improved,” said a Project Read report released Friday.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 10
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old
(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

Literacy Council 

Carroll County

COVID-19 Drives Implementation Of Virtual Learning For Literacy Council
Baltimore Sun: 11.09.2020 by Rebecca Arenson-Rachlinski

Since 1979, the Literacy Council of Carroll County has helped adult learners reach their personal educational, career, and life goals. Personalized programs and tutoring are tailored to the needs of each learner, with topics ranging from English, math, citizenship, writing a resume, and financial literacy, to preparation for licensing exams (such as the written portion of the Commercial Drivers License).

All materials and tutoring are free. Our clients are referred to us by our community partners and also self-refer, and have a wide range of education and skill levels. Some students are working on boosting their academic skills in math and reading. Some English language learners are starting with basic spoken English, while others have more advanced skills.

The hallmark of our program is the confidential, in-person, one-on-one tutoring provided by our volunteer tutors. As with other education programs, the pandemic threw a wrench into our learning model. The health concerns and restrictions meant that our tutor-learner teams could not meet in person. Clearly it was time to implement a virtual learning model. Our challenges included: 1. A focus on printed/paper based academic materials, 2. The tutors' and learners' technological skills and comfort levels, 3. Learners and tutors without internet and/or computer access, and 4. A lack of resources to purchase the needed equipment.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 10
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old
(Ninth to Tenth graders)