National Coalition for Literacy

—A Guest Blog Article in the Discussion Series on Social Innovations in Adult Education

Article by Debra Jones

Adult education and career training programs play a vital role in America’s economic recovery. Investments in these programs are among the most cost-effective ways to improve economic conditions across the United States. Billions of dollars can be saved, earned, and pumped back into the struggling economy as a result of investments in effective and efficient workforce development programs. A preemptive focus on adult education actually saves governments money by reducing societal healthcare, public assistance,…

—A Guest Blog Article in the Discussion Series on Social Innovations in Adult Education

Article by Anne Murr

“If I were in a wheelchair, you would do everything you could to help me.  But I can’t read.  For me, where’s the ramp?”  Norma has found her digital ramp:  Mac laptop with screen-reader built-in to the Mac operating system and with MacSpeech (Mac-compatible Dragon Naturally Speaking).

With these innovative technology tools, Norma now has much easier access to the written word.  She uses technology to read and communicate.  She has also achieved a…

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—A Guest Blog Article in the Discussion Series on Social Innovations in Adult Education

Article by Anne Murr

For the 43% of Americans who lack functional literacy, inability to read is a significant barrier to digital literacy.  While lack of access to or unfamiliarity with computers are also barriers, computer and digital device use can be difficult if you can’t read the print on the screen.  Functional literacy, then, is an essential component of digital literacy.

Before we discuss specific technology innovations for learning, let’s investigate data that supports…

—A Guest Blog Article in the Discussion Series on Social Innovations in Adult Education

Article by Larra Clark and Marijke Visser

What does it mean to be literate in the digital age?  How is the preponderance of online-only resources affecting how people find and use information?  What do libraries think about all this?

These are the kinds of questions the American Library Association’s (ALA) newly formed Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) Digital Literacy Task Force is asking as it works to identify the role…

Social Innovations in Adult Education

—A Guest Blog Discussion Series on the Importance of Social Innovation for Adult Literacy

Technology innovations are changing our relationship with education and knowledge. These innovations (“social innovations”) can be used to advance social causes such as adult education and literacy by connecting users to technology tools for learning, building networks, and bridging the digital divide. How are we—and how can we—harness innovation to improve adult literacy in the United States? Join the National Coalition for Literacy for a guest blog discussion series that explores…

—A Guest Blog Discussion Series on the Importance of Social Innovation

for Adult Literacy

August 1 – September 16, 2011

Introduction by Heidi Silver-Pacuilla

Technology and social innovations are changing our relationship with education and knowledge. Schools and instructors are no longer the font of knowledge. Individuals can now ACCESS an ocean of educative experiences, CREATE them, and SHARE them with known and unknown colleagues. If you’ve ever contributed to Flickr, Twitter, YouTube, or the NCL blog, you’ve created new knowledge for the rest of us to…

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The new digital divide is about speed and affordability—making clear connections to low income families and programs that serve them.

New analysis by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (see report) underscores what the difference high-speed service can mean for communities, businesses, and individuals. Here is an excerpt:

The nationwide trend toward widespread adoption of broadband Internet connections has occurred among virtually all demographic groups, with nearly universal year-over-year growth. Adoption and growth rates, however, are uneven among various demographic groups. Over the past year, gaps decreased…

By Heidi Silver-Pacuilla

The final version of the National Ed Technology Plan (NETP) was released November 9, 2010.

This spring, during the call for input, the National Coalition for Literacy coordinated an adult education response to the draft. That document attempted to articulate the role that technology could play in adult education for teaching, learning, and program infrastructure. The document was subsequently adopted by NCL as a policy position.

The final version of the NETP preserves the main categories presented in the draft version:…

By Marsha Tait

NCL held its second 2010 public policy advocacy symposium in Little Rock, AR this month. More than 85 participants were introduced to the NCL Advocacy Toolkit, blog, and Twitter. Speakers included AR State Director of Adult Education Jim Smith, State Senator Shane Broadway, Dr. Charles Allen, and legislative aides from US Representative Vic Snyder’s and Governor Mike Bebe’s offices. Local panelists Patricia Bates, Ray Pool, and Randall Whitmore discussed the collaborative W.A.G.E. project, a state-wide effort to credential workers’ skills.

Following a role play about “how…

Update: January 2011: The National Coalition is updating its WIA Reauthorization Priorities for 2011. Check back here and on the main website in early February for updates.

During July 19 – August 5, 2010, guest bloggers from the National Coalition for Literacy have shared their thoughts with you as to why each of the NCL WIA Reauthorization priorities are important. Many readers have posted timely, relevant, and thought provoking comments in response. But are all of your priorities for WIA reauthorization on the Coalition’s list?

For easy reference, here are links to all articles on…

—An NCL WIA Reauthorization Priority

Article by Heidi Silver-Pacuilla

Consider these statistics about how U.S. adults are using technology in 2010 and whether adult education programs are prepared to take advantage of these trends:

Broadband. 74 % of adults have broadband access at home, and 67% consider themselves as users of that access in the home. The main dividing lines for access are along socioeconomic dimensions such as income and education:

46% of adults whose highest level of education is a high school degree are broadband users at home;

• 82% of adults who have attended or graduated from college

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Join Members of the National Coalition for Literacy for an online discussion of reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act, July 19 – August 6, 2010. Using the NCL Priorities for WIA Reauthorization as a springboard for discussion, comment on the priorities that are important to you and why, discuss the issues with guest bloggers, add your own priorities for WIA reauthorization, and vote on issues most important to you. During National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, NCL will share your comments and questions with legislative staffs over WIA reauthorization.

To participate: Visit the [ Read More → ]