National Adult Literacy Database

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

Authors: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM)

Collection: Learning Materials

This video tutorial offers learners a chance to practise converting measurements in the imperial system.

The tutorial includes three conversion problems that can be solved by using the factor label method, which involves the application of conversion factors expressed as fractions. The problems use inches, feet and yards.

Learners can pause the video while they work out the conversions on their own, then restart it to see the instructor’s solutions.

Added: 2012-06-11

View complete record details...

Authors: Leela Viswanathan

Collection: Research Materials

This report was prepared for the Toronto Training Board, an independent, non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors representing business, labour, women, persons with disabilities, visible/racial minorities, Francophones and educators/trainers.

The author assesses the impact of the Skills Development Employment Benefit (SDEB) and suggests that it would be worthwhile to compare the SDEB with funding programs for training used in other countries.

Added: 2012-08-14

View complete record details...

See also:

• Mise en oeuvre du programme de prestation d'emploi pour l'amélioration des compétences : examen préliminaire

Authors: Ross Finnie, Ronald Meng

Collection: Research Materials

This study examines how literacy and numeracy skills affect the performance of Canadian high school dropouts in the labour market.

The authors note that their research shows these skills have significant effects on the probability of being employed and on the hours and weeks of work for both men and women. They also have a strong direct influence on the incomes of men, but not of women.

The findings suggest that high school curricula that develop literacy and numeracy skills could provide significant returns, even for those who don’t complete their education and wind up at the lower end of the labour market. The authors note that the findings also suggest that training programs catering to drop-outs could substantially improve their chances in the job market by developing these basic skills.

The authors note that their findings contradict a common economic theory that suggests there are minimal returns to human capital in the so-called secondary market, which is characterized by lack of training, low incomes and poor job security.

Added: 2011-10-21

View complete record details...

See also:

• Importance de la littératie fonctionnelle : Compétences en lecture et en mathématiques et résultats sur le marché du travail des décrocheurs du secondaire

Women's Education des femmes, Aug. 1984 - Vol. 3, No. 1

Series: Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women (CCLOW)

Authors: Elizabeth Wilson

Collection: Research Materials

In this article, the author discusses celebrations and events which took place to recognize the academic year of 1984 -1985, marking the hundredth anniversary of the admission of women to the University of Toronto as well as at least one of its sister institutions, McGill University in Montreal. The name given to these celebrations was Women in Toronto or WIT.

Added: 2004-08-17

View complete record details...

Harm Reduction and Learning in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

Authors: Betsy Alkenbrack

Collection: Research Materials

This report presents the findings of a research project conducted over a two-year period by Capilano College instructors as part of their work with adults with “high-risk” lifestyles (including drug use, working in the sex trade, living with violent partners and being street-involved) at two learning centres in Vancouver’s downtown east side. The instructors who manage and teach in these centres wanted to learn more about the "Harm Reduction" approach for treating drug and alcohol addiction and how they could use it to improve teaching and learning at the centres. The philosophy behind this approach is that any change in a program participant’s lifestyle must happen on their own terms, at their speed, following a path that works for them.

This report is divided into three parts:
1. Literature review on "Harm Reduction" and lessons for literacy work
2. Research on "Harm Reduction" and lessons for literacy work in Vancouver's downtown east side
3. Conclusions and recommendations

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2008-04-23

View complete record details...

Workplace and Workforce Literacy

Authors: Nunavut Literacy Council, NWT Literacy Council

Collection: Research Materials

In Nunavut and the NWT there is a critical need for greater awareness and better information about workplace and workforce literacy. Nunavut Literacy Council and NWT Literacy Council prepared this paper in order to provide information and analysis, and make recommendations about how to improve workplace and workforce literacy in Nunavut and the NWT.

Specifically, the paper provides some basic information and analysis on the following topics:
- Why we should care about workplace and workforce literacy;
- Workplace and workforce literacy participation;
- Nunavut and NWT stakeholders for workplace and workforce literacy;
- Nunavut and NWT economic, social and cultural context for workforce and workplace literacy;
- Elements of best practices for effective workplace and workforce literacy.

Recommendations are included in two appendices:
- Basic tools and resources for workplace and workforce literacy; and
- Summary of eight collaborative models.

Funders:

• 
• OLES

Added: 2008-04-30

View complete record details...

Moving From a One Life Cycle to a Multiple Life Cycles Education Policy

Authors: Thomas G. Sticht

Collection: Research Materials

In this article, the author, Thomas Sticht, explores the concept of intergenerational transfer of literacy from adults to their children. Sticht discusses how a parent’s education level can effect the achievement of their children, referring to recent research and a book entitled the BBC Adult Literacy Handbook. He suggests that policymakers err when they opt to fund early childhood education to "stop illiteracy at the source" at the expense of adult literacy education funding. Instead, he advocates developing an education policy that focuses on "multiple life cycles" rather than one life cycle, a policy that recognizes that adults transfer their educational achievements to the achievement of their children.

Added: 2007-11-08

View complete record details...

Authors: Claus , Sir Moser

Collection: Research Materials

This is the report of the Working Group on post-school basic skills. Based in the UK, the Working Group was appointed by the Secretary of State in June 1998. It is chaired by Sir Claus Moser, Chairman of the Basic Skills Agency and its members include experts from adult further education, industry, national and local government and those with direct experience of adult learning. Its terms of reference state clear objectives for improving adult basic skills. The report proposes a National Strategy - complementary to the strategies now in place for schools - intended to succeed in attracting potential learners into study schemes.

Added: 1999-01-01

View complete record details...

Lessons in Learning - September 4, 2008

Series: Lessons in Learning

Authors: Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)

Collection: Research Materials

The authors of this document note that while many working-age Canadians have inadequate literacy skills, the situation is even more urgent among Aboriginal Canadians.

Education improves literacy skills for all people. But the authors point out that Aboriginal people have more negative experiences in school than their non-Aboriginal counterparts and are less likely to complete high school. Among the barriers described by Aboriginal students and teachers are discrimination; institutional insensitivity toward Aboriginal cultures; and a lack of awareness of Aboriginal approaches to learning.

In collaboration with the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL), members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have developed three models to be used as frameworks for measuring the progress of Aboriginal peoples in lifelong learning. The authors point to the need for ongoing work to identify appropriate indicators to apply to these models.

Added: 2012-04-17

View complete record details...

See also:

• Améliorer les niveaux de littératie chez les Canadiens autochtones

Series: National Roundable on Numeracy

Authors: John Dingwall

Collection: Research Materials

The purpose of this paper is to consider how numeracy can be improved in Canada, taking into account the experience so far, both in Canada and internationally.

The focus is on adult numeracy, particularly at the more basic levels and in the workplace.

This paper is based in large part on interviews with numeracy practitioners, who are listed in the annex. It is also based on a review of the relevant literature, as listed in the attached bibliography of books, documents and Web sites.

For more information contact : National Literacy Secretariat, Learning & Literacy Directorate, Human Resources Development Canada, Constitution Square, 360 Albert Street, 15th Floor Ottawa ON K1A 0J9, Tel. (613) 946-1388, Fax (613) 946-5882. The report is available online at : http://www.nald.ca/fulltext/nls/inpub/numeracy/improve/cover.htm (02.06.13)

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2002-04-16

View complete record details...

See also:

• Pour améliorer les capacités en mathématiques au Canada