Quantitative literacy has been recognized as an important skill in the higher education and workforce communities, focusing on problem solving, reasoning, and real-world application. As a result, there is a need by various stakeholders in higher education and workforce communities to evaluate whether college students receive sufficient training on…

Educators and Trainers both focus on adult learning theory when teaching. In the workforce, as well as in higher education, current literature pertaining to adult learners tends to lump all adults into the same category. Scant research exists that reviews the adult learner through a generational lens. This paper examines the elements that engage…

Discusses the debate that has occurred within the ranks of adult basic education administrators and teachers concerning the practice of defining literacy by grade levels. Offers the definitions developed by Tennessee for specific reading and math proficiency skills. (JOW)

Twenty adult basic education students were taught new vocabulary either (1) with definitions and synonyms only; (2) with teacher-generated elaborations of context; or (3) with student-generated elaborations. Testing one week later showed that students retained meanings of new words better when they provided their own elaborations. (SK)

Discusses the role of literacy in enabling people to influence the political and social processes that affect their lives. Reviews various definitions of literacy. Citing Paolo Friere and others, considers the political, social, and economic issues related to literacy; and the components of and the conditions needed to develop a liberated…

The Adult Education Amendments of 1988 require the Department of Education to submit a report to Congress on the definition of literacy and then to estimate the extent of adult literacy. Literacy has been defined by self-report in early Census Bureau surveys, in a competency-based approach by the Adult Performance Level project, and as "the…

The literacy field hopes that literacy will be considered separately from the S-2 Omnibus Education Bill in Congress. Problems remain in the definitions of literacy, establishment of a National Institute for Literacy, lack of investment in teacher training and technology, and accountability. (SK)

A group of 19 inmates took 3 spelling tests: the first following study of a blackboard word list, the second following students' copying of words from the blackboard, and the third following definitions of the words. A recall test showed that inclusion of meanings enhanced retention of vocabulary and spelling. (SK)

Noting that whole language is fast becoming a driving philosophy behind curriculum development, this paper discusses the whole language approach as used in public school systems, adult basic education (ABE), and English as a Second Language (ESL). The paper begins with a short summary of socio-psycholinguistics (the theory upon which whole…

This booklet is intended to help new adult literacy practitioners in Australia explore the possible meanings of the term "literacy." The booklet begins with the question, What is literacy? The next (and largest) section of the booklet considers various metaphors of literacy. A table detailing some ways of talking about literacy is…

Discusses (1) literacy and the related concepts of functional literacy and illiteracy; (2) what is meant by computer technology for literacy instruction; (3) advantages and disadvantages of computer-based literacy instruction; and (4) today's efforts and tomorrow's expectations. (RS)

Since colonial times, definitions and estimates of illiteracy in the United States have been debated. The Census Bureau's major indicator is number of years of schooling completed. However, average grade-level attainment is high, whereas estimates of levels of reading ability remain low. In addition, these measures are inadequate for adults. A…

This book of supplemental exercises is one of a series of books designed to provide educational materials in addition to the instructional texts in the Adult Learning Skills Program. Exercises in this intermediate level book are for the reading subject area. Course numbers and exercise topics are: 501 (simple context clues, vocabulary related to…

This technology glossary was developed to aid new users of technology as well as those beginning to become familiar with computers. It contains 230 definitions written in concise lay terms intended to help words become meaningful and alive for the user. The glossary defines terms as appropriate to IBM-type and Macintosh computer programs. A…

Noting that family literacy is an intergenerational approach to education that addresses the needs of both the adult and child learner, this booklet presents aspects of family literacy programs and steps to help ensure the program's success. After discussing the need for family literacy, the book discusses the effectiveness of family literacy and…