It Takes a Whole Community - notes on "How Can Technology Transform Adult Education and Current Practice"

CREATING A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS

In my experience in teaching English in a variety of venues using my free website, PUMAROSA, I have come to the conclusion that what is needed is a method to organize the work of the various educational agencies.

All too often programs are in competition with one another for funds, and people who need to attend classes are not aware of what is available throughout the city.

Advances in technology have provided a means by which anyone can study and learn EFL/ESL (English as a Second or Foreign Language) – anywhere, any time and any place…almost.

What would be very helpful would be the creation of a Network of Learning Centers in any given community.

The purpose of the Network would be to provide information to the public, access to sources of funding for educators, publicity of all the available programs, and also a promotion of the importance of Technology in education.

Presently in the US and other countries, ESL/EFL is taught and/or learned at:

  • Public and private schools and colleges
  • Community centers
  • Libraries
  • Churches
  • Internet cafes
  • Peoples’ homes and places of work.

The Network could be established under the umbrella of a Community College or a Public Library, for example, and provide the following information or services:

  1. A directory of all classes throughout the city, “live”, online and “Blended”
  2. A “Computers for Families” program, that provides refurbished computers at a low cost to students
  3. Child care for parents
  4. A Distance Learning program that also provides home visits for people who are home-bound
  5. Publicity in newspapers, Public Access Television, PSAs (Pubic Service Announcements) on commercial television and radio
  6. Presentations at public meetings such as PTAs (Parent – Teacher Associations)
  7. Information about funding resources, such as grants from foundations, sponsorships from local businesses,  fund-raisers such as concerts, etc.

 

Paul Rogers, pumarosa21@Yahoo.com

“It Takes a Whole Community….”