Hello, Jackie and all:

 

Like so many others, I value my subscriptions to the NIFL discussion lists.
I have come to see them as a means of proactive connection to our diffuse
field and I hope that they continue to be funded and people continue to
actively participate in them.  Like all forms of communication, they have
their triumphs and their blips from day to day, but overall, I think they
are one of the most accessible, immediate ways that we can share ideas,
concerns, and news.  The discussions are daily reminders to me that I am
part of a larger community, with leaders, traditions, histories, networks,
opportunities, inspirations, and myriad examples of creativity.  I also
enjoy the pollination that happens across the lists, tying together ideas,
or bringing in aspects and perspectives that can inform.

 

I constantly stress to colleagues the importance of tapping into the lists,
for all of the reasons I mentioned.  I know that when I was working in
programs, the lists were a way both to stay connected with the bigger
picture of adult education and related issues and to hear the voices of
colleagues working in programs like my own.  With all the daily demands
swirling around me, I often didn't get to read every message.  But they were
there, in my inbox or in the archives, so that when something important or
particularly applicable to my situation did come up, I could access it.
Unfortunately, I find that I have varying success in convincing others of
the importance and potential use of the lists.  I include them as resources
in workshops, distribute sample messages on timely topics as concrete
examples and provide the subscription and archive information, and always
talk about the digest and other management options.  But it is sometimes
difficult to get people to see past the fact that it means more messages in
their inboxes.  If anyone has any suggestions or examples of how they
promote the lists with colleagues, I'd welcome them!

 

Thanks to you, Jackie, for keeping this list so vital.  As someone mentioned
before, one of the other benefits of this list for me is watching how you
facilitate the discussions so adeptly.

 

Best,

MaryAnn

 

 

MaryAnn Florez

Project Director

Adult Education Professional Development Center

D.C. LEARNs

1612 K Street, N.W. Suite 300

Washington, DC 20006

202/331-0141, x25 (tel)

202/331-0143 (fax)

www.dclearns.org/aepdc 

mflorez at dclearns.org  

 

 

****************************************************************************
**************************

The Adult Education Professional Development Center at DC LEARNs -
Connecting D.C. adult educators with professional development opportunities
and resources.

www.dclearns.org/aepdc

****************************************************************************
********************

The D.C. LEARNs Mission

To work with Washington, D.C. literacy programs, learners, and supporters to
strengthen adult, family and children's literacy services, and present a
strong, unified voice on the importance of literacy as an investment in the
community.

 

D.C. LEARNs' literacy calendar lists significant literacy events or
deadlines, as well as a selected number of regional and national events that
may be of interest to the D.C. literacy community.  If you know of any
upcoming events in the D.C. region, please submit them to be added to our
calendar at info at dclearns.org 

 

You can visit our calendar at http://dclearns.org/calendar2/plans.cgi 

 

If you want to volunteer as a teacher or tutor for GED, ESL, ABE (Adult
Basic Education), Computers, or Children's Literacy, please enter your
information into our volunteer database at www.readoutloud.org 

  _____  

From: Taylor, Jackie [mailto:jataylor at utk.edu] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 5:03 PM
To: The Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2458] How You Benefit

 

 Hi All,

 

When I have the good fortune to meet PD List subscribers at conferences, I
feel like I've known you, even though we've technically just met! By being
on this list, I learn from the diverse perspectives and resources you share.
I feel connected to a larger profession or purpose, though I work on my own.
You are a professional influence that has shaped me. You've even informed
the standards I use to guide it. 

 

Please tell me:

 

What value do you find in being subscribed to this discussion list or to
other NIFL lists? How do you benefit?

 

Do you encourage others to subscribe to national discussion lists in adult
education, such as this list or others? Why or why not?

 

Thanks in advance for your insights.

 

Appreciatively, Jackie

 

Jackie Taylor, Adult Literacy Professional Development ("PD") List
Moderator, jataylor at utk.edu 

 

National Institute for Literacy

http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html 

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