Peer Lit & Internet (S8 T4)
Presenters: Ashley Stoudt & Mary Russell
This hands-on technology session introduced the SLTP'98 participants to some of the technology tools that the National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL) is developing for use in adult education. LiteracyLink is a multi-media project which uses video, print, and computers as part of a comprehensive adult instructional program. NCAL's work focuses on the online component.
The SLTP'98 group first explored LitLearner, a website dedicated to direct instruction for the General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Learner portfolios encourage learners to collect their work on their own home pages as they move through the online GED course. A colorful community map showed the tools the LiteracyLink team has developed as part of the course to facilitate on-line learning, community building, and learner interaction. The site also clearly emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning.
The group then explored LitTeacher, a unique way for teachers to interact and learn. In addition to technology training (with an emphasis on technology planning), the site offers online courses, a virtual library, and scheduled teleconferences.
The final tool the participants examined was PeerLit (Peers Evaluating Educational Resources for Learners using Instructional Technology), which seeks out the best educational resources on the Internet and provides a searchable database of these reviewed materials. In addition to looking at pre-selected, recommended sites, the group used the PeerLit Editor to examine new sites and give their input by determining whether or not sites could be used by both teachers and learners, and whether or not the site contains quality instructional materials. Participant questions concerned cost and how this technology could be used in a developing country.
Readings: (Using Technology in Literacy, Section 5)
-Using Technology in Reading and Writing
Related Web Sites
Project Overview: The Literacy Link Homepage
Literacy Link: The LitTeacher Component
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY
INSTITUTE