National Adult Literacy Database

Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Secrétariat national à l'alphabétisation (SNA)

Collection: Research Materials

This page links to background information about the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), which measured the prose, document, and quantitative literacy of adults in twelve countries: Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, Belgium (Flanders), Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 1994-01-01

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• Document de base sur l'Enquête internationale sur l'alphabétisation des adultes

Reading the Future: A Portrait of Literacy In Canada

Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Secrétariat national à l'alphabétisation (SNA)

Collection: Research Materials

This document presents an overview of Canada's involvement in the 1994 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS). Survey goals, key findings, and implications of the results are briefly described. Included are definitions and sample questions from the survey that explain the levels and categories of literacy measured by IALS.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 1996-01-01

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• Document de base sur l'Enquête Internationale sur l'Alphabétisation des Adultes (EIAA)

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS)

Collection: Research Materials

This document consists of a list of projects, products, learning materials and other items of interest found in the Literacy Resource Collection in the Human Resource Development Canada (HRDC) Library. Most of the material is available for loan from the HRDC Library though the interlibrary lending system, and contact information is provided. The bibliography includes both English and French resources.

Added: 2002-11-27

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• Bibliographie sur l'alphabétisation en milieu de travail 1981-2002

A Report

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS)

Collection: Research Materials

This report attempts to capture the debate and discussion that took place on June 11 and 12, 1997 in Ottawa, on workplace literacy. The NLS is working with its partners to create significant projects that will make a difference in the area of workplace literacy. As a first step, they convened a meeting of their partners who have experience in the area of workplace literacy. The objective of this meeting was to develop a list of priorities for workplace literacy practitioners, researchers in the area, workplace literacy coordinators and provincial/territorial government representatives.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2004-04-05

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• Consultation sur l'alphabétisation en milieu de travail

Framework for the Research Support Activities of the National Literacy Secretariat, Human Resources Development Canada, A

Series: Policy Conversation Series

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS)

Collection: Research Materials

Since its inception, the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) has supported research as one of the important elements in its work to advance literacy in Canada. In light of the 1995 evaluation of the NLS and the February 1997 increase in NLS funding, the Secretariat decided to reassess the focus of its research support activities. This paper is the result of that review and presents the resulting framework for the future of NLS research support activities. The framework is intended to enhance the cooperation between the NLS and its partners to support research itself and to promote the dissemination and application of research results to literacy policy and practice. This framework will guide future NLS efforts to strengthen research and enhance its relevance to the broad goals of both the NLS and the literacy community.

Funders:

Added: 2002-08-01

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• Avancement de la recherche en alphabétisation au Canada

A comparison of Integrated Learning Systems and Stand-alone Software

Authors: Diane Millar, National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Secrétariat national à l'alphabétisation (SNA)

Collection: Research Materials

This research report outlines the research and results of a project designed to investigate some of the purported advantages of using Integrated Learning Systems (ILSes) in adult literacy programs in Manitoba. Specifically, it examined three systems currently being used in the province, namely TRO's PLATO, the Columbia Computer Corporation package, and the Pathfinder computer managed instruction system.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2003-10-14

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• Résumé du rapport intitulé L'utilisation de didacticiels dans les programmes d'alphabétisation des adultes: une comparaison entre les systèmes intégrés d'apprentissage et les logiciels autonomes

Authors: Secrétariat national à l'alphabétisation (SNA), National Literacy Secretariat (NLS)

Collection: Research Materials

Deciding whether or not to introduce a computer-based system into an adult literacy program elicits many questions. Does the approach used by the technology support the educational goals and philosophy of the unit? What changes occur in classroom practices? What will be the effects on the learners? Is the expense of setting up a computer-based system worth it? If trouble arises, who is there to help?

These guidelines are intended to assist potential purchasers as they consider the acquisition of a computer-based adult literacy system.

This publication is based on a report by Mary L. Crowley, Technology Analyst.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2005-02-15

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• Grille d'évaluation en vue de l'achat éventuel d'un système d'enseignement automatisé appliqué à l'alphabétisation

Reading the Future: A Portrait of Literacy in Canada

Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Secrétariat national à l'alphabétisation (SNA)

Collection: Research Materials

This report synthesizes the results of the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), for Canada. IALS was a seven-country investigation undertaken in the fall of 1994. Its main goal was to create comparable literacy profiles across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries. Highlights from the Canada Report include :

Demographic distributions of literacy in Canada
Economic dimensions of literacy in Canada
Literacy practices in Canada
Measuring the success of the IALS
Appendices contain details on participants, literacy performance on three scales : prose, document and quantitative, as well as international standard occupational classification breakdowns at different group titles.

Regional distributions of literacy levels in Canada are examined, and results of IALS are compared with those of LSUDA (1989), Literacy Skills Used in Daily Activities. Other variables taken into consideration are : literacy and educational attainment, literacy and language, literacy and age. Under economic dimensions of literacy, researchers investigate relationships between literacy and employment.

The statistical data in the document are broken down by language, age, gender and religion. It provides new information with which to evaluate Canadian policy on literacy, education, and socio-economic development. The report gives Canadians a glimpse of their possible future, by opening a window on their life at home, in the community and in the workplace.

This publication is a joint effort of Statistics Canada, Human Resources Development Canada and the National Literacy Secretariat. It can be ordered at a cost of $49.00 through Statistics Canada, Operations and Integration Division, Circulation Management, 120 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0T6, Tel. (613) 951-7277, or 1-800-263-1136, Fax (613) 951-1584. E-mail : order@statcan.ca (96.10.05)

Added: 1996-07-23

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• Faits saillants du rapport canadien

Literacy in the Information Age

Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Secrétariat national à l'alphabétisation (SNA)

Collection: Research Materials

Literacy in the Information Age, the final report from the International Adult Literacy Survey, presents evidence on the nature and magnitude of the literacy gaps faced by OECD countries. It offers new insights into the factors that influence the development of adult skills in various settings - at home, at work and across the 20 countries for which comparable household assessment results are included. Findings point to large differences in the average level and population distribution of literacy skills both within and between countries. Low literacy skills are evident among all adult groups in significant - albeit varying - proportions. Literacy proficiency varies considerably according to home background factors and educational attainment in most of the countries surveyed. However, the relationship between literacy skills and educational attainment is complex.

Many adults have managed to attain high levels of literacy proficiency despite a low level of education; conversely, some have low literacy skills despite a high level of education. These differences matter both economically and socially: literacy effects, labour quality and flexibility, employment, training opportunities, income from work and wider participation in civic society. Improving the literacy skills of the population remains a large challenge for policy makers. The results suggest that high-quality foundation learning in schools is important but insufficient as a sole means to that end. Policies directed at the workplace and family settings are also needed. The employers' role in promoting and rewarding literacy skills is particularly important for skills development.

This report can be ordered at a cost of $31 US, from : OECD, 2, rue André Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France, Tel. +33 (0)1.45.24.82.00, Fax +33 (0)1.45.24.19.50, E-mail: sales@oecd.org WWW : http://www.oecd.org/ Highlights of the document are available online at : http://www.nald.ca/fulltext/nls/ials/infoage/infoage1.htm (00.07.18)

Added: 2000-04-20

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• Points saillants du Rapport final de l'Enquête internationale sur la littératie des adultes

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Secrétariat national à l'alphabétisation (SNA)

Collection: Research Materials

This article discusses several recent research studies that emphasized the negative consequences that functional illiteracy is having on Canada's competitive position in the global economy.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 1991-01-01

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