Literacy Across the Country
Notes and News
Laubach Literacy Ontario has developed a training Website for volunteer tutors and literacy instructors which provides training modules, resource lists, public discussions, etc. The modules are intended for those who have completed a basic tutor-training program, and a hard copy of the modules can be purchased by contacting the Laubach office. Materials on the Web site are available free, with some restrictions on use. The development of the Trainingpost Web site was funded by the National Literacy Secretariat and the Literacy and Basic Skills Program of the Ministry of Education and Training. For more information, visit the site at: www.trainingpost.org
Laubach Ontario has also received a grant to support online research initiatives in the Ontario literacy field. Laubach has partnered with Wilfrid Laurier University and the Canadian Council on Social Development to assist in the delivery of online surveys on (i) computer use among literacy students and practitioners and (ii) a survey of Laubach Ontario Certified Tutors. All submissions are completely anonymous. To find out more visit: www.trainingpost.org/surveys
A revised version of the AlphaCom Guidebook (.3.0) is now available for new users of the AlphaPlus Website (at www.alphaplus.ca). The Guidebook is an instructional manual for novices and offers useful information for navigating the site, including how users register for discussions and post messages.
It is a companion piece to the Handbook for Online Board Meetings which is an instructional guide for nonprofit organizations to use the Internet to hold formal board meetings while following parliamentary procedure.
The Handbook is currently being revised, and version 4.0 will be available later this summer. Version 3.0 is currently available. To order either of these books, call Laubach Ontario at 519-743-3309 or email to llo@golden.net.
David Wood is a Canadian literacy practitioner who has been working to develop a Web site that will provide access to "experiential learning activities". The intent of the site is to introduce learners to a topic, then encourage them to get out into the real world to try out the 'experience' of learning.
According to Mr. Wood, "The Internet may provide the online 3D virtual experience of kayaking, but you will never really learn the sport until you have a paddle in your hand and cold spray in your face!" He believes very strongly that computers should direct people to learning, and has registered his site as a virtual domain. While the site, in his words, "is not ready for prime time", it can be viewed in its beta form at http://allthingslearning.com . He would like to hear comments and suggestions from visitors to the site.
WriteNow! is a net magazine for students of any age and from any country who are studying English. It is entirely produced by students and teachers . The editors are calling for contributions for their next issue, and if they receive enough material, will start publishing monthly. Teachers and students can go online and read stories from previous issues, on a wide range of topics. There is also a crossword in each issue, and a section where students can look for email penpals (keypals).
This is a good site for intermediate to high level readers/writers, as the stories are short and usually easy to read.
Stories or articles can be sent by email, fax or even using the regular mail system. They are also looking for games, puzzles, and activities. Visit the site at: www.ihes.com
Sending in a submission? The deadline for the next issue of CONNECT is July 9, 1999.