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UNIQUE LEARNERS WITH UNIQUE NEEDS
Jane McGovern would be one of the first to say that it seems unlikely that underserved and hard-to-reach adults would succeed using a self-directed approach to learning, especially with a multimedia program delivered by distance learning. At least it seemed that way to her when she 
first began as an instructor, to pilot the Workplace Essential Skills program for the Center for Literacy (CFL).
McGovern is quick to point out, “Workplace Essential Skills is really a strong, basic skills development program. It’s unique because it delivers these skills using computers to create a 'virtual' multimedia classroom that requires students to study independently. Some of our learners are able to succeed with independent study. But, most of our students who come to us for the Workplace Essential Skills program need more comprehensive support.” McGovern goes on to explain, “Many of the individuals we see at CFL and in the Workplace Essential Skills program are at risk for not succeeding in learning, in work, and frankly, in many areas of life.”
For example, many of the students come into the program seeking employment, which for them is a somewhat daunting goal. McGovern explains, “Many of our students need assistance with setting realistic and more manageable short-term goals. If they can do this, it helps them experience success in learning, perhaps for the first time. It may seem like a small success, but it often helps the learner to contradict previous negative educational experiences, which may be the reason they are in the program in the first place."
McGovern goes on to say, “These learners, or clients as they are referred to at CFL, often come to the Workplace Essential Skills program without 'enabling' skills such as computer skills, self-management abilities, study skills, and even basic knowledge about how to learn. Our students usually arrive without the skills they need to manage a multimedia learning package. When I first started working with the Workplace Essential Skills program, I wasn’t at all sure our learners could succeed with this program.”
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