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What DL Support Services are available for Minnesota ABE?

Minnesota ABE DL Toolkit

+Outline

Supplemental Services project

Professional Development

Virtual Task Force

Proxy Hours, MABE and MARCS

Website

E-Letter

Consultation

+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

+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/

+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.

+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.

+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

+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

+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

+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

+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

+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.

+Questions?

See www.mnabe_distancelearning/

Supplemental Services grant and Project IDEAL applications: Jennifer.weaverling@spps.org

Project IDEAL and professional development: jvanek@themlc.org

Proxy hours, MABE and MARCS: jenny.schlukebier@spps.org

Virtual Task Force, E-Letter, webpage, general questions: thysom@real-time.com

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Produced by St. Paul DL Supplemental Services grant, 2012

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