Motivational research identifies utility value, or the importance of a learning task to future goals, as central to motivation to learn. This study analyzed survey data (N=86) collected from adult literacy learners to examine their utility value of writing improvement in grammar and spelling skills, word processing skills, and planning, drafting,…

Motivational research identifies utility value, or the importance of a learning task to future goals, as central to motivation to learn. This study analyzed survey data (N = 86) collected from adult literacy learners to examine their utility value of writing improvement in grammar and spelling skills, word processing skills, and planning,…

There are many readability tools that instructors can use to help adult learners select reading materials. We describe and compare different types of readability tools: formulas calculated by hand, tools found on the Web, tools embedded in a word processing program, and readability tools found in a commercial software program. Practitioners do not…

Suggests effective means of integrating computers into adult literacy education using commercial word-processing and data base programs including teacher-student interaction. Points out that activities used in most "reading software" are not consistent with the cognitive view of comprehension. (Auth/ARH)

Writing groups can use word processors or microcomputers in many different types of writing activities. Four hour-long sessions at a word processor with the help of a skilled word processing tutor have been found to be sufficient to provide a working knowledge of word processing. When two or three students enrolled in a writing class are assigned…

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 handbook, in both English and Spanish versions, is intended for use with adult basic education (ABE) students. It contains five sections of basic computer literacy activities and information about the ABE computer literacy course offered at Dona Ana Community College (DACC) in New Mexico. The handbook begins with forewords by the handbook's…

The problems and extent of adult illiteracy are presented in this workshop report, which explores how computer and communication technology might be applied in adult literacy education. The introduction provides statistics and a discussion of past and current attempts to teach illiterate adults. The major portion of the report focuses on what…

Current efforts to improve literacy teaching and learning are directed at replacing task-oriented approaches to teaching isolated skills with an integrated language arts curriculum, focusing on the cognitive and social processes the learner engages in to write. This new approach requires fundamental changes in the classroom, and computer-based…

This practical manual is designed for teachers involved in adult basic education (in particular, teachers of bilingual and adult literacy students) who would like to introduce their students to word processing through the language curriculum. A range of activities linking language and word processing skills is suggested. The tasks can be…

This volume, one of a series of eight curriculum guides compiled by the Colorado Workplace Learning Initiative: 1991-92, includes five courses on functional skills for a workplace literacy curriculum. Introductory materials include a table of contents, a list of the curriculum topics covered in each guide, and a section called "Hello…

A program of basic language/writing skills was designed to enhance the literacy levels of 24 multicultural seniors, aged 65 or older, who were recruited from senior centers throughout Erie County, Pennsylvania. Computer literacy and basic word processing skills were taught along with basic language/writing skills in a nonthreatening learning…

This handbook, developed for an adult learning center in Pennsylvania, uses word processing instruction on Apple IIe computers to promote student writing. The handbook was designed for use by adult basic education, General Educational Development, and English-as-a-Second-Language students who read at a fourth-grade level or higher. In the 15…

A study evaluated the effectiveness of the Templates for Literacy manual, which is designed to help the adult beginning reader integrate computer and literacy learning. The manual contains guidelines and strategies for incorporating word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphics software into literacy curricula. The draft manual was…

This guide offers suggestions for developing learning materials for self-instruction by adults. It is based on methods used in the Bristol (England) Open Learning Centre. The guide covers the following topics: (1) using open (self-instructional) materials with basic education students; (2) supplying support for instructional materials; (3)…