By Donna Emert

COEUR D’ALENE—For six weeks, four University of Idaho students “virtually” connected with fifth-graders in rural Nantou County, Taiwan, in order to develop strategies for more effective virtual education and to help the children develop English reading fluency.

Welcome to the future of learning.

“Meeting the kids changed everything,” said Robin Simpson. “When we got there, they just lit up. It’s like our worlds came together. For these kids, it was amazing. You could see that they felt so special. I don’t think technology can ever replace a live teacher.”

The UI students recently returned home after presenting the results of their research at the World Education Research Association Conference at National Sun Yat-sen University in Kaoshiung, Taiwan.

The value of live interaction as part of their own education was not lost on the students, or their teacher:

 “Without the technology there would have been no way to work with these kids,” said Simpson. “For rural schools, this is going to be valuable teaching tool. With this technology, they can call over to bigger schools and tap expertise that would have otherwise been inaccessible.”

Three of the students, Staci Hinsz, Simpson and Aaron Schiffelbein, are from University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene. They presented at the international conference alongside College of Education assistant professor of counseling and school psychology, Linda Taylor.

Each participating university student was supported by a $1,000 award from University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene and a $250 award from the College of Education’s Graduate Research Policy Committee. All remaining travel costs were paid out of pocket.

To fulfill the requirements of their graduate assessment course, Hinsz, Simpson and Schiffelbein used use Elluminate Live! Technology to make a classroom connection halfway around the world. The technology combines reciprocal/real-time audio and video, incorporates PowerPoint presentations, accommodates tutoring and break-out discussions, and allows users to archive and review class sessions, among other features.

The biggest challenge to teachers and pupils was finding ways to communicate when language failed.

The fifth graders also found it challenging to stay fully engaged with a computer screen, Hinsz and Simpson reported. But there also was a big upside to the virtual interaction.

“It took a lot of patience to do it virtually,” said Hinsz. “There were lots of technological challenges, in addition to the language barrier, so you had down time when you had to try to come up with some way to communicate and keep the ball rolling.”

Hinsz and Simpson said they mastered the technology. Glitches in the interaction required them to trouble-shoot quickly, without interrupting the lesson.

 They often used the technology to change tactics when the language barrier proved insurmountable.

  “It gave us a variety of methods to talk to them,” Simpson said.

 Through their trip abroad, the university students also discovered the value of face-to-face interaction. The visit by their teachers also provided strong motivation for the Taiwanese students to learn how to speak English. 

 “When we met them over Elluminate!, that was about as real as it could get,” said Hinsz. “But when we were there, it was completely different. We played games with them. We danced with them.”

Those in education talk a lot about barriers and finding ways around them to improve life circumstances through education. North Idaho College’s Molly Kreyssler and Judith George hear all about barriers—lack of financial resources, family obligations, health issues and even legal problems—but they only talk about removing them.

Through the Idaho Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST), Kreyssler and George try to help individuals who have never earned a high school diploma complete their GEDs and college training programs simultaneously. The program’s coordinators work as counselors, financial aid technicians and advisers to help individuals with whatever they need to be successful.

“We even attend classes with students if necessary, to give them the support they need,” Kreyssler said. “Anything to ensure their success!”

I-BEST is a program funded by a two-year, $521,000 grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation. Those who have never completed high school undergo GED preparation and testing through the NIC Adult Basic Education Center to earn a GED in one semester, while working toward a technical certificate in one of four career programs through North Idaho College.

For Janelle Poulsen, a 20-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident, not having a diploma was keeping her from her dream of becoming a labor and delivery room nurse. But  after leaping barricade after barricade, Poulsen just got tired of trying.
She first left high school during her junior year, when her parents’ breakup forced her to support herself both financially and emotionally.

“When I lost my transportation, I gave up,” Poulsen said. “I just quit going. I never told anyone about it until reports started coming in the mail.”

At 17, Poulsen got married and although she attempted to finish school through the Bridge Academy, the 3.5-mile walk to school became more than she could bear and she quit again. After an abusive marriage that led to a divorce and her moving back home, Poulsen said she eventually found the love of her life who encouraged her to not give up. She tried again to finish high school online, but failed to complete for the third time.

When she was about to give up again, she found Kreyssler and George and their message rang loud and clear: “We will help you.”

“I was 26 weeks pregnant and wanting to do something with my life,” Poulsen said. “When I told the ladies about my situation and asked about financial help, they insisted that I shouldn’t even think about the money and just worry about getting my paperwork done. It all happened so fast!”

Through the I-BEST program, Poulsen was enrolled in GED preparation classes within a week and she earned her GED in a month. After 10 weeks, she completed a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate and two weeks later, gave birth to her son Rowen.

Poulsen is enrolled as a full-time student this semester at NIC, completing her prerequisites in hopes of being admitted into the registered nursing program.

“Ability was never an issue with Janelle,” George said. “Her commitment made all the difference. But her story is like so many others and we want everyone to realize, it’s never too late.”

An information night/open house for the I-BEST program is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 in the Hedlund Building Room 233 on NIC’s campus. Staff and instructors will provide an overview of the I-BEST program as well as each of the four career programs: certified nursing assistant, machining, office specialist and welding. Tours of the classrooms will also be available as well as individualized initial advice. The event is free and open to anyone interested.  

Information:  Kreyssler at (208) 665-5060 or mckreyssler@nic.edu or George at (208) 769-3313 or jggeorge@nic.edu.

(Pictured top) Janelle Poulsen tried and failed to complete high school three times before finding the Idaho Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) program at North Idaho College, which helped her earn a GED and receive training as a certified nursing assistant at the same time. (Pictured above) North Idaho College Idaho Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) Adviser/Data Analyst Judith George (left) counsels Chealsie Roberts and Victor Barbierri (seated) along with NIC I-BEST Coordinator Molly Kreyssler (standing right) at NIC.

For More Information
NIC I-BEST Coordinator Molly Kreyssler at (208) 665-5060 or mckreyssler@nic.edu

Oct. 14, 2011 – Student advisors from North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College, University of Idaho, Boise State University, and Idaho State University converged in the North Idaho College Edminster Student Union Building on Oct. 13 to present College Info Night.

The program offers a series of workshops designed to help students and their families navigate the journey into higher education, pursue graduate studies, and transition into the workforce.

College Info Night is an after-hours opportunity for anyone seeking information about higher education, from parents and grandparents of prospective students to prospective students themselves. Since the event was established in 2009, a total of 679 attendees have taken advantage of its free workshops and face-to-face advising.

The 2011 Info Night featured 10 workshops, including presentations on securing financial aid, moving through the transfer process, an up-to-date Department of Labor Job Outlook presentation with insights into what fields and professions are experiencing growth, and even a parents’ survival guide.

In addition, the event allows attendees to learn about free services available to them, even if they are not students, including Career Services and the Center for New Directions at North Idaho College.

College Info Night will be offered again in Feb. 2013. Until then, admissions counselors and student advisors from all five northern Idaho institutions are available to answer questions. To find the name and contact information of an advisor from the school you hope to attend, email idahogoes@gmail.com.