Education Commons^™

Strengthening Adult Literacy Through Creative Writing, Elizabeth Santiago

Adult Education Research Conference

This Roundtable will discuss a qualitative study that investigated how creative writing strengthens and deepens the literacy skills of adults. Specifically, the study explores two sub-questions: How can creative writing processes support students’ achievement of personal and/or academic goals? How does a curricular focus on individual storytelling build literacy confidence and/or student agency? Data include: pre- and post-surveys, pre- and post-interviews, curriculum design based on best practices in writing instruction and adult learning, and student writing. The study suggests that creative writing is a viable and effective tool to promote literacy acquisition, build student voice, and support student-centred learning.

Literacy Training In An Urban High School Professional Learning Community, Vicki Sandra Ross-Norris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study was to explore the essence of professional learning experiences shared by teachers who participated in a professional learning community (PLC) at a New York City high school in the South Bronx. Guided by Hord's PLC characteristics and Bruner's constructivism theories, this phenomenological study addressed the research questions of what PLC practices urban high school teachers employ to support the academic-literacy achievement of their students of low social economic status (SES); the role of administration in the PLC process; and the roles of a shared mission, values, vision, norms, and collaborative knowledge on the functioning of …

Exploring Literacy Coaching As A Form Of Staff Development, Kate Matthews Welborn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Following a 2011 audit a school district in the south central United States clarified the role of the literacy coach. However, there were still differences among the literacy coaches as to how they were performing their duties. As a result, the purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the role of the literacy coach in the participating school district. The theoretical foundation of this study addressed adult learning and was based upon Kegan's constructive development theory and Knowles's theory of androgogy. A case study design was used to explore how 5 literacy coaches implemented literacy staff development …

How Is U.S. Adults’ Health Related To Literacy, Numeracy, Technological Problem-Solving Skills, And Adult Education? A Piaac Analysis, Esther Prins, Shannon Monnat, Carol Clymer, Blaire Willson Toso

Adult Education Research Conference

This paper uses U.S. data from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) to analyze the relationship between self-reported health and (a) literacy, numeracy, and technological problem-solving skills, and (b) involvement in adult education, and to determine whether those relationships vary by race/ethnicity and educational attainment.

Health Literacy And How Rural Communities Understand Hypertension Information In Kabale, Uganda, Rob Freer

Adult Education Research Conference

This research examines health literacy and how rural communities understand hypertension information in Kabale, Uganda. Commonly defined as an individual’s ability to access, understand, and use information to promote and maintain positive health and well-being, health literacy and hypertension has yet to be problematized within an African context.

Promoting Cultural Heritage Through Video, Claudia J. Dold

Claudia J. Dold

Cultural heritage is an ephemeral commodity: If it is not preserved, it will disappear. Capturing cultural heritage on video uses current technology that offers exciting opportunities for librarians. They may record, document, and preserve cultural heritage, including the local languages, in their archives.

Perceptions Of College Readiness And Social Capital Of Ged Completers In Entry-Level College Courses, Donalyn L. Lott

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Examining the efficacy of literacy improvement, general education development (GED) completion, and GED completers’ perceptions of college readiness and social capital was the purpose of this study. The participant sample (n=321), derived from the target population (N=1050), consisted of former participants of Adult Literacy Education (ALE)/GED programs in the Greater New Orleans area (GNO), who have earned the GED credential, and, are currently enrolled in entry-level courses at two community colleges in Southeast Louisiana; specifically, in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes. The study was framed by the social capital theoretical perspective.

The study used quantitative methodology, with …

Resonance And The Importance Of Informal Learning In The Literacy Environment, Rebecca Melville

Adult Education Research Conference

This paper describes a study that was done with tutors and students in Frontier College’s Beat the Street/Literacy and Basic Skills program. The study investigated how tutors and students interact and learn from one another in a literacy environment. It was conducted with qualitative methods including focus groups, interviews, reflexive inquiry and ethnographic research. Findings indicate that the informal learning of both tutors and students plays an important role in literacy learning, particularly in creating moments of profound connection that the author refers to as resonance.

The State, The People, And The Colony: Towards A Critical History Of Early Newfoundland Literacy, Leona M. English

Adult Education Research Conference

Adult literacy in nineteenth century Newfoundland was greatly influenced by the island’s positioning, first as a colony of Britain, and later as a struggling country dependent on experts, pedagogical methods and philanthropy from the home country and its religious institutions. Literacy efforts contributed to the general “civilizing” of the outpost and enabled it to become increasingly self reliant, at least for select periods of time. This study analyses some of these early literacy efforts, asking critical questions of colonialism, organization, gender, and religion.

The Enactment Of Hegemony Through Identity Construction: Insights From Thepresentation Of Self In Everyday Life, Brendaly Drayton, Esther Prins

Adult Education Research Conference

This paper uses Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis to examine how hegemony maintains its power and influence in the life of the individual. The analysis reveals that the power of hegemony lies in the construction of particular identities that shape our interactions and limit our imagined futures.

In Other Languages: Toward A Critical Pedagogy Of Visual Discourse, Patricia Holland Webb

Adult Education Research Conference

The language of visuality, despite its ubiquitous “voice” in contemporary global life, is all but ignored in education theory. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for critical pedagogic study of visual meaning structures and interpretation, drawing on psychoanalytic theory, critical theory, and notions of multiliteracy.

Farmer Literacy Practices: A Comparative Study Of Farmers In Kurnool District Of Andhra Pradesh, India, Konda Reddy Chavva

Master's Capstone Projects

ABSTRACT The goal of the study was to understand farmer literacy practices, and how farmer participants perceive the usefulness of Farmer Water School (FWS) training. Studying the farmer literacy practices was to help identify farmer friendly methods, and design effective messages for dissemination on crop choices, decisions, and sustainable groundwater management. To understand the usefulness of FWS training to farmers, a comparative study of FWS participants and non-FWS pa11icipants' perceptions on crop-water management, crop choices, and agriculture practices was undertaken. The study focused on the farmers of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

The research questions driving this study included: …

Educational Levels And Political Literacy: The Case Of Adults Enrolled In The Inea Program In El Paso,Texas, Carolina Pallares

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The political socialization process is ever-present in our daily lives. Traditional academic philosophies contend that one needs a formal education to achieve a high state of political awareness. This study challenges that traditional belief by proving that adults with little or no formal education can demonstrate a high level of political awareness.

The purpose of this study is to show that, absent a formal traditional education, individuals may be politically active and have an understanding of complex political issues. In order to test this hypoThesis, I interviewed participants enrolled in the Instituto Nacional de Educación para los Adultos, …