National Adult Literacy Database

Series: Audio Centre - HRSDC

Authors: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

Collection: Learning Materials

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), commissioned a research project to help update the computer use element of its Essential Skills framework.

This audio file is part of a podcast describing the project. In it, the manager of OLES’s policy and research group talks about the part of the project that looked at tools and procedures currently used to assess people's proficiency with regard to digital skills.

The research identified three types of assessment: test-based assessment based on defined skills indicators; assessment based on self-reporting; and qualitative assessment. Research has shown that both self-reporting and qualitative methods like observational assessment are limited in their ability to provide solid, broad-based conclusions.

Test-based assessment methods can provide more solid information, as long as the tests are themselves broadly based and offer insights into cognitive proficiency as well as technical skills.

Added: 2012-03-27

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See also:

• Recherche sur les compétences numériques : Entrevue avec Natalie Frank, gestionnaire, BACE – Outils et procédures [Audio – 3 :22]

Series: Learning on Demand: Numeracy - The Basics - Video Tutorials

Authors: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM)

Collection: Learning Materials

This video tutorial introduces the concept of mixed and improper fractions in math. A mixed fraction is one that contains both a whole number and a fraction, while an improper fraction is one in which the numerator is larger than the denominator.

The instructor offers step-by-step instructions for converting a mixed fraction to an improper fraction, and vice versa.

Added: 2012-03-28

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Series: Learning on Demand: Numeracy - The Basics - Video Tutorials

Authors: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM)

Collection: Learning Materials

This math video tutorial offers learners a chance to practise converting between mixed and improper fractions.

The tutorial includes three examples of mixed and improper fractions. Learners can pause the video while they work out the conversions on their own, then restart it to see the instructor’s solutions.

The examples get progressively more challenging.

Added: 2012-03-28

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Series: Workforce Literacy Essential Skills (WLES) Pilot Project

Authors: Literacy Victoria

Collection: Learning Materials

This document is part of a Workforce Literacy Essentials Skills (WLES) program, developed by Literacy Victoria in British Columbia.

It includes activity plans for lessons that focus on numeracy; building vocabulary; developing planning skills; and understanding the qualities needed for success in the workplace.

The plans include suggested timeframes; relevant reading material and lists of other materials required; tips for facilitators; and notes about the Essential Skills required for each activity.

Added: 2012-03-28

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Authors: Centre for Workplace Skills

Collection: Research Materials

The authors of this report have examined 20 specific union-led learning programs to determine what makes such programs effective.

Of the 20 case studies, 17 are from Canada, two are from the United Kingdom, and one is from New Zealand. Each includes information about how the program started; its objectives and logistics; and the impact the program has had.

The programs described in the report reflect a broad spectrum of objectives, including training in one of Canada’s official languages for recent immigrants; technical upgrading; and education about the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.

The authors note that workplace education training is successful when the union is an equal partner with management in decision-making; there is a joint management and union committee; and the terms of reference for the committee are agreed to jointly and reflect worker-centered adult education principles.

Funders:

• Sector Council Program of Canada

Added: 2012-04-02

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See also:

• Apprentissage lié au travail et mené par les syndicats : Profils de pratiques efficaces – Rapport sommaire

Series: Learning on Demand: Numeracy - The Basics - Video Tutorials

Authors: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM)

Collection: Learning Materials

In this math video tutorial, learners begin to carry out arithmetic operations involving mixed fractions.

The instructor explains the steps needed for addition or subtraction problems, including converting a mixed fraction to an improper fraction; finding a common denominator; and reducing the fraction.

He uses three problems as examples, breaking the solutions down into small steps.

Added: 2012-04-03

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Series: Learning on Demand: Numeracy - The Basics - Video Tutorials

Authors: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM)

Collection: Learning Materials

This math video tutorial offers further practice in adding and subtracting with mixed fractions.

It presents three problems of increasing complexity. Learners are asked to pause the video, work out the problems, then restart the video to see the instructor’s detailed solutions.

Added: 2012-04-03

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Series: Workforce Literacy Essential Skills (WLES) Pilot Project

Authors: Literacy Victoria

Collection: Learning Materials

This document is part of a Workforce Literacy Essentials Skills (WLES) program designed to help adult learners prepare for employment and successfully integrate into the workplace.

This section of the manual offers activity plans for building numeracy skills, including calculations involving money; time; weights and measurement; fractions, percentages and ratios; and averages, trends and ranges.

Each plan include suggested timeframes; relevant reading material and lists of other materials required; tips for facilitators; and notes about the Essential Skills required for each activity

Added: 2012-04-03

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Building Portfolios Certification for Advisors/Counsellors

Series: Igniting the Power Within - Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM)

Authors: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM)

Collection: Learning Materials

In 2004, a group of First Nation, Métis, and non-Aboriginal practitioners met to discuss how the nine Essentials Skills (ES) and Recognizing Prior Learning (RPL) should be introduced and taught to Aboriginal communities in Manitoba. This meeting eventually resulted in the development of a four-level certification program called Igniting the Power Within (ITPW).

This document, the second in a series, contains the curriculum for a two-day workshop that focuses on the use of portfolio development as a means of assessing prior learning. During the first day, participants learn how to build portfolios for themselves, while on the second day, they learn how to coach a client who wants to build a portfolio.

The authors have included a variety of learning activities; information about best practices; a detailed agenda; and sample forms and handouts.

Funders:

Added: 2012-04-10

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Series: Summer in Smallywood Essential Skills Series

Authors: Centre for Skills Development & Training

Collection: Learning Materials

"Summer in Smallywood" is a series of three online games, aimed at learners ages 15-30, designed to improve competence in the Essential Skills of oral communication, working with others, and thinking skills.

In this self-assessment document, learners are asked to read a series of statements for each of the three skills and decide whether they would rate their personal skill level as good, average or needs improvement for each one.

After playing the games and completing class discussions and activities, the learners return to the self-assessment and decide whether they now have a better understanding of each skill.

Added: 2012-04-10

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See also:

• Un été à Smallywood : Jeux d’apprentissage des compétences essentielles – Auto-évaluation