Using Volunteers to Support Digital Literacy Rob Podlasek Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt November 2, 2012 Volunteer Management Conference
Agenda 0 Warm-up 0 What’s the Big Picture? 0 Volunteer Roles & Tasks 0 Skills, Knowledge, and Attitudes 0 Supporting the Use of Volunteers 0 Reflection
Draw Me a Picture What does digital literacy look like in your ABE program? ? ? ?
What is Digital Literacy? 0 Computer Literacy: the knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently 0 Digital Literacy: the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate and create information using a range of digital technologies 0 Definitions from Wikipedia.org
Digital Literacy: Beyond basic computer use to: producing and critically consuming information; communicating; engaging with media Computer Literacy Controlling the hardware; Using common software applications
Why teach Digital Literacy? 0 Job skill 0 Life skill 0 In 21 st Century America, if you are not engaging with digital media, you are not a full participant in our society.
ABE Instruction is Changing 0 Implementation of the Northstar Digital Literacy Standards & Assessments GED 2014 = computerized test
Optimizing Technology Integration Keep it SAFE for adult learners: 0 Seamless 0 Appropriate 0 Facilitated 0 Empowering Dillon-Marable, E. and Valentine, T. (2006), “Optimizing Computer Technology Integration,” Adult Basic Education, 16(2),
What does this mean for us? 0 ABE volunteers will see more frequent and diverse use of computers and other digital devices in the classroom. 0 ABE volunteers will be needed to support adult learners as they develop digital literacy skills.
What does digital literacy instruction look like? 0 Direct instruction 0 Exploratory learning 0 Project-based learning
Direct Instruction 0 I 0 We 0 You
A Sample Lesson Google Image Search
Volunteer Roles & Tasks 0 “I” stage: 0 Keep learners focused on the teacher 0 “We” stage: 0 Review directions 0 Reinforce vocabulary 0 “You” stage: 0 Coach learners 0 Help troubleshoot
Helping a Learner 0 What NOT to do: a demonstration 0 What’s better?
Skills, Knowledge, Attitudes 0 Skills 0 Digital literacy! 0 Coaching skills 0 Knowledge 0 Purpose of lesson / lesson objectives 0 Common errors 0 Effective strategies 0 Attitudes 0 “Helping” ≠ Doing it for them or giving the answer. 0 “Helping” = Guiding learners to find the answer for themselves.
Encouraging the Use of Volunteers 0 We can:
Supporting Volunteers 0 We can:
Reflection 0 What is your #1 take-away from this session? 0 What is one question or concern you have about using volunteers to support digital literacy instruction? 0 What’s your next step? (Something you can do before Dec. 31)
Thank You! 0 Rob Podlasek: 0 Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt: