AlphaRoute Update From Centre AlphaPlus Centre

By PAULINE McNAUGHTON

What is AlphaRoute?

AlphaRoute is an online literacy learning environment developed as a resource of Centre AlphaPlus Centre, with funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the National Literacy Secretariat of Human Resources Development Canada. Réseau Interaction Network Inc. has played an integral role in its research and development.

Phase 1

The Literacy Online project began in 1996-1997 as a "pre-pilot" with the purpose to evaluate the potential interest and value of having literacy activities delivered online. Thirty hours of activities were created for delivery in an online environment and field tested with learners. The pre-pilot was a success, opening the way for a full pilot test in Phase 2.

Phase 2

Phase 2 began in the summer of 1998 and included both development and research components. The Phase 2 Research Report is now complete and an excerpt from the report is included below.

Phase 3

Phase 3 is currently in progress and will provide further research into the development of content suited to the Native and Deaf communities. AlphaPlus is planning for a public launch of AlphaRoute in September 2000. More information about the launch will soon be available at the Centre AlphaPlus Centre website at http://alphaplus.ca.

Excerpt from- AlphaRoute (Phase 2) A Research Report Written by Daniel L. Laroeque, Project Leader for Réseau Interaction Network, Inc., September 1999, © Centre AlphaPlus Centre, 1999. (Full report is 122 pages.)

Methodology

The research centered around two basic questions:

• At what stage of their learning can literacy students begin to be independent in an online environment?

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