National Adult Literacy Database

Authors: John R. Kruidenier, Charles A. MacArthur, Heide S. Wrigley

Collection: Research Materials

This report was prepared by the Adult Literacy Research Working Group (ALRWG), a panel of experts on adult reading research and practice, established by the former National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) in collaboration with the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) in the United States. The group’s goal was to identify and evaluate existing research in adult reading instruction and to provide a summary of scientifically based findings.

The ALRWG defined “adult reading instruction research” as research related to reading instruction for low-literate adults, aged 16 and older, who are no longer being served in secondary education programs. This includes learners in community-based literacy centres; family literacy programs; prison literacy programs; workplace literacy programs; and two-year colleges. It includes research related to all low-literate adults in these settings, including adults in Adult Basic Education programs; Adult Secondary Education programs; English as a Second Language programs; and adults with a learning or reading disability.

The ALRWG’s research identified the following topic areas as representing the major aspects of reading instruction: assessment of reading ability; alphabetics instruction, including phonemic awareness and word analysis; fluency instruction; and vocabulary and comprehension instruction.

Added: 2011-05-20

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Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: Albert Tuijnman, Emmanuel Boudard

Collection: Learning Materials

In this paper, the authors present 15 indicators of participation in adult education as part of their analysis of the results of the International Adult Literacy Survey, a 22-country initiative conducted between 1994 and 1998 to determine how well adults used printed information to function in society. The 15 indicators described here allow readers to compare the functioning of training markets in North America with those in of other advanced countries.

This document has three main chapters supplemented by five appendices and begins with a "Summary and Highlights" section.

Added: 2008-03-19

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• La participation à l'éducation des adultes en Amérique du Nord : Perspectives internationales

Authors: Audrey M Thomas

Collection: Research Materials

This landmark study of the early 1980s provides a useful glimpse of the "state of the art" at that time. This publication addresses issues facing a substantial number of Canadians, the illiterate and the seriously-undereducated.

Added: 2003-06-03

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Authors: Christopher Greig, Janette Hughes

Collection: Research Materials

This document is housed on the AlphaPlus server.

This research report is based on a small-scale study undertaken to explore the attitudes and experiences of adult Canadians who are non-users or limited users of digital media and information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Twelve adult learners in two Ontario cities worked in small groups to produce their own digital texts using either Microsoft’s PhotoStory or a web-based interactive poster program called Glogster. Afterwards, they were interviewed about whether their experiences might help them build digital literacy skills and whether they might be able to apply these skills in their daily lives.

The results suggest a relationship between varying levels of literacy skills and ICT use. The higher the literacy level, the more likely adult learners are to be engaged with computers and digital media. Those less likely to engage with ICTs tended to have lower literacy levels.

Age is a factor in how individuals respond to digital media, as younger people are more likely to have grown up with a computer in the home. However, social class also affects the response to digital technology, the authors say, pointing to a 2010 Statistics Canada report showing that 94 percent of people in the top income bracket used the Internet, compared with only 56 percent of those in the lowest bracket.

Closing the gap between income groups could be accomplished by expanding publicly funded digital literacy classrooms and other spaces that offer access to the Internet and the opportunity to develop digital literacy skills.

Added: 2012-10-31

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Authors: James E. Thornton, John B. Collins

Collection: Research Materials

In this study, commissioned by the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL), the authors explore the learning experiences of older adults. They point out that learning characterizes older adulthood as much as it defines the childhood years, but receives far less attention and systematic investigation.

The authors summarize initial findings from six guided autobiography workshop groups made up of older adults, mostly in their 60s and 70s. These workshops are designed to encourage participants to write and to tell their life stories.

The older adults who took part in this study were clear on the impact and value of their learning experiences. Their differing experiences reflected two kinds of learning: on one hand, learning that develops and expands into new interest areas and, on the other, learning that consolidates prior life events or current experiences.

The authors also include a review of literature on learning among middle-aged and older adults.

Funders:

• Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)

Added: 2012-01-03

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Authors: Nayda Veeman

Collection: Research Materials

The author submitted this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Educational Administration from the University of Saskatchewan. The study sought to understand policy factors underlying the differences between the literacy levels of Canadian and Swedish adults as reported in the International Adult Literacy Survey.

Added: 2004-11-12

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Results from the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey

Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: Kjelle Rubenson, Richard Desjardins, Ee-Seul Yoon

Collection: Research Materials

This report uses the results of the 2003 Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey to describe adult learning in Canada. The goal of the report is to present a comprehensive portrait of adult learning including participation in organized forms of adult learning, both formal and non-formal, as well as informal learning. The report addresses differences in participation between selected countries and within Canada and notes changes in participation patterns. Findings from the 2003 Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey are, when appropriate, compared to results from the 1994-1998 International Adult Literacy Survey. In addition to a detailed introduction, this document includes the following sections:

Chapter 1 - International, provincial and territorial comparisons of adult learning
Chapter 2 -Adult learning: who is being left out?
Chapter 3 -Adult learning and the world of work

Added: 2008-03-03

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• Apprentissage par les adultes au Canada : Une perspective comparative

Series: State of the Field Report

Authors: B. Allan Quigley, Sue Folinsbee, Wendy L. Kraglund-Gauthier

Collection: Research Materials

This study, prepared under the auspices of the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL), is one of a series of reports on the state adult learning in Canada. The reports were intended to offer a knowledge baseline for the Adult Learning Knowledge Centre, which had recently been established at the University of New Brunswick.

The authors reviewed and analyzed information from databases, bibliographies, websites, and publications. As well as offering general observations on literacy, they organized their findings according to specific themes of Aboriginal literacy; English as a Second Language (ESL) and First Language Literacy; Francophone literacy; women and literacy; health literacy; family literacy; corrections literacy; literacy and work; learning disabilities and literacy; and technologies and literacy.

The document also includes detailed information about the methodology used; notes about gaps in available data; and suggestions for further study.

Added: 2006-08-08

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• Thème de la littératie chez les adultes

Authors: Grant Johnston

Collection: Research Materials

This paper looks at whether an increase in the basic literacy skills of adults would have a positive effect on the New Zealand economy. It finds good evidence for the benefits of literacy: studies
consistently find that adults with better literacy skills are more likely to be employed, and to earn more, than those with poorer literacy skills, even when taking account of other factors which affect work performance.

There is little rigorous evidence, however, for the benefits of adult literacy training and almost no accompanying information on the costs of this training.

While there is a good case for an increased focus on adult literacy, and on workplace literacy in particular, these findings suggest a cautious approach to expanding publicly-funded adult literacy programmes.

There is a clear need for more and better New Zealand-based research, for piloting innovative literacy programmes and for undertaking good-quality evaluations. A modest increase in literacy training may not materially affect economic performance.

Added: 2006-04-11

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Authors: Lisa Langille

Collection: Research Materials

This is a thesis submitted to Acadia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Degree of Master of Education (Curriculum Studies). It discusses a study undertaken to explore how adult literacy educators perceive computer technology integration.

Added: 2005-06-20

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