MiraCosta Basis Skills Initiatve Narration

Worked on a brief voice narration for a video about MiraCosta's Basic Skills Initiative work, and I decided I wanted to save some of what I wrote for it here on my blog as food for thought, reflection, etc.

"Literally thousands of students graduate each year from our feeder high schools testing below proficient in reading, writing, and mathematics skills. With this in mind, teaching basic skills in central to MiraCosta's commitment to the communities we serve. When we teach basic skills students, we contribute to hope, change, and opportunity. For this reason, basic skills students belong at MiraCosta. They come from every community and cultural group represented on our campuses, and they participate in courses in every discipline and program."

For the past five years, California's Basic Skills Initiative has researched and documented best practices and provided some funding to initiate these efforts on our campuses. This best practices research indicates that colleges need to rethink how we teach in the classroom--employing new approaches and pedagogies -- and outside of the classroom--through counseling, tutoring, and other services. Ultimately, the state initiative seeks to help students successfully navigate California's higher education system. Whether returning directly the work force, continuing with career and technical education, or transferring to four-year colleges, basic skill learners can and will reshape our communities and our shared future."

Comments

[Tiffany Lindell]

Hello Mr. Sullivan. My name is Tiffany Lindell Karamovic. I am taking a college class entitled EDM310 for Dr. Strange at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. One of my assignments was to visit your blog. I will be following your blog and keeping up with your ideas. I am glad he assigned me to your blog. I read your post and was very interested. The class that I am taking is actually about technology in education. As you stated, "the best practices research indicates... employing new approaches and pedagogies." We have actually been researching some new teaching methods such as iTunes U and podcasts. With all of the new technologies improving each day, students are able to focus more on their education at their own pace. It seems as though MiraCosta's Basic Skills Initiative is very beneficial. I like your narration. My blog for our class is http://lindelltiffanyedm310@blogspot.com. The class blog is http://edm310.blogspot.com/. I will be posting a blog post to my blog about my visits to your blog on or before March 21. I am anxious to follow up.

[Keitra Crayton]

Hello Mr. Sullivan. I was assigned to your blog.I am a student at University of South Alabama and I am in Dr. John Strange's EDM 310 class. Im grateful to have had the opportunity to view MiraCosta's Basic Skills. Technology is improving everyday!!!I have learned to do so many things since I have been in this class. The Basic Skills Initiative helped me to learn just a little more!

[Delores L.]

I use online tools for discussion board postings. Many students that do not regularly participate in the face-to-face classroom will participate through a discussion board posting. I find that these particular students will often open up online, where they will not in the traditional classroom.