M OBILIZING A DULT L ITERACY T H Blended Learning E M Learner - PDF document

M A K I N G S E N S E O F M OBILIZING A DULT L ITERACY T H Blended Learning E M Learner achievement in blended learning environments is greater O than in either online or face-to-face learning alone. D NMC Horizon Report, 2015 E R N W O R L D Lesley Dunn, Executive Director Dartmouth Learning Network www.dartmouthlearning.net (902) 463-9179 @DartmouthLearn

Dartmouth Learning Network Mobilizing Adult Literacy Blended Learning Blended learning takes traditional face-to-face classroom instruction and adds an online portion where the learner has the ability to control their place, path and pace. We’ve come a long way … Why Blended Learning In an effort to reduce the number of potential learners on wait lists and equip all working aged Nova Scotians with the skills needed for work, family and community engagement, The Dartmouth Learning Network (DLN) is Mobilizing Adult Literacy. Literacy takes on new meaning in a modern world to now include the functional skills necessary for attachment and retention to the labour market. These skills go well beyond reading, writing, and numeracy, to include digital literacy, oral communication, working with others, document use, computer use, independent thinking and a desire for continuous learning. These skills are vital to the financial security and well-being of all Nova Scotians, and they are also drivers of economic growth and prosperity. For thirty years the Dartmouth Learning Network has been witness to people’s desire to learn and to improve their chances of getting a job. The challenge continues to be matching the demand for support and capacity to meet that demand. DLN receives approximately 20 calls a week and connects with up to twelve individuals a week at the local food bank looking to enroll in upgrading programs. Attempts to meet the demand often ends with potential learners being placed on wait lists until a seat in a classroom or match with a tutor could be arranged. The wait could be six to eight weeks or longer, by that time the learner has lost their motivation. An innovative solution was called for leading to the development of Moving on Up an eLearning platform allowing potential learners to jump start their learning. Lessons can be completed online, anywhere, anytime and are designed to enhance reading, writing and math skills, while building computer skills and digital fluency. The platform retains its integrity whether Making Sense of the Modern World Conference, Richmond, BC November 19 th -20 th , 2015 1

Dartmouth Learning Network accessed through a Smartphone, Tablet, Laptop or Desktop computer. The lessons are closed captioned for the hearing impaired and attention has been paid to colour and font size to allow for easy access by persons with visual impairments. All the courses are free thanks to the support of the Rotary Club of Dartmouth and seed funding from the Department of Community Services and the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. While still in its development stages Moving on Up has proven to be a vital addition to a blended learning environment, including instructor led (group and one-on-one learning), and independently by move advanced learners. Learners from Community Learning Organization across the province have been testing the eLearning site and the feedback to date has been very positive. You can visit the new Moving on Up eLearning Platform at www.dlnmovingonup.ca new lessons are being added regularly! Blended Learning Provides  Increased accessibly  Increased engagement  Increased digital literacy skill development  Immediate feedback  Capitalizes on strengths/benefits of technology  Reduces operational costs  Reduces boredom Busy schedule! No Problem! Convenient online courses for adults in math, reading, writing and GED preparation Improves skills, anywhere, anytime and on any device Skills transform lives, generate prosperity, and promote social inclusion. Making Sense of the Modern World Conference, Richmond, BC November 19 th -20 th , 2015 2

Dartmouth Learning Network Live On Demand Learning Source Caroline Gray – Why Everything Old is New Again – But Better Learning Process Rather than Event Source Caroline Gray – Why Everything Old is New Again – But Better Making Sense of the Modern World Conference, Richmond, BC November 19 th -20 th , 2015 3

