Conference Concurrent Sessions – Subject to Change
12 Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary ESL Activities for Adult Students
This hands-on workshop will include interesting and fun reading, writing, and vocabulary activities that can
be used in the ESL Adult Classroom. Instructors are always looking for activities that will excite and motivate
their students. They will learn by doing in this workshop. Come for the fun! Andrea Heyman, Front Range
Community College / Colorado State University
A Conceptional Analysis of Strategic Planning and Implications for Rural Community Colleges
This session is a review of strategic planning and community college literature providing a basis to explain
implications of strategic planning for rural community colleges. Doug Smith, University of Wyoming
A Cornucopia of Goal-Setting Strategies for Adult Learners
Setting goals is a foreign concept to many adult learners. For this reason, goal-setting instruction needs to
be an interactive, ongoing, and cooperative process involving instructors and adult learners. Learn a variety
of strategies to keep the enthusiasm going year round, as you help your adult learners set realistic goals.
Sylvia Cobos Lieshoff, National Center for Family Literacy
A Hands-On Approach to Improve Literacy for Struggling Readers and ELLs
Students with low reading abilities benefit from explicit instruction in phonemic awareness skills and
encoding strategies. But how do we teach those skills in a real world setting? Practical, hands-on classroom
activities that equip struggling readers with research-based strategies to improve their spelling, reading
fluency, and literacy will be demonstrated. Heidi Hyte, Reading Horizons
A Transition to the Community College From Brazil – Lessons Learned
During a four-week orientation on the Laramie County Community College campus, international student
athletes were given direct instruction in English, cultural elements, and institutional procedures before fall
semester classes began. The positive results of this project have implications for other international learning
situations. Marianne Schomaker, Laramie County Community College
Academic Freedom: What is It, Where Does It Come From, and Where is It Going?
Academic freedom is a concept meant to empower and promote the efficacy of educators in academic
settings. Its actual effect is unclear. This session will explore the development of academic freedom in the
United States from both professional and legal perspectives, to include its history, current state, and future
trends. Lee Nabb, Morehead State University
Academic Readiness and Rapid Response (AR3): Targeted Instructional Adult Intervention
Rethink and redesign adult education programs into individualized, differentiated initiatives. Leveraging
Academic Readiness and Rapid Response (AR3) will help make significant shifts in the teaching-learning
enterprise, making it more active and learner-centered. Join this session to explore how a comprehensive
AR3 implementation can support developmental education, faculty and course redesign, and modularized
instruction. Anne Kaiser and Mitch Welch, Edmentum (formerly Plato)
Alternative Math Techniques for Adults With Weak Math Skills
This session will provide participants with techniques to help adults who struggle with math because of
learning problems and poor basic skills. The presentation will include demonstrations of unique instructional
activities (including Tic Tac Toe Math) designed to engage adult learners in ways that make math less
threatening and even fun. Richard Cooper, National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs
(NAASLN)
An Overview of the Kentucky Adult Education Common Core State Standards Professional
Development Model
Kentucky was the first state to adopt the Common Core State Standards. Come learn about the professional
development model that Kentucky Adult Education has adopted in order to implement the Common Core
State Standards in adult education programs. Meryl Becker-Prezocki, LINCS
Assisting Struggling Readers: Using Research-Based Resources to Support Adult Learners
This workshop helps practitioners understand reading research and how to use that research to assess and
teach struggling adult readers. Dianna Baycich, Ohio Literacy Resource Center/LINCS RPDC3
Best Practices in Classroom Management: Time to Teach
Create order from chaos after attending this strategy-loaded session. Participants leave knowing four easy
steps for teaching norms that completely clarify appropriate behavior, understanding how to create physical
environments that maximize learning, acquire tricks for keeping cool in stressful situations, and how to
refocus undesirable behavior. Lisa Levad, Time to Teach in Colorado
Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay: Using LINCS Resources to Help Students Become Mature
Writers
Participants will learn about the free, online, research-based writing resources from LINCS and how they can
use these resources to inform their instruction and guide their students to become more mature writers.
Hands-on practice with research-based strategies and an opportunity for ongoing assistance are a part of this
workshop. Dianna Baycich, Ohio Literacy Resource Center/LINCS RPDC3
Beyond the GED: Education Pathway Bridges
Our offender students need more than receipt of a GED to obtain employment upon release. The Education
Pathway Bridges Model, launched in 2012 in the Robert Janss School, Idaho Department of Correction,
incorporates financial literacy, technology media, and education and career planning skills into Adult Basic
Education and GED instruction. Mary Ellen Nourse, Idaho Department of Corrections/Idaho State
Correctional Institution
Building Aspirations of Adult Learners Toward College and Careers
This workshop will detail the College for a Day project, which is designed to affirm the aspirations of adult
learners for pursuing further education beyond a high school credential through direct experience. The tools
and activities related to being a successful college student with a focus on self-efficacy and resilience – and
financial planning for college – will be shared. Priyanka Sharma, National College Transition Network
Circles – Working With the Poor to End Poverty
Circles Campaign sites operate across the Western United States. Circles increases stability and success for
adults entering college by connecting them with trained volunteer allies from middle income. This session
will describe the model and work of Circles and provide examples of successful collaboration between Circles
and community colleges. Tim Thorson and Steffanie Nolen, Circles Wyoming
College and Career Readiness: What Does It Mean for Adults?
While increasing students’ academic preparation is important, we know that many things come between
students and their education and career goals. A four-part model of adult readiness for college and careers
will help you and your students identify what is needed for true readiness. We will explore classroom-ready
lessons and activities, focused on the components of college and career readiness, and discuss ideas for
integrating them into your program design and curriculum. Priyanka Sharma, National College Transition
Network
Connecting With Military Families in Your Community
Participants will learn about the unique challenges faced by military families in communities, where they live,
and how communities can support military families. Presenters will share information about current
programs that offer support of military families through university Cooperative Extension programs. Brittany
Johnson and Eloise Riley, University of Wyoming Extension – Laramie County
Creating a Better Educational Environment for Students From Rich Cultural Diversity: A
Leadership Perspective
This presentation will focus on how to create a better educational environment for minority students and
international students in higher education from a leadership perspective. Dianbing Chen, University of
Wyoming, and Xinxiao Yang, Zhejiang Normal University
Creating Learning Communities That Build Persistence and Long-Term Student Outcomes
Creating a learning community is more than scheduling students in the same classes and takes new skills on
the part of instructors. Learning communities are the framework for building students that have the skills to
learn anything anywhere! Latest research tells us that the majority of students need to be learning cognitive
and non-cognitive (social) skills concomitantly. This session will focus on four easy-to-learn methodologies to
use social learning skills to make academic gains. Laura Weisel, The TLP Group
Demystifying Computer-Based Testing GED® (2002) in Corrections
The session will outline and demonstrate the steps to implement Computer-Based Testing for GED® (2002) in
a closed environment, with multiple testing locations. Bill Schnackenberg, Wyoming State Penitentiary
Designing an Online Learning Community That Foregrounds Students' Construction of
Meaning
In this session, we highlight effective classroom activities that welcome all students and help them learn to
co-construct meaning, integrate new learning with prior experiences, and reflect on the storied experience.
Our goal is to apply narrative learning theory in designing an online curriculum that foregrounds student
storytelling. Susanna Spaulding and Gwyn Ebie, Colorado Mountain College
Differentiated Instruction
How do you meet the various needs of your adult learners? Differentiated Instruction offers a variety of
strategies to change how we teach, how we help our students obtain new information, and how we enable
them to demonstrate their knowledge. Join us to learn more about Differentiated Instruction. Sylvia Cobos
Lieshoff, National Center for Family Literacy
Effective Instruction in Reading and Writing Through an Understanding of the Language
Continuum
In this session, participants will learn effective instructional practices when teaching reading and writing. An
individual’s ability to read and write begins with their ability to comprehend oral language. Listening
comprehension provides the foundation for reading comprehension and also writing skill development. The
basic skills of listening and speaking are included in the language continuum – listening, speaking, reading,
and writing. Additionally, adult education instructors will learn about the reading and writing processes in
light of the language continuum. They will also understand the need to use multi-sensory and real-life
approaches to instruction in these areas to motivate and retain students. They will walk away with an
exciting lesson plan and activities that support these skills. Neil Sturomski, Sturomski & Associates
Emerging Technologies in the Adult Education Classroom
This session provides participants the opportunity to discuss and explore the availability and use of emerging
technologies in the adult education classroom. The session highlights several resources related to these
technologies, how to choose the right technology, and how they can be used by the participants in their
instruction. Tim Ponder, Ohio Literacy Resource Center
Engaging and Preparing Students With New Literacies
As the technological advances of the 21st century hurtle forward with unparalleled speed, it is imperative
that educators move to capitalize on the development of new literacies. Preparing students with the skills
they need to be competitive in a rapidly changing workforce is critical. Christopher J. Wood and Pedro
Dueñas Padilla, Western Nevada College
Essential Computer Skills for the 2014 GED® Tests
Are your students comfortable using computers? Are they ready for computer-based testing? This session
will introduce you to Teknimedia's CBT100™ – Computer Skills for the 2014 GED® Test. You'll learn, handson, why CBT100 is the ideal tool for verifying your students have the essential computer and keyboarding
skills required for the 2014 GED® tests. Ann Harris, Teknimedia Corporation
ETS High School Equivalency Testing (HiSET) Program
ETS and the University of Iowa are collaborating to develop a high school equivalency testing (HiSET)
program that will launch in January 2014 at the request of more than 25 states. The assessment is an
alternative to the GED. This session will provide information about the ETS HiSET Program. Amy Riker,
Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Exploring How ESL Students Use Metacognitive Reading Strategies
Understanding what metacognitive reading strategies are and how to teach them to ESL students is useful to
help students become proficient readers in English. This session will provide an overview of metacognitive
reading strategies and offer practical tips for using the strategies immediately in an ESL classroom. Melissa
McAllister, Laramie County Community College
Family Literacy: Reading, Writing, and Talking With Kids
In this interactive workshop, we will present a variety of ideas and activities that parents and other
caregivers can do with children to facilitate their literacy development. These ideas and activities are fun
and can be easily integrated into the fabric of everyday life in homes, classrooms, and community settings.
George Kamberelis and Melanie Reaves, University of Wyoming
Financial Literacy and the Dream of College: Two Free Resources
Are your students helping their children learn to manage their money? Do they know the value of
postsecondary education for their children and for themselves? Come and learn about two free resources
available to help parents and children make the most of their money and realize the dream of college. Sylvia
Cobos Lieshoff, National Center for Family Literacy
GED® 2014
Topic TBA. David Degg, GED Testing Service
GED® Test 2014: The Content, Context, and Cognitive Demands of the Four Content Area
Tests
What is an assessment target? How will I prepare for teaching the extended response item? Where can I
find instruction and skill practice in the new GED item types? Join us as we answer these questions and more
as we embark on an in-depth look at the content, context, and cognitive demands of the new GED® Test. Bill
Walker, Wonderlic Companies
How are Special Learning Needs Being Addressed in Kentucky?
Join me to learn about the transformational work that Kentucky is doing with PowerPath to Education and
Employment that has resulted in entirely new ways to engage all students using research-based practices.
The PowerPath System provides an innovative structure for service delivery (engagement, assessment, and
instruction) that assures that every student’s learning challenges are identified and addressed in order to
promote long-term success in postsecondary and employment. Meryl Becker-Prezocki, LINCS
Immigration Reform – What Does It Mean?
