Summer 2004

Power of the Internet to

be used for literacy
learning and tuition
On April 21st in Dublin NALA officially launched
our literacy website, www.literacytools.ie This
website is a resource for learners and literacy tutors
which has been developed over the past two years. It
contains printable exercises, interactive exercises and
games. Eight tutors were commissioned to design
exercises that deal with topical issues. We will
update the site with more exercises in the near future.

A total of 96 learners and tutors gave feedback on

the site. And Janet Kehelly evaluated the site from
September 2002–April 2003. There has been a very
positive reaction to the site. Tutors and learners
from a variety of settings have found it useful and
are using it into their work. The games section has
proved very popular, and we hope to add more
games to the site over the next few months. In the
coming weeks Janet’s report will be sent to every
scheme.
We expect the website will be a good resource for
tutors working in different subject areas. There has
always been a strong interest in using the web to
provide learning opportunities for adult learners.
We know from our information and communications
technology (ICT) questionnaire that the majority of
literacy schemes have access to the internet. The
schemes welcomed the idea of having an Irish
website designed for Irish adult literacy learners.
From left to right: David Rosen (Literacy
Consultant), Jennie Lynch (NALA) and Danny
O’Hare (Information Society Commission
Chairperson) at the Literacytools launch.
What’s Inside
■ Quality Framework 2004 ..........................................2
■ Numeracy Strategy Launched ..................................2
■ Research, News and Views ........................................3
■ Assessment Framework.............................................4
■ Plain English...............................................................5
■ Regional Tutors’ Forum.............................................5
■ Dyslexia Conference...................................................6
■ Launch of Health Pack ..............................................7
■ International ESOL Conference ..............................7
■ Literacy and Finance .................................................8
■ Family Literacy ..........................................................8
■ Learners’ Forum ........................................................9
■ National Tutors’ Forum .............................................9
■ Training Update .......................................................10

We will also spend the next few months producing a ■ Monthly Training Calendar ....................................10

literacytools CD, which will be distributed to ■ NALA/WIT developments.......................................11

schemes. ■ New Literacy Resources ..........................................12

NALA News & Tutors Bulletin Summer 2004