Adult Literacy Northern Adelaide
Background
In 2006 UNAP facilitated a number of forums to bring together key contacts involved in adult literacy programs in northern Adelaide and identify areas for collaborative participation and project development.
Collaborative work continued into 2007 via an Adult Literacy Coordinating Group with representation from a range of organisations including Councils, education providers, and non-government organisations. The Coordinating Group continued to pursue contacts, grant opportunities and ideas to improve knowledge about adult literacy provision within the region. From this activity the group produced an audit of programs and successfully secured a Department of Employment Education and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Commonwealth grant to build adult literacy capacity in the region.
Playford Literacies Project
The DEEWR funded project Building literacy capacity through learning communities - Playford Literacies focussed on a range of areas including:
- audit of expertise related to adult LLN
- mapping learner pathways
- mapping professional development opportunities
- trialling learner skills passports
- convening ‘speak outs’, public meetings and events to explore and debate adult literacy and associated issues
- small learning communities projects undertake with DFEEST funding provided to complement DEEWR Commonwealth funds
Further information about Playford Literacies can be found at the website http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawkeinstitute/cslplc/research/building.asp
Adult Literacy Northern Adelaide Networking Group
In September 2008 the Coordinating Group reviewed the design of the collaborative partnership model and after consultation with members reformed as the Adult Literacy Northern Adelaide Networking Group. The Networking Group meets four times a year and is open membership to representatives from any organisation with an involvement or interest in adult literacy programs. The aims of the Networking Group are:
- Identify and share good practices
- Build collaborative partnerships
- Promote information sharing
- Identify collaboration and funding opportunities
For further information please email julie.kalms@unisa.edu.au
UNAP continues to make a major contribution to the Adult Literacy Northern Adelaide Networking Group.
Adult Literacy Resources
Some useful resources/contacts for adult literacy are:
- Reading/ Writing hotline
http://www.literacyline.edu.au/
The Reading Writing Hotline is Australia’s national adult literacy and numeracy telephone referral service. It is funded by the Australian Government and provides information about national and local adult literacy services.
- South Australian Council for Adult Literacy
http://www.sacal.sa.edu.au/
The South Australian Council for Adult Literacy (SACAL) works towards the promotion and advocacy for a literate society. Members come from a wide range of sectors and have access to workshops, seminars information and networking about state and national.
- Literacy SA
http://www.literacy.sa.edu.au/
Literacy SA is part of the Delivery Support Service for adult literacy language and numeracy in South Australia and is funded by the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST). It provides information and professional development support for adult language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) practitioners in vocational education and training (VET) in SA.
- Adult Literacy Resource
http://www.adultliteracyresource.edu.au/
This site contains information based on research funded through the Adult Literacy Research Program (ALRP). Research topics ranged from adult literacy teaching and learning approaches and outcomes, to the professional development needs of literacy practitioners. Topics also covered various literacy practices and delivery approaches across Indigenous and ethnic communities, industry, volunteer and community settings.