Grow Our Own grant helping Southwest ABE students learn virtually

Students in Southwest Adult Basic Education are working toward skills they need to enter the workforce. As COVID-19 moved learning online in Minnesota for all ages, ABE students and staff were prepared to keep learning thanks to a Grow Our Own grant. The grant, awarded in 2018, supported online access for students to participate in classes using Adobe Connect web conferencing.

Southwest Adult Basic Education (ABE) – Marshall Region Program Manager See Moua-Leske recently sent us an update and thank you:

With the unprecedented events that have taken place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of web conferencing has never been more important as we use alternative routes to reach our students. We have been able to be a resource to other programs in the state in helping them implement online classes. We couldn’t have done this without your support. Thank you!”

Adobe Connect web conferencing allow students to participate and contribute to classroom instruction from a remote site for classes. This project was the first of its kind in adult basic education.

Nancy Fasching, SWIF’s Vice President of Community Impact, took part in a demonstration of ABE’s Adobe Connect in action and noted, “This launch into a major technology upgrade brings ABE to much greater accessibility. This really allows the upper level students the opportunity to participate when life sometimes presents barriers in getting to classes.”

About Southwest Adult Basic Education

Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a statewide system that serves adults who are working towards a high school credential, learning English, improving basic skills such as literacy and math and/or preparing for post-secondary education or employment. The mission of Southwest ABE is to provide adults with educational opportunities to acquire and improve the literacy skills needed to become self-sufficient and to participate effectively as productive workers, family members and citizens. Southwest ABE serves all or parts of 20 counties in the southwest corner of Minnesota and includes 51 school districts. The geographic area represents nearly 1/5 of Minnesota. Due to the large area represented, the consortium is divided into three regions, Marshall, Granite Falls, and Worthington/Jackson. There are several types of adult basic education programs offered by Southwest ABE, including GED and English as a Second Language classes.