This workshop is an open-facilitated discussion with the audience about Immigration Reform. The discussion
will share information about some of Denver’s institutions that have taken steps towards supporting the
Dream Act, working with Deferred Action, and plans for preparing for Immigration Reform. Other audience
members will have an opportunity to share information from their region about how their state and state
institutions are preparing. Gaye Horne, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning
Improving Student Outcomes by Developing a System to Support Adult Education Instructors
Through Leadership and Mentoring – A Wyoming Project
A panel of Wyoming adult educators will describe their involvement in a year-long training process that
supports adult education instructors throughout Wyoming. They will explain their work throughout the year
and the development of “Leaders and Mentors” that, in turn, support all adult education instructors. They
will share their specific plans as they each work in various, unique adult education programs throughout the
state. Neil Sturomski, Sturomski & Associates
Integrating Soft Skills to Support Learner Success
Uncover the ease with which you can incorporate soft skills, like teamwork and problem solving, into your
program to support learner success. Participants review soft skills in various categories and then explore
strategies for integrating, practicing, and strengthening these skills. Session includes soft skills resources,
assessment tools, and evaluation methods. Chelsea Stewart and Nadeen T. Lester, Northern Colorado
Professional Development Resource Center
Is Your State Up To The TASC? Alternative High School Assessment for the 21st Century
This session explores CTB McGraw-Hill’s new TASC Alternative High School Equivalency Assessment and the
role it plays in 21st century workforce preparation. Mitch Rosin, McGraw-Hill Education, and Mike Johnson,
CTB/McGraw-Hill
Learning to Learn: Becoming a Lifelong Learner
This interactive workshop involves participants in a series of exercises and discussions that facilitate the
development of ideas central to learning. Victoria Gillis, University of Wyoming
Learning Transfer in Adult Education
Learning transfer is the ability of a learner to apply skills and knowledge learned in one situation or setting to
another. This session will explore what this means in various adult education settings, as well as offer
practical information to increase learning transfer through design and facilitation. Leann Kaiser, Jacqueline
McGinty, and Karen Kaminski, Colorado State University
Marketing Best Practices
Join Dr. Amy Hyams, V.P. of Educational Services for W.I.T.S., in this informative session that will introduce
effective marketing practices that you can implement TODAY! Amy Hyams, W.I.T.S. (World Instructor
Training Schools)
Math: Use Part-Whole Thinking
Adults who struggle with math often are missing early math concepts. Learn why the part/whole concept is
important; how to tell which students lack it; and how to use the part/whole concept to teach word
problems including graphs, geometry, place value/exponents, and fractions. Dorothea Steinke, Literacy
Coalition of Colorado/Front Range Community College
Maximizing Family Literacy Models to Meet 21st Century Demands
With so many family literacy models to choose from, how can you select one that fits your program? The
answer is to know the options, select one that might be adequate, and then engineer it to make a perfect fit.
Join us to do just that! Sylvia Cobos Lieshoff, National Center for Family Literacy
Mining for Gold: Searching Your Database for Hidden Treasure
What’s the best way to use the student/tutor data you collect? Are you searching for organizational
strengths and areas of improvement? Are you measuring student outcomes? Are you trying to figure out
which student/tutor recruitment campaigns were the most effective? We’ll focus on these and many other
questions. David Miller, LiteracyPro Systems, Inc.
OVAE’s Adult Education Professional Development Menu: Which Resource is Right for You?
Are you unsure which federal professional development (PD) initiative is most beneficial for you or your
program? Join us for an overview of online PD resources in topics including ABE, ESL, career pathways,
correctional education, and more! We will also examine how the principles of effective PD have evolved
over time. Debi Blaney and Sarah Binder, Kratos Learning
PowerPath Mini Update and Reunion
PowerPath has been in the field since 1993. Over the years it has evolved from a screening for learning
challenges to a dynamic learning system that transforms adult education into a research-based set of
practices leading to greater persistence, academic gains, and emotional/social skills. Join this session to see
why PowerPath is innovating adult education, the new PowerPath online learning series created with
KET/PBS, and how you can begin to update your skills and system. Laura Weisel, The TLP Group
Prescription for Student Success
This workshop will focus on effective strategies and essential habits that students at any level can use to
improve their academic performance. The strategies are based on scientific evidence about how long-term
memory works; research on self-affirmation and self-efficacy theory; and study habits of successful students.
