Here’s what you need to know about our new open educational resources library

• You can access the materials with one-click. 
• All materials are free and reproducible for your learners and most are modifiable. 
• Each resource has a description along with information about allowable uses. 
• The first four of ten topics are now available. We’ll release more topics in the upcoming months.

Half the planned topics in the library are focused on developing overall literacy and numeracy capabilities, many of which introduce innovative instructional approaches. Other topics will address learner interests and goals such as supporting children with their learning or preparing to write the food handler’s test to gain a certificate.

You’ll be able to supplement published workbooks with PDF workbooks, interactive digital activities, online courses and lessons presented in Slides. Modifiable resources allow you to change the content to reflect an Ontario context and better reflect student experience and interests.

We’ve also made it easy for you to build your collection by setting up folders in Google Drive that contain many of the resources. You’re sure to find at least one new gem that you can add to your personal collection. 

Blended learning models

“I’ve always found this compilation of models quite mind-boggling. I find it very difficult to keep all the permutations of a blended learning approach straight. In a conversation with some very wise literacy practitioners from Ontario, I suddenly realized why. I think that instead of reading these models of prescriptions of how to design the delivery of blended learning, we should read them as descriptions of all the ways that educators have developed and adapted a blended learning approach to specific contexts and to meet the needs and circumstances of specific learners.

There is a lot of professional knowledge and wisdom here and, perhaps more importantly, demonstrations of how that wisdom and knowledge is applied in the real world. These models are the curriculum planning frameworks in action.“

Tracey Mollins.

Contact me at tracey@alphaplus.ca to talk about blended learning delivery models.

Here are the models described on the website:

• Four Project-Based Learning Models
  • Project-Based Blended Learning
  • Inside-Out Blended Learning
  • Outside-In Blended Learning
  • Self-Directed Blended Learning

• Five Rotation Models
  • Station Rotation Blended Learning
  • Lab Rotation Blended Learning
  • The ‘Flipped Classroom’ Blended Learning
  • Individual Rotation Blended Learning
  • The Playlist Model

• Two Hybrid Models
  • Supplemental Blended Learning
  • Mastery-Based Blended Learning

• Three Remote Learning Models
  • A La Carte model
  • Remote Blended Learning (also referred to as Enriched Virtual)
  • Flex Blended Learning

Blended Learning Research

Blended Learning Resources

Blended learning curriculum frameworks

These frameworks were developed to help educators design and develop technology-rich learning environments. The frameworks help us determine the level of technology integration in the learning environment and evaluate if the technology is enhancing, extending and/or transforming learning.

Tracey Mollins

Contact me at tracey@alphaplus.ca to talk about blended learning delivery models.

These are the Frameworks described on the website

• Designing for Learning Outcomes
  • A blended learning framework – ISTE Standards for Students
  • A computer basics framework – Northstar Digital Literacy Framework
  • A computer basics / blended learning framework – Maryland Department of Labor Digital Literacy Framework for Adult Learners
  • A roadmap to reach the City of Seattle’s vision to become a more digitally equitable city, where technology’s opportunities equitably empower all residents and communities – Seattle Digital Equity Initiative Digital Skills Framework

• Designing for Learning Experiences
  • The Technology Integration Matrix
  • The Triple E Framework

• Thinking about Teaching Innovation
  • The SAMR Model – SAMR = Substitution – Augmentation – Modification – Redefinition and describes a way to think about the result of integrating digital technology for learning into a curriculum.
  • The LoTi Framework – Levels of Teaching Innovation – This is a Teaching Innovation Framework that is similar to SAMR but includes a resource for reflecting on how different learning activities fit into the framework.

• Designing for Modes of Learning
  • Bloom’s Taxonomy – Some people have done some work to align the Bloom’s Taxonomy learning domains to SAMR.
  • HEAT – H.E.A.T Framework = Higher-order thinking – Engaged learning – Authentic connections – and Technology use is a student learning framework that describes what learners are doing at different levels of digital technology integration with reference to Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Blended Learning Research

Blended Learning Resources

AlphaPlus has collected a set of interesting frameworks, approaches and theoretical foundations that are relevant to adult literacy practice and can inform planning, designing and decision-making.  

We’ve included a blended learning toolbox, an annotated bibliography of tools, apps and websites curated using the framework principles.

If you’re interested in exploring blended learning options for your program, please get in touch. 

