1. Critical Choices: Distance Learning for an At-Risk Workforce
AC and SK
Introduce and short background.
Year One!
Lessons learned from a non-traditional student population using online technologies
Presenters:
Aline Click
Susan King

2. Northern Illinois University
Today’s Presentation
What is the Critical Choices Program?
What are some of the issues in designing and developing the program?
How does technology help address the issues? SK
Summarize why this is timely – the use of technology in non-traditional ways.
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

3. Northern Illinois University
What’s in it for you?
Defining issues associated with online classwork
Identifying appropriate tools
Understanding the flow of technology related to issues and tools SK
You are not working with this audience so why would you be interested in this topic?
But you may be making similar practical decisions.
What are the major concepts to define?
How do the tools work?
Handout of a checklist for decision making?
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

4. Defining the Critical Choices Program
LAAP Grant Initiative Sk
First I will give a brief overview of what we are dealing with – how we came to be part of the LAAP program

5. Learning Anytime Anyplace Partnership
LAAP is a grant program for asynchronous, innovative, scalable, and nationally significant distance education projects
Funded by US Department of Education SK
LAPP is part of FIPSE which is the Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education
11 awards in 2000
6 in 2001
Submitted a proposal last spring, got accepted last summer, began in the fall
$3 million program, half provided by Govt., half by matching grants
University of Iowa
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Indiana University School of Nursing
University of Maryland College Park
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Northern Illinois University
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

6. Critical Choices Project Overview
“A comprehensive online workplace success skills program to provide low-income and welfare recipients with essential workplace skills”
Design
Develop
Implement
Evaluate
Disseminate nationwide
Support Sk
LAAP is “seed money” from the government to develop programs that will be effective and financially successful on a national level.
Not only design a course, market it, support it, etc
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

7. Northern Illinois University
Partners
Training Alliance of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Training, Inc.
Northern Illinois University
E-learning services
Department of Adult Education
Center for Governmental Studies Sk
For this project, NIU will provide project management skills; expertise in web-based course development and a course delivery platform; and expertise in counseling, adult education, and evaluation.
Both the YMCA’s Training Alliance and Training, Inc. bring proven track records in providing welfare-to-work training and access to the computer hardware needed. The YMCA’s Training Alliance will provide the basic curriculum for Critical Choices, and Training, Inc. through its partner associates will provide the capacity to deliver the program nationally.
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

8. Northern Illinois University
Course Focus
Self-knowledge
Educational and occupational exploration
Career planning
Life plan assessment Sk
1.       Currently, they are offered only in a classroom format, and thus are very labor intensive for instructors and offer very limited access to welfare recipients. Recipients must come to the centers to take the class and must work through the assignments at a pace determined by the instructor. In the case of the First Step, Training Alliance is able to serve only 200 students a year;
2.       Currently the First Step program has a 25% dropout rate. Students face barriers to completion that include childcare problems and the limited hours during which the course is offered;
3.       Other reasons that students drop out include lack of motivation and discouragement.
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

9. Design and Development Issues
Pioneering Program for Population and Delivery System Sk
Now that we know what the overview of the program is, what specifically is NIU doing?

10. Issue 1: Sound Instructional Design
Analysis Phase
Design Phase
Development Phase
Evaluation Phase Sk
Always the first thought – sound design
Analyze the learners, content, environment, etc. and develop appropriate objectives
Design the interface, curriculum, interactions, evaluations
Develop the tools
Check to see if the objectives were met
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

11. Northern Illinois University
New Approach
Help an at-risk group develop critical work-related skills
Develop a technology-based delivery system
Bridge the digital divide to learn anytime and anywhere Sk
Take a closer look at these three major approaches as issues
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

12. Issue 2: Target Audience and Motivation
U.S. welfare system overhaul in 1996
Some success
For the most part the jobs they find do not pay a livable wage
Only 25% of those tracked held the same job after 18 months
Why should they take another class? Sk
This is the last group of people in the Welfare to Work group. The first group to merge into the job marketplace did so years ago. However, many are still under the poverty level.
Why should they take another class?
Flexibility
YMCA track record of helping people get and keep livable wage jobs
Connections
support
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

13. Northern Illinois University
Computer Literacy
Digital Divide: Gulf between
Those who have access to computer technology and the necessary skills to use it effectively
And those who do not
Implications in the job market Sk
Implications in the job market:
Low level and low paying jobs don’t use computers
Computer skills add to marketability
How a person feels about his ability to use computers is pivotal to success. “Computer self-efficacy” and self esteem/confidence
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

14. Northern Illinois University
Research
A Study by California State University Institute (1999) Defined needs of welfare to work, low literacy and skills population
Sound instructional design
Appropriate use of technology
Adequate support for sustained involvement Sk
Research on this population and computers is sparse
Govt. feels it is important to fund this type of program
This is pioneering work and probably the basis for future study
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

15. Monitoring Progress vs. Privacy
Siegel (1996) found that a key component to successful online education for at-risk populations seems to be closely monitoring student progress
Also found this population tends to drop out of the program, especially if they did not feel closely watched Sk
How to monitor progress and motivate to completion?
Major issue that shapes many design and development issues:
Right to privacy
Building community/Teamwork
Information shared with case worker
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

16. Northern Illinois University
Issue 3: Type of Content
Skills necessary to qualify for higher paying jobs include “Soft Skills” such as:
Communication
Decision-making
Teamwork
Reasonable reflective thinking Sk
Some is fairly easy to present such as how to find potential jobs and how to fill out an application.
Other is fairly complex such as effective teamwork and the ability to communicate.
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

17. Critical Thinking Defined
The skill of reasonable reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to do or believe (Baron & Sternberg, 1987)
Critical thinking to be embedded in course activities
Critical thinking to be evaluated as an outcome Sk
Dept. of Adult Ed at NIU is analyzing the curriculum and designing activities for critical thinking
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

18. Technology Considerations
Addressing the Issues with Insight and Innovation AC
Introduction to eLearning Services and most of the Critical Choices Technology Team
Experienced at developing custom online education. Our team consists of …
Technology as well as creative “Think Tank”

19. Northern Illinois University
Test the theory that blended model can overcome traditional limitations:
Greatly increase accessibility because of anywhere, anytime aspects
Reduce dropout by blending enhanced counseling with increased accessibility
Improve learning outcomes by accommodating differing learning styles
Empower participants to overcome the digital divide AC
#1 So the student can go to their local lab when auntie Jean is available to sit the kids.
#2 F2F, Phone and/or
#3 Text, audio, graphical, interpersonal (journaling), extra personal (team work), research…
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

20. Northern Illinois University
System Requirements
Platform: Windows 95/98/2000, or Windows NT with Service Pack 4 Processor: Pentium II (233 mhz or better) RAM: 32 MB or greater Modem Speed: 28.8 kbps modem or faster Audio: 16 bit Sound Card and Speakers Video: Display card (minimum 65,000-color) Monitor: Set to 800 x 600 resolution or better Software: Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1, RealPlayer 8 (free version available), Acrobat Reader, Shockwave Player
Platform: MacOs 8.1 or Later Processor: 604 Power PC (200 Mhz) or faster RAM: 32 MB or better, Virtual Memory turned on, set to 64MB Modem Speed: 28.8 kbps or greater Monitor: Set to 800 x 600 resolution or better Software: Internet Explorer 5.0, RealPlayer 8 (free version available), Acrobat Reader, Shockwave Player
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

21. Northern Illinois University
Public Side
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

22. Critical Choices Technology FlowAC
The private side
Welcome Center
Learning Center
Community Center
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

23. Learning Management System
Security
Personalization
Information important to the individual
Location Info
Class Info
Individual Info
Communication
Feedback
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

24. Northern Illinois University
Welcome Center AC
Parts
Technology of Welcome Center
Drag and drop photos
Form input
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

25. Northern Illinois University
Learning Center
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

26. Learning Center as Focus of Project
Computer Orientation
Resources
Communication
Back Pack
Personal documents
Modules
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

27. Technology in Learning Modules
Presentation via video scenarios, audio/slideshow, or activity (media intensive)
Interactive quiz/activity (images used for visual support)
Threaded discussion with classmates and/or a case manager or facilitator
Assignment/Activity (varied and checked online by facilitator)
Video = choices
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

28. Learning Interactions
Between instructor/facilitator and learner
Among learners
Between learner and resources
Hyperlinks
Search tools
Media
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

29. Northern Illinois University
Other Technology
Backpack (similar to a grade book)
Personal documents
Time spent online
Profile Information (editing)
To do list / calendar
Module completion checklist
Communication
Threaded discussion
> classmates > facilitator
Chats
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

30. Northern Illinois University
Community Center
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

31. Ongoing Effects of Community
Connections to other people
Access to information
Financial
Health
Child care
Any area of interest
Place to keep personal information
Resources
Threaded discussions and chats are still available
Ophra
Ivillage
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

32. Comparative Benefits of Online Experience
Increases writing and reading comprehension skills
Allows participants to move through the material at their own pace
Facilitates independent working skills
Provides a broad range of informational resources
Develops an extended community that remains after the class
February 18, 2002
eLearning Services,
Northern Illinois University

33. Questions ?

34. Aline Click aclick@niu.edu Susan King scking@niu.edu
Aline Click
Susan King