National Adult Literacy Database

Continuous learning has a ripple effect, not only for learners but for teachers and the communities in which they reside. Each year at this time, the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) joins literacy and essential skills organizations from across Canada to celebrate Adult Learners’ Week.

If you're aware of an exemplary or innovative technology product, project or service that benefits the field of adult literacy and essential skills in Canada, the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) would like to hear about it.

Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Q.C., Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East, attended the first annual Abilities in Mind (AIM) conference. The event brings together employers, service providers and individuals with disabilities to promote understanding and exchange best practices.

Up to 125 civil servants from China will learn about Canada's political system and public policy as part of a new five-year agreement between Executive Education at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia and the Province of Guangdong.

Canada Post has honoured the efforts of 24 deserving people from across the country with the Aboriginal Education Incentive Awards. The Awards, which were launched in 2004, acknowledge the hard work and drive required to continue education following an absence from formal schooling.

The Adult Basic Education Association of British Columbia will host its Conference 2013 May 2-3, 2013, at Harrison Hot Springs. Practitioners, researchers and others involved in the field of Adult Basic Education are invited to submit proposals for 90-minute presentations reflecting the 2013 Conference theme 'The Education Jigsaw - Fitting Adults into the Puzzle.' The deadline is February 28.

Today the Read All About Lit blog at Decoda is launching a new feature: Tech Tuesday. Every Tuesday, they will feature a library or online resource that discusses technology in the context of literacy.

Effective February 12, 2013, the Government of Canada's Aboriginal Canada Portal will be closed. The portal was developed in 2001, when it was more difficult to find Aboriginal resources and services on the Internet.

This year's Family Literacy Day celebration (January 27) came just weeks after very encouraging news about literacy and families in Canada. Results from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study show that Canadian parents have one of the highest levels of involvement in literacy-related activities with their preschool-age children. "The results ... confirm that Canadian parents are doing an excellent job in fostering a culture of literacy in the home," said Ramona Jennex, Chair of CMEC and Nova Scotia's Minister of Education.

Shantael Sleight, literacy outreach co-ordinator for the West Shore Literacy Project, said Family Literacy Day is all part of an effort to demonstrate the chances for literacy and learning all around us. Sleight said we all engage our minds and exercise our literacy skills when we do things such as learn the words to a song, measure various amounts for a recipe, or even read roadside signs.

The National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) has joined other literacy organizations across Canada to observe Family Literacy Day on January 27. NALD had the opportunity this week to speak to Toronto Public Library to help highlight what is important to remember when it comes to family literacy.

"As librarians, we see first-hand what materials kids are actually reading and getting excited about. Over the past few years, there’s been a lot of anticipation in children’s books with new trends bubbling up to the surface each year. But what does the future hold for children's literature?"

Get ready for Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2013! This year’s theme is “15 minutes of fun.” Just 15 minutes a day spent on reading or fun learning activities as a family has tremendous benefits for both children and parents.

A refreshed LearnLiveBC website offers students around the world a portal to British Columbia's quality post-secondary institutions, helping them pick the right program in the right school for their education and career goals.

The New Year is here, and with it come promises of change – eating healthier, going to the gym and getting a new job, perhaps. Improving your literacy skills can also help you make the ultimate change.