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Improving Adult Literacy Instruction Supporting Learning and Motivation (2012) / Chapter Skim
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Technologies to Support Adult Literacy
Pages 27-35

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From page 27...
... And because the use of digital technologies is required for literacy in a digital age, it is important to incorporate technologies into literacy instruction. Although it is likely that using technologies will add to the initial cost of literacy programs, the degree of differentiated and sustained support they can provide to adult literacy learners is great enough that investments in technology may be the most costeffective solution.
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From page 28...
... How ever, for most adults and adolescents with limited literacy, the ability to get ideas on paper, read those of others, edit initial writing, and exchange ideas is dramatically enhanced by word processing tools and should therefore be encouraged. Word process ing tools also can help adult learners engage in the many hours of practice they need to develop their literacy.
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From page 29...
... It is entirely possible to develop texts that read themselves to a student and also systems that listen to students reading texts aloud and give corrective assistance if they make errors in their reading. A number of intelligent tutoring systems allow spoken student input as an alternative to typed input.
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From page 30...
... Intelligent tutoring systems. Since 1985, a number of intelligent tutoring systems have been developed that can track the performance of individual students on various tasks, provide tailored feedback, and intelligently guide students in ways that promote learning.
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From page 31...
... Immersion environments. An example of the sophisticated level of intelligent training environments is the system called Tactical Iraqi, which has intelligent tutoring system components embedded in virtual reality with multiple fully embodied animated agents.
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From page 32...
... It is worthwhile to consider promising technologies that could be adopted across the adult literacy education system so that a single program would not bear the cost. Initial versions of instructional software can be very expensive because of the steep learning curve involved in the development of new software programs, but the cost becomes much lower with subsequent versions.
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From page 33...
... Such a strategy would place good bets and sustain investment long enough for the technologies and their implementation to be refined sufficiently to affect learning, while maintaining the agility needed to adjust approaches given the rapid evolution of technology. Directions for Future Research • Studies are needed to establish how the efficacy of instructional approaches can be enhanced by technology and to clarify which subpopulations of learners benefit from various technologies.
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From page 34...
... STINE-MORROW, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Illinois; MELISSA WELCH-ROSS, Study Director ABOUT THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL AND DBASSE The National Research Council is the principal operating agency of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies.
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From page 35...
... Also of Interest… This booklet is drawn from the National Research Council's report Improving Supporting Adult Literacy Instruction: Options for Practice and Research. The report rec ommends a program of research and innovation to gain a better understand ing of adult literacy learners, improve instruction, and create the supports adults need for learning and achievement.
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Key Terms

  • adult learners
  • literacy learners
  • literacy instruction
  • intelligent tutoring
  • word processing

  • social media
  • serious games
  • improving adult
  • promising technologies
  • commenting tools

  • support adult
  • literacy development
  • help learners
  • instructional approaches
  • virtual meeting

  • tactical iraqi
  • processing tools
  • technologies effectively
  • meeting tools
  • overcome barriers

  • report improving
  • adolescent literacy
  • effective literacy
  • engage adult
  • literacy program

  • benefit adult
  • literacy courses
  • administer adult
  • literacy programs
  • affect literacy


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