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LR/RI produces a bulletin roughly every two weeks in order to inform area practitioners of news, events, and calls for participation and also as a forum for posing questions, issues and discussion topics. The current bulletin is posted below. To read previous bulletins, go to Bulletin Archives.

July 30, 1998

Bulletin #48

Dear Colleagues,

This bulletin carries new notices, an employment opportunity, staff development information, and notice of upcoming meetings, events and summer courses. For details, and/or to post information, please contact me LR/RI or leave a message (863-2839)

Thanks.

Janet Isserlis

____________________________________________________________

NOTICES

Internet drop-in sessions continue on Fridays from 9 am to noon through August 7th. During these sessions, practitioners and/or learners are invited to come to the Swearer Center for Public Service at 25 George Street, Providence, to learn more about using computers generally, and word processing and the internet particularly. If Friday mornings are not convenient, other times can be arranged by appointment. Please call LR/RI if you'd like to participate.

Literacy Resources/Rhode Island Swearer Center for Public Service, Box 1974 Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 phone: 863-2839 fax: 863-3094 email: Janet_Isserlis@brown.edu http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Swearer_Center/Literacy_Resources/ 30 July, 1998 Bulletin #48

Dear Colleagues, A few new announcements, staff development information, and notice of upcoming meetings. For details, and/or to post information, please contact me at the address/phone above. Thanks. Janet Isserlis ____________________________________________________________ notices

Internet drop-in sessions continue on Friday mornings from 9:00 to noon through August 7th. During these sessions, practitioners and/or learners are invited to come to the Swearer Center for Public Service at 25 George Street, Providence, to learn more about using computers generally, and word processing and the internet particularly. If Friday mornings are not convenient, other times can be arranged by appointment. Please call LR/RI if youÕd like to participate.

Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in womenÕs issues in adult education will be held Wednesday, August 26 , 3 PM at the Swearer Center for Public Service, (25 George Street). Please join us in contemplating and planning for a half-day conference concerning women and learning next fall, and to continue our conversations about women, literacy and learning.

The Adult Literacy Council will meet on Thursday, August 27 at 10 am at International Institute of RI (645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence). The meeting is being held for the executive committee and other interested people to set the councilÕs agenda for the coming year.

Also, on August 27, there will be a meeting of all interested people at 12:00 at the 4 Seasons Restaurant (Reservoir Avenue) to plan for proposed literacy workshops for the coming year. Please join us to help decide priority areas for workshops in the coming year, and/or contact LR/RI with your suggestions.

Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in ESOL in adult education will be held on Tuesday, August 4, at 10 AM at the Swearer Center for Public Service, Providence. If youÕd like to meet informally, or stop in at LR/RI at any time during the summer to discuss ESOL or any other aspect of adult education, please call 863-2839.

TUTOR STILL NEEDED for a 39 year old man, dually diagnosed and living in a residential care facility in North Providence, is in need of a tutor to learn to read and write. Please contact Cheryl Bautista at Northridge Residential Care, 726-2131.

EMAIL PARTNER: A woman enrolled in a Literacy Volunteers of America Program and reading at about the eight or ninth grade level, would like to correspond with another adult learner via email. For more information, please contact Expressions coordinator Diane Genereux, by phone at (401) 863-2338, or via email: Diane_Genereux@Brown.edu

Expressions: TO PUBLISH DURING THE SUMMER: For the first time, Expressions will publish two, and possibly three, issues during the summer. For more information, or to submit, please contact Diane_Genereux@brown.edu, 863-2338. Summer Institute: A professional development event in adult education and employment August 19-20, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT. Advanced workshops for teachers, ESL series, family education and support, new teacher orientation, school to career exemplary programs, technology integration, and workshops for directors and administrative support staff are featured. Registration deadline is July 24, (late deadline July 31 with a $10 late fee). One day, $50, two days, $90. CEUÕs can be earned; for full schedule, contact LR/RI, or Elizabeth Kaflik at (860) 524-4046.

Participants sought for heath and literacy survey: The Practitioner Dissemination and Research Network is looking for practitioners who are interested in completing a short, 39 question survey for a NCSALL study on the use of health related issues in literacy learning environments. Any practitioners who have used health-based lessons in their ABE or ESOL classes or who are interested in doing so can obtain a copy of the survey and description of the research project by contacting David Hayes at PDRN RI@aol.com or by phone at 331-9261.

Learner Homework Practices Inquiry Project - David Hayes has developed a learner survey and interview protocol as tools for increasing understanding and awareness of learners' homework practices and values. The tools aim to help practitioners improve their ability to assign homework that would be most effective for learners' development. He is looking for other practitioners who are interested in reflecting on or further field testing and developing the tools. The survey, interview, and a report on an initial field test are all available to anyone who might be interested in carrying forward this exploration. For a copy of the materials, or to discuss the project further, contact David @ (401) 331-9261 or at PDRN RI@aol.com. (DavidÕs report is also available on-line at LR/RIÕs web site, on the inquiry project page).

The National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy has released a set of informative fact sheets outlining the projects with which NCSALL researchers are currently engaged. Project histories, plans, and implications for practice are all highlighted in the fact sheets. Projects include studies of Learner Motivation, Impact of Literacy Programs on Adult learners, Adult Multiple Intelligences, Home Literacy Uses, Adult Development and Literacy Learning, Staff Development, Assessment, GED Impact, Health and Literacy, and Reading Diagnostics, Anyone interested in reading about one or all of the projects or anyone who may be interested in project participation information may receive copies by contacting David Hayes at (401) 331 -9261.

MATSOL will not hold a fall conference this year, but will instead hold a series of Professional Development Events, beginning on Sat, August 1, 1998 9 - 12, at Dodge Auditorium, New England Institute Bldg, Mt. Ida College, Newton MA. (Directions: call Destinations Hotline 617 - 928 -4505). $30 members/$45 non-members (PDP points awarded). The invited speaker, Wilga Rivers, is author of A Practical Guide to the Teaching of English and Communicating Naturally in a Second Language, and has given workshops in over 43 countries. Pre registration is required for the workshop entitled "Recognition, Retention, and Retrieval -- the 3 Rs of Vocabulary Learning and Teaching." Attendance is limited. Send checks to: Robin Wayne, 11 Hewett Circle, Needham, MA 02194

Literacy Liftoff Ô98 - a conference presented by Literacy Volunteers of America, the National Institute for Literacy and the National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions will be held in Houston from October 22 to 24. Early registration, due by September 18 is $195 for members and $225 for non-members. Students can go for $100. For information please contact lvanat@aol.com or LVA, INC, ATTN: Conference Manager, 635 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13202.

From a July 13 NIFL press release: New Report Explores Connection Between Low Literacy and Poor Health Incorporating health education directly into literacy programs could be an important step towards helping low literate adults improve their health. Research has found a close connection between low literacy and poor health.  A key factor is that health education materials are generally written at the 10th grade reading level or beyond, so adults with low literacy levels generally do not benefit from the information.

The report, Empowerment Health Education in Adult Literacy: A Guide for Public Health and Adult Literacy Practitioners, Policy Makers and Funders,  identifies ways of incorporating health education into literacy programs and includes suggestions for how to best bring information on early detection of breast, cervical, and testicular cancer into the adult literacy classroom.  Ideas for incorporating family violence issues into the curriculum are also included. The report is the result of a 2-year participatory action research project conducted by Marcia Drew Hohn, Ed.D., SABES Director at Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence, MA, and is available at no cost by calling at 1-800-228-8813. Dr. Hohn conducted the research and produced the report as part of a Literacy Leader Fellowship award from the National Institute for Literacy.

The U.S. Department of Education's Regional Educational Laboratories will award 60 subcontracts of $50,000 each to America Reads tutoring partnerships across the nation to implement tutor training programs. Subcontracts will be awarded to partnerships to provide direct training to Federal Work-Study and volunteer reading tutors. Partnerships may include colleges and universities that collaborate with local schools, other colleges and universities, and community or family literacy organizations. Additional partners may include America Reads/Read*Write*Now sites, AmeriCorps*VISTA programs, or other Corporation for National Service programs engaged in improving students' reading. Both new and existing partnerships are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is August 13, 1998; awards will be made September 15, 1998. The Request for Proposals for these subcontracts is available at: www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/training.html

Laubach Literacy will be seeking grant applications for its 1998 National Book Scholarship Fund (NBSF). Over the next year, the NBSF will distribute books and other educational materials to qualified adult literacy and educational programs nationwide. First priority is given to family literacy programs that work to improve the literacy skills of parents and their children. Grants are also awarded to programs that work with special groups, such as the homeless, refugees, people learning English as a Second Language, and adults with learning disabilities. For more information, or to apply for a National Book Scholarship Fund grant, contact Mara Roberts, project administrator, The National Book Scholarship Fund, Laubach Literacy, 1320 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210. Ms. Roberts can also be reached at 315-422-9121 or via e-mail at mroberts@laubach.org.

Laubach Literacy is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to helping adults of all ages improve their lives and their communities by learning reading, writing, math, and problem-solving skills. Laubach sponsors literacy programs throughout the US and in 34 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Welfare to work listserv: from Glenn Young - For those interested in the subject of welfare reform and learning disabilities, there has been a listserv created on that subject through NIFL's LINCs. To sign up, please send a message to: listproc@literacy.nifl.gov write in the body of the message subscribe nifl-wtwld and your name. do not write anything in the subject line and do not use any dots or dashes other than between nifl and wtwld. For more information on listservs, contact LR/RI or see the information on listservs posted at http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Swearer_Center/Literacy_Resources/welcome.html

From Jan Richter, KidsCampaigns Outreach Specialist, Benton Foundation jan@benton.org on the NIFL-family listserv: I am the Outreach Specialist for KidsCampaigns, a comprehensive web site (http://www.kidscampaigns.org) providing information and tools for people to act on behalf of kids, from volunteering to voting. One of my duties is to compile and write the KidsCampaigns Weekly, a weekly email newsletter that briefs kids' advocates on what's in the news about kids' issues and what's new on-line to inform and engage KidsCampaigners--advocates, concerned citizens, parents, service providers, etc. If you're interested in subscribing to the KidsCampaigns Weekly, you can sign on by sending an email to listserv@cdinet.com, with the message subscribe kids-weekly YourFirstName YourLastName

conference, September 28: Using Functional Context Education and Intergenerational Approaches to Improve Workforce Development Cost: $50.00 before 9/15,$65.00 after that date. Welfare Reform has lessened the time adult learners can spend in classrooms, and adult educators are searching for methodologies to improve instructional practice, raise standards (K to adult) and respond to the realities of adult education. A partnership of 3 adult education agencies in Central New York is bringing Dr. Thomas Sticht, researcher and advocate for literacy education and training, to the Quality Inn, North Syracuse. Practitioners will gain understanding of what Functional Context Education is, how programs are successfully integrating this into workforce and literacy programs and how you can change/improve your practice as an adult education professional. For more information, or to register, please contact: Georges Marceau, Tom Sticht Conference, Central New York Staff Development Consortium, 6075 E. Molloy Rd.Syracuse, NY 13211 Phone: 315-437-4253 [Email: CNYSDC@aol.com ] [continued, page 4] "In these days of welfare-to-work reform, we need to have some way to offer continuing education in the workplace to former welfare recipients who have to move from education to work before achieving fully functional levels of literacy." T. Sticht, "The Intergenerational Transfer of Literacy From Fathers to Children", May 1998

July 2, 1998 $345 MILLION AWARDED TO STATES FOR LITERACY, ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The U.S. Department of Education announced grants to states and territories totaling more than $345 million for both adult education and literacy programs. More than four million adults are expected to be served by the literacy and basic education services through state-sponsored programs. The funds are allocated to individual states and territories based on a formula involving the adult population in need of basic education and literacy skills.

Patricia McNeil, assistant secretary for adult and vocational education noted that between 40 and 44 million people read at a level less than necessary for full participation in society and are in need of basic education and literacy assistance. Also, she said, the competitiveness of the United States is compromised in the workplace by the millions of Americans who are functionally or technologically illiterate. "In a knowledge-based society, American workers by the thousands are still unable to operate a computer," McNeil said. "Many large business firms conduct in-house literacy programs to improve workers productivity and opportunity for advancement."

The department's division of Adult Education and Literacy selected National Literacy Day to call attention to the problem of illiteracy to spotlight the severity of the illiteracy problem and its detrimental effects of illiteracy on our society and to reach those who are illiterate to increase awareness of the free services and help available to them. The office also recognized and saluted the thousands of volunteers working to promote literacy. RIÕs allotment is $1,681,765. The full text of the press release is on-line at http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/07-1998/lit-gr.html or contact LR/RI.

  LR/RI web site updates: Many of the pages on LR/RIÕs web site have been updated; including reports from this yearÕs round of inquiry projects, the PDRN, an updated program directory, welfare reform and learner pages. Input from area practitioners and others reading the bulletin and/or visiting the web site is greatly encouraged.

Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in women's issues in adult education will be on Wednesday, June 24 , 3 PM at the Swearer Center for Public Service, 25 George Street, Providence. Please join us in contemplating and planning for a half-day conference concerning women and learning next fall, and to continue our conversations about women, literacy and learning.

MATH share? Are you interested in participating in a meeting of practitioners working with and/or wanting to learn more about numeracy instruction? Please contact LR/RI if you'd like to facilitate and/ or participate in such a session late in June, and/or during the summer. A math web site well worth checking out (at Eastern LINCS) is http://Hub1.WorldEd.org/TEACHERS/Maththing/ny1home.htm

LD: Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in learning disabilities in adult education will be on Thursday, July 16, at 3 PM at the Swearer Center for Public Service, 25 George Street, Providence.

Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in ESOL in adult education will be held on Tuesday, August 4, at 10 AM at the Swearer Center for Public Service, Providence. If you'd like to meet informally, or stop in at LR/RI at any time during the summer to discuss ESOL or any other aspect of adult education, please call 863-2839.

TUTOR STILL NEEDED for a 39 year old man, dually diagnosed and living in a residential care facility in North Providence, is in need of a tutor to learn to read and write. Please contact Cheryl Bautista at Northridge Residential Care, 726-2131.

EMAIL PARTNER: A woman enrolled in a Literacy Volunteers of America Program and reading at about the eight or ninth grade level, would like to correspond with another adult learner via email. For more information, please contact Expressions coordinator Diane Genereux, by phone at (401) 863-2338, or via email: Diane_Genereux@Brown.edu

Expressions: TO PUBLISH DURING THE SUMMER: For the first time, Expressions will publish two, and possibly three, issues during the summer. For more information, or to submit, please contact Diane_Genereux@brown.edu, 863-2338.

If you're aware of any summer programs for adult or intergenerational learners or practitioners that have not yet been announced in the bulletin, please contact LR/RI

Summer Institute: A professional development event in adult education and employment August 19-20, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT. Advanced workshops for teachers, ESL series, family education and support, new teacher orientation, school to career exemplary programs, technology integration, and workshops for directors and administrative support staff are featured. Registration deadline is July 24, (late deadline July 31 with a $10 late fee). One day, $50, two days, $90. CEU's can be earned; for full schedule, contact LR/RI, or Elizabeth Kaflik at (860) 524-4046.

Participants sought for heath and literacy survey: The Practitioner Dissemination and Research Network is looking for practitioners who are interested in completing a short, 39 question survey for a NCSALLstudy on the use of health related issues in literacy learning environments. Any practitioners who have used health-based lessons in their ABE or ESOL classes or who are interested in doing so can obtain a copy of the survey and description of the research project by contacting David Hayes at PDRN RI@aol.com or by phone at 331-9261.

Providence Public Library's Language Exchange is running during July and August. Call Heather Zorn at 455-8066 for more information about this one-to-one summer tutorial program, designed to provide individuals with the opportunity to share one another's languages through informal tutoring sessions.

SUMMER classes at Genesis Center: GED and ESL classes for adult second language learners who are working or temporarily unemployed, evenings, July 6 - September 4. Please stop in at Genesis Center, 620 Potters Avenue for an application or call 781-6110 for more information.

Evaluating Web Resources is a lecture scheduled for Tuesday July 14th from 3-5 in the URI library's Galanti Lounge, with reception. Sign up by calling (401) 874-2947.

request for information: Betty Hayes is writing an article on youth in adult education programs for a NCSALL (National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy) publication. There seems to be a trend towards more young drop-outs (ages 16-17) enrolling in adult ed. programs to earn a high school credential. Betty asks for help in providing some information about this trend which has not been widely documented.

1. Have you experienced an increase in numbers of young drop-outs enrolling in your program/ classes? Do you have any program statistics to document this trend? Do you know of such statistics for your state?

2. What are your program/state policies regarding the enrollment of youth in ABE and taking the GED test? Do you have any formal or informal collaborations with public schools? Some programs, for example, have cooperative arrangements with local public schools who provide some financial support.

3. How have you and your program responded to the needs of young drop-outs? Have you developed special programs for them? Are they enrolled in classes with older adult students? How have they affected classroom dynamics, curriculum, your instructional approaches?

4. If you are currently teaching ABE this summer, would you be willing to do some informal interviews with youth about their reasons for enrolling in ABE, perceptions of schooling, etc?

Betty would would also appreciate any referrals to programs that have come up with distinctive ways of serving youth in ABE; you can respond directly to her at erhayes@facstaff.wisc.edu. or to Betty Hayes, Associate Professor, Dept of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Learner Homework Practices Inquiry Project - David Hayes has recently developed a learner survey and interview protocol as tools for increasing understanding and awareness of learners' homework practices and values. The tools aim to help practitioners improve their ability to assign homework that would be most effective for learners' development. He is looking for other practitioners who are interested in reflecting on or further field testing and developing the tools.

The survey, interview, and a report on an initial field test are all available to anyone who might be interested in carrying forward this exploration. For a copy of the materials, or to discuss the project further, contact David at(401) 331-9261 or at PDRN RI@aol.com. (DavidÕs report is also available online at LR/RIÕs website, on the inquiry project page).

The National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy has recently released a set of informative fact sheets outlining for practitioners and others the projects with which NCSALL researchers are currently engaged. Project histories, plans, and implications for practice are all highlighted in the fact sheets. Projects includ studies of Learner Motivation, Impact of Literacy Programs on Adult learners, Adult Multiple Intelligences, Home Literacy Uses, Adult Development and Literacy Learning, Staff Development, Assessment, GED Impact, Health and Literacy, and Reading Diagnostics, Anyone interested in reading about one or all of the projects or anyone who may be interested in project participation information may receive copies by contacting David Hayes at (401) 331 -9261.

list servs:

LEARNER is intended primarily for adult learners. LITERACY is a general list for adult literacy practitioners and others. Information on these electronic lists is below.

LEARNER To subscribe to LEARNER, send an email message to: listserv@nysernet.org

Skip the message header and in the body of the message, type: subscribe LEARNER Yourfirstname Yourlastname All submissions to LEARNER should be addressed to: LEARNER@nysernet.org Questions regarding the list should be sent to: Beverly Choltco-Devlin Moderator, LEARNER bdevlin@dreamscape.com

LITERACY To subscribe to LITERACY, send an email message to: listserv@nysernet.org

Skip the message header and in the body of the message, type: subscribe LITERACY Yourfirstname Yourlastname All submissions to LITERACY should be addressed to: LITERACY@nysernet.org Questions regarding the LITERACY list should be sent to: Beverly Choltco-Devlin bdevlin@dreamscape.com

planning ahead: International Institute of RI announces fall classes

English Language Center

To learn to speak, understand, read and write English as a Second Language (ESL) September ~ June 9:00-12:00, Mon ~ Fri. 7:00-9:00, Mon ~ Thur. $65/month for morning class, $35/month for evening class For non-native English-speaking adults. Call in August for information about September registration at 461-5940.

Job Training & Placement

For people who want to work, October ~ May 9:00-1:00 for English Some afternoons for vocational training, Free if you meet the eligibility requirements. Nominal book fee. Eligibility: Residents of Providence or Cranston; 22 years or over; low income; work permission, intermediate English. Sign up now; you will receive a letter in late July. Call for more information at 784-4602.

English for Work

To improve your English for work, September ~ June, 9:30-11:15am, Mon ~ Thur, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Mon - Thur $35 per month. For non-native English-speaking adults who need to improve English for work.If interested, call Julie Fischer at 784-4607.

Citizenship/ESL

To prepare for the citizenship examination, September ~ June 9:00-11:00am, Mon, Wed, Fri. 6:00-8:00pm, Tue, Wed, Thur. 9:00-12:00, Saturdays, Free for weekday classes $25 for Saturday class. Eligibility: Four years residence in US; some English fluency. Sign up now. We will call you when space is available. Call for more information at 784-4611.

Family Literacy/ESL

To learn to read for adults and pre-school children, September ~ June § 9:00-11:00am, Free. Eligibility: Less than five years of formal education or native language has non-Roman script or no native language literacy. Sign up now. We will call you when space is available. Call for more infomation at 784-4614.

Computer Training

To learn Windows95, Word, Excel, Saturday sessions year-round, 9:00am-11:50pm, 12:00pm-2:50pm, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 8-week sessions: Tuition: $110 (registration, lab and textbook fees are included) Shorter sessions: Tuition to be announced, some English fluency is needed.

Call: 784-4610 morning class infomation; 784-4612 afternoon class information

REMINDERS:

Stats resource available: The State of Literacy in America: Estimates at the local, state and national levels, is now available, free of charge from the National Institute for Literacy. While the use and abuse of statistics can be daunting, the volume is of interest - it projects literacy abilities and problems on local levels using the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) as a basis for these estimates. For a copy of the publication, call 1-800-228-8813.

Resource available: Teaching and Learning with Internet-based Resources, by Susan Cowles, is available in hard copy or on line at http://www.nifl.gov/susanc/inthome.htm From the on-line introduction: "Literacy students, instructors, program administrators, and other life-long learners are all in the group moving along the information superhighway. Some people have been running for a while; others are just starting down the road. Beginning to use the Internet can sometimes seem as grueling as participating in a marathon. This short course is designed to make the journey as informative and enjoyable as possible." To order a hard copy of the document, please call 1-800-228-8813. Susan Cowles is a Literacy Leader Fellow for 1996-97; this document is her fellowship report to the National Institute for Literacy.

from previous bulletins:

LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION ON-LINE (from Fran Keenan at the Center for Applied Linguistics): http://www.StateServ.hpts.org provides current and exclusive state legislative information on welfare reform & immigrants. The 1996 welfare law rewrote the rules for immigrants, originally cutting $24 billion in cash, medical, and food stamp benefits. Although $12 billion in SSI benefits were restored in 1997, states are still challenged by the cost shifts from federal to state and local safety net programs, and are determining whether and how to serve particularly vulnerable immigrant populations. State legislation is summarized by cash assistance, medical assistance, nutritional assistance, and naturalization. Also available on-line are the Project's popular new series of issue briefs "Welfare Reform & Immigrants." Currently posted are briefs on: State Trends, Nutritional Assistance, and TANF. The website was launched by the Health Policy Tracking Service at NCSL. StateServ also provides information on state policies and legislation in the areas of adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, and youth access to alcohol. The website is supported with grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ford Foundation. For more information on StateServ, call The Health Policy Tracking Service at 202-624-3567 or e-mail them at: info@hpts.org.

For more information on Welfare Reform & Immigrants, contact Ann Morse, Immigrant Policy Project, (ann.morse@ncsl.org) or Jeremy Meadows (jeremy.meadows@ncsl.org). We welcome your comments. (The IMMIGRANT-NEWS-L distribution list is a service of NCSLnet, the Electronic Information Network for State Legislatures. National Conference of State Legislatures. For information on NCSLnet services send a blank e-mail message to: NCSLnet-Info@ncsl.org).

AIDS RESOURCES ONLINE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1s national AIDS clearinghouse is located at http://www.cdcnac.org. It's Up to Us: An AIDS Education Curriculum for ESL Students and Other English Language Learners, by Henry Lesnick, is available on line at http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/homepages/lesnick/AIDS. AVERT, AIDS Education and Research Trust, a British site, is at http://www.avert.org/ World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st, but the need to work on appropriate educational strategies around HIV and AIDS prevention education persists year round.

PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND ACCESS TO THE INTERNET

How is the internet being used in adult education? What are some helpful uses, and how do we sort through the huge amount of material available on line? Susan Gaer is interested in helping programs link to one another, and has been doing so through an email project homepage on-line, at http://www.otan.dni.us/webfarm/emailproject/email.htm. If you have or know of similar learner work on line, please contact Susan at SusanG2@aol.com. As well, David Rosen (who in addition to advocacy work, has done a great deal of work on and research into using the internet) has asked that we have a look at the inquiry maps on the Adult Literacy Resource Institute1s home page. As he explains, "[a]n Inquiry Map is a group participatory research process on a topic of high interest to the group. Participants (in this case, adult learners) make their own questions, and then set about finding answers to them. The Inquiry map is a process which is never finished. Many of the questions go unanswered, are only partially answered, or have only one answer given where other points of view are possible. So, there is room for other participants to join in the process at any time, to add their answers, their comments on the answers already given, and questions which they might also choose to research." Questions, answers and comments can be posted to David Rosen <DJRosen@world.std.com>, and he'll add them to the inquiry map. So, it keeps on being an inquiry process with each new person who reads and adds to it. He welcomes additions of questions and answers; as you may know, many internet sites run threaded conversations on a variety of topics. The ALRI sites are: http://www2.wgbh.org/MBCWEIS/LTC/ALRI/I.M.html and http://www2.wgbh.org/MBCWEIS/LTC/ALRI/IM3.html (How to make inquiry maps). The LR/RI website has added a page about technology and learning as well. The page consists of the beginning of a discussion about the ways in which technology can be used interactively -- is the screen just a big flashy workbook, or is there more to it? Your comments can be sent by email, fax or regular mail, and will be added to the page to continue the conversation.

and also from previous issues:

Workshops available - During the past few years I've worked with a team of women from around Canada, through the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women, on Making Connections: Literacy and EAL Curriculum from a Feminist Perspective. The curriculum was developed for learners in basic education and English language programs. A series of workshops have been developed and are available to anyone in the area with an interest in learning more about incorporating the curriculum and its approaches into their own work. Please contact me (Janet) at LR/RI for more information and/or to schedule a workshop. Information about the curriculum is also available online at http://www.nald.ca/canorg/cclow/EAL.HTM. While the cost of the curriculum document itself is $20, there is no charge for the workshops.

ERIC/ACVE continually collects written materials on all aspects of adult, career, and vocational education to be considered for inclusion in the ERIC database. Research reports, annotated bibliographies, conference papers, instructional materials, position papers, program descriptions and evaluations, curriculum guides, proceedings, lesson plans and teaching guides, and resource guides, are for the database. If you have a document or documents you would like to submit, contact Steve Chambers, acquisitions coordinator at chambers.2@osu.edu or call 1-800-848- 4815, ext 47642 or send your documents to: Acquisitions Coordinator, ERIC/ACVE, 1900 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1090.

Materials are evaluated by subject specialists according to the following criteria: significance, relevance, timeliness, applicability, authority of author, comprehensiveness, clarity of presentation, reflection of emerging trends, capability of meeting users' needs, and generalizability. Every item submitted is given careful consideration. If an item is not selected for ERIC, the author is given an explanation of why it did not meet the selection criteria.