Computer-Based Training for Immigrant Latinos with Limited Formal Education

Abstract

Mexican immigrants working at a wholesale nursery were involved in developing user instructions for a computer-based instruction system. Sixty-one Latinos with 0 to 16 years of education completed user instructions delivered on the computer, and all but 3 completed training content about the nursery. Based on objective criteria, program use was rated as "somewhat easy" to "easy" for most participants with more than 3 years of education, whereas 50% of those with 0 to 2 years of education completed content with "difficulty" or "struggled. " Participants who completed the computer-based posttest (n = 22) had a mean performance of 96%, which was significantly better than the performance of 87% (n = 18) on an oral pretest (p = .003, d = 1.02). Thus, computer-based instruction can effectively train immigrant Latinos who have very limited formal education.

Learning and Recall of Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Training in Vineyard Workers

“…Because current U.S. farmworkers have a mean education in the range of 5 to 7 years (e.g., references 11 and 12), we selected a computer-based training system that had been developed and used with this target population. 11, 13 We addressed three questions in this study: (1) Prior to training, would farmworkers demonstrate knowledge of the WPS information that was above chance responding, confirming McCauley et al 6 ? (2) Would computer-based training on WPS improve the farmworkers' knowledge from baseline?…”

“…The software format was developed for blue collar workers, 14 and the user instructions were developed through serial pilot testing in noneducated agricultural workers. 13 This software has been used to teach ladder safety to orchard workers, who rated it very positively, providing evidence of significant knowledge and work practice changes in a work group similar to the target audience of this research. 11 To optimize the environment, especially for participants with limited education, the 9BUTTON was used for response input (depicted in Figure 1).…”

“…It is likely that the positive reviews as well as the performance improvement were due in part to the careful design of the training, piloting it with the target audience, training software and user instructions that had been developed in and for an agricultural workforce, 13 and possibly to the 9BUTTON response input device designed for computer novices with limited education. 21 Such steps are recommended when developing new training content and training technology for a population with limited education such as the U.S. agricultural workforce.…”

Does Computer Use Promote the Mathematical Proficiency of Ell Students?

“…To guide ELL students to use computers efficiently for various purposes, we suggest that computer programs should include instrumental features to aid their limited English language skills. Good examples can be text-to-speech read-aloud functionality, bilingual features, and content delivery options via texts, pictures, or movies (Anger et al, 2004;Proctor et al, 2007).…”

“…One study examined the effects of computer-based instruction for Hispanic immigrant adult learners. Computer-based instruction has the option of delivering content via pictures, movies, or texts in Spanish (Anger, Tamulinas, Uribe, & Ayala, 2004).…”