Transform Developmental Education with Contextualized, Modular, Digital Curriculum

_____________

League for Innovation in the Community College 2013

#INND13 #382

Massachusetts Community Colleges and Workforce Development Transformation Agenda (MCCWDTA) is 100% funded by a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration TAACCCT. Grant Agreement #TC-22505-11-60-A-25.

The Transformation Agenda is a collaborative effort of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges, in partnership with

the state’s ABE and workforce development system and leaders within in six major industry sectors.

http://mccwdta.org/partnerships-initiatives/redesigning-community-college-education-and-training

Unique Opportunities

“This grant is not about tinkering, it’s about transformation. This is not about getting more students to enroll, it’s about getting more students to graduation day and into good jobs.”

- Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education

v

Collaboration of all 15 MA community colleges 100% funded by a $20 million grant from the US

Department of Labor, Employment and Administration TAACCCT with dual goals: Structural, systemic change:

Redesign programs and services to accelerate attainment of certificates, degrees and employment for low-skilled, un- and under-employed MA residents

Student attainment and jobs: Enroll 4,000 students, track academic progress and jobs

Contextualizing Developmental and Adult Basic Education

Timeline: June 2012 – March 2013

1. Develop research report on key contextualized models2. Organize state-wide Faculty Design Team3. Develop contextualized curriculum template 4. Identify initial math/literacy topics and industries4. Engage industry partners in identifying core skills5. Develop scenarios based on industry input

Timeline, cont.

6. Implement Curriculum Design workshops with Dev Ed & ABE faculty and industry partners

7. Finalize curriculum and begin implementation8. Concept state-wide regional PD sessions to plan

implementation and collect feedback9. Update modules based on feedback (including creating

two levels for scenarios and adding video)10. Create model for fully online student module

Contextualized Models Research Many models for contextualization, designed to address

range of challenges in existing programs Key benefits of contextualized models:

Can be flexible and adaptable Can enhance engagement and motivation by providing

relevancy to workforce skills Can accelerate pace of access to college courses Can address challenges in design of traditional

developmental and basic skills education Contextualization Report link:

http://go.edc.org/MCCWDTAReport

Contextualized Modules Overview 24 Contextualized Modules, available as OER Standards: Common Core and Adult Basic Ed Industries: Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, IT Math Topics:

Measurement/Estimation/Modeling Charts/Graphs/Tables/Data Analysis/ Statistics Percents/Fractions/Decimals Rates/Ratios/Proportions

Literacy Topics: Oral Communication Written Communication Integrate and Present Information Read and Comprehend Technical/Informative text

Module Components Description: Brief Title, Industry, Content Area, Core Skill Standards: Common Core State and Adult Basic Ed Industry: Overview, with video about various job roles Scenario: How the skill is used in the workplace –

developed at two reading levels Instructional context: Focused on adult learner Learning activities: Contextualized to scenario Glossary: Hyperlinked throughout module Test items: Contextualized to scenario Project: Contextualized to scenario Additional resources: Multimedia and/or other resources

Module Implementation

Flexible: Use one or many Adaptable: For a range of courses, students, programs,

paces and for remixing Focus: Choose by core topic or industry Learning Community: Discuss stories, feedback,

resources, products, adaptations Share: Website and modules available as OER

ExploreContextualized Curriculum Modules

http://mccwdta.edc.org

Fully Online Module: Reading Technical Information

http://moodle.etlo.orgUsername: mccwdtaPassword: mccwdta

Q & A

Thank You!Philip SissonProvost & Vice President of Academic and Student AffairsMiddlesex Community CollegeSISSONP@middlesex.mass.edu

Dale H. Allen, Ph.D.Vice President for Community Engagement, Quinsigamond Community CollegeProject Director, Massachusetts Community Colleges Workforce Development Transformation Agendadallen@qcc.mass.edu

Erin Earnst, EDC EdTech Leaders Onlineeearnst@edc.org