Iowa Adult Basic Education computer use survey

Highlights of July 2002 Computer-Aided and Web-Based Instruction Survey

Iowa Adult Basic Education Teachers

Prepared by Christine Case

Western Iowa Tech Community College

Background

At the July 2002 Iowa ABE Summer Institute, 56 (40%) of the estimated 140 teachers attending the Institute responded to a survey entitled “Computer-Aided and Web-Based Instruction Survey” developed by Christine Case. The survey’s purpose was to assess to what extent computer-aided and web-based instruction is being used by teachers in ABE classrooms and the opportunities for and challenges of integrating computers with ABE instruction. Respondents to the survey represented a cross-section of program areas including adult literacy, adult basic education, GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), family literacy, adults with disabilities, and corrections.

Survey Highlights

79% of the respondents indicated that they have access to computers for teaching, and of those respondents, 84% use them in their teaching.

About 60% of the respondents with access to computers also have access to the Internet, and 60% of those instructors use the Internet as a resource in teaching. Ninety percent would find it useful to receive information on Internet sites that are relevant to ABE instruction and provide teacher resources.

92% of the respondents report that their computer skills range from “quite proficient” to having the ability to create basic documents.

The most popular choice of the three training options stated in the survey was “Information on useful Internet sites for ABE instruction and teacher resources.”

Respondents preferred small (5-10 participants) training events held within a 90-mile radius of respondents’ homes. The second preference was a small group (5-10 participants) workshop at a conference, e.g. ABE Institute.

An overwhelming 93% of all respondents reported interest in increasing computer use with their students, yet there may be barriers to do so.

Lacking funds for software and the lack of time to plan and implement are the challenges with the highest mean score.

A number of respondents indicated 1) what computer programs they have used, and 2) how they felt about them. This information is included in this document.

A number of respondents shared URL addresses of websites that they access. This listing is also included in this document.

Acknowledgements

Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC)

2002 Iowa ABE Institute attendees who responded to the survey

Dr. Mary Ellen Wacker, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, WITCC

Sally Schroeder, Iowa Department of Education

Eunice Riesberg, Iowa Literacy Resource Center

Darlene Bradner, Drake University

If you have any questions or comments, please contact:

Christine Case, Adult Basic and Alternative Education Director
Western Iowa Tech Community College
PO Box 5199 4647 Stone Avenue
Sioux City, Ia 51102-5199
(712) 274-8733, Extension 1285 or (800) 352-4649
casec@witcc.com

Computer Programs Used by Iowa ABE Teachers

and How They Feel about Them

Computer-Aided and Web-Based Instruction Survey

July 2002

Note: The number in each column is the number or responses in that category.

I use . . .		I love it	It’s OK	I don’t recommend it
PLATO	and…	2	11	1
Rosetta Stone	and…	2	2
Steck Vaughn Pre-GED	and…	1	7
Steck Vaughn GED	and…	1	5
Contemporary Pre-GED	and…	2	2
GED 2000	and…	1
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing	and…	6	7
Math for Real World	and…	1
Phonics Alive I	and…	1
Phonics Alive II	and…	2
Phonics Alive III		1
OMTI-Rogers		2
Basic Fractions		1
Passkey		2	1
Glencoe Keyboarding		1
Sequoia		1	1
Earobics		1
Oxford Picture Dictionary		1
Learn to Speak Spanish		1
Aztec		1
Basic Coins		1
Deluxe Banking Skills		1
Edmark		1
Resume Wizard		1
Vocab Connection			1
EDL Learning 100 Vocabulary			1
Apple lie				1

Websites Accessed by Iowa ABE Teachers

Instructional Program: Basic Skills (ABE)

www.literacylines.org (Workplace Essential Skills)

askjeeves (helps me find answers to questions)

Instructional Program: GED

Instructional Program: Combination ABE/GED

discover.com or discoveryschool.com

national geographic.com

Instructional Program: Basic Skills (ABE)/GED/Family Literacy

Instructional Program: Combination ABE/GED

Adults with Disabilities

Instructional Program: Basic Skills (ABE/Adults with Disabilities)

Instructional Program: ESL

Comment: It seems as though ESL sites disappear quickly.

Dave’s ESL Café (A favorite of many ESL teachers!) - http://www.eslcafe.com

Internet Basics for ESL Students - http://www.aitech.ca.jp/%7Eiteslj/s/ib/

Variety of quizzes for ESL students - http:www.eslpartyland.com/quiz%20center/quiz/htm

Websites Organized by Subject Area

Writing Skills/Grammar

Grammar Bytes-interactive grammar exercises

Grammar Worksheets from Purdue Writing Lab

Writing Skills/Essay

A website that provides step by step instructions for writing the GED essay.

This website outlines a step by step process specifically for creating the GED

This Lewis and Clark expedition website includes diaries to read, maps to examine. From the link Into the Unknown, you can take part in an interactive story and lead the expedition!

The Valley of the Shadow is the gateway into the story of the Civil War as seen by the people of two communities in the Great Valley of the United States: Franklin County, Pennsylvania and Augusta County, Virginia.

American Family Immigration History Center-search the database of Immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island, New York City Between 1892 and 1924.

Outstanding site to learn about physics!

This is an interactive site where you can learn more about human anatomy.

An excellent literature website with complete books, summaries, study guides and more!

There is a portion called Ask Dr. Math, and I like the math challenges and math tips.

You can create your online worksheets here. Brush up on your addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. You can print out your own worksheets. Answer key provided.

Order of Operations

Tutorial and practice with order of operations.

A math website that provides definitions, rules, worked examples, problems, typical mistakes, answers, and step-by-step solutions for working with simple fractions.

Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals.Choose the online version or print your own worksheets. Answers are provided.

Excellent website with practice and instruction for lots of different math concepts.

All About Geometry. This website has interactive exercises to practice area, volume, perimeter and circumference.

Worksheets and instructions are provided starting with basic equations for beginners.

www.readiowa.org (The Iowa Literacy Resource Center)

www.acenet.edu.calec.ged/home.html (The GED Testing Service Home Page)

There are good teacher-developed lesson plans, web guides, and web-based teaching resources. They also have links to additional lesson plans and materials.

Comment: This is my favorite site because it has so many things that have helped me.

Hundreds of sample lesson plans contributed by California adult educators.

A one-stop guide to useful, fact-based sits with topics ranging from acronyms to Zip-codes and everything in between.

Your source for a host of trivial information.