Literacy DuPage c/o College of DuPage, Continuing Education, SRC 1111
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 - 630.942.5210
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Keeping In Touch, Volume 1
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Greetings!
Tutor ID Number:
During such stressful and uncertain times, it can be challenging to stay positive or hopeful. We, at Literacy DuPage, understand and feel that way too. But we are hopeful, and we are staying positive with this ever-changing situation.
Many of our students or others you know may be facing financial difficulties with loss of employment, businesses shutting down or reduced services. Below are several useful websites for community resources. Check with an organization directly to confirm how to access their services during this time.
We are adapting to how tutoring will happen on the fly. We see new opportunities to integrate online instruction while practicing social distancing.
Let us know how you are keeping in touch with your student, and we will share your suggestions with everyone.
In this volume, you will find tips for conducting non face-to-face tutoring sessions.
Stay well,
Carol Garcia
Tutor Support Specialist
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Light a Spark Through Literacy
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Tips for Providing Instruction from a Distance:
- Keep in regular contact with learners. This can be done through phone, text, or email. Keeping in contact to remind learners about lessons or to make sure they’re engaged is important.
- Using a tool such as Zoom, Skype, etc. so that tutors and learners can meet “face-to-face” is best. Most of these tools also allow you to share documents or curricula you want the learner to focus on.
- Stay on your current lesson plans as much as possible for consistency.
- Use texting for a supplement to instruction
- Send a short text that the learner can read and respond to
- Send vocabulary words
- Use supplemental instructional resources (such as those listed in this document) to keep learners engaged and practicing while learning from a distance
- Use teleconference or phone conference systems (or simply phone calls) to practice conversation groups, especially for ESL learners
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LDP Tutors Suggestion:
Several tutors have reported that they are keeping in touch with their students the LOW-TECH way:
- They are making photocopies of the material they want to use with their learners.
- They send the materials to their students through the US Mail.
- They text or email their student to expect the material and set-up a telephone appointment with their student for a tutoring session using the material. Telephone communication can be challenging for the student to track and understand a conversation without visual clues. Since the student will have the material in hand while the tutor is talking with them, the listening level of difficulty for the student is lowered.
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Several Popular, FREE Tools To Explore To Continue Tutor/Student Communication:
Zoom
A web-based software that allows individuals to communicate via phone and/or video. A webinar version also allows users to share their screens, allowing programs to show documents needed during instruction. During the pandemic, for the free, basic version of Zoom,
the 40-minute time limit has been lifted.
Apply online at
https://zoom.us/pricing
. (The registration asks for a work email address. Enter your personal email address)
Skype
Similar to Zoom or other software,
Skype
is an easy way for tutors and learners to communicate. You can download and access Skype for free.
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Internet Providers Offering Discounts Or Free Internet Services During This Time Of The Pandemic:
Comcast
offers income-eligible families internet access at $10-12 per month. However, they are now offering this low-cost service for free for the next 60 days.
internetessentials.com/
AT&T
is waiving data overage fees to all customers so that families and students can stay connected during the pandemic. They will not terminate the service of any customer over the next 60 days. All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data. Additionally, AT&T will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through the Access from
AT&T program
.
Xfinity WiFi
hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free—including non-Xfinity customers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots,
click here
.
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LDP Staff Directory quick reference:
- Carol Garcia, 630.384.9678 | [email protected]
- Questions regarding one-on-one, small group or conversation group tutoring: curriculum, materials, tutor support
- Laura Wickramasinghe, 630.942.5211 | [email protected] OR Diana Mendoza, 331.472.7160 | [email protected]
- Questions regarding learner matches and communication issues with learner
- Diana Heppner, 630.942.5215 | [email protected]
- Questions regarding reporting
- Lauren Nadolski, 630.318.0058 | [email protected]
- Questions regarding classroom-based tutoring
- Therese McMahon, 630.942.5216 | [email protected]
- Executive Director
For all other questions or concerns, please call us at 630.942.5210 or email us at
[email protected]
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Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved.
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