• AlphaPlus coaches will work with you to create an individualized plan and develop blended learning solutions for the learners in your program. 
• As an Educator Network (eNet) participant, you’ll join a cohort of Ontario literacy practitioners in a reflective practice process and have access to both AlphaPlus knowledge and peer experience.
• If you get stuck while trying something new, the AlphaPlus Quick Tech Help option can help. 

What is a HyperDoc?

A HyperDoc is a teaching and learning tool that helps you organize content and instructional activities using text, audio, video, images and, of course, hyperlinks.  Think of it as an interactive lesson or unit plan. 

HyperDocs can be short, specific lessons, like introduction to fractions and their uses. They can also be more general and then applied to different topics and subjects, like the inquiry template. They can even be a comprehensive collection of learning activities, resources and ideas that you can use to develop smaller lessons or modules, like digital storytelling ideas. 

Creating a single HyperDoc does take time and effort. But what if it’s not all up to you to do the work? What if we could build a collection — sort of a crowdsourced effort? This is something we’re currently exploring.

AlphaPlus developed four HyperDocs to model their use and help you transition from paper to digital planning and activity development. 

Visit the Hyperdocs site to learn more:

1. Review copyright with paper and online resources.
2. Think about what you’re digitizing and why.
3. Organize your digitized content using Google Drive.
4. Explore ways to make your activities interactive .

AlphaPlus curated a collection of shareable, free and high-quality learning materials that adult literacy educators can use to enhance their personal and program collections. 

Learning materials

The collection is divided into five sections for learners working at Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF) Levels 1 and 2:

1. Reading texts
2. Practice tasks and writing
3. Numeracy and mathematics 
4. Professional learning and how-to guides
5. Creating, modifying and analyzing your own materials

Shareable

We looked for materials that could be copied, printed or posted in online and offline environments. This means you can add materials to a website or learning management platform, attach them to an email or share them with learners in Google Drive. They can also be printed. In addition, some materials are templates or permit adaptations, allowing you to build and modify materials for your own use. Copyright information and Creative Commons licensing details are included for all materials.

This site is for people in the ACE* or Adult Upgrading programs at Ontario Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) programs who want to upgrade their computer skills in preparation for post-secondary education. We made this site especially for people in programs that do not include digital skills upgrading on site.

It is a companion to the Post-secondary digital skills readiness assessment developed by the College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading and AlphaPlus.

Learners can use this site on their own or educators can use the site as a resource to develop a digital skills curriculum.

AlphaPlus curated a collection of shareable, free and high-quality learning materials that adult literacy educators can use to enhance their personal and program collections. 

Learning materials

The collection is divided into five sections for learners working at Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF) Levels 1 and 2:

1. Reading texts
2. Practice tasks and writing
3. Numeracy and mathematics 
4. Professional learning and how-to guides
5. Creating, modifying and analyzing your own materials

Shareable

We looked for materials that could be copied, printed or posted in online and offline environments. This means you can add materials to a website or learning management platform, attach them to an email or share them with learners in Google Drive. They can also be printed. In addition, some materials are templates or permit adaptations, allowing you to build and modify materials for your own use. Copyright information and Creative Commons licensing details are included for all materials.

Download a PDF version below or click here to open the collection in your Google Drive.

Blended learning is an approach where educators leverage technology and digital access for learners to create, communicate, collaborate and apply critical thinking skills to construct knowledge in a connected world.

Blended learning is a foundation of AlphaPlus services for instructors and program planners.

Through eNet, technology coaching, training and tech support services, AlphaPlus helps literacy educators employ blended learning methodologies.

What does AlphaPlus mean by blended learning?

Our position is that blended learning in adult education is not only about the use of tools and resources. Instead, it’s a way to think about program and curriculum development, including learning design and delivery.

Why do we take this position?

Using digital technology isn’t just learning how to operate digital devices and navigate the internet. These are important skills that enable participation in a digitally connected world, but a curriculum that focuses only on these operational tasks doesn’t meet learners where they’re at and doesn’t meet the changing needs of people learning, working and engaging in 21st-century life.

Join the discussion

We believe that the discussion about blended learning in adult education needs to extend to the realities of adult basic-education programs that operate in an individualized educational context as well as those that are course-based and use a fixed curriculum.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas

Read the full paper to learn more about the principles and benefits of blended learning in adult literacy programs as well as our recommendations for program development and why AlphaPlus supports people-first strategies.

Read an online version and more about AlphaPlus and blended learning here: The Blended Learning Collection.

The full paper is available in American Sign Language.

This package of instructional resources was developed in 2012 and includes sