Fri. 8/20/10 I was very surprised that Janine only gave a half hour interview. I gave her the teacher take-home essay and she emailed me back today 5 days later. In her email, she said, "Thanks. The interview was great," and then she attached no responses. Is this her way of saying that she has no more to add? I need to take it as such since all through the interview, I sensed that the anle of my research interest did not interest her (or so it seemed to me).
Thurs. 8/26/10
I listened to our interview again and there are actually some good really good quotes. She herself struggled to learn English as an young adult ELL and found that immersion into the whole listening experience of English is best. She sees that once students start coming and feeling comfortable, she is amazed at how many materials and services of the library they start using. She says that they learn the grammar & writing in the community schools and that they become better speakers of the language by coming to the library. The library program at WE promotes conversation for mostly older learners (older than 35 she says). "We don't actually have a lot of younger people," Janine says. The English Cafe helps them feel safe and unafraid; I know by the way they talk. They are afraid of talking in public, but they come here [to the library] to talk." "Some of them like to socialize."
Motivators for older learners: Seeking work or better jobs. Availability of time; Need to be w/people; Need to be able to understand their children's friends in order to guide, protect and parent their children as they grow in adulthood, i.e, to know who they are dating and how to understand and apply for financial aide for college.
Do olders learners tell her what they want to learn? "SOme of them do. It has to do, from my view, it has to do with their personalities. Some people are very outspoken and they tell you, and some people are very shy." This is the majority, she says. "But also their expectation that their teachers are supposed to tell them what to do."
What types or resources are available to help older learners with e-gov, citz., healthcare?
"That's a great question. I don't even know." There are computer classes for those 50 and up through an OASIS grant.
She says, in general, that it's "amazing how they start using the library once they begin taking our classes, like the English Cafe."
What materials does she use successfully w/the older learners?
Children's books teach vocabulary and "it's a fun way to learn." Music and art exhibits (one time) in the library.
Why are they coming to the library? To learn the language; to get materials; tomake friends, to come to comptuer classes; to come to events & programs; to volunteer for something to do and for getting a reference since many don't know anyone when they get here.
Barriers: Don't want to drive; Many Latin Americans don't know about library services.
Janine says that she goes to trainings and reads a lot in order to stay informed as a facilitator.
Sat. 8/21/10
My observation at NOR of Suzi's class was that it differed so much from Lisa and Janine's classees. In fact, it was more like Nancy's class observation at PE. Both Nancy and Suzi lacked a conversational aspect ot their classes. It seems that a whole portion of their classes is suffering...
On another note, I learned today that BCL is not going to allow me to do my data collection on county time. I am not really surprised since they are heading in the direction of adding 4 more Literacy Help Centers in the coming fiscal year.This just fuels me all the more to complete my data collection and to continue and complete my project.
I have listened to Lisa's interview at least 4X. I taped it into the new digital recorder w/ a USB cable that I bought yesterday. I am picking out codes. I also downloaded a free rial of NVivo software. I have started looking at youtube videos of how it works. I am trying to upload Lisa's audio file tonight--so far, I haven't done it yet.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Fri. 8/13/10
Today, I go to Weston to observe a volunteer teacher and English Cafe but she doesn't make it to class. Janine, the LC, takes the class instead. It is very well facilitated, and again, very much conversation-based. The facilitator knows Portuguese, Spanish and English and she teaches all three languages at this culturally diverse library. It makes me want to know more about Weston and if it was always so diverse. In fact, today I tried to find out from my interviewee if she knew because she had lived in Weston for 18 years.
This class is a great mix of ages, from one in her late 20s, one in his 30s, a couple in their 40s and the rest in their 60s and 70s. I meet Hector who is 61 but he has only attended the class two (2) times. I will have to see about whether he could be interviewed, perhaps down the road in two months. I have said that they have to be enrolled for 4 months. The woman in her 20s is here for the first time today.
The topics they cover in class span from spirituality to UFOs and aliens, to climate change, the end times and personal growth and change. It is evident that everyone is like-minded in their openness and positive attitude.
Janine leaves me with the class for the last half hour. Theya re eager to hear what my position is, what I am doing and why. I explain and one woman in ther 40s asks why I am doing this particular study. I explain that it is simply my own interest that we address the learning needs of older people. ButI also add that regardless of my focus, just in general, this study on the English Cafe should help draw needed attention to the need for these classes in Broward County libraries.
I realize that I could have designed these interviews as focus groups. This may have had its onw challenges in trying to arrange but at least I might have spent less time running back and forth from one end of the county to another.
