Case Studies
Unraveling your program’s technology challenges with support from an AlphaPlus coach
30 June 2023
Looking to sharpen your lesson planning skills and make your lessons flow? Join us for one or more engaging online professional development sessions where we’ll explore AlphaPlus’s PAL: Planning a Lesson resource. This three-part interactive series will guide you through planning lessons with technology in mind, focusing on:
- Pre-lesson: Anticipating challenges
- The lesson: Planning for learning and lesson flow
- Post lesson: Taking the learning beyond the class session
The three 90-minute Zoom workshops take place on
Wednesday January 22, 29 and February 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Attend one session or all three—the choice is yours!
During the summer, a small group of researchers and GED instructors did an in-depth analysis of the CAEC sample tests to identify the main changes on the CAEC compared to the GED.
Based on our analysis we describe three main changes:
- Digital changes with the new online testing platform, test questions and sources to read and interpret
- Content changes in reading, writing, science and social studies, including questions without sources (math has fewer changes)
- The use of a cognitive complexity framework that emphasizes the application of conceptual knowledge and skills rather than the recall and reproduction of facts.
The CAEC is a very different test compared to the GED! Preparing learners means educators will need
- Time to make the adjustment
- A different instructional approach that relies on building content knowledge in both online and offline environments, followed by the development of the digital and test-taking skills needed to demonstrate that knowledge
- New resources to support the two-fold instructional approach
- Professional training.
We’d like to share what we’ve learned about the CAEC in a comprehensive report, presentation video and accompanying slides.
New CAEC resources
Would you like FREE support in finding technology solutions that enhance classroom learning and simplify administrative activities?
Contact us today!
AlphaPlus coaches Monika and Guylaine will work alongside you to identify your specific needs and create a customized work or training plan that fits your team’s schedule.
No question is too big or too small! Our coaching sessions can be brief (one or two meetings or training sessions), or we can collaborate with you throughout the fiscal year to help you explore tools and ideas that will move your organization toward achieving your goals.
Whether you’re setting up Google Workspace for your Literacy and Basic Skills program in Ontario, exploring Microsoft Forms, using AI, or focusing on something else, we combine our knowledge of technology with insights from similar programs and research to streamline the process of exploration and experimentation. This ensures that you arrive at the best solution for your unique context.
Our coaching support can be the perfect starting point for addressing your literacy program’s technology challenges and discovering how AlphaPlus can help. New coaching spots are now available—contact us to secure your spot today!
CONTACT US:
Monika Jankowska-Pacyna
Organizational Development Specialist – Education and Technology (English)
monika@alphaplus.ca
Guylaine Vinet
Organizational Development Specialist – Education and Technology (French)
gvinet@alphaplus.ca
Not sure what working with a coach could look like?
Here are a few examples:
Spark Employment Services
Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy (MTML)
We are excited to share Adult Education: The Missing Piece to Bridging the Digital Divide, a paper co-written by Christine Pinsent-Johnson, one of our staff, and former staff member, Matthias Sturm. In the paper, published by the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP), they argue that the digital divide extends beyond mere access to technology and is fundamentally about the ability to benefit from it, which hinges on digital literacy. Canada’s adult education programs are well positioned to offer essential digital learning opportunities but are currently excluded from the digital learning conversation.
Are you a teacher who enjoys exploring and experimenting with how digital technology can enhance learning in creative ways?
Would you like to conduct your experiments with the support of AlphaPlus facilitators (Tracey and Guylaine) and cohort of colleagues?
Join us at the Alphaplus Educator Makerspace starting October 15, 2024 and exercise your creativity in a facilitated, collaborative environment.
What is happening at the 2024 AlphaPlus Educator Makerspace?
Empowering learners with choice
Our theme for this year’s Makerspace is Empowering Learners with Choice and our technology is the apps from Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 many instructors are using everyday. We will create interactive activities from your favourite resources and lesson plans. Our goal is to develop activities that best fit the different needs of the learners you work with.
Working together
You will attend six Zoom workshops (90 minutes, once a month). The exact day and time will be decided collaboratively by the group.
Our plan is to hold the first workshop on October 15 between 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. but we will check in with the people who register to make sure this time works for everyone.
In the workshops, you will:
- engage with peers in rich conversations about the practice of teaching
- explore examples of activities that empower learners with choice
- extend the use of Docs, Slides and Forms (Google or Office 365) for learning
Working independently
In between Zoom workshops, you will work on your creations, share them with the makerspace group and test them out with learners you work with.
Getting support
You will have access to the workshop facilitators for one-to-one or small group support as you create your lessons and activities.
