This article is a report on research conducted to support the development of a multilingual literacy learning software programme for adult learners in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa. The topic of inquiry for the research was literacy learning in a multilingual environment, with special attention paid to attitudinal and metacognitive aspects.…

The adult basic education program at South Tyneside College in England involves the use of computer technology and partnership with vocational staff to ensure that the program is relevant. Student commitment and motivation have improved. (JOW)

A review of 12 studies comparing computer-assisted (CAI) and traditional instruction in adult basic and secondary education (ABSE) found that, in 10 of 12, CAI results were at least as good as traditional and CAI also aided retention, self-confidence, privacy, feedback, and faster learning. CAI's place in ABSE is confirmed, but it is not a miracle…

In February 1977, computer assisted instruction (CAI) was introducted to the Great Neck Adult Learning Centers (GNALC) to promote greater cognitive and affective growth of educationally disadvantaged adults. The project expanded to include not only adult basic education (ABE) students studying in the learning laboratory, but also ABE students…

A study examined the use of the Penn State Adult Literacy Courseware, which teaches sight vocabulary to beginning adult readers, in a volunteer tutoring situation with three male and two female unemployed adults whose average grade level in reading was 1.1. All students were white, their average age was 37, and the highest grade any of them had…

A study compared the effectiveness of computer-assisted reading instruction to that of a direct teaching model. Nineteen adult male inmates from Windham School System's Ellis II Unit (located in Texas) special education classrooms served as subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups each of which spent one hour a day on reading. One group…

This report provides research on the ramifications of implementing computer-assisted instruction (CAI) within the established framework for conducting adult basic education. The first part is narrative beginning with an historical overview of CAI. Topics include the availability of computer hardware in public schools, teacher preparation for CAI,…

A 6-month study examined the attitudes of older, low-literate adults toward using computers to learn to read and tried to determine the effectiveness of Penn State Adult Literacy Courseware for beginning readers with older, low-literate adults at a community-based senior center. The students were 10 black adults, aged 66 to 86 and educated at the…

In 1979 the adult basic education department at the Alberta Vocational Centre (AVC), Edmonton, began to use the Control Data PLATO system. Results of the first PLATO project showed students using PLATO learned at least as much as students in regular classes. Students learned faster and reported great satisfaction with PLATO experiences. Staff and…

A program referred to as Language Skills Computer Assisted Instruction (LaSCAI) was chosen to assist volunteer tutors in improving the reading skills of adults. The program was demonstrated at two libraries--one rural and one urban--and an evaluation was completed to determine its applicability in enhancing the on-going tutoring programs at these…

A project was conducted to improve and expand academic upgrading, job readiness, and special skill training for adults in the Keewatin Region through the implementation of computer-assisted learning (CAL). It was intended as a response to the special needs of unemployed Inuit who were not reached in the past by traditional training programs and…

A three-year study evaluated the cognitive and affective effect of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on adult basic education (ABE) students at the Great Neck Adult Learning Centers. The system was used by learning laboratory students in 1977 and by both learning laboratory and classroom students from 1977-1979. The 100 students enrolled from…

A study evaluated the IBM Principles of Adult Literacy (PALS) program in 1988-89. Three adult education centers in Georgia (two with PALS and one without) were studied to determine whether, for adult nonreaders, the PALS program produced gains in reading equal to or greater than those produced by a traditional noncomputerized program. In addition…

A meta-analysis of findings from 24 controlled evaluations showed computer-assisted instruction (CAI) usually has positive effects on adult learners, i.e., it raised examination scores and reduced instruction time. Reliable conclusions could not be reached on CAI's long-term cognitive effects because of small number of studies investigating such…

In 1991, the Cumberland Campus of Nova Scotia Community College established a literacy research and development project to survey local industries and the community regarding training needs and to develop workplace and community-based programs to meet those needs. One effort involved the implementation of a computer-assisted learning program to…