Dartmouth Learning Network Mobile Learning Predictions Source: Michaels & Associated Learning Solutions, November 25, 20  By 2015 80% of people will be accessing the Internet from mobile devices.  65% of information searches started on a smartphone with 64% of these searches continued on a PC or tablet.  75% of mobile learners praised the convenience and time management benefits  46% of mobile workers would pick a smartphone over a tablet or a laptop as their favorite device  45% spend less time in training with no loss of comprehension  Mobile learners study 40 minutes more each week by studying everywhere they go.  Users studying on mobile devices are 3 times more likely to track their progress.  Students with smartphones are twice as likely to study between 6am and 8am. Our eLearning Platform  Courseware developed in Articulate Storyline 2 and published to the web  Cross device accessibility, including desktop, iPad, tablet and smartphone  Free and accessible Currently available:  Level 1 Math for all Ages  Level 2 Math Focusing on Fractions  Level 1 English, My Front yard, Module 1  GED Prep, Math Module 1 Making Sense of the Modern World Conference, Richmond, BC November 19 th -20 th , 2015 4

Dartmouth Learning Network Currently in development:  GED Math Preparatory curriculum  Level 2 Math curriculum  Level 1 English curriculum (My Front Yard)  Level 1 Math curriculum (Math for All Ages)  Apprenticeship Math Unique Attributes  Colour scheme designed for those with visual impairments  Most modules closed captioned for hearing impaired  All modules provide feedback at end of lesson  GED Prep modules produce certificate of completion after each module  Community Learning Organizations in Nova Scotia listed for additional support To Come  Additional print material and practice sheets and tests under resources  Links to instructional videos Tracking Currently available:  Google Analytics Timeline  December 17 th , 2015 announcement date  April 11 th , 2015 introduced at Literacy Nova Scotia Conference  September 11 th , 2015 soft launch at Literacy is Life Luncheon December 17 th – November 11 th , 2015  3,424 page sessions  2,938 users Making Sense of the Modern World Conference, Richmond, BC November 19 th -20 th , 2015 5

Dartmouth Learning Network Demographics Country Number of Sessions USA 955 Canada 551 Brazil 153 China 141 Japan 105 Germany 69 Russia 68 United Kingdom 53 South Korea 51 Not set 2,489 System Browser Browser Number of Sessions Chrome 2,889 Internet Explorer 200 Firefox 122 Safari 75 Opera 11 Edge 7 Mozilla Compatible Agent 6 Android 2 Safari (in-app) 2 Not set 108 Operating System MacIntosh 2,451 Windows 716 iOS 60 Android 58 Linux 31 Not Set 108 Service Provider Google Inc. 280 Eastlink HSI 224 Canadian Department of Education 99 Bell Aliant 90 Dod Network Information Centre 68 Stentor National Integrated Communications 54 IVP4 address 43 Hewlett-Packard company 27 Headquarters USAIC 24 Not set 392 Making Sense of the Modern World Conference, Richmond, BC November 19 th -20 th , 2015 6

Dartmouth Learning Network Mobile Operating System iOS 60 Android 58 Windows 2 Service Provider Eastlink HIS 36 Bell Aliant Regional 25 CJSC-er-telecom samara 21 CJSC-er-telecom holding samara branch 8 Bell Mobility Inc. 7 Canadian Department of Education 7 Rogers 5 Stentor National Integrated Communication 3 Telus 3 Not set 1 November 1 st – November 11 th , 2016  124 sessions  62 Users  361 Page views  00:07:11 Average Session Duration  58.9% returning visitors  41.1% new visitors How Did We Do It? … Partnerships Adult Education Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education The course content on this eLearning Platform is the intellectual property of the Adult Education Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education. The Dartmouth Learning Network wishes to extend our appreciation to the Department of Labour and Advanced Education for granting us permission to use their instructional material. Articulate The Storyline 2 software used to build our eLearning Platform was provided by Articulate. We wish to thank them for providing us with an educational discount of 50%, significantly reducing our development costs. Nova Scotia Department of Community Services Investment funding received from the Department of Community Services for Moving on Up will allow the Dartmouth Learning Network to reach a wider audience and to serve a greater number of participants. Our eLearning Platform will help to reduce barriers to employment for our learners by providing them 24/7 sustained access to basic adult education programs. Making Sense of the Modern World Conference, Richmond, BC November 19 th -20 th , 2015 7