Key Perspectives on Adult Literacy Erik Jacobson Montclair State University New Jersey Association for Lifelong Learning

Why do we care about adult literacy?

The Importance of Literacy Can Be Framed in Other Ways Employment Economic Individual Society Public Health The Family and Child Development Civic Participation

Literacy as Domain Specific Rather than a general definition or generic approach, we need to think about the specific kinds of reading and writing that people do in particular areas of their lives.

Literacy as Domain Specific Rather than a general definition or generic approach, we need to think about the specific kinds of reading and writing that people do in particular areas of their lives. Question What types of reading and writing do you have to do while operating a library literacy program?

Literacy in a Digital Era What types of texts do you have to read? How do you participate in social media and networks?

The Role of Libraries in the Digital Age “In 2009, over 77 million people, or nearly one-third of the U.S. population ages 14 and older, used a public library computer or wireless Internet. In fact, education was cited by 42 percent of responders as the main reason patrons used library computers, and 24 percent of those users reported taking online courses or working on online assignments…Librarians and volunteers are providing frontline digital literacy tutoring and assistance to patrons of all ages, and many literacy programs offer classes in libraries.” (Making Skills Everybody’s Business, 2015, pg. 11)

The Role of Libraries in the Digital Age “Librarian assistance is a critical part of the high demand on public computing in today’s libraries. Jaeger, Bertot, Thompson, Katz, and DeCoster (2012) propose that patrons with Internet access at home still rely on public computing at their local library because ‘...likely the presence of a helpful, skilled librarian who can assist those who lack the necessary information-literacy skills required to fill out online forms or search for vital information.’” (Tutor-facilitated Adult Digital Literacy Learning, 2013, p. 13).

Adult Learners Struggle with Digital Resources “Digital literacy itself, however, remains a hurdle for many low-literate adults. The OECD Survey found that of adults with below Level 1 literacy, 44 percent report having no computer experience and 16 percent failed a simple digital literacy screening assessment. For adults with Level 1 literacy, the percentages were 15 and 10 percent, respectively. […] Bridging this digital literacy divide is critical to ensure that low-skilled youth and adults can benefit from efforts to provide more self- access learning options. (Making Skills Everybody’s Business, 2015, pg. 11)

Problem Solving in a Technology-rich Environment “using digital technology, communication tools and networks to acquire and evaluate information, communicate with others and perform practical tasks.” “focuses on the abilities to solve problems for personal, work and civic purposes by setting up appropriate goals and plans, and accessing and making use of information through computers and computer networks.” (OECD in PSTRE Report)

Problem Solving in a Technology-rich Environment (1)How do you get from Plainfield to Trenton without a car? (2)What tests can adult learners in New Jersey take for a high school equivalency? Where can they take them in this area? (3)How do you go online to communicate your stance on an issue to your various representatives? (4)Can you evaluate the candidates for president on the basis of their track record on supporting public libraries?

Resources Available for Adult Literacy and Adult Basic Education In New Jersey Literacy New Jersey Annual Conference Curriculum Resources (e.g., technology, citizenship, etc.) New Jersey Association for Lifelong Learning Annual Conference Scholarships for Adult Learners Learning Writing Contest Webinars (archived on the NJALL YouTube channel)

Resources Available for Adult Literacy and Adult Basic Education National LINCSlincs.ed.gov/lincs.ed.gov/ World Educationwww.worlded.orgwww.worlded.org COABEwww.coabe.org/ National Coalition for Literacy Adult Literacy Education Wiki wiki.literacytent.orgwiki.literacytent.org WE LEARN welearnwomen.org/welearnwomen.org/ Institute for Museum and Library Services

Contacts New Jersey Association for Lifelong Learning Erik Jacobson