Seasoned literacy instructors know that “what” they teach is only part of the learning experience. Much depends on “how” you teach and on providing a supportive learning environment for adult literacy. . .

Seasoned literacy instructors know that “what” they teach is only part of the learning experience. Much depends on “how” you teach and on providing a supportive learning environment for adult literacy learners. Alka Burman reminded conference participants, in the workshop entitled Language and Literacy – Providing Supportive Learning Environments, that supportive learning environments enrich the learning experience.

Increasingly, literacy instructors are helping adult literacy learners take advantage of distance or online learning opportunities. Heather Robinet and Courtney McGee suggested The Learning Hub, offered through the Avon Maitland District School Board, is an excellent example of how online learning can support adult learners. Michelle Eady presented e-Channel Literacy: What is it all about and how can it benefit my agency? E-Channel is a distance education delivery platform servicing both literacy learners and practitioners. Through e-Channel, residents of 17 remote First Nations communities and over 450 registered learners have been able to improve their skills through online learning.

Numeracy is an integral part of literacy programming. In the workshop entitled Beyond Worksheets: A Social & Holistic Approach to Numeracy, participants looked at numeracy instruction through a different lens. Here, a social and holistic approach that assists adult learners to actively reflect on mathematics and the role of mathematics in real life.

Literacy instructors learned about new ideas and approaches to family literacy programs at the Spotlight on Learning conference. Anne Jackson and Rose Strohmaier presented. . .

Literacy instructors learned about new ideas and approaches to family literacy programs at the Spotlight on Learning conference. Anne Jackson and Rose Strohmaier presented How to Incorporate Family Literacy into LBS Programming. This workshop set the context for family literacy in Ontario, and identified how family literacy can be effectively introduced within a Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) setting by incorporating “Essential Skills”, the nine skills identified and developed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. Jackson and Strohmaier also presented information on Upgrading for Parents with Pre-Schoolers – a program that develops parenting strategies and Essential Skills. Lorri Sauve spoke about Get Set Learn, a holistic family literacy program that provides a foundation for families with literacy challenges to experience successful lifelong learning.