Access to Technology
Literacy practitioners know that limited access to technology can create insurmountable barriers for lifelong learners in Ontario.
Learn more about the issue of access to technology
The Digital Inclusion Playbook is filled with ideas, information and resources you can use to support local digital inclusion efforts. We hope the site builds awareness at a provincial and national level on behalf of all literacy and basic skills (LBS) programs and the many learners who find themselves excluded from full and equitable participation in a digital society.
Resources, articles and mini-infographics you can use
Digital inclusion and literacy development work together, and LBS plays a key role in digital inclusion as a provider of digital learning opportunities for adults. LBS educators, volunteers and program co-ordinators are on the front lines of digital inclusion work and often address issues — such as access to devices for learning and low-cost internet plans — that go beyond everyday teaching and learning work. The playbook’s facts, resources, articles and mini-infographics can be used to:
- Help adult learners access affordable internet and devices.
- Discuss key issues with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Make a presentation to your board or institutional partners.
- Build a case for support with funding partners and community partners.
- Get involved and take action.
Information, ideas and strategies to help build awareness
Digital inclusion is bigger than LBS and involves affordable and adequate broadband internet service, internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user, quality and affordable technical support along with applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration. The playbook contains information, ideas and strategies that explore the following topics:
- Digital inclusion and the digital divide.
- Impacts of digital exclusion.
- Digital literacy in learners’ lives and leveraging their use of smartphones.
- Sources of free and open digital literacy resources.
We invite you to explore the site and share your feedback with us. We’d also love to hear about your digital inclusion initiatives and stories.
You can also contact Christine (Christine@alphaplus.ca) or Alan (Acherwinski@alphaplus.ca) directly.
When students receive their own computer — and it’s really theirs — it sends a strong message. You don’t just own the computer; you own your education and your own future.
Alison Canning, executive director of Let’s Get Together
Are you wondering whether your next technology purchases should be laptops or tablets?
What operating system (Apple, Android, Windows) would work best in your program?
Should you buy a new device or would refurbished devices meet all of your needs in both the short and long term?
Purchasing devices is an expensive endeavour, and there’s a myriad of options to choose from. AlphaPlus can help you plan and choose devices that best suit your needs and fit into your budget.
We can:
- Provide you with information about the attributes of each device.
- Guide you through the decision-making process to ensure you find the solution that best meets your circumstances and needs.
- Support you as you learn how to create pages and use the management features that work best for the learners, staff and volunteers in your program.
A website is a great way to communicate with volunteers, learners and others in your community about what you’re doing and how to access your program, process some of the administration forms, and curate resource collections for staff, learners and volunteers.
Here are some sites that AlphaPlus coaches have supported:
- TLG Learner Resources, The Literacy Group of Waterloo Region
- Learning Opportunities Program, YMCA (Toronto)
- Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy
- The Orillia and District Literacy Council
- The Learning Co-Op, St. Joseph Adult Education Campus, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board
AlphaPlus can help you choose a website builder and guide you through the website planning and creation process.
We can:
- Provide you with information about the attributes of each website builder.
- Guide you through the decision-making process to ensure you find the solution that best meets your circumstances and needs.
- Support you as you learn how to create pages and use the management features that work best for the learners, staff and volunteers in your program.
Programs are using social media to communicate with volunteers, learners and others in their communities about what they’re doing and how to access their programs and to make connections with adult educators in other fields and jurisdictions.
Which platform or platforms are best for your program?
Facebook? Instagram? LinkedIn? Twitter? TikTok?
AlphaPlus can help you choose and learn about social media for your program.
We can:
- Provide you with information about the attributes of each platform.
- Guide you through the decision-making process to ensure you find the solution that best meets your circumstances and needs.
- Support you as you learn how to use the features that work best for the learners, staff and volunteers in your program.
Programs are using video conferencing tools for meetings, intake and assessment, tutor training, professional learning, instruction and collaborating with learners and much more.
Which tool is best for your program? Zoom? Google Meet? Microsoft Teams? Webex? Lifesize? UberConference? Skype? Facebook Live?
AlphaPlus can help you choose a video conferencing tool or tools that will work best for your program and your instructors.
We can:
- Provide you with information about the attributes of each tool.
- Guide you through the decision-making process to ensure you find the solution that best meets your circumstances and needs.
- Support you as you learn how to use the features that work best for the learners, staff and volunteers in your program.
Here are some examples of how AlphaPlus coaches work with programs on finding solutions:
- Simcoe County District School Board Adult Learning
- The Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf Adult Education LBS Program
- Finding an innovative way to deliver course content online, with a coach by your side
Do you have access to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 and are you wondering how to take advantage of all the features?
AlphaPlus can help you choose and learn about a productivity suite that will work best for your program.
We can:
- Provide you with information about the attributes of each suite.
- Guide you through the decision-making process to ensure you find the solution that best meets your circumstances and needs.
- Support you as you learn how to use the features that work best for the learners, staff and volunteers in your program.
Here are some examples of how AlphaPlus coaches work with programs on finding solutions:
- Simcoe County District School Board Adult Learning
- The Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf Adult Education LBS Program
- Finding an innovative way to deliver course content online, with a coach by your side
What is a learning management system (LMS)?
An LMS is a platform that provides tools and resources for educators to create interactive multimedia activities and lessons in an online environment that can be facilitated, self-directed and/or collaborative. Most LMSs allow participants and facilitators to create schedules, track progress, communicate with each other and in groups, and provide and respond to feedback.
If you learn one LMS, your skills and knowledge as a learner, creator or facilitator can be easily transferred to another LMS.
Choosing an LMS
AlphaPlus can help you choose an LMS for use in your program.
We can:
- Provide you with information about the attributes of each LMS.
- Guide you through the decision-making process to ensure you find the solution that best meets your circumstances and needs.
- Support you as you learn how to create courses, lessons and activities and use the management features that work best for the learners, facilitators and administrators in your program.
Here are examples of charts we made to help programs choose between LMSs:
Supporting the use of LMSs in Ontario literacy programs
AlphaPlus supports Ontario literacy practitioners in the use of LMSs to create blended or remote learning opportunities for literacy learners, staff and volunteers.
AlphaPlus supports practitioners who are using Moodle. Get in touch if you want coaching or need some guidance when you get stuck.
AlphaPlus coaches also support Ontario literacy practitioners who have access to Brightspace (by Desire to Learn, now D2L), Blackboard and/or Google Classroom.
AlphaPlus has developed expertise in a robust, free, ad-free LMS called Canvas (by Instructure), which is being used by an increasing number of programs.
AlphaPlus has advanced the use of Moodle since 2007 because it’s a free, open-source, community-based learning management system (LMS) that’s designed using sound, democratic pedagogical principles.
We support practitioners who are using Moodle. Get in touch if you want coaching or need some guidance when you get stuck.
Our Educator Network (eNet) and Planning Your Digital Toolbox courses use Moodle.
AlphaPlus hosts the Moodle websites listed below:
Online classrooms and courses for adult learners
Online classrooms and courses for educators
The barrier to using Moodle for many programs is the cost of hosting and support.
AlphaPlus can help you choose an alternative for use in your classroom or program.
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