STRATEGIES FOR CONDUCTING INTERACTIVE SYNCHRONOUS DISTANCE CLASSES ONLINE Marta Bret & Frank Quebbemann Miami Dade College

FETC, January 24, FETC Presentation I. Background on e-Reach Project II. Some Built-in Features of Horizon Live to Promote Interactivity III. Additional Activities Used by Online Instructors

E-Reach: Electronic Outreach Through Community Service

FETC, January 24, 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).

FETC, January 24, 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.

FETC, January 24, 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.

FETC, January 24, How 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

FETC, January 24, On-Line Classes & Workshops 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.

FETC, January 24, Why e-Reach is set up this way Convenient for students Convenient for students Case managers are another level of motivators Case managers are another level of motivators No need for individual user technical support No need for individual user technical support Transition program to campus programs Transition program to campus programs Doorway to further collaborations with SFW Doorway to further collaborations with SFW

FETC, January 24, E-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

FETC, January 24, Admission 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

FETC, January 24, Participant 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)

FETC, January 24, Lab 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.

FETC, January 24, Timeline 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

FETC, January 24, Project Numbers Over 1,000 participants have been referred by their case managers or recruited by e-reach staff. Over 1,000 participants have been referred by their case managers or recruited by e-reach staff. 500 have taken the TABE test. 500 have taken the TABE test. Majority (75%) are One Stop clients (but varies according to Center) Majority (75%) are One Stop clients (but varies according to Center)

FETC, January 24, Expected Outcomes Improvement in participants’ basic skills Improvement in participants’ basic skills Participants’ obtaining of high school diplomas (GED) Participants’ obtaining of high school diplomas (GED) Improved employability skills and job placements Improved employability skills and job placements Participants’ development of basic technological skills Participants’ development of basic technological skills Improvement in participants’ English communication skills. Improvement in participants’ English communication skills.

FETC, January 24, Recent Outcomes 13 students raised their grade level (based on State of Florida checklists) 13 students raised their grade level (based on State of Florida checklists) 23 students raised their grade level (based on TABE score results) 23 students raised their grade level (based on TABE score results) 9 GED graduates since April 9 GED graduates since April

FETC, January 24, Recent 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.

FETC, January 24, Variables Under Study Number of children and ages Number of children and ages 40 of the 51 women (78%) in the age group at NorthSide had at least one child under the age of 8. Data to be collected on retention rate. 40 of the 51 women (78%) in the age group at NorthSide had at least one child under the age of 8. Data to be collected on retention rate. Goal orientation of participants Goal orientation of participants Questionnaire being input Questionnaire being input Perceived past accomplishments Perceived past accomplishments Job skills and previous employment Job skills and previous employment Effect of non-present instructor on learning Effect of non-present instructor on learning

FETC, January 24, Variables Under Study (cont.) Educational History Educational History The closer to Grade 12, the more likely to continue in program (48% of attendees at NorthSide got to Grades vs. 24% of project non-attendees. The closer to Grade 12, the more likely to continue in program (48% of attendees at NorthSide got to Grades vs. 24% of project non-attendees. Language proficiency (native language) Language proficiency (native language) English, Spanish, Haitian Creole English, Spanish, Haitian Creole Language: Most frequently studied modules in PACE Language: Most frequently studied modules in PACE Perceived barriers and tools to overcome barriers Perceived barriers and tools to overcome barriers Child care and Transportation are major barriers Child care and Transportation are major barriers Cohort Groups develop that stimulate some to continue Cohort Groups develop that stimulate some to continue

FETC, January 24, II. Interactivity in Synchronous Distance Classes in e-Reach HorizonLive offers several built-in features for interactivity HorizonLive offers several built-in features for interactivity Instructor-Student Instructor-Student Student-Student Student-Student

FETC, January 24, Instructor-Student Interactivity Polling Features Polling Features Multiple-Choice Multiple-Choice Short Essay Short Essay Messaging Feature Messaging Feature Share Application Share Application Two-Way Audio Two-Way Audio Toolbar Enabling Toolbar Enabling

FETC, January 24, Student-Student Interactivity Messaging feature Messaging feature Avoids disruptions caused by student “conversations” Avoids disruptions caused by student “conversations” Two-way audio Two-way audio Break-out rooms Break-out rooms

FETC, January 24, Science Class

FETC, January 24, Math Class

FETC, January 24, III. Teacher Considerations Regarding Interactivity Many students participate MORE ((because they are not in physical presence of classmates)) Many students participate MORE ((because they are not in physical presence of classmates)) Need to provide more opportunities for interaction Need to provide more opportunities for interaction

FETC, January 24, For More Information The e-Reach website: us: Marta Bret, Instructor Frank Quebbemann, Project Consultant

FETC, January 24, Thank you