OurMission:

To enhance the quality of Basic Skills Instruction

througheffective

professional development.

ABSPD ConnectionThe

Project UpdateIt was great to see so many of you at the writing workshops sponsored by the Project in March. We had 221 participants in the Learning to Write workshops and 179 in the Writing to Learn workshops. According to participant evaluations the most helpful parts of the workshops were writing and scoring GED essays followed by practical, hands-on activities during the workshops and the handouts and CD-ROM for later use. Many participants also noted the importance of having time to network with colleagues. We look forward to bringing you additional workshops in the future.

Our planning for Institute 2006: Empowerment Through Writing is in full swing. We are planning an exciting program with expert instructors including: Dr. Gerald Parker facilitating the training sessions, Jeff Goodman and Dr. Billy Irwin facilitating technology sessions, Dr. Susan Dean Gilbert facilitating a writing session, and Dr. Billy Irwin

facilitating a session on how the brain works. Jackie is busy with registrations. We still have seats available and will continue to take registrations until all seats are filled. Consider joining us in the mountains for a week of instruction and networking with colleagues from across the state. Contact the Project office for registration information.

Our latest training manual, Teaching Writing: A Tool Kit for Adult Basic Skills Educators, and CD-Rom, Effective Writing Instruction, have been mailed to directors. Both of these products offer ideas to improve writing instruction. To preview the materials, check with your director.

Spring, 2006

Dianne

The ABSPD Connection page 2

ABSPD has produced numerous videos, manuals, and CD-ROMS over the years, and now that we’ve completed our latest CD, Effective Writing Instruction, we’re taking advantage of a brief window of time before gearing up for Institute to revamp our catalog a little.

It seems technology changes faster than we can keep up with it. Some of our video series master tapes were produced on formats we no longer use, such as 3/4”, S-VHS, and DV-CAM. And we all know DVDs are replacing VHS as the consumer’s choice. At the same time, much of the research and information is still viable, so we’re in the long process of transferring master tapes and some footage tapes to the latest technology, mini-DV, giving you an option to VHS: our video series on DVD!

Because this is a little beyond our normal day-to-day activities, we’re doing one program at a time, as time permits, but the first project is a timely one, fitting in perfectly with our latest manual, CD-ROM, and this year’s Institute. Writing Across Adult Basic Skills was produced in 1999; written by Cheryl Knight and shot and edited by William (Biff) Farrell. Our current director, Dianne Barber, was a consultant on the project. The information, concepts, and tips for teaching are still current and useful.

Magnetic tape, such as the tape it was mastered on, degrades over time and you may have read on a DVD about how the quality of the original master may affect the look

of the DVD, but this program is only seven years old, and I have strived to correct any anomalies that may have occurred over time. I have re-mixed the intro, cleaned up the audio by digitally restoring the original, and fixed any video dropout. The concepts covered, originally at the end of the program are now available as a separate menu, as is the bibliography, making it easier to do further research. If you compare the DVD to the VHS I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

We feel that preserving this program and making it available in a new, updated format will help us to continue the original goal of our video series: being committed to excellence in adult education and basic skills instruction through focused professional development.

Hopefully this restoration and new format will last a while, but you know technology!

A Note From OurMedia Designer…

David Thompson, Multimedia Designer

David

“Educationhas taken mea long way.”

The ABSPD Connection page 3

Instructor Spotlight…Perry Brigham

Charles Perry Brigham (Perry) has been involved in Adult Education since October 2001. He is the lead instructor for The Compensatory Education Program for Sampson Community College, which provides academic classes for adults with mental handicaps. Perry arrived in Clinton, NC in 1997 from Key West, FL. It was the events of 9/11 however that compelled Perry to return to teaching. “I wasn’t teaching at the time, I had been out of teaching for about 5 years and I just reevaluated my life and what I wanted to do.” Perry wanted to put something back into the community, so he decided to return to education. He heard about a position from a church member who is also in the program at SCC and realized that this was his opportunity. Perry has utilized a variety of strategies and techniques but found the use of music in the classroom to be the most motivating and successful. Perry declared, “I can teach just about any subject using music, math, language arts, or reading.” Giving students the chance to achieve academically and be life long learners within their communities has been the most satisfying facet of working in adult education. Perry has found ABSPD to be helpful in his professional

development because it has always facilitated his professional growth by challenging him and serving as his “sounding board”. In addition, ABSPD has provided him strategies and techniques through our teaching materials and our annual Institute. When Perry is not teaching adult learners, he enjoys being with his wife, Rose and his three year-old daughter, Jasmine. His aspiration is to become a member of the PGA (Professional Golf Association) when he retires. “Golf is my passion away from work.” Perry’s life is comparable to a Cinderella story. He dropped out of high school at age 16. He went into the army at age 17, earned a GED, but still felt something was missing. He pursued an education because he needed to fill the void. He now has a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters Degree. “Education has taken me a long way.”

Perry Brigham

“Educationhas taken mea long way.”

L-R: Banessa Williams, Abigail Beltran,Perry Brigham, and Lethia Hunt, Institute, 2005

The ABSPD Connection

I attended my first NCCCAEA conference this past March. How nice it was to get out of these cold mountains and enjoy the coastal breezes for a few days! It was a fun experience. I got to meet a lot of new people and put faces to the people I’ve been talking to on the phone. We had a vendor table set up in the hallway leading to the main ballroom so people had to walk by us to get to the main events and no one walked away empty handed. I even overheard people talking about how we had the best candy of any vendor! We’ll be sure and bring more next year!

I am glad I was able to attend and learn more about the NCCCAEA Conference and all the benefits it offers to everyone involved.

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Appalachian State Uni-versity is committed to equality of educa-tional opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual ori-entation. Appalachian also actively promotes diversity among stu-dents and employees.

A Note FromJackie…

Our Lastest CD-Rom and Manual are now available......Check out our website or give us a call.

We’re on the web

See us at......

www.abspd.appstate.edu

David ThompsonMultimedia Designerthompsndp@appstate.edu

Jackie McInturffAdministrative Asst.mcintrff@appstate.edu

Dianne B. BarberDirector

barberdb@appstate.edu

ASU Box 32047Boone, NC 28608

Ph: (828)262-2269

Fax: (828)262-6086