Certificate Background
In 1994, a former Ontario regional literacy network called NEON received funding to develop a set of modules for a literacy practitioner training course. This project resulted in the production of the study manuals that provided the content for what was known as L.O.O.N. (Learning Opportunities Ontario North).
When the original modules and study manuals were completed, Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie applied to the Colleges Branch to have the training program approved for delivery in the college system. By 1998, three Colleges in Ontario (Algonquin, Conestoga and Sault) were offering what was then known as the Adult Literacy Educator Certificate Program.
The current design team (Lindsay Kennedy and Marianne Paul) would like to acknowledge and thank the literacy educators from all sectors (community-based, school boards and colleges) who provided their thoughts, professional expertise and support to the original team of writers/researchers who were responsible for the development of the (L.O.O.N.) materials. This group of dedicated practitioners helped to ensure that the content of the study manuals and the course in general met the training needs of course participants.
In 1999, Judy Bernstein and Marcia Anderson from Algonquin College gave the course manuals a freshening up. Although not a great deal of time had passed since the first publication of the manual, much had changed in the literacy field in Ontario. These changes needed to be reflected in the course materials.
A partnership between the three Colleges and Project READ Literacy Network was responsible for the most recent revisions and additions, which were undertaken between 2002 and 2008. This work included a major re-write of the outcomes for the program and the outcomes for each of the core courses. As well, four additional elective courses were created adding to the depth of the whole program. The course study manuals that contain the content of the Teacher of Adults: Literacy Educator Certificate Program modules have been totally rewritten. We would like to thank the members of our Advisory Committee, the Content Editors and the Partners for their input and support in creating this program.