This class is a great mix of ages, from one in her late 20s, one in his 30s, a couple in their 40s and the rest in their 60s and 70s. I meet Hector who is 61 but he has only attended the class two (2) times. I will have to see about whether he could be interviewed, perhaps down the road in two months. I have said that they have to be enrolled for 4 months. The woman in her 20s is here for the first time today.
The topics they cover in class span from spirituality to UFOs and aliens, to climate change, the end times and personal growth and change. It is evident that everyone is like-minded in their openness and positive attitude.
Janine leaves me with the class for the last half hour. Theya re eager to hear what my position is, what I am doing and why. I explain and one woman in ther 40s asks why I am doing this particular study. I explain that it is simply my own interest that we address the learning needs of older people. ButI also add that regardless of my focus, just in general, this study on the English Cafe should help draw needed attention to the need for these classes in Broward County libraries.
I realize that I could have designed these interviews as focus groups. This may have had its onw challenges in trying to arrange but at least I might have spent less time running back and forth from one end of the county to another.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wed. Aug. 11, 2010
I started in earnest today with my data collection--it was very exciting. I had a great first class visit at the Weston Branch and found one participant (who will be leaving the country though) and so getting the two interviews is a bit tricky. I'm returning Friday to get her first interview, another class obs. and a teacher interview. I go to Pembroke Pines today and Northwest Regional on Monday. It's a good time to go now as things are quiet on the roads (no school traffic yet) and the classes are smaller until the season really picks up again.
I am finding that one way to present the study (as an incentive for participation) is as a way for students to help us 'save the program for the libraries'--they suddenly really want to help when they hear that. On that note, I am writing a second draft of a proposal to get county conference time for me to take time during my work hours to collect data. It was suggested to me by one of the HR administrators of our division and it sounded like a great idea to me. I am taking annual leave right now, but I am hopeful that it will be approved, even if just 10 hours a month. After turning in my first draft, I was asked to give more detail as to how it will serve me down the road in my BCL position (see attached).
I basically ask for BCL to create a another position of Head of the Learning Services Dept. (which would me me!) in order to sustain this vital program. Vonda Braynt, our Learning Svcs Dept. head, said that she is really stretched to provide support to the English Cafe classes since now she is without 2 staff people and is setting up an additional 4 Literacy Help Centers, bringing the total to 8 for her to supervise.
I need help with learning NVivio8software (formerly Nudist). I will have to buy it and am looking at getting it unless you know of where it is available to use at FAU. They are updating it in Oct. so I would have to buy the student version with the option to upgrade.
Response from Dr. Bryan (THurs. 8/12/10):
This sounds exciting. I am glad to hear the progress. The suggestion to use the workshop is a great one and should be noted in your journaling for you to comment on in chapter four later. I am trying to get the university to pay for a site license for Nudist or Nvivo--so wait a little. i bought the last licenses for our students and it was far too expensive.vb
I am finding that one way to present the study (as an incentive for participation) is as a way for students to help us 'save the program for the libraries'--they suddenly really want to help when they hear that. On that note, I am writing a second draft of a proposal to get county conference time for me to take time during my work hours to collect data. It was suggested to me by one of the HR administrators of our division and it sounded like a great idea to me. I am taking annual leave right now, but I am hopeful that it will be approved, even if just 10 hours a month. After turning in my first draft, I was asked to give more detail as to how it will serve me down the road in my BCL position (see attached).
I basically ask for BCL to create a another position of Head of the Learning Services Dept. (which would me me!) in order to sustain this vital program. Vonda Braynt, our Learning Svcs Dept. head, said that she is really stretched to provide support to the English Cafe classes since now she is without 2 staff people and is setting up an additional 4 Literacy Help Centers, bringing the total to 8 for her to supervise.
I need help with learning NVivio8software (formerly Nudist). I will have to buy it and am looking at getting it unless you know of where it is available to use at FAU. They are updating it in Oct. so I would have to buy the student version with the option to upgrade.
Response from Dr. Bryan (THurs. 8/12/10):
This sounds exciting. I am glad to hear the progress. The suggestion to use the workshop is a great one and should be noted in your journaling for you to comment on in chapter four later. I am trying to get the university to pay for a site license for Nudist or Nvivo--so wait a little. i bought the last licenses for our students and it was far too expensive.vb
Friday, August 6, 2010
Fri. Aug. 6, 2010
I heard from Andra Mentore after sending him a proposal for requesting County Conference time to conduct my dissertation study during work hours. He read it and said it "looks great." I emailed him back and asked him whether he thinks I should send it to Elaina Norlin and Julie Hunter or if he should.
I also heard back from Randy Smith at Main who said that he could not participate since he had no qualifying adult learners. I thought this was thoughtful of him to reply, and so I felt inspired to email Melinda Johnson at NOR and invite her to assist me with the study. I sent her both advertising flyers and will see how she responds.
I completed my leave request form using the remainder of my Job Basis leave (7.5 hours) and 1 hour of Annual Leave.
I will keep working on my Concept Map in the interim. I'll email Dr. Bryan as well to inquire to how to use Nudist qualitative software.
I also heard back from Randy Smith at Main who said that he could not participate since he had no qualifying adult learners. I thought this was thoughtful of him to reply, and so I felt inspired to email Melinda Johnson at NOR and invite her to assist me with the study. I sent her both advertising flyers and will see how she responds.
I completed my leave request form using the remainder of my Job Basis leave (7.5 hours) and 1 hour of Annual Leave.
I will keep working on my Concept Map in the interim. I'll email Dr. Bryan as well to inquire to how to use Nudist qualitative software.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Tues. Aug. 3, 2010
Today I connected with the following Literacy Contacts and library staff:
Liz Lambert, CP Branch Manager, who told me that Thewana, the LC, is out on sick leave and that Medha Engineer is the sub for now. I reached Medha on the phone and she says that there are two active students right now (4-5 during regular year) and that she will find out how old they are for me. She said that there are 4 seniors who are long-time volunteers. I suggested that I would email her the advertising flyers and joint Adult Learner and Teacher consent forms so that they are aware of my study before I get there. I said that I would notify her when I am ready to come out and observe.
I called Hollywood Branch and spoke to Carol Russo, LC, who was wonderful over the phone towards me and my study. She gave me the name of the Sally Lennox, the volunteer who teaches up to 12 students on Wed. & Thurs. She says that I can come and recruit in her class.
I spoke with Janine Rodrigues, LC, at Weston. She does not teach the class but Lisa Scholtz, a volunteer, does on Wed. eve from 6-7:30 pm. There is also a Wed. morning class from 10:30-12:30. There are 15 students in this class and it is more dynamic than Joan Tracz's class on Fridays from 10:30-12:30.
I called Pembroke Pines and spoke with Nadine, the Assistant Branch Manager. She said that Nancy Cole, LC and teacher, was in class at the moment (a really dynamic class) and that she was going to have to stop her class until mid-Sept. when staff shortages will be lessened. I mentioned this to Vonda today, who said that she should not have a problem finding her a sub. Vonda said that she misses not having a staff in her office which used to allow her to hold monthly LTF meetings. I will email Nancy (Nadine says she loves email) tomorrow and let her know this.
I called NR and spoke to Lana Lanigan, LC. She said that volunteers teach the class on Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 pm and that there are 5-7 students. We agreed on the phone that she would pass out the flyers tonight in class so that when I visit, they will be aware of my study already, including the teachers.
Liz Lambert, CP Branch Manager, who told me that Thewana, the LC, is out on sick leave and that Medha Engineer is the sub for now. I reached Medha on the phone and she says that there are two active students right now (4-5 during regular year) and that she will find out how old they are for me. She said that there are 4 seniors who are long-time volunteers. I suggested that I would email her the advertising flyers and joint Adult Learner and Teacher consent forms so that they are aware of my study before I get there. I said that I would notify her when I am ready to come out and observe.
I called Hollywood Branch and spoke to Carol Russo, LC, who was wonderful over the phone towards me and my study. She gave me the name of the Sally Lennox, the volunteer who teaches up to 12 students on Wed. & Thurs. She says that I can come and recruit in her class.
I spoke with Janine Rodrigues, LC, at Weston. She does not teach the class but Lisa Scholtz, a volunteer, does on Wed. eve from 6-7:30 pm. There is also a Wed. morning class from 10:30-12:30. There are 15 students in this class and it is more dynamic than Joan Tracz's class on Fridays from 10:30-12:30.
I called Pembroke Pines and spoke with Nadine, the Assistant Branch Manager. She said that Nancy Cole, LC and teacher, was in class at the moment (a really dynamic class) and that she was going to have to stop her class until mid-Sept. when staff shortages will be lessened. I mentioned this to Vonda today, who said that she should not have a problem finding her a sub. Vonda said that she misses not having a staff in her office which used to allow her to hold monthly LTF meetings. I will email Nancy (Nadine says she loves email) tomorrow and let her know this.
I called NR and spoke to Lana Lanigan, LC. She said that volunteers teach the class on Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 pm and that there are 5-7 students. We agreed on the phone that she would pass out the flyers tonight in class so that when I visit, they will be aware of my study already, including the teachers.
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