[NLA] NLA Discussion: Evidence-based education

[Awilderast@aol.com]

George:

A couple of comments on your remarks re John Coming's post.

1)  "....consensus about the outcomes of education because an experiment 
needs a well-defined out come measure...."  refers, I believe, to a variety 
of agreed upon outcome measures, some of which may be decided for a 
particular study, for example "voting behavior" can be agreed upon as an 
index for "democracy."  

2)  Cultural studies can be a form of scientific investigation, depending on 
how well they are put together.  Each field has methods and controls 
appropriate to a specific mode of investigation.  Adult literacy cuts across 
many fields and can be "scientifically" studied through many lenses.  A 
"constructivist" theory of learning is used all the time in scientific 
studies.  (See Fischer in "Handbook of Child Psychology," 5th edition, Wiley 
& Sons, Inc, for a discussion of functional level learning, optimal level 
learning and scaffolded level learning.  p. 45 shows one example.  Fischer 
has other examples of the use of these concepts.  Functional level learning 
is performance measured by a test.  Optimal level learning happens when a 
child (in this case) is prompted (not coached) by an adult.  Scaffolded 
learning is what happens most often in the classroom, and Vygotsky thought of 
it as typical classroom teacher/student behavior.)

3)  The research process is iterative and exhaustive--exhausting I guess some 
would say.  Lots of different types of data are brought in to inform the 
effort.

4)  "Bestowed?"  The first rounds of research questions, solicited from the 
field became the NCSALL research agenda.  I think research findings have been 
made available through "Focus on Basics."  If anyone had further questions 
they could call John directly, Barbara Garner or any of the researchers 
listed.  See what happens, ask whatever questions you got.  They might be 
delighted!  I have called LOTS of researchers, they are often startled, but 
no one has hung up yet, and I like hearing what they have to say. 

Data gatherers for the project I worked on were hired from the field, trained 
by and paid by NCSALL.  They were local and knew the local scene best.

Andrea
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