National Forum for Adult Literacy Tutors 2012
Programme
10.30 Registration: Tea and Coffee
11.00 Welcome address
Chair: Gretta Vaughan, Chairperson of NALA
11.10 NALA update
Inez Bailey, Director, NALA
11.20 Transformative learning theory and the importance of story in adult literacy
Margaret O’Brien, Lecturer in Adult Literacy Studies, Literacy Development Centre, Waterford Institute of Technology
11.45 Building on students’ connections with family, work and community
Kathy Maclachlan, Adult Literacy Consultant, Scotland
12.05 How I work on my learning needs and goals with my tutor
Olive Phelan, Adult literacy student and facilitator, An Cosán, Tallaght, Dublin 24
12.15 Questions and answers
1.00 Lunch
2.00 - 4.00 pm. Workshops:
A. Enabling students to take responsibility for their own learning – Maura McNamara, Adult
literacy trainer.
B. ‘It’s not all about hard sums’: Building everyday numeracy into adult literacy provision -
Louise Conroy, Maths, Computers and Communications Tutor, Youthreach Dungarvan.
C. Adult literacy students’ needs and goal setting with mixed level groups - Janna Tiearney,
Programme Developer, Co. Cavan VEC.
D. Integrating literacy into other subject areas – Bláthnaid Ní Chinnéide, Integrating Literacy
Coordinator, NALA.
E. How to use the internet to resource your teaching and learning – Fiona Murphy, Adult
Literacy Tutor, South Westmeath VEC.
F. Lesson planning - Germaine Cahill, Adult literacy trainer.
G. How to review students’ progress - Helen McHugh, Adult literacy trainer and tutor, Co.
Donegal VEC.
4.00 Close
Information on the presentations and workshops:
Presentations:
Transformative learning theory and the importance of story in adult literacy
'Once upon a time’ ... This presentation will examine the role of story in supporting the development of writing and reading. Links will be made with the ideas of Paulo Freire and transformative learning theory, examining the idea that we can transform our lives through writing. The importance of the imagination and the arts in developing a sense of well-being, both in individuals and society, will also be explored.
Building on learners’ connections with family, work and community
The presentation will explore the meaning of a social practices model of adult literacies in theory and in practice. It will consider the relevance of social practices and the learning theories that underpin it, to literacies learners’ families, communities and working lives.
It will also link the model to social theories of adult learning - for example factors that motivate and keep people engaged in learning.
Workshops:
A. Enabling learners to take responsibility for their own learning
Encouraging learners to take responsibility for their own learning is a very important part of the work of a tutor. Facilitating the learners to make decisions about what they wish to learn, which activities they will engage in and how they will show that they have satisfactorily completed the task is empowering. The workshop will cover the use of learning contracts, setting goals, learning journals, learning styles, listening and building confidence.
B. It’s not all about hard sums: Building everyday numeracy into adult literacy provision
This workshop will provide tutors with ideas which they can further develop, a list of resources, and practical examples for integrating numeracy into their given subject. The topics covered will include everyday numeracy, developing your ‘mathematical eyes’, integrating numeracy and fun with numbers.
C. Students’ needs and goal setting with mixed level groups
This workshop will examine the difficulties of teaching a mixed level group. For example finding the appropriate resources and materials, organising the class, making sure all learners are challenged and interested, determining individual needs and so on. The workshop will also look at suggestions for effective mixed level teaching, e.g. promoting learner self-awareness, learning at their own pace, the sharing of information, independent learners, etc.
D. Integrating literacy into other subject areas
This workshop is intended mainly for subject teachers, vocational instructors and tutors working in further education and community education and training programmes, such as Youthreach, VTOS, PLC’s. The workshop will consider teaching and learning methods that overcome literacy barriers to learning in the main subject as well as methods to help learners develop the relevant language, literacy and numeracy. It will also consider a whole-centre approach to literacy across the curriculum.
E. How to use the internet to resource your teaching and learning
This workshop aims to assist the tutor in using the internet to source up to date and relevant learning materials suitable for adult learners. It will give ideas on how these materials can be incorporated into lesson plans and adapted to suit learners in Ireland. Finally, it will also look at the use of the internet to assist teaching, allowing students to learn interactively and through a multisensory approach.
F. Lesson Planning
This workshop will look at what you should keep in mind when planning a lesson. We will discuss how to prepare your lesson and how to assess progress. We will also examine the resources available to tutors and how they can be used to full advantage.
G. How to review students’ progress
In this workshop, we will discuss and explain the meaning and purpose of review and what we mean by learners’ progress in adult basic education. We will also identify different methods of review and show how to use these methods to track and record learner’s progress. This will demonstrate the importance of reviewing progress in actively involving the learner in the learning process and sustaining students' motivation.
Note: If you send in a booking form for this event, you can assume that you have a place. We will only contact you if there are no places left.
There is free parking available at All Hallows College.
There is no charge for attending this event.
