FOCUS ON E-LEARNING

This issue of Literacy on the Move focuses on e-learning. Computers and the Internet are a part of everyday life for almost everyone, and literacy organizations have increasingly been exploring the use of e-learning approaches in their adult literacy programs.

This newsletter is a timely one. New e-learning software programs and delivery methods are being developed and tested, and there has been recent research to determine the quality and effectiveness of e-learning techniques.

Several Ontario literacy groups have participated in e-learning/distance program delivery pilot projects (see the articles starting on page 3). The AlphaPlus Centre has been a primary partner in pioneering e-learning. The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) the National Literacy Secretariat, and other funders have supported a number of e-learning initiatives.

This newsletter includes perspectives on e-learning from practitioners, administrators, researchers, and adult literacy learners. It also includes an article about a Canada-wide research project on e-learning, and stories from individual programs that have used e-learning.

Respect for adult learning has changed the way instructors teach. Many instructors are facilitators now. Instead of writing on chalkboards, they now use e-learning tools to guide learners in their learning. Just as students are learning about e-learning, blended learning, and flexible learning, so are instructors. We are all in this together.

What role do e-learning tools play? More and more learning comes to us through computers and television. E-learning tools do not work magic by themselves. Learners and instructors choose the right materials and the right e-learning tools that support achieving their learning goals. Support from instructors is very important, so that learners can ask for help when they are stuck while continuing to work on their own.

What difference does e-learning make? For example, AlphaRoute is an e-learning tool provided by the AlphaPlus Centre. If you were to ask one of the 142 learners who participated in a survey3 about how using AlphaRoute affected their learning, you may or may not be surprised by what they said. Many learners said that they felt they were better and more confident readers; many learners said that they felt more comfortable and skilled with computers; and many said that they felt more in control of their lives and wanted to go on learning. All learners underlined the importance of instructors guiding and supporting their learning. To learn more about the AlphaRoute pilot project, read the article on page 3 of this newsletter.

What role do the right resources play? AlphaRoute is not the only e-learning tool out there. There are a lot more e-learning materials available. There are many software programs to help literacy students work towards achieving their goals.

There are also many resources on Internet websites that are helpful to literacy learners. For learners who don’t know what they are looking for, the Internet can be a frustrating place. Instructors and other learners can help students find websites that are fun and useful. Learners who would like to try AlphaRoute can ask their instructor to help them set up a user name and password to access the program. To get started, go to the website http://www.alphaplus.ca/alpharoute.html, type in your user name and password, click login, and then get set for a new adventure in e-learning!

References

  1. For a copy of What difference does it make? Literacy learner perspectives on web-based learning with AlphaRoute, go to http://alphaplus.ca/images/pdf/Whatdifferencedoesitmake.pdf