Practitioner Professional Development

Resources are submitted by individual Learning Networks across the province.

3R’s Research Integration Kit, The (2008)
Literacy Network of Durham Region
This kit provides literacy networks and programs with ways to efficiently identify current field research that is relevant and train instructors on how to use research in the classroom.

The “A” Word – Apprenticeship video series (2019)

Literacy Link South Central presents a new series of videos called “The A Word.”  Each episode in this series of 3 videos run between 20 and 30 minutes, and would make a great lunch and learn for staff.  We hope they lay a foundation for ongoing Apprenticeship conversations in employment services, adult education, training delivery agencies, social services, and of course, literacy programs.

Video topics include
* Building the capacity of service providers
* What clients need to know
* Working together to support people who are on the path to Apprenticeship

Hopefully these videos help people to embrace Apprenticeship, and no longer fear the “A” word.

Apprenticeship Live Binder (2017)
Literacy Link South Central
Online resource of various apprenticeship resources with links.

Assessment Webinar Series (2017-2019)
Northern Networks
Understanding the Difference Between Task-Based and Skills-Based Assessment (mp4)
The Right Choice: Choosing Assessment Tools and Methods (mp4)
Measuring Progress: Choosing Assessment Tools to Measure (mp4)
Tracking Learner Achievement in Relation to Learner Goals – Goal Completion (mp4)
Developing an Assessment Strategy & Using Assessment Results to Inform Agency Targets (mp4)
Task-Based Assessment: A Case Study From Entry to Exit (mp4)

Creating Pathways of Learning Support for Employment Ontario Clients with Learning Disabilities (2015)
Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy
This project and the project publications and tools provide much needed, comprehensive information on existing services and recommended tools to provide support and accommodation to EO clients with learning disabilities.

Developing a Culture of Evaluation (2015)
Literacy Link South Central
The Developing a Culture of Evaluation project will help not-for-profit organizations in Ontario to learn about the value of creating a culture of evaluation and how to foster this in their own organizations.

Differentiated Instruction in Literacy and Basic Skills Programs (2017)
Literacy Link South Central
The use of differentiated instruction in LBS classrooms, small groups and one-to-one tutoring is critical to working effectively with adult learners. In this report, Literacy Link South Central investigates reasons for, and effective methodologies of, providing alternative avenues to learning for different students.

Gamification (2014)
Literacy Link South Central
Gamification, a technique based in part on introducing game play elements to non-game settings, is becoming a key technique used to engage learners in their education. Through Literacy Link South Central’s recent Job Creation Partnership project, a study of the history, impact and execution of gamification principles in adult education was completed, and we’re pleased to share several resources with you as a result.

Labour Market Information for Literacy and Basic Skills and Employment Service Providers (2014-2015)
Adult Basic Education Association
Includes a variety of tools and training around incorporating Labour Market Information (LMI) into the classroom and building connections with Employment Services. This strategy is part of Literacy Link South Central’s Coordinating to Bring Low-Literacy and Marginalized Clients Employment – Phase II.

Learning With Swagger (2013)
Project READ Literacy Network of Waterloo/Wellington
This resource is available with necessary qualifications or training. This soft-skills assessment tool will help you to

  • assess the various soft skills of your learners/clients, including self-confidence
  • apply strategies to help your learners/clients increase their soft skills and potential literacy levels or employment readiness
  • learn some strategies that can be applied in employment/literacy workshops/class rooms to help increase learner/client’s soft skills

Literacy Learnings for Practitioners and Service Providers – Research Brief Series (2015-2016)
Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy
7 volumes in an occasional series on topics of interest to literacy practitioners and supporters.
Topics Include

Online Community of Practice Webinar Series
This series, organized by Contact North, includes 1 hour webinars and downloadable resources on the following topics

  • Travailler avec le SIEO-SGC – enjeux et solutions communes
  • Learning Disability Supports
  • La gestion du rendement – strategies pour mesurer les resultats
  • Marketing and Outreach – What Works?
  • Mental Health Awareness 2: Classroom Strategies
  • Get in the Game to Create Materials for Learners
  • Performance Management – Strategies to Measure Results

Also available in French.

Project Management for Networks (2009)
Literacy Network of Durham Region

Referring to ACE vs GED (2016)
Adult Basic Education Association
Ever wondered about the differences between the GED test and Academic and Career Entrance? This document was created by the Hamilton OALCF Frontline Worker group. It supports Literacy Network of Durham Region’s Ontario’s Pathways to Postsecondary Education for Adult Learners.

Soft Skills Resources Website (2018)
ABEA, LLSC, QUILL, SMLN
The above learning networks have created this site to host resources to build the soft skills of our learners.
We have put it together to
– assist Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) programs in documenting what they already do to increase learners’ soft skills
– identify community partnerships that show some good practices related to soft skill development
– provide some resources to LBS programs that may want to increase their soft skills programming

Using Gamification in LBS and Beyond Research Report and French language Executive Summary: Sommaire exécutif La ludification dans le programme AFB et au-delà (2017)
Contact North
English Language Report
French Language Executive Summary

Western Region Best Practice Interviews with Programs
Western Region Support Organizations
In August and September of 2015, the Western Region ministry office (now the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development) identified programs that they considered champions in these areas

Completion of Goal Path
Learner Progress
Service Coordination
Suitability

The Western Region support organizations collaborated to interview these champions in a series of 4 interviews. Resources available include tip sheets, transcripts and recordings.

What’s New in Apprenticeship (2020)
Learning Networks of Ontario – Apprenticeship Sub-Committee
Check out this page for the Modernizing Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship paper as well as resources from the “What’s New in Apprenticeship” webinar.

Yes I Can – A Mental Health Guide for Adult Literacy Facilitators (2017)
Project READ Literacy Network Waterloo-Wellington
This guide provides information and strategies for supporting adult learners living with mental health conditions or disorders. Also available

  • Webinar Recording for “Yes I Can – A Mental Health Guide for Adult Literacy Facilitators” – this webinar recording offers more information about the Mental Health Guide resource and how to use it in the learning environment
  • Q & A Chat Summary from Mental Health Guide webinars – This Q&A – Chat Summary provides a summary of the questions and answers that were discussed during the Mental Health Guide webinars

Young at Heart – Working Together to Increase the Skills of Ontario’s Youth (2017)
Literacy Network Northeast
Webinar Recording (mp4)