Learn more about makerspaces at AlphaPlus here: The AlphaPlus Educator Makerspace or contact Tracey or Guylaine.
Join us starting October 15 between 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to exercise your creativity in a facilitated, collaborative environment. If you cannot meet at noon on October 15, the form will allow you to tell us alternative times you can meet. You will also find a link to a letter template so you can inform program coordinators about your professional learning plans.
Here is what participants are saying about the Educator Makerspace
What worked well: The stimulation of being in a group of curious, congenial educators/lifelong learners; the access to an excellently curated bank of resources and expert coaching thanks to Guylaine and Tracey; the flexibility of project direction, pacing and final product deadline, which in my case likely made the difference between not finishing and creating something I was happy to share.
It is a wholistic way to learn how to use software to create digital learning tools. It is a fantastic and realistic example of adult learning principles in action! As the learner we need to sort out how we will learn, try new things and take risks, learn from mistakes and messing around; and, the AlphaPlus team provide clear information, instructions, demonstrations, pace, tone and facilitation.
I’m really grateful for the chance to participate in this program. It has definitely helped me feel less isolated as an educator, and more aware and a part of the professional literacy network across Ontario. Also, viewing this experience as an adult learner, this was one of the few times I have felt fully supported and accommodated in a learning project, based on my own needs, preferences, and life situation, which is hilariously ironic but a big factor in my enjoyment and the quality of my outcomes.
AI policies, ethics and practices in LBS
Tuesday, November 19, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
As we explore the use of AI in LBS, we need to consider the organizational aspects of it as well. Is your program open to staff using AI? Have you discussed the ethical aspects of AI as a team? What’s allowed and what’s not? Do you have a written AI policy or guidelines in place? Have you talked to your learners about using AI when they complete lessons or assignments? What do you expect from your staff/colleagues/learners when it comes to referencing AI generated content/images? Join us to discuss these questions, share your thoughts and explore ideas/tips with our guest presenters.
Check out the Past Sessions section of the website for presentations, recordings, additional tips and resources shared by guest presenters.
This two-workshop series is designed to support educators in using quick and easy video techniques (screen recordings and EdPuzzle, a tool for adding interactive activities to your favourite videos) to create engaging and informative activities for learners and tutors.
In 2 Zoom sessions (90 minutes each), you will:
- develop a pedagogical understanding of how to use instructional videos to engage learners.
- explore platforms that can enhance the creation of personalized, efficient learning materials.
See the training overview for more details about what we’ll cover.
The training series is two workshops:
- Wednesday October 30 and
November 6November 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you’re interested, secure your spot. And don’t forget to invite tutors working in your programs.
This three-workshop series is designed to support educators in understanding and using accessibility functions to create effective learning experiences for diverse audiences.
- Ten Key Practices for Accessible Content Creation – Discover ten essential practices and tools that elevate the accessibility of your content.
- Revolutionizing Accessibility with AI – Explore the transformative effects of artificial intelligence (AI) in making digital content accessible.
- Exploring Accessibility Features Across Platforms – Acquaint yourself with the top five accessibility features across each platform: PC, Apple, and Google.
See the training overview for more details about what we’ll cover.
The training series is three workshops on Friday November 8, 15 and 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
If you’re interested, secure your spot. And don’t forget to invite tutors working in your programs.
This timely training is designed to support educators in understanding and using AI applications (such as ChatGPT) to create effective learning experiences and manage student learning.
In 3 Zoom sessions (90 minutes each), you will:
- gain an understanding of the ethical standards for AI use.
- develop a pedagogical understanding of AI concepts and frameworks, enabling them to think critically about the tools they use to create learning experiences and materials.
- explore platforms that can enhance the creation of personalized, efficient learning materials.
See the training overview for more details about what we’ll cover, the format, timing and deadlines for registration.
The training series is three workshops:
- Wednesday November 27, December 4 and 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you’re interested, secure your spot. And don’t forget to invite tutors working in your programs.
This three-workshop series is is about what an AI policy for adult learners in literacy could look like. We will look at how to work with learners to create a policy that offers guidance for using AI ethically and safely to do research, make material more accessible and support creativity, communication and collaboration.
In 3 Zoom sessions (90 minutes each), you will discuss:
- gain an understanding of the ethical standards for AI use.
- develop a pedagogical understanding of AI concepts and frameworks, enabling them to think critically about the tools they use to create learning experiences and materials.
- explore platforms that can enhance the creation of personalized, efficient learning materials.
See the training overview for more details about what we’ll cover, the format, timing and deadlines for registration.
The training series is three workshops:
- Friday January 24, 31 and February 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
If you’re interested, secure your spot. And don’t forget to invite tutors working in your programs.