E-Fest conference session on 1st October

Niki Davis and David Earle will lead a session at the eFest conference in UCOL Palmerston North on 1st October to disseminate the results of this project.

Towards excellence in e-learning for adults with needs in literacy language, and numeracy

Niki Davis and Jo Fletcher
University of Canterbury, Christchurch
and
David Earle and Esther Harcourt
Ministry of Education

Abstract: The New Zealand Government has invested in providing literacy, language and numeracy training for adults in workplaces and embedded into vocational qualifications at levels 1-3. We have investigated where e-learning could fit in reaching greater numbers of learners and better meeting their needs.

As a result of an extensive international literature review, over 30 stakeholder interviews, and two case studies, we have synthesized critical success factors relating to e-learning for adults with language, literacy and numeracy needs in New Zealand (Davis & Fletcher, 2009). We have found that there are few tertiary education organizations or workplaces in New Zealand with fully developed programmes of e-learning for these adults. There are more providers investigating or starting to look at e-learning in this context.

The research has confirmed that lack of literacy skills is likely to restrict access through e-learning. At the same time, we have found examples of existing programmes that harness the potential of e-learning. One case study is of a polytechnic and includes several courses that have adopted digital technologies to support adults with LLN needs. The other case is an online public resource ‘U.S.A. Learns’ that was designed for migrants to the USA.

This interactive session will support participants to plan e-learning for these adults, including organizational development. A range of interventions are useful, including use and debate different types of information, and application of digital technologies to create and modify relevant materials. All these adults need intensive support at the start to ensure early success.