Farmer: Theories And Factors That Affect Adult Learning

Analyzing the Learners
Factor Resource Constraint Initial Ideas
Age: Range from 20's to 50's
Yes
-
 draw from various perspectives
Teaching Experience: Beginning to near retirement
Yes
-
 experienced teachers will be able to discuss effective classroom strategies with less experienced teachers; they will also help identify implementation problems

Skill Level: All have basic technology skills

Yes
-
 since all use networked administrative software routinely, accessing this networked application should not present a problem
Sex Distribution: Almost all female
N/A

-

 should not affect training/implementation
Racial, Ethnic Diversity: Little, but some, diversity
N/A
-
 should not affect training/implementation
Educational Level: All certified teachers, some Masters
N/A
-
 should not affect training/implementation
Disability or Impairment: One with visual impairment
N/A
-
 should not affect training/implementation
Prerequisite Knowledge: Training in inclusion of sp. ed. students
Yes
-
 since Baker is an inclusive school, teachers have a background knowledge of need to support students with disabilities
Related Experience: Use on online tools
Yes
-
 current use of networked and online tools provides related experiences
Perception of Role as Student: Willing to learn new tool to aide students
Yes
-
 teachers on campus have asked for additional tools to assist struggling readers
Motivation for Learning: Recognize need to assist students with reading and visual disabilities
Yes
-
 teachers on campus have asked for additional tools to assist struggling readers -- some have volunteered to work with students utilizing Kurzweil
Attitude Toward Subject: Most want a tool to assist struggling readers
Yes
-
 teachers on campus have asked for additional tools to assist struggling readers -- some have volunteered to work with students utilizing Kurzweil
Expectations from Course: Most will expect support as they implement
-
Yes
 Will require very timely assistance from technicians and from campus technology staff to ensure Kurzweil is effectively implemented
Competitiveness: Academic teams generally compete to be recognized as "first" or "best"
Yes
-
 Increases determination to succeed
Stage of Integration: Technology is already highly integrated into instructional and administrative functions
Yes
-
 Teachers already utilize administrative software daily; teachers are required to have lessons which integrate technology multiple times per year
Analyzing the Environment

Design and Production Factors:

Resource Constraint Initial Ideas
Materials Required: Computer workstations; headphone; Kurweil software
Yes

-

 Adequate number of workstations; have installed client-side software; need to pickup the headphone from Tech. Dept.
Production Equipment Available: Ability to install software over the network, Kurzweil server, network storage space for scanned material
Yes
-
 Installed software last week; System Admin. came to Baker to work out minor problems; currently have networked storage but need mapped drive
Time for Design and Production: Installation of client software, development of training materials
-
Limited
 Would like to conduct initial training next week
Department Requirements: Special Ed. and Technology departments both have specific requirements
-
 Sp. Ed. Dept. needs to roll out district-wide; Network Issues Special Ed. department needs to have successful rollout at Baker as springboard for district-wide implementation; Tech Dept needs to support instructional initiatives
Implementation Factors: Resource Constraint Initial Ideas
Class Size: number of teachers trained at same time
Yes
-
 Small number of participants in each training as it will be done by team (8 to 10)
Class Period Length: length of training
-
Yes
 Initial one hour of training will take place during team planning times; this time is already utilized for planning, conferences, team and admin. meetings
Location: Lab
Yes
-
 utilize team labs in which seating, lighting, temperature, and noise are not generally issues of concern
Equipment: Workstations
Yes
-
 Networked workstations with Kurzweil installed for each participant
Technology Support: ACES, System Admin., technicians
Yes
-
 Since we are the pilot, all are available on a high-priority basis
Outcome Factors: Resource Constraint Initial Ideas
State Requirements: Success on TAKS
-
Yes
 Teacher and student accountability; must make sure Kurzweil is seen as a tool to improve student outcomes rather than as a burden of "one more thing to do"
Employer Needs: Success to continue district-wide implementation
-
Yes
 Major financial investment which needs to have a positive impact on student outcomes
Co-worker Needs: other ACES will build on our implementation
-
Yes
 Implementation at Baker will impact efforts at out schools
Student Needs: Teachers need to know that they can be successful with students and efforts will be supported technically.
-
Yes
 Initial and ongoing support are critical to any technology based solution
Other Factors: Resource
Constraint
Initial Ideas
Time of Year: Near holiday breaks
-
Yes
 Makes implementation schedule more difficult to develop; potential reduced effectiveness of training if training and usage have a time gap
Content Factors Readiness To Learn Degree of Learning Difficulty Possible Instructional Strategies
Overview of Kurzweil:
-
-
-
Purpose of program
Yes
Low
 Have participants view demo from Kurzweil site prior to training
Various instructional implications
Yes
Low
 Discuss needs of struggling readers which can be met utilizing Kurzweil
Understanding of Basic Features:
-
-
-
Opening/Reading Text
Yes
Moderate
 Open/read sample materials, then materials on network, then read website, then access books online
Individual Settings
Yes
Moderate
 Explore settings to alter how text is read, highlighting text, vocabulary lists
Communication Features
Yes
Moderate
 Use of electronic notes to give directions, ask questions, guide reading, assess comprehension
Use of Basic Tools:
-
-
-
Menu Bar
Yes
Low
 Draw on prior knowledge from other applications
Tool Bar
Yes
Moderate
 Understand how program specific tools function and how they can be utilized to meet needs of individual students
Using Tools to read text and take notes
Yes
Moderate
 How to change settings, use highlighting to identify important material
Instructional Use by Students:
-
-
-
Identify situations in which students can benefit from the use of Kurzweil
Yes
Low
 Teachers already know areas in which reading is a problem for students; need to identify which ones Kurzweil is the appropriate tool to utilize
Discuss barriers to student use of Kurzweil
Yes
Low
 Teachers will be an important source of feedback as to what will create barriers to effective student use of Kurzweil at Baker
Discuss plan to train students
Yes
Low
 Work primarily with Tech Apps teachers as students will probably be trained during their class time due to the technology connection
Access Issues:
-
-
-
Currently 90 students seats for concurrent users and 10 for concurrent teacher users
Yes
Low
 Discuss how this will affect usage at Baker and the need to evaluate software effectiveness in the near future to make recommendations as to the purchase of additional seats
Discuss how student accounts will be assigned and managed
Yes
Low
 Since this is a beginning implementation, students will not have an account assigned specifically to them; there will be a series of students accounts for each team to access as needed; need to discuss how this access will be managed
Access to specific text materials
Yes
Low
 Teachers need to identify materials which they will have students read during the school year; if material is not currently available electronically, need to identify priority materials to have scanned.
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