Finding Our Way: Digital Technologies and E-Learning for Adult Literacy Students, Educators and Programs

October 23, 2011

Finding Our Way from Alpha Plus is a must-have resource for anyone working in adult literacy.

Written by Maria Moriarty, this literature review from 2005-2011 that looks at digital reading; digital skills and employment; learning disabilities and assistive technology; the digital divide; anywhere/anytime learning; collaborative learning; and professional development in technology for literacy educators.

It examines how technology has been used to enhance learning and professional development. It also asks the question: Where do we go from here?

The report includes some excellent discussion and carefully examines how technology is being integrated into literacy today.

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

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Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

QuickWrites: What they are and how to use them

October 15, 2011

“Quick writes” are short, timed writing activities. They can be used with elementary, junior high, senior high or adult learners. They can be used to teach native and non-native speakers alike. They’re designed to encourage spontaneous, impromptu writing and help learners build a practice of writing more.

Here are some resources to get you started:

Creative QuickWrite ideas from the University of Alberta

QuickWrite ideas from the University of Prince Edward Island

6 Ways to Use Quick Writes

100 Quickwrites by Linda Rief (book excerpt)

1000 Ideas for writing (expert of 100 of those ideas)

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on QuickWrites: What they are and how to use them | education, Literacy, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Options for Practice and Research

October 13, 2011

The National Academies Press has just made “Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Options for Practice and Research” (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13242)  available. You can download the .pdf for free if you register on their site. (Look on the left hand side, about half way down, under ordering options.)

This is a huge resource document and the contents include:

  1. Introduction
  2. Foundations of Reading and Writing
  3. Literacy Instruction for Adults
  4. Principles of Learning for Instructional Design
  5. Motivation, Engagement, and Persistence
  6. Technology to Promote Adult Literacy
  7. Learning, Reading, and Writing Disabilities
  8. Literacy Development of English Language Learners
  9. Conclusions and Recommendations

References

Appendices

A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff

B: Literacy in a Digital Age

C: Search Procedures and Reviewed Studies of Adult Literacy Instruction

D: Interventions to Develop the Component Literacy Skills of Low Literate Adults

Index

This is an in-depth report with multiple individual and organizational authors. It’s worth going through it chapter by chapter and discussing the ideas with others as you go. I’ve just downloaded it and I’m looking forward to delving into it!

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Options for Practice and Research | education, Literacy, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Professional portfolios: Resources and tips

October 10, 2011

Regular readers of this blog know that I’m a big fan of using portfolios for learning. From a learning portfolio, an individual can progress to creating a professional portfolio to help them secure employment. Professional portfolios are not just for artists or photographers. They’re for anyone looking for employment.

They demonstrate your competencies to prospective employers. They may include samples of previous work or pieces of a project you’ve worked on.

They also help you to develop self-confidence and a sense of self-determination as a professional. I’ve had one for about a decade and I have, over the years, used it to help me build a proposal for a project or give me  a mental boost before a job interview.

CreatingYourProfessionalPortfolioIf you work in adult literacy, it can be valuable to work with your learners to help them develop a professional portfolio to get a better job. If you work with high school or university students, helping them build their first professional portfolio gives them a base to start from that they can add to throughout their working life.

Here are some of my favorite resources for building a professional portfolio:

Creating Your Professional Portfolio by Dr. James E. DeLisio (.pdf download)

Pam Petty’s page on Professional Portfolios

Portfolio Tips for Teachers

McGill University’s page on professional portfolios for aspiring teachers and check out their portfolio guidelines checklist, too.

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on Professional portfolios: Resources and tips | Literacy, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Interested in Learning How to Use Webinars for Literacy PD, Programming and Promotion?

October 5, 2011

This event has passed.

Check out the webinar recording and resources that we shared.

Are you interested in learning how to use e-learning and webinar technology for literacy?

Join me for this special webinar that I’ll be hosting. I’ve gathered together some professional pioneers who are leading the way when it comes to using e-learning technology in the literacy field. Each “pioneer” is at a different stage along the continuum:

  • One pioneer has led a province-wide initiative to launch a literacy webinars for professional development.
  • Another expert has mobilized people in her organization to agree to the idea of launching webinars and has begun developing a program, but has not yet had her first webinar.
  • A third pioneer is intensely curious and likes the idea of doing webinars for literacy and is grappling with some questions from within her organization.

I’ve convinced them all to join me for an open dialogue on how to incorporate e-learning and webinar technology into the literacy field. I’m hoping that the intended outcome will be that participants will realize that it may be easier than you think. By working together and learning from each other, we can advance the use of technology in the literacy field.

Join the conversation:

How to Use Webinars for Literacy: PD, Programming and Promotion

Friday, October 28, 2011
09:00 Mountain Time / 11:00 Eastern (Convert that to your local time zone.)

Allison Mullin (Ontario Literacy Coalition), Courtney Hare (Momentum) and others discuss their experience using webinars for professional development and marketing in the literacy field. This event is an interactive discussion for literacy professionals at schools, non-profit and community based organizations.

Join us, tell us about your experience and ask questions from professionals who are using webinars for PD, programming and promotion of literacy.

This is a free event, but registration is required, due to space limitations. Register here.

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on Interested in Learning How to Use Webinars for Literacy PD, Programming and Promotion? | education, Literacy, technology, webinar | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

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