1. + What DL Support Services are available for Minnesota ABE? Minnesota ABE DL Toolkit

2. + Outline Supplemental Services project Professional Development Virtual Task Force Proxy Hours, MABE and MARCS Website E-Letter Consultation

3. + Supplemental Services Project A Supplemental Services grant was awarded to St. Paul ABE in 2009-10 to support distance learning (DL) in Minnesota ABE. This year, grant focuses include: Professional development, through Project IDEAL, regional training, and Summer Institute Managing the Virtual Task Force Improving DL data collection Providing communication through a bi-monthly E-Letter and revamped website Providing consultation on DL questions

4. + Professional Development Project IDEAL is a consortium of states working together to develop effective distance education programs for adult learners Through collaborative research and practice, the consortium works to raise the quality of distance education across the country http://projectideal.org/

5. + Minnesota uses Project IDEAL to host DL 101 and 102 Study Groups 101: Create a DL site implementation plan through structured learning about best practice. Online Tools – Readings on best practice – Study Group Curricula managed through Google Groups – Discussion with colleagues around the state – Activities completed by site teams – Follow up Webinars Final product: A written pilot DL site implementation plan Implementation Phase – Use pilot plan supported by DL101 peers and facilitators to focus on recruiting, screening, and orienting the right learners, providing instruction, and assessing progress.

6. + DL 102 – Focus on Instruction “The Study Group on Teaching provides opportunities for experienced distance teachers to spend four weeks focusing on how to support learners in their course of study. “ Participants develop case studies on chosen topics, such as use of DL to teach math, or specific DL platform use.

7. + How does Project IDEAL work in Minnesota? Each year, consortias around the state can apply About 10 are selected annually Participating consortias must include an instructor and an administrator in their teams Participation in activities though out the year is required Stipends are provided to cover the costs of participating

8. + Virtual Task Force The VTF provides recommendations to the MDE ABE staff regarding approval of DL platforms for proxy hour status It also makes recommendations regarding DL policy and practice Membership includes ABE practitioners from around Minnesota who are skilled in DL delivery. Many are Project IDEAL graduates This year, the VTF will explore ways to periodically review and “re-vet” approved DL platforms

9. + Proxy hours, MABE and MARCS Provides answers to questions about proxy hour definitions Training and assistance in entering data and running reports in MABE and MARCS

10. + Website: www.mnabe_distancelearning/ The website provides a wide variety of DL resources for ABE. This year, the website is being significantly expanded. Information on the website includes: An overview of DL in Minnesota ABE Detailed information on all approved DL platforms, including Super Users who can provide assistance Best Practices Professional development resources A detailed FAQ

11. + E-Letter Bi-monthly E-Letters are distributed statewide Each edition includes updated information on the development of DL in state ABE programs Resources and contacts are also included

12. + Consultation Supplemental Services staff and consultants are available to answer questions and provide resources on request Contact thysom@real-time.com and he will route your question to the right person.thysom@real-time.com

13. + Questions? See www.mnabe_distancelearning/www.mnabe_distancelearning/ Supplemental Services grant and Project IDEAL applications: Jennifer.weaverling@spps.org Jennifer.weaverling@spps.org Project IDEAL and professional development: jvanek@themlc.org jvanek@themlc.org Proxy hours, MABE and MARCS: jenny.schlukebier@spps.org jenny.schlukebier@spps.org Virtual Task Force, E-Letter, webpage, general questions: thysom@real-time.comthysom@real-time.com

14. + Produced by St. Paul DL Supplemental Services grant, 2012 All rights reserved