Integrating Digital Literacy Into Your ESOL Program
Interactive eLearning course

Organization: Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL)

The Problem

Instructors and program leaders observed vital digital literacy gaps in adult English learners in their programs, but adopting a digital literacy component is complex and potentially overwhelming for program leaders seeking meet their specific learners’ needs. 

Various resources exist related to digital literacy content and strategies to incorporate digital literacy into instruction, but there is very little to guide program leaders through the decision-making process.

The Solution

Drawing on my own experience as a program leader, I created an interactive eLearning course in Rise 360 that walks participants through a decision framework including conducting a needs assessment, identifying constraints, understanding the different modes of delivery, creating goals and objectives, factors to consider when training staff and placing students, and a process for evaluating results. 

Design Process & Decision Making

The course was focused on a long-term process, thus requiring a learning resource that could be accessed and worked through over a longer period of time. The resource documents ensure an approachable, step-by-step process that could be easily customized and applied to specific program needs. The course is also mindful of unique constraints that smaller programs often encounter (such as limited staff capacity for large-scale, expensive and time-consuming student assessments) and provides more realistic alternatives.

Results & Delivery

Learner reaction survey, data analysis of MCAEL program adoption of digital literacy - collected by MCAEL. This course has the potential to facilitate the growth of well-designed and lasting digital literacy integration throughout the coalition, helping adult English learners more successfully integrate into the increasingly digitized world around them.