A group of 58 Pennsylvania workers completed the R.O.A.D. course, which involved functional context and interactive software to improve drivers' reading skills to pass the Commercial Driver's License exam. Comparison with pre- and posttest scores of 10 in a control group showed that R.O.A.D. completers had significantly higher scores. (SK)

A research study on the use of technology on Australian literacy programs for adults is reported. Questions were directed to administrators (e.g., objectives, outcomes) teachers (e.g., appropriateness, flexibility, portability), and adult learners (e.g., expectations, needs, feedback). The resulting rating scales were used for specific…

This document provides information about computer software (courseware) used in and recommended by adult literacy programs and organizations. The information was compiled from five source documents, evaluations of or guides to adult literacy computer courseware. Section one is a general courseware information listing organized by subject. The…

A study evaluated use of computer-assisted instructional (CAI) systems to deliver literacy training for Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) participants at the Texas Center for Adult Literacy and Learning. Participants, who were categorized as upper-level students (7th-12th grade equivalents) or lower-level students (0-6th grade equivalents), were…

Mexican immigrants working at a wholesale nursery were involved in developing user instructions for a computer-based instruction system. Sixty-one Latinos with 0 to 16 years of education completed user instructions delivered on the computer, and all but 3 completed training content about the nursery. Based on objective criteria, program use was…

Functional illiterates from adult basic education programs, correctional institutions, and federal or city programs served as subjects in a test of the remedial instruction effectiveness of the Basic Skills Learning System (BSLS) using PLATO. Results indicated that BSLS is an effective system for improving both reading and computational skills.…

Advocates computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for developing emergent literacy skills of adult students. Discusses types of CAI formats that engage adults in holistic, concept-driven instruction. Describes specific software programs useful for adults functioning at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of reading proficiency. (SR)

This evaluation used ethnographic data collection methods to discover why IBM's PALS (Principle of the Alphabet Literacy System met with different degrees of success at the two Massachusetts pilot sites after 2 years of operation: the North Central Correctional Institute (NCCI) in Gardner, and the Brightwood Branch Library in Springfield. Three…

The University of Akron's Reading Assessment Component (RAC) research study assessed the effectiveness of a computer-based literacy program, Principles of the Alphabet Literacy System (PALS), as an alternative to classroom instruction for functionally illiterate adults living in Summit County, Ohio. The RAC study assessed four objectives: (1)…

The effectiveness of using computer courseware developed for adults reading below the fourth-grade level was investigated with inmates at Rockview State Correctional Institution. Data were collected both to establish multiple baseline data and to permit experimental group comparison with a control group. The multiple baselines portion of the study…

An evaluation was undertaken of the second year's work of a pilot adult literacy program called Project REACH (Reading, Education, Achievement), which was begun in 1987 in New York by the Governor's Office for Employee Relations (GOER) and the Civil Service Employees' Association (CSEA). The following findings were reported, among others: (1)…

This document describes a pilot adult literacy program called Project REACH (Reading, Education, Achievement), which was begun in 1987 in New York by the Governor's Office for Employee Relations (GOER) and the Civil Service Employees' Association (CSEA). Following an executive summary, an introduction sets the stage by explaining the need for the…

A study measured the effectiveness of traditional classroom instruction versus computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in raising the competency levels of adults enrolled in adult basic education (ABE) classes one grade level for each 80 hours of instruction. Classes were conducted in Indianapolis and Richmond, Indiana, from November 1988 to April…

The Technology for Literacy Center (TLC) was designed to find a new and better way to teach literacy skills to adults by using computers and other forms of technology. It served 1,300 illiterate adults in the St. Paul, Minnesota, area of Ramsey, Washington, and Dakota counties. The project had four major components: direct services, training,…

This report describes the JobLink workplace literacy program conducted for employees of nine companies in Costa Mesa, California. The introduction provides background and describes the problem: one-third of the 2,870 workers had inadequate language and literacy skills. The next six chapters describe the problem, solutions, tasks, challenges, and…