The near constant use of technology today has led to widespread changes in the way literacy is imagined, used, and theorized. Since college students spend a significant amount of time using and being involved with various acts of technology, there is no doubt that their literate lives are changing and adapting as well. Although most college-aged…

This two-year case study summarizes the views of students, instructors, and administrators toward a learning community program that served first-year developmental reading students at a public two-year college. One-on-one interviews and focus groups revealed that semester-long learning communities helped students overcome obstacles toward academic…

The number of incoming community college students, including recent high school graduates as well as nontraditional students, requiring remediation has increased dramatically in recent years. As a result, community colleges are mandated by the state to implement developmental programs to address the diverse academic needs of their students.…

Techtalk in Volume 33 has been addressing the digital divide in technology, first through the use of mobile phones and then through the development of digital literacies with digital storytelling. This third and final column in the series looks at bridging both the hardware/software divide and the digital literacies divide through the educational…

Reading is the most critical skill determining college success. Yet, only 48% of students enrolled in developmental reading courses actually complete the required track. Critical examination in developmental education suggests that students do not complete developmental courses at the community college level due to the idea that the curriculum is…

In response to recent social, economic, and pedagogical challenges to tertiary-level teaching and learning, universities are increasingly investigating and adopting e-learning as a way to engage and motivate students. This paper reports on the first year of a two-year (2009-2010) qualitative multiple case study research project in New Zealand.…

In the year 2000, what started as an isolated pedagogical gambit at Glendale Community College (GCC) in Southern California has evolved into a program-wide initiative to revise the developmental composition curriculum and boost student learning outcomes. One instructor, frustrated with poor student motivation and success in his precollegiate…

Although the WebQuest has been around for several years, it appears that not many educators are aware of it, or know how to use it. Thus, it is important to not only expose developmental educators to the use of this strategy, but also to help them realize how they can easily implement it into their curriculum. The use of a Webquest integrates…

Discusses the uses of the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web (WWW), in developmental education courses. Examines the underpinnings of the WWW, means by which users can access information, and some potential applications for developmental students. Includes addresses of sample WWW sites. (MAB)

Explores ideas on how technology can enhance instruction, and explains how these ideas apply to the developmental student. Discusses new materials, technologies, and applications in developmental education and reviews what already exists. Includes information on telecourses, interactive TV courses, video conferencing, Internet support, Web…

Reviews World Wide Web sites, specifically those related to the professional growth of developmental educators and students. Cites two Web pages in particular--the College Reading and Learning Association and Webliography--that offer many valuable resources. Contains 53 Web site addresses. (AS)

Argues that the processes of locating, interpreting, and applying ideas gained from reading have remained constant, in spite of changing resources. Offers advice for structuring students' use of the Web by using an instructor-based site called WebQuest. Describes four ways to navigate this online resource. (NB)

Examines the use of "type 2 discussion," in which the teacher creates an online conversation with the class. Suggests that, by adding type 2 discussions to a face-to-face developmental education class, faculty help students build their own knowledge base. Adds that the online component gives all students equal access to this knowledge…

This paper reports on the Macromedia Accessibility Project (MAP), a collaborative effort developed by Macromedia, Inc., The League for Innovation in the Community College, and Pima Community College, Arizona, in order to explore the questions and challenges of implementing accessibility standards in online developmental math courses in community…

"Informed math self-placement," a program implemented at American River College in Sacramento, California, to determine students' readiness for college-level math, has been in place for three years. This case study describes the development and implementation of math self-placement at American River. Math self-placement consists of a…