Priyanka Sharma, National College Transition Network
Promising Practices for Preparing Adult Learners for Postsecondary Education and Training
This workshop will detail the College for a Day project and highlight additional evidence-based promising
practices documented by the National College Transition Network. We will discuss how the promising
practices fit into the College and Career Readiness model framework and share ideas around how to
customize them for replication in existing programs. Priyanka Sharma, National College Transition Network
Raise Your GED Passing Rate: The Most Often Missed Questions on the GED Tests of
Mathematics and Language Arts, Writing
We will examine the results of an extensive research study conducted by the GED Testing Service that
examines the questions most often missed on the current GED Tests of mathematics and language arts,
writing. Prepare your GED candidates for their final chance at passing the current test with discussions of
teaching tips and handouts as well as sharing “what works’ with your colleagues. Bill Walker, Wonderlic
Companies
Reading the Tells – Learning How to Read Body Language
Reading the Tells is a powerful training that offers strategies for using non-verbal communication for the
highest impact. Become a highly respected and successful communicator! Whether you are a teacher,
counselor, principal, or supervisor, the degree of career success you enjoy is dictated by your skills in
communicating with others. Jerry Balistreri
Roundtable Discussion: Small/Rural Program Challenges
This roundtable discussion is for participants who have a vested interest in exchanging ideas and exploring
solutions to the challenges that confront small or rural adult education programs. The session leader will
guide discussion, splitting time between two tracks: Program Limitations and Student Limitations. Lori
McKearney, Northwest College
Stackable Skills: Job Preparation or Career Development
Learn about an innovative approach to workforce development and assisting students with not just getting a
job, but developing a career. We will present a successful approach for not only helping students prepare for
a rewarding career path, but also keeping them coming back to your program to continue their education
and training. Amy Hyams, W.I.T.S. (World Instructor Training Schools)
Student Affairs Paradigm: From Learning Outcomes to Persistence and Completion
Student Affairs programs in higher education have been guided by two praxis documents: Learning
Reconsidered and Learning Reconsidered 2. Nationally, persistence and completion have not significantly
improved in 30 years. Student Affairs would benefit from a shift in paradigm from learning outcomes to
improving graduation rates. Daniel P. McCoy, University of Wyoming
Supporting Postsecondary Education and Career Development: Incorporating Higher-Order
Thinking Skills
In this session, participants will get an understanding of how to support organization and higher-order
processing skills while motivating students and supporting instruction. In the end, instructors will learn how
to truly support students in using higher-level, metacognitive skills to their advantage in all education and
work settings. Developing metacognitive or higher-order thinking skills are critical. Students need to know
how to plan, to know what’s coming next, to understand how to recall information, and to help them
evaluate their learning process. In this session, participants will learn how to support their students in those
areas and help them become more successful. Neil Sturomski, Sturomski & Associates
Survey Says! The Power of Asking Questions
The power to transform your ABE program is at your fingertips when surveys are conducted and the results
are tabulated, interpreted, and implemented. Surveys can help your program drive continuous program
improvement if you collect the right information from the right audiences. Bill Walker, Wonderlic
Companies
Teaching Writing Skills to Reluctant Writers
This presentation will provide the participants with techniques that the presenter has found helpful in
teaching writing skills to adults who have poor written language skills. Participants will learn techniques to
help adult learners understand the structure of language and develop their ideas. They will experiment with
techniques for motivating adults to write more. Richard Cooper, National Association for Adults with Special
Learning Needs (NAASLN)
The ACP-SC Presents: Engaging Employers to Support Adult Career Pathways Program
Join Christopher Coro from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education and
expert panelists in The Adult Career Pathways Training and Support Center Webcast Series Presents:
Engaging Employers to Support Adult Career Pathways Programs as they share their perspectives,
experiences, best practices, resources, and recommendations on employer engagement in supporting Adult
Career Pathways programs. Michelle Carson, Kratos Learning
The Completion Agenda: What Would John Dewey Say About This Reform Movement and
Its Consequences for Adult Learning?
This session will propose a conceptual framework, using the work of John Dewey, to assess specific state
Completion Agenda programs that seek an increase in the number of students attaining credentials at
community colleges. Participants, working in small groups, will be invited to apply the framework to case
studies. Clifford P. Harbor and Michael Day, University of Wyoming
The Journey to America: Why are Somalis Still Coming?
This interactive workshop will use a UNHCR application to stimulate the beginning of the refugee’s journey to
the United States. Small group work will focus on what adaptations need to be made to support the
education of traumatized students. Special emphasis will be given to the Somali population. Burna L. Dunn,
Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning
Toward Mindfulness: Integrating the Arts in the Classroom and Online Settings
This highly interactive workshop will explore how to incorporate mindfulness into your courses. Ways to
maximize learning will be demonstrated, and participants will discover how to incorporate art, music,
meditation, and more in classroom and online learning environments. Kristi Archuleta Frush, University of
Central Oklahoma; Kerry Mitchell, Regis University; and Elizabeth A. Erichsen, North Dakota State University
Transformation of Asian Parents Regarding Their Children's Education in the U.S.
An ever-increasing number of Asian adults come to reside in the U.S. with children who are then schooled
here. Using information gathered from in-depth interviews, this presentation explores Asian parents’
transformations regarding perspectives of their children’s high school education. Results illuminate
particular areas of adult development in culturally diverse populations. Fujuan Tan, Morehead State
University
Understanding and Applying Research in the Classroom
Are you willing to seek out information and use what we know from research when making instructional
decisions? What is your stance toward research? How do you recognize effective research? We’ll explore
these questions and share online resources for understanding and using research. Kaye Beall, World
Education
Using Adult Education Principles in Community Service Providing Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance to Lower Income Families
Adams State University’s Volunteer Income Tax Program is a community service program that utilizes adult
education principles in working with low-income, ethnically diverse populations to ensure trust; improve
communication; provide for family support; and, of course, to gain needed income tax refunds where
allowable to our most needy residents. Michael E. Tomlin and Sheryl Abeyta Brown, Adams State University
Using Computer-Based Interactive Activities to Transition Your ESL Students to the 21st
Century
This workshop will explore the use of computer-based activities that boost learning and encourage students
to access English 24/7. Using technology from Future: English for Results, we will look at activities that target
all skills and all levels. The workshop will enhance teacher’s and students’ ability to infuse technology in
language studies. Jonathan Boggs, Pearson ELT
Words From Experience: Distance Learning and Adult Learning
A panel of adult education and training experts with extensive experience facilitating distance learning will
share tips and techniques and respond to questions from the participants. Specific topics include the
student perspective, supporting distance learners, facilitating discussion, building learning communities,
assessing learning, designing effective distance courses, and managing distance programs. Karen Kaminski,
Jacqueline McGinty, and Leann Kaiser, Colorado State University
Working In Indian Country
Working In Indian Country is a professional development training that enables participants with the basic
principles of understanding, developing, and building effective working relationships with American Indian
Tribes. The focus of this session will be on providing strategies for adult educators on providing services to
the American Indian community. Larry D. Keown, Working In Indian Country
Working With Youth/Millennials: Instructional Implications From Generational Research
Generational research has implications for addressing the needs of youth in adult education. Join us for an
overview of this research, particularly the expectations, learning styles, work habits, and skills of the
Millennial Generation – born 1982-2000. Facilitators will explore instructional techniques that may best
support these students. Beth Ponder, University of Tennessee
Writing of Real: Literacy in the 21st Century Classroom
This interactive session guides participants through a new kind of writing workshop model. Each lesson
presented is designed to establish a strong community in the classroom and increase the resistant student’s
motivation to write. By implementing technology that allows students to see their writing in the public
sphere, we equip our assignments with relevance and purpose. Catherine Leigh Reeves, Wyoming
Department of Education
Written Expression Disabilities
In this session, we will discuss learning disabilities (LD) that affect written expression. We will define the two
types of written expression disabilities and describe the characteristics of each. We will also discuss
accommodations and instructional strategies for adults with writing disabilities. Beth Ponder, University of
Tennessee