1. Can one online teacher education course really help teachers help LESLLA learners? LESLLA 2010 Koln, Germany Nancy Faux

2. Beyond Basics: ESOL Beginning Literacy  Free to Virginians  Online through Blackboard  Facilitated  Asynchronous, appx. 3-4 hours x week of work  6 weeks = 6 modules  Content used excerpts from practitioner materials and interviews but did not follow a textbook Weekly assignments including 2 discussion postings Final lesson plan and reflection.

3. Beyond Basics: ESOL Beginning Literacy (pilot group) Winter/spring 2010 Facilitator: Betsy Wong (Alexandria) 10 participants – all completed Most participants from northern Virginia but from different programs Evaluations conducted

4.  How would you evaluate a course such as this?

5. Five Levels of Professional Development Evaluation – Guskey (2002) 1. Participants’ reactions 2. Participants’ learning 3. Organization support & change 4. Participants’ use of new knowledge and skills 5. Student Learning Outcomes

6. 1. Participants’ Reactions Evaluation Scores, Part 1: 5 Point Scale The content of the training was useful 4.74 The information presented was sufficient 4.74 The content of the course was appropriate 4.83 Course materials can be adapted 4.83 The content of the external links was useful 4.91 The content was easy to understand 4.83 Total Avg Score: 4.81

7. Additional Comments Strongest features of this course? The material presented was relevant to teaching/learner needs and progression. The online community that was established early and supported throughout the course was strong. The positive feedback from the facilitator.

8. Additional comments, 2 Weakest features? Improvements? I thought doing the lesson plan was not useful. I would rather have more discussion of useful activities. I would like to see some sample pages from books that are commonly used in this type of program, with suggestions… Course was excellent. No suggestions for improvement.

9. 2. Participants’ Learning  Demonstrations: assignments  Participants’ reflections – 541 Example: Lesson 4 - Sound/Symbol Correspondence a. Design a Lesson b. Design an Activity c. Read and Reflect

11. 3. Organization Support & Change Evaluation Scores, Part 2: 5 Point Scale The course was easy to use. 4.82 The presentation of material was clear. 4.82 The course site was easy to navigate. 4.64 All links in the course were clearly labeled and easily identifiable. 4.73 Icons and symbols were easy to understand. 4.64 The course web pages loaded quickly. 4.55 Total Avg Score Part 2: 4.70

12. 4. Participants’ Use of Knowledge and Skills  Post survey conducted through Survey Monkey (online)  Few responses  Summer  Changed email account  Work email not accessed in summer  Privacy concerns  Disinterest

13. Total of 8 questions 1. Did you complete all modules of the course? Yes =100% 1. Have you continued to work with Beginning Literacy level ESL learners? Yes =100%

14. 3. Since taking this course, have you been integrating activities on: MoreMuch More  Phonics 25.0%75.0%  Alphabetics 50.0% 50.0%  Sight recognition of words 25.0% 75.0%  Mechanics of writing 0.0% 100.0% Awareness of the building blocks of writing? 33.3% 66.7%

15. 4. Are you using any resources that you learned about in the course? Yes = 100% 5. Has your awareness of learners’ literacy needs increased since this course? Very much = 75% Somewhat = 25% Already knew their needs = 0%

16. 6.Has your ability to differentiate instruction to meet a variety of literacy levels increased since this course? Very much = 50% Somewhat = 50% Still find it difficult = 0% Already differentiated instruction = 0%

17. 7. In general, how much has the online course influenced or shaped your current practice? Totally = 25% Very much = 50% Somewhat = 25% Very little = 0% Not at all = 0%

18. 8. Any additional comments? 1. It was worth my time and effort. I am more aware of how learners learn. I have new ideas and materials to supplement other texts. My students have been more consistent in attendance because I present materials in a manner that meets their learning styles and needs. 2. I have a background in teaching reading (MEd)so I probably gained less from this course than others. 3. I thought it was excellent and loved the feedback from the online interaction. 4. Great class!

19. 5. Student Learning Outcomes

20.  Tune in for the next episode at LESLLA 2011 in Minnesota!!