Upcoming Adult Conferences

I guess there is not a national conference that is really dedicated to the needs of volunteer literacy programs, their students, tutors and program managers any more. ProLiteracy, a membership organization for volunteer programs, now calls its conference the United States Conference on Adult Literacy (USCAL).  In the initial description, I don't even see the word, volunteer. 

The ProLiteracy Conference is in Houston, November 2.  Their registration is open. I guess there is not enough money today to hold a conference 100% for volunteers.  Years ago, when I went to my first volunteer conference, it was so motivating, to be around committed volunteers and program managers.  I know there is the need to partner and applaud that--but I also think there is a place for more for volunteer programs. 

Please post in comments whether or not you are attending--or presenting at the USCAL.   VALF would like to capture the Florida presence there.

Smart Phone Apps -- Not Just Momma Bell's Phone

Ways to learn continue to evolve.  Collaborative learning is now possible because of social networking and the new media.  New technologies accommodate different learning styles than pen and paper lessons, and smart phones put the potential for learning in the hands of many.   E-books are becoming more mainstream in 2011, and one of the newest tools being used today is the smart phone.

Your phone comes with the ability to record video, an easy way to record a dialog for your student.  They can then listen to it, practice and send you their practice session.  

If you don't want to use video, there are Apps that can be downloaded to turn a phone into a tape recorder.  Students can record their audio stories through a traditional recording on this.   

There are even Apps that capture a person’s vacation with photos, audio and writing.  One of the popular ones is (My Vacation).  There is a free lite version that will capture one trip.  To do more, pay $2.99 to ITunes.   

Even a humorous program like Talking Tom can provide a silly way for an ELL to practice speaking English and send a short story to their tutor via their Smart Phone.  The the basic version is free but can be enhanced if you pay.

Smart Phones and Literacy

Smart phones are the newest technology tutors and students can use to build up literacy skills.  If you think that only rich people have smart phones, read this post to learn more about who has a phone.

Free Workshop on Working with Low Level New Readers on October 22

Sharon Jaskula is presenting the Fast Track Reading System Workshop on October 22, Saturday in Tampa at the Town' N Country Regional Public Library.  VALF is partnering with the Tampa Hillsborough Public Library to bring you this award winning program developed by the Jacksonville Public Library.  This workshop is for you if you are looking for new strategies to tutor the lowest level adults in basic reading. Sharon will cover the relationship between sounds and syllables. Check out the workshop flyer for more information.   

Sharon presenting the workshop at Tavares.

To register email your name, name of program and email address to VALFlorida@hotmail.com. .  Put Fast Track Workshop in the subject line.

Audience at Tavares workshop in Lake County

The mission of VALF is to enhance and promote the abilities of individuals and organizations to provide direct and indirect literacy instruction to adults and families in need through volunteer service.  We are funded by memberships and donations.

What's a Glog?

Or you might want try your hand at including a glog in your lessons. Glogster,  http://glogster.com

which allows the creation of public or private “glogs” mixing graphics, photos, videos, music and text.

ESOL Learners who use multiple media in digital storytelling amplify their sense of authorship and find deeper meaning in what they want to say through the process of combining modes.