The New ABE:

Preparing for the Next Step

NEDPC Conference

October 15 -16, 2012Presenter: Sharon Muldowney

Middletown Adult Education, CT

ABE (Adult Basic Skills)

ABE in Adult Education programs focuses on: Reading, Writing, Math

Why increase these skills?Improve Life Skills, Employability SkillsHealth LiteracyPass GED test or CDP classes or..Enter NEDP as a candidate What

information about the applicant does this form provide?

Current Class Instruction

Reading to do somethingFind informationUnderstand instructionsFollow directions …mapsMain idea and some basic inference skillsOther thoughts..

Current Class Instruction (cont.)

Writing to do somethingFill out applicationsDescribe somethingWrite letters/communicateTake messagesOther..

Current Class Instruction (cont.)

Math to do somethingFill out a time sheetRead a graph and do some basic

computationFigure out what to tip in a restaurantDiscounts, shipping charges Other….

Norman Webb’s Depth of Knowledge

What is it? Basically.. 4 levels of assessing a student’s

work to see how well s/he understands the concept

See handouts and talk about where your class activities fall in these levels

ALSO…any technology involved right now?

NEDP Technology Skills Self-Assessment Checklist

Assess yourselvesJust give a few ideas of what might help

increase these skills in ABE

Old NEDP vs. New NEDP

Technology – calculator…optional keyboarding and internet search activities

Technology – This program will be

on-line and accessed through a computer. Candidates will need to produce documents and complete tasks using a computer

Old NEDP vs New NEDP

Find information and restate it

Read and interpret graphs

Read for main idea, sequence, basic inference

Resources are given to you, but you must interpret them and apply them.

Make graphs and analyze them

Assess the presentation, author’s point of view, use of language, style

Old NEDP vs New NEDP

Write paragraph, letter of complaint

Solve problems in realistic situations using multi-steps

Distinguish fact from opinion

Word Document

Same!! (with technology)

Distinguish fact from opinion and fact from point of view

Modify Instruction? Some ideas

Do they have an email account? Keyboarding, accessing internet, using log

in and password. Plus, they need this for NEDP!

Any keyboarding skills? Mavis Beacon Can writing be done as a Word doc and

then printed?

Modify Instruction? Some ideas

How about a small strategy segment at the end of class? Solitaire. You really need to click and drag here!

Finding information on the internet vs using paper magazines and newspapers. Use google news tab.

Math websites for basic math, but, again, they are clicking and moving ….

Modifying instruction with DOK

Starting with Level 2 (This might not be a big change for us) “cause and effect” “summarize” “classify”Show information in a different format.

Possibly an art project or explain through a story

Demonstrate how events or tangible things are related

Modify Instruction? Some ideas

Level 3 and 4 focus on strategic thinkingA debate might be fun (Convince

someone)Conduct an investigation (mystery,

something in the news that’s baffling etc.)

Sample of ABE class activity

 Objective: Identify details/Main Idea Materials/resources: Pictures, short essaysIntroduction: Explain the lesson plan for todayHow does Main Idea help comprehension Modeling: Show pictures and identify details / What is this a

picture of? Main Idea Read selection …identify details / How did I decide on Main

IdeaGuided Practice: Show additional pictures…details/main idea

together.Selections read aloud..identify details together/main idea

 Independent practice: Pass out passages with main idea questions

 

Group Activity

Revise ABE class activity.Remember Technology and DOK will help

them be successful.

Summary

A friend once said “Change is good!!! for everyone, but me.”

We have help. Keep your resources. ICT Performance IndicatorsNEDP Competencies (draft 2012)NEDP Technology Skills SACHandout on Level 1- 4 DOKNEDP Online Assessment Tips for NEDP

Candidates