About Us
This site supports and promotes adult literacy research in Ontario.
The Adult Literacy Research in Ontario site provides access to research publications and to information that demystifies the process of doing literacy research.
Who developed this site?
Adult Literacy Research in Ontario was developed by AlphaPlus Centre in collaboration with the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD). NALD provided the technical expertise and constructed the site, while AlphaPlus provided content and overall design.
Our Commitment
We value collaborative work and will remain responsive to the needs of Ontario's adult literacy research and practitioner communities. The power of many minds is remarkable, and we will make the ongoing development of the site as collaborative as possible.
We encourage you to share comments and suggestions to keep the site dynamic and relevant. Send us an email at: research@alphaplus.ca
Background
The development of a Web site and database focused on Ontario adult literacy research is a response to needs identified by the Literacy and Basic Skills Section (LBS) of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). Working with the Ontario Literacy Research Strategy Work group, LBS produced Setting the Agenda: The Ontario Literacy Research Strategy in August 2000. The strategy aims to support high-quality research that will inform adult literacy practice and policy.
Connecting literacy research to practice and policy was also the focus of a working group of the Ontario Literacy Coalition. The Literacy Field Research Group (LFRG) did significant pioneering work to promote research amongst literacy practitioners from 1988 to 1996. We hope that this site builds on LFRG's work to further promote interest in literacy research and provide support and learning materials for researchers and practitioner-researchers in Ontario.
The database component of the site, the Database of Adult Literacy Research in Ontario, focuses on Ontario-based research. Its specific focus makes it distinct from existing databases such as The Directory of Canadian Adult Literacy Research in English, Le répertoire canadien de la recherche sur l'alphabétisation des adultes en français (RECRAF), and the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD). Those three databases are excellent resources to use when searching for literacy research material from across Canada.
How is this site different from NALD?
The National Adult Literacy Database is a comprehensive database of adult literacy programs, resources, services and activities across Canada. Adult Literacy Research in Ontario has a much more particular focus, connecting you to Ontario-based adult literacy research. Like NALD, this site links to national and international sites outside of Ontario, but only to those sites relevant to research in adult literacy.
Support
We acknowledge the generous support of the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) and the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).