The Literacy Center of West Michigan does not receive its funding through the Department of Education. We receive Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Funding through the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). We, as Adult Educators, are not required to adhere to FERPA. That being said, we do have an internal confidentiality policy and do not share adult learner educational gains and/or other educational information with other agencies, caseworkers, family members, etc. without an adult learner's consent via a signed release form. The same goes for the Michigan Online Learning Requirement for k-12 students. We are asked, within our state and federal grants, how we incorporate technology into adult learning. We fulfill this requirement in a variety of ways within each Literacy Center program.
The Literacy Center's Customized Workplace English program does utilize a Course Management System. They utilize Moodle to enhance their class instruction of language learners within area companies. Within Moodle learners post videos and presentations, record speaking/reading fluency samples, the instructor reads aloud assignments, the class syllabus is listed, homework and deadlines are listed, etc. Moodle provides an avenue for learners to make up missed instruction time or to increase their instruction hours. The Customized Workplace English program has enjoyed utilizing Moodle as an instruction tool. Learners have been motivated by the online environment. According to the Customized Workplace English Program staff, the Moodle has been learner's favorite avenue for "publishing" presentations, assignments, and photo records of course learning. The Program's Director has been able to utilize Moodle to demonstrate class format and gains for area employers. This may be a valuable sales tool.
Thanks for your post on using the LMS to allow your learners to access the curriculum. I like the idea that you can use the tool to help your clients catch up on on time where they may have not been able to physically attend their coursework.
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