Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) programs in many Ontario colleges offer adult learners who have low literacy and basic skills with opportunities to improve their employment skills as well as results on prerequisite courses for entrance into post-secondary education. LBS students encounter many challenges and require extra interpersonal…

This article examines evidence of academic skill development and transfer related to the taking of a first year Inquiry-based seminar course designed to enhance a range of self-directed learning skills and their transferability to other learning contexts. The study compares a sample of academic work from two groups of Social Sciences students, one…

This report presents the results of a process evaluation conducted after the first year of a 2-year literacy development project designed to assist grade 1 teachers at 4 Manitoba schools in becoming more effective in working with "at-risk" students to meet reading and writing performance expectancies. The report includes results from…

A pilot project developed a survey of social indicators of literacy within the Northwest region of Ontario, Canada. The project aimed to identify the following: social, economic, and cultural characteristics of the region; ways that local service providers were responding to them; and successes, gaps, and unmet challenges in literacy provision. Of…

A project assessed perceptions of manufacturing employers regarding the workplace literacy skills of occupational groups in their industry in Manitoba. A mailed survey was sent to 125 members of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association; 41 completed it. The first part of the survey obtained information about the occupations in manufacturing and…

A survey of Local 343-United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the Manitoba Construction Labour Relations Association, Manitoba, determined the critical, essential, and important workplace skills of carpenters. A survey instrument was developed and mailed to 438 active members of Local 343; 110 surveys were completed and…

Intended as a resource for test construction, this kit provides educators with sample test items, checklists, and questionnaires to assess literacy skills of adult students. Items are keyed to skills in the Adult Basic Literacy Curriculum and Resource Guide (APL Guide) and divided into these skill areas: interpersonal, listening, speaking,…

A project examined the skills gap within the mining industry, identified and prioritized skills common to all jobs and occupations, and provided insight into skills that workers are likely to need in the future. The research for the basic skills needs assessment was conducted from June-October 1993 at INCO's Manitoba Division Operations in…

The Environmental Improvement Project at Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting in Flin Flon, Manitoba, presented a unique opportunity for field observation and assessment. Field observation of the approximately 70 carpenters employed with various companies provided information on the types of communication used and the circumstances in which the…

To address specific workplace literacy needs within the steel fabrication sector in Manitoba, an organizational needs assessment was conducted training manuals were developed using literacy task analysis techniques. The organizational needs assessment assessed the general and workplace literacy tasks and demands of hourly workers at Dominion…

According to this report, many Canadians lack basic skills of literacy and numeracy. As many as 6.9 million Canadian adults, or 1 of every 6 working Canadians, may require some literacy training. This paper outlines the extent of illiteracy and innumeracy in Canada and presents an overview of actions being taken alone or in partnerships by…

A project explored and addressed the communication barriers to union participation of stewards and members of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU). A questionnaire was developed and distributed to over 300 ACTWU members; 153 responded. Other commitments and communication skills were identified as key barriers to greater…

A project of Local 343 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the Construction Labour Relations Association (CLRA) of Manitoba documented the workplace literacy skills needed by union carpenters on job sites in Manitoba. The following techniques were used: mailed questionnaires to the carpenter members of Local 343 and…

This volume is the second in a series (developed in response to a needs assessment survey of special educators in Alberta, Canada) providing practical suggestions about instructional strategies, classroom management, preparing individual program plans, and understanding special needs. The book's four sections focus on the instruction of students…

In 1992, United Grain Growers (UGG) and Manitoba Pool (MP) formed a partnership to examine the literacy and numeracy needs of their rural grain elevator operators and the potential of delivering a communications enhancement program in the rural areas. During part 1, the committee held a series of initial planning meetings. Both companies held…