Effective Practices in
Facilitating Learning

Tutors and instructors facilitate learning when they provide instruction, activities, materials and tools for learners. They facilitate learning when they listen, encourage and engage the learner. They also facilitate learning when they appreciate that they are learning along with the learner. Effective practices in facilitating learning are organized into the following categories:

• Values and Assumptions
• Relationships in Teaching and Learning
• Learning Environment
• Approaches to Learning
• Assessment and Measuring Progress

Values and Assumptions

Inherent in effective practices is an awareness of your values and assumptions about adult literacy, disabilities, equality, and diversity. If learners are pushing themselves beyond their comfort level to strengthen and maintain their literacy skills, then tutors and instructors must also be willing to venture outside their comfort zone. As a tutor, instructor and program coordinator it is necessary to find ways to increase your awareness and understanding of literacy and disabilities.

"There is a serious lack of public awareness about adult literacy and disabilities. Stereotyping and assumptions about the capacity of people with disabilities to learn and to work are harsh social barriers."

Reflecting on your values, assumptions and knowledge about disabilities and adult literacy will strengthen your capacity as an effective tutor, instructor or coordinator. Think about the following questions:

• What do you know about adult literacy, and what do you want to know?
• What do you know about disabilities and what do you want to know?
• What do you value about your work?
• Write your definitions of adult literacy and disabilities that reflect your values.