A partnership, by definition, is when two or more groups get together for a common interest. In this case, the Good Learning Anywhere (GLA) program at Sioux Hudson Literacy Council has partnered with Ningwakwe Learning Press (NLP). NLP has created supplemental curriculum to accompany the original content from podcasts of CBC Radio’s program, ReVision Quest and SHLC is turning all this great Aboriginal content into an online Moodle course.
It has been a wonderful experience working on this project. It’s been challenging in many positive ways. For example, in Ontario, literacy organizations are in the process of adapting to a task based learning environment called the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF). When Good Learning Anywhere received a copy of the curriculum created around the OALCF, we had to convert the tasks into an online format. This was challenging because the course design has to take in consideration how much experience learners have taking online literacy courses. GLA has the experience and knowledge in these areas and was delighted to be asked to participate in this partnership.
Another challenge in delivering online literacy courses for adults is that it’s so important to consider the different ways adults learn. So in that regard, we specifically included tasks in the course from the curriculum that would be meaningful to the online learner. We included a variety of tasks such as: discussion forums, writing assignments, Internet research, LIVE Sharing Circles, some video and of course, the ReVision Quest podcasts themselves.
Personally, I like how this project has taken something that was already created and made a learning opportunity out of it. I think too often that we are always looking for the next best teaching tool when we don’t have to. In my opinion, partnerships that take on this type of approach can deliver a high return on investment. I see this as a future model of partnerships in literacy.
The lesson plans, podcasts and student activities will be available on NLP’s site for everyone to use with their First Nation, Inuit, and Metis learners later this fall. These resources will also be a wonderful cross cultural awareness tools for all adult Canadian literacy providers and students.
