Reminder: TAR Online Practioner Study Circle: Registration closes 9/29

LINCS RPDC 4 announces the 2014-2015 start of the research-based, facilitated online Study Circle Series for Teaching Adults to Read!

Purpose: This study circle will focus in-depth on moving from knowledge about reading component research for adults to active skill building in using those approaches in personal instructional practice, using a Participatory Action Research approach. The program aligns with the objective in WIOA Legislation for implementation of researched-based “essential components of reading instruction.

Participants:  ABE and ELL instructors will form a cohort community to explore reading research and evidence-based best practices, discuss implementation strategies and lesson plans, and share experiences in using their lessons with different student groups. Both teachers who are new to the reading components and those who have taken TAR online or face-to-face courses are welcome to participate. This is a great professional growth opportunity for full- and part-time teachers and tutors.

Process overview: The interactive study circle integrates National Academy of Sciences research with a review of the TAR Study Circle series content. The program consists of 1 Introduction Session and 4 sessions that make up each Component Series, with implementation tasks to be completed between sessions. For the Fluency Series, sessions will be on Wednesdays: October 1 (Introduction Session), and October 8, 15, 22, 29 (Fluency Sessions). All sessions will take place in the same time slot. That is (by time zone) 2:15-4:15 PM Eastern, 1:15-3:15 PM Central, 12:15-2:15 PM Mountain, and 11:15 AM-1:15 PM Pacific. Registration deadline: by 5 pm on Monday, September 29!

The Introduction Session provides an overview of research on reading components broadly, and outlines the goals, study circle framework, activities, resources and expectations for the Series. It is comprised of 2 hours of online contact time plus 2 hours of pre-work and follow-up total. This single Introduction Session is a pre-requisite for subsequent Component Series – i.e. participants may enroll in any Component Series (Fluency, Alphabetics, Vocabulary, and Comprehension) after they have at least once participated in an Introduction Session. Each Component Series provides component-specific research and best practices content and is comprised of 8 hours of online contact time plus approximately 7 hours of homework. As the sessions build on each other, commitment to completion of all sessions in a series is essential.

The program emphasizes a comprehensive and ultimately integrated approach to teaching reading – completion of all 4 Component Series is strongly encouraged. Certificates of Completion are available to participants have completed all 4 sessions in a Component Series plus the Introduction Session, and their professional portfolios. For on-going implementation support instructors are encouraged to join LINCS Community of Practice. This is great preparation for individuals who will become reading resource people for their colleagues!

The study circle will be led by educational consultant and Subject Matter Expert Shash Woods, who has 17 years of experience teaching Adult Education, as well as 15 years leading teacher training in content standards and andragogical practices. The facilitator will be Kristin Ockert, LINCS staff, with 12 years of experience in teaching Adult Education, as well as 15 years in creating and supporting professional development programs for ABE instructors and staff.

E-Platform: Blackboard Collaborate with up-to-date Java software.  Compatible Browsers: Safari 6.0 and above, Firefox 23 and above; Internet Explorer 9 and above; Chrome. Collaborate test site for computer set-up: http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8336&questionID=1473&task=knowledge

For registration or questions, please contact: Paul Heavenridge, Executive Director of LINCS Region 4 Regional Professional Development Center. EMAIL: pheaven@literacyworks.org