Online Tools 
Crossing the Great Divides: Distance learning and flexible delivery in Adult Basic Education
Online Literacy and Basic Skills learning initiative in Ontario
Getting online: Distance education promising practices for Canadian literacy practitioners (GO Project)
Technology and distance learning in Adult Basic Education
What makes distance learning effective
Distance learning student orientation
Australian flexible learning framework
Crossing the Great Divides: Distance learning and flexible delivery in Adult Basic Education
The report of an in-depth research study of distance learning in 4 adult Literacy and Basic Skills programs in Ontario. The research was conducted over a two year period in the following programs:
Community Learning Centre Napanee (Kingston Literacy)
This program provided mentor-assisted literacy learning at a distance to adults in Southeastern Ontario who were in need of life and literacy skills but who had difficulty accessing regular programs due to transportation and scheduling problems. Strong community connections were forged through public institutions such as local schools, community programs, and social assistance programs, and through corporate sponsors, to assist in learner recruitment.
Sioux Hudson Literacy Council
Adult learners in a large area of Northwestern Ontario, including rural remote and isolated communities, who had difficulty accessing regular literacy programs due to transportation and scheduling issues were successfully reached by the distance learning options offered by this program. Learners connected with their peers and mentors using a variety of communication tools.
Confederation College
This program developed a delivery model for adults in need of literacy basic skills upgrading as a requirement of social assistance programs and for adults considering postsecondary education. Adults participated in the program from their homes, computer labs and employment centres, and were supported by the mentor through the use of emails, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings. A Web-based toolbox of learning content and management resources was the main support tool for teaching at a distance.
Centre de formation pour adultes J’aime apprendre inc. (now CAF+)
Improving accessibility and providing more flexible options for literacy learning services to Francophone communities in the region of Cornwall was the focus of this program, reaching out to adults with transportation and scheduling difficulties. These adults were able to access online learning resources from their homes and from the on-site computer lab, and were provided with support via phone and email by a mentor. Face-to-face group meetings were organized in learners’ homes.
Download the full report at: http://distance.alphaplus.ca/
Online Literacy and Basic Skills learning initiative in Ontario
Three organizations are currently taking the next steps in this initiative.
For information about the initiative or about specific programs visit these web sites:
Sioux Hudson Literacy Council [Native literacy stream] - http://www.siouxhudsonliteracy.com/start.htm
CAF+ [Francophone literacy stream] - http://www.cafplus.ca/english/distance_learning.html
Avon Maitland District School Board [Anglophone literacy stream] - http://www.learninghub.ca/
The GO Project which runs from June 1, 2007 – May 31, 2009 is hosted by Athabasca University, in partnership with Writing Out Loud (Alberta), Capilano College (British Columbia), and Community Literacy of Ontario.
This project will examine trends, technologies and promising practices in online and distance learning in Canada.
A research report and a Promising Practices manual for literacy practitioners will be published at the end of the project – and information will also be made available on the web site at: http://www.nald.ca/gettingonline/
Technology and distance learning in Adult Basic Education
This page hosted by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education of the U.S. Dept. of Education, provides information about and links to programs and initiatives in Distance Learning in Adult Basic Education in the United States.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/tdlearn.htm
Here are 3 electronic documents (PDF) from the Massachusetts Distance Learning Project:
An Introduction to the Massachusetts Distance Learning Project
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Distance learning student orientation
A handbook developed as part of the Massachusetts distance learning project:
http://anywhereanytimeabe.org/?page_id=88
Australian flexible learning framework
A collection of information and links to all aspects of flexible learning in adult education:
http://flexways.flexiblelearning.net.au/aboutfl/whatisfl.asp
