On Line Certificate News

The VCU On Line Certificate in Adult Literacy Program provides a sequence of courses at "cohort tuition rate". Some of the students migrate into the MEd Program after taking one or more online courses. And, conversely, some MEd students substitute an online course for on campus course. Here are two new things happening:

Starting this summer, we are offering a brand new numeracy course, designed by the guru of adult numeracy, Myrna Manley.

We are working with Dr. David Coogan to use the Richmond Jail as an alternative site for the Practicum course.

We are vey excited about both developments. Write to Bill Muth (wrmuth@vcu.edu) or Joanne Huebner (huebnerjm@vcu.edu) for more details!

Find Us On Facebook

Happy Thanksgiving!  Adult Literacy @ VCU is now on facebook!  Please find us on facebook by clicking on the link in the right margin of the blog.  Check it out and be sure to 'like' the facebook page. 

Hope House Mural Show

http://www.hopehousedc.org/

On Wednesday, November 14th, Hope House holds its annual mural show at the Long View Gallery in Washington DC.  I am on the HH Board. It is an awesome organization that works to connect children with their incarcerated fathers through family literacy projects. The murals are the products of the famous Hope House summer camps. If you ever want to visit for a day, or spend the entire week some summer, let me know! Use the link to learn more about the fundraiser and Hope House.

PS. Interested in oral history? HH is launching an oral history initiative that chronicles the closing of Lorton Prison and the diaspora of DC prisoners into the federal prison system. Will be interviewing everyone from Marion Barry to prison directors, family members, and prisoners....

Richmond Jail

I'm passing this along from Bill and VCU colleague Dave Coogan. 

"I want to see if we can figure out a way to get some of your  adult ed students ...down to the city jail... I'm sure there's more we could do to smooth the path for students interested in the opportunity. Perhaps you know others in the School of Ed, other groups of students/programs, who'd like to get involved. They do a hell of a lot of GED certificates there. Any one interested in assisting in that capacity in any subject would be most welcomed!"

Anyone interested in organizing a visit?  It's an opportunity to learn about another part of adult literacy education. 

Also, FYI

Join THE LONG WALK TO FREEDOM on SAT., NOV. 17, 9am-noon. Help raise awareness of the challenges former prisoners face as they try to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society. Hear their stories. The 3 mile walk starts at the City Jail and ends at the Conrad Center with a prisoners’ art and craft auction.  This year’s walk focuses on restoration of voting rights. There will be a petition to the Governor there for those who want to sign. The Walk also raises funds for 15 programs supporting successful reentry.  Donation: $15.00.  For information and registration, go to:  www.longwalktofreedom.org.  Questions: Call Beatrice Robinson at BOAZ AND RUTH (804)329-4900.

Join, Follow, Introductions

Hello and welcome to the adult literacy @ VCU blog!  This is a space to connect with colleagues, share ideas, seek feedback, or simply say hello.  It's whatever we want it to be.  Unlike a typical blog, all followers of this blog will have full author privileges.  This means all blog members can  start new conversations (posts) as well as comment on each others' postings.  In this way, our blog is a co-op that belongs to all.  Has anyone tried this before? You'll have to post and tell us about your experience.

In order to get started, please take a moment to "join" (in the right margin).  Once you join, we will upgrade you to blog "author" and you can begin posting.  You will need a google account to participate, and a thumbnail pic is always a nice way to add to your blogger profile. 

To stay connected, you can "follow by email" (in the right margin).  When you follow, you will receive a daily email when there is blog activity.  The email will contain a link that brings you right back here to read and post. It's very convenient.


Thanks so much for taking the time to join and follow!  You will hear from us shortly.  In the meantime, please comment to this post and introduce yourself to the group.

Kristin, JG, Susan, & Bill

Word Clouds

Would you like to learn how to make one of these word clouds?   You can tailor it to your needs by changing the text you use.  Think about your next presentation or lesson.  Wouldn't it be a beautiful logo or image to customize your work?  The word pattern and color choices are almost endless.

 I learned how to do this at a TESOL convention a few years ago.  It was part of a technology lesson for higher level ESOL learners.  The word cloud, or WORDLE, turns written text into art.  It's another way for our learners to see what they are capable of doing.  I loved this idea and wanted to share it with you.  Try it with your students and let us know what happens.

The website with all the information is    http://www.wordle.net/