Reading the Digital World:

         Adult Literacy in Canada

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Multiliteracies

Literacy Facts

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Community Organizations

Virtual Literacy Community

Workplace Literacy

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References

Introduction

Much has been written in the last 10 to 15 years about the challenges that technology brings to literacy. Generally, the advent of new literacy tools has raised important questions about how people select and access information from among the various forms and contents available; that is, how they make sense of a mediated world.

Within academic and educational writing the issues of information literacy and the pedagogical goals of preparing students for independent and critical lifelong learning have framed and dominated much of the discussion. Indeed, current scholarship focuses a great deal on re-defining literacy, proposing various multiliteracies as a way to understand the act of reading the digital world.

But in practical terms, adult literacy in the current knowledge-based economy is strongly correlated with such outcomes as higher earnings, better job prospects, and even better health. Those without the means of accessing new tools of literacy will fall further behind, and in those cases, it becomes increasingly important that our public institutions and community organizations provide the resources and support for achieving higher literacy. 

The purpose of this site is to explore some of the issues around technology and adult literacy in Canada. What does it mean to be literate in today’s information society? What is Canadian government policy on adult literacy? What roles and responsibilities do public libraries and community organizations have to play in delivering services and programs to disenfranchised adults? And finally, how does technology lend itself to improving delivery of literacy programs, and in building strong networks within the literacy community?