Research Links

Discover adult literacy research projects, publications, and organizations in Canada and around the world.

We will add links to this page on an ongoing basis. Please send suggested links to: research@alphaplus.ca

Australia

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Canada

  • "It simply makes us better" Learning from Literacy Research in Practice Networks: A Resource for Literacy Research in Practice in Canada

    This report examines Research in Practice networks in the UK, the US and Australia as models for developing similar Canadian networks.

  • A framework to encourage and support practitioner involvement in adult literacy research in practice in Canada.

    This paper defines research in practice and describes the supports that need to be in place to promote its development in Canada.

  • Aboriginal educational resources database: post secondary programs in education in Canada.

    Mission statement that invites all post-secondary educational institutions in education to contribute information to a database. The database is geared towards Aboriginal students, educators, counsellors, and educational consultants.

  • Aboriginal literacy: creating idea and supporting opportunities directory.

    A hands-on resource oriented to aboriginal literacy practitioners, educators and advocates who are working to strengthen the resource base of aboriginal programming in Canada. Programs are searchable by selecting an option from the drop-down menus.

  • Adult Education Research Conference (AERC): investigating the world of adult education.

    An annual North American conference that provides a forum for adult education researchers, and practitioners from around the world. A searchable database directs users to papers and topic relating to adult education.

  • Adult Learning in Canada: A Comparative Perspective: Results from the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey

    This report reviews differences in levels and types participation in formal and informal learning between selected countries and within Canada and notes changes in participation patterns and provides a comparison of findings from the 2003 Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey and results from the 1994-1998 International Adult Literacy Survey.

  • ALL/IALSS 2003 key research findings and HRSDC implications

    A series of PowerPoint Presentations from HRSDC outlining key findings and statistical data from the survey

  • Canadian Council on Learning

    The Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) is an independent non-profit corporation, funded by HRDC to promote and support research on lifelong learning in Canada. The CCL has identified the following five key areas for research: Aboriginal Learning; Adult Learning; Early Childhood Learning; Health and Learning; Work and Learning. Literacy has been identified as a cross-cutting theme that is interwoven throughout the work of the CCL. Five regional Knowledge Centres focus research on each of the identified themes. The website contains comprehensive and up to date information about the research activities of each of the Knowledge Centres as well as downloadable research publications and reports of the CCL

  • Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf.

    This site offers useful information on deaf culture while providing information about provincial contacts, opportunity grants, deaf resources, deaf heritage and awards. A non-profit organization that receives money through private donations.

  • Canadian Education Association : linking, listening, learning, leading since 1891.

    The CEA promotes the values of strong education and learning systems in our country, and actively works with various levels of government and organizations in support of these goals. On a foundation of theory and research, the CEA works to encourage individuals and organizations alike to act in the promotion and advocacy of education and learning. Focusing on literacy and lifelong education, the CEA is committed to the progression of sustainable education in the lives of Canadians. The CEA also produces many publications on these subjects; see their website for more information on publications, events, conferences, and current research.

  • Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network: sharing the science, opening minds.

    Mandated to generate, integrate and disseminate bias-free scientific research and knowledge that is focused on improving and sustaining children's language and literacy development in Canada.

  • Centre for Education and Work : Materials and resources.

    Materials and resources are posted online to share knowledge with other institutions and interested parties to assist in meeting the needs of the adult learner.

  • Connecting the dots: accountability and adult literacy.

    Connecting the Dots: Improving Accountability in the Adult Literacy Field in Canada is a two-year project funded by the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, (HRSDC) and sponsored by The Centre for Literacy of Quebec, Movement for Canadian Literacy, Literacy BC, and Research in Practice for Adult Literacy - BC (RiPAL-BC). The Project examines the impact of accountability on the adult literacy field across the country and will explore alternative approaches to accountability.

  • Crossing the great divides: distance learning and flexible delivery in adult basic education

    Distance learning and flexible delivery of Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs present great potential for addressing a variety of barriers often experienced by adult learners who require literacy learner support.This report summarizes the research findings of the first two phases of a project that explores possibilities for distance and flexible delivery of the Literacy and Basic Skills Program in Ontario. Four LBS programs in Ontario - J'aime apprendre inc., Kingston Literacy, Sioux-Hudson Learning Centre and Confederation College - participated as pilot sites for the project.

  • Dancing in the dark how do adults with little formal education learn?, How do practitioners do collaborative research?

    A Research in Practice project conducted by literacy practitioners in British Columbia.

  • Exploring the possibilities for literacy research in practice in Saskatchewan 2003-2004: Project summary.

    This project summary documents the exploratory work undertaken in 2003-2004 concerning research in practice by the Saskatchewan Literacy Network.

  • Family literacy matters : a longitudinal parent-child literacy intervention.

    This resource presents the findings of a 3 year longitudinal study that shows how the power of a family literacy program can change lives.

  • Festival of literacies.

    This project at OISE seeks to create an open learning space for everyone engaged in adult literacy teaching. Activities include scheduled face to face and online workshops on a range of ideas and issues in adult literacy and research-in practice.

  • Getting online.

    "Getting Online: Distance Education Promising Practices for Canadian Literacy Practitioners" (or the GO Project for short) is an innovative national project designed to research trends, technologies and promising practices in online and distance learning in Canada.

  • Health literacy

    Reports of a needs assessment for a project to develop health education centres at the Montreal General Hospital. Includes an overview of the health literacy field and an analysis of data collected through interviews.

  • How does literacy affect the health of Canadians?: a profile paper.

    "Literacy is a major variable influencing health in a variety of ways. This paper discusses the significant health impacts of literacy."

  • Integrating equity, addressing barriers: innovative learning practices by unions.

    Integrating Equity, Addressing Barriers: Innovative Learning Practices by Unions is the report of a project by the Labour Education Centre (Toronto) and the Work and Learning Knowledge Centre of the Canadian Council on Learning. The report provides a vivid portrait of innovation education programs in Canada’s labour movement and looks at the wide range of programs that are flourishing in unions – helping individual members support in achieving their work, union and personal goals and supporting collective efforts to improve the conditions of all workers.

  • International adult literacy survey database.

    This interactive data tool permits users to retrieve prose, document and quantitative literacy data from a number of different countries and to search using a wide range of combined variables.

  • Learning Circles project

    "This project looks at a kind of learning group that is not widely recognized, but which provides an exciting alternative to academic learning. In these groups, which we call "learning circles", adults with various levels of formal education and quite different histories of learning, come together to share and create new knowledge" -- homepage

  • Literacies online : a place to connect, collaborate, create

    A Canadian journal about adult literacy research and practice. Visit the web site to sample articles in past issues,participate in or review past Web forums and to subscribe to the journal.

  • More we get together: the politics of collaborative research between university-based and non university-based researchers.

    Dissertation explores the experiences and understandings of university-based and non university-based researchers about their collaborative work.

  • National adult literacy database.

    National Adult Literacy Database, providing comprehensive information about adult literacy programs, resources and activities across Canada and links to adult literacy organizations around the world.

  • National Indigenous Literacy Association : learning for culture, sharing wholeness

    The National Indigenous Literacy Association (NILA) is a national Aboriginal networking and support organization for Aboriginal literacy practitioners and other stakeholders in the literacy field, NILA focuses on the support of distinct Aboriginal approaches to literacy education, reflecting environmental concerns and the need to preserve traditional Indigenous wisdom and knowledge practices. The website provides access to the latest information about research and activity supported by NILA. A database of documents related to aboriginal literacy education and a discussion forum are currently in development and are accessible through the web site

  • National resource directory of Aboriginal literacy programs.

    Listings and information about Aboriginal literacy programs across Canada. Search by name of program, city or region. Listings provide contact information and background about each program.

  • New Approaches to Lifelong Learning : the research network.

    This academic site explores the relationship between informal learning and formal/nonformal education and the barriers to their integration. Includes a section on Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition and links to other resources.

  • Ontario Native Literacy Coalition.

    "ONLC will help build and maintain a unified network of Native Literacy Programs and Services which strengthen the capacity of Native Peoples, Families and Communities to make informed choices about their options and their future."

  • Policy conversation on literacy research.

    This Policy Conversation was a chance for a group of knowledgeable individuals to share with the National Literacy Secretariat their hopes and concerns, their dreams and visions about a number of key issues relating to literacy research in Canada.

  • Practitioner research: but is it really research?

    This paper defines how practitioner research differs from academic research and offers examples of practitioner research in action.

  • Reading the future: a portrait of literacy In Canada - highlights from the Canadian report.

    "...a portrait of Canadian literacy that adds greatly to the understanding of the benefits and consequences of literacy in our society."

  • RiPAL (Research in practice in adult literacy).

    The RiPAL network in Alberta supports adult literacy educators to link research and practice and to do research about practice. The web site contains a number of very interesting examples of Research in Practice work in Alberta.

  • RiPAL-BC.

    The RiPAL network is also active in British Columbia. Visit the web site to find more information about Research in Practice in B.C. and to see examples of innovative Research in Practice work.

  • Student assessment in adult basic education : a Canadian snapshot.

    Assessment is a continuous, systematic process that utilizes tools and approaches to gather information in order to make decisions about the provision of programs, instruction, training, and services for literacy, upgrading and adult basic education students. Adult basic educators who work in programs offered by colleges, school boards, workplaces, and community-based agencies use a variety of assessments that are distinguished by the theories on which they are based; the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values they purport to measure and provide; and the manner in which they inform placement and instruction. Although assessment is an integral part of the learning process, there is a paucity of information about the assessment tools and practices that are being used by adult educators across Canada. In addition, the research on the supports and constraints that affect educators’ ability to engage in effective assessment practices is sparse. The purpose of this document is to report on the findings from a national survey on student assessment in adult basic education. This report is one of several outcomes from a national project entitled Assessment Practices in Adult Basic Education.

  • Summer institute 2005 wiki.

    This wiki contains ideas, resources and discussions from various individuals who attended the Summer Institute 2005 at The Centre for Literacy. Participants are encouraged to add their own thoughts and ideas.

  • The holistic/rainbow approach to aboriginal literacy : work in progress.

    A paper outlining the concept of Native Literacy and the work of the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition. A paper presented at the Lens on Literacy International Conference, Australia, 2000.

  • Turning a new page - Westmorland Institute.

    A research report on a literacy program conducted with prison inmates who audio-recorded children’s books for local schools. (Look in this same issue for articles on why literacy research is important)

  • Welcome to GOLD.

    "Ontario Literacy for Deaf People is a provincial umbrella organization meeting the needs of the Deaf and Deaf-Blind adult learning community in Ontario."

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UK

  • Adults Learning Mathematics (ALM).

    An international research forum bringing together researchers and practitioners in adult mathematics/numeracy teaching and learning in order to promote the learning of mathematics by adults.

  • Observatory of basic skills.

    The Observatory of Basic Skills is a definitive source of information about literacy, numeracy and language in England and Wales. The site focuses on the Basic Skills Agency's priorities which are Speaking and listening skills, Transition points such as starting school, or a new job and Engaging the disengaged. The site also includes a list of sources for basic skills policy and research that provides links to sites that host pertinent documents in pdf or html.

  • Research and practice in adult literacy (RAPAL).

    A British member-based organization that seeks to encourage and promote collaborative and reflective practice involving everyone engaged in adult literacy teaching and learning. The web site also includes an index of articles from the RaPAL Journal.

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USA

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World

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