Building a Blended Learning Program in NW Michigan’s - American Job Centers

1. Building a Blended Learning Program in NW Michigan’s - American Job Centers

2. Introductions • Christy Nelson • Adult Education Teacher (7 years) • Michigan Works! Career Advisor (2 Years) • Learning Lab Specialist (2 years) • Adult Education Coordinator (17 years) • Adult/Alternative Education Attendees? • Directors • Teachers • Support Staff • Other • Michigan Works! Attendees?

3. Presentation Take Aways • Blended Learning Instruction • What is Blended Learning? • Why have a BL Program? • Basics of starting a BL Instructional Program • What to consider when Program Planning • Accountability • Set Goals and Review progress • What Information are you looking for?

4. Service Delivery Area • In Michigan’s 10 regions Service Delivery- our program covers all of Region 2. • Our region is predominately rural (the size of Connecticut) • Operate 7 learning Lab sites – five are housed inside Michigan Works! Job Centers • Our Tag Line is “Education for Employment” • We have a no wrong door policy (anyone who has an educational need is provided service whether they qualify or not) • We serve about 350+ students per yr. • ABE and ASE (R/W/M); HSE; HSC; ESL • ESL (10-20) • 25% of our students - Distance Learners • 70% use Distance Learning as an option sometime during their enrollment.

5. What is Distance Learning? Defining Distance Education: Distance education is formal learning activity where students and instructors are separated by geography, time or both for the majority of the instructional period. Distance learning materials are delivered through a variety of media including, but not limited to, print, audio recording, videotape, broadcasts, computer software, web-based programs and other online technology. Teachers support distance learners through communication via mail, telephone, e-mail or online technologies and software. Source: Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan Office of Adult Education -Distance Learning Policy Effective July 1, 2011

6. What is Blended Learning? Section 98 (11) (a) (a) “Blended learning” means a hybrid instructional delivery model where pupils are provided content, instruction, and assessment, in part at a supervised educational facility away from home where the pupil and a teacher with a valid Michigan teaching certificate are in the same physical location and in part through internet-connected learning environments with some degree of pupil control over time, location, and pace of instruction.

7. Why Blended Learning? • Predominately Rural • 2012 – Perfect Storm - Recession Hit and along with it high gas prices • Enrollment numbers were dropping; Still a need for services. • Program Planning - How can we use our present delivery structure to get our services out to students with a minimal budget? – DL 101 • 2018 - Good Economy/lower gas prices • Enrollment numbers were dropping; Still a need for services. • Jobs are prolific. Many of our students working more than one job. No time for class. They are earning money but will stay in poverty without the higher wages or skill gains.

8. Distance Learning 101 • Piloted Project Ideal - DL 101 Training in 2008. • 8 weeks • 2 F2F classes and the rest was on-line • 2 AE Providers • 3 Literacy Council participated • Paid Facilitator • Built a DL Program

9. Program Planning

10. Benefits of Blended Learning Program Benefits • Meet the needs of a different population • Completions rather than drop-outs • Recent review of our program revealed 52% of our students are under 24 years of age • This group is more familiar with computers and the internet

11. Benefits of Blended Learning • Student Benefits • Individualization of instruction • Faster/slower based on their learning style • Can work anytime. Don’t have to worry about scheduling when the labs are open. • Have access to a computer and internet • Lending Chromebooks and Internet through Verizon Data Jet Packs with unlimited data • Learn organizational and time management skills • Can contact teacher for support (Google Hangouts)

12. How To Build Distance Learning Options • Teacher education and training • DL 101 • Documenting Contacts • Google Hangouts/Contact in Software • Gmail Student Accounts

13. How To Build Distance Learning Options • Contract for Distance Learning (Handout) • Contract for Checkouts of materials (Handout) • Orientation Process (Handout) • Build a policy for accountability • How will you measure success • Check your MAERS NRS Tables 4C and 5A

14. How To Build Distance Learning Options • Chromebooks – REMC Bids • Can’t install programs (No Viruses) • Purchased a Management License (Can shut down remotely) • Verizon Data Ports: • - $40/month • No cost to purchase the data ports • Can shut down remotely • No lose of computers in 2.5 years.

15. Learning Lab Kiosk

16. Look Inside the Learning Lab Kiosk Welcome

17. What are Students Saying “This is hard.” “It is important to set aside a time to do it or you won’t get it done.” “I liked that I had the use of a computer and internet.” “I thought I would never be done but once I finished, I was so proud of myself!” • “This is hard.” • “It is important to set aside a time to do it or you won’t get it done.” • “I liked that I had the use of a computer and internet.” • “I thought I would never be done but once I finished, I was so proud of myself!”

18. What does the Data Say?

19. Satellite Sites with BL Options • Effort to expand services • Partnering with Local Libraries • Each lab has a satellite site in another community • Teacher Visits two half days a month • Set of Chromebooks are left in the library for students to check out while on site • Leave DL with Front Desk

20. Why Offer Blended Learning? We need to continue to be innovative. We need to be creative as we work with a unique population. Be a leader. Build a path for your staff/students.

21. Are you a leader? A Lollipop Moment

22. Questions? Christy Nelson Adult Education Coordinator TBAISD Adult Education/Northwest Michigan Works! 231-929-5055 christy.nelson@networksnorthwest.org www.Networksnorthwest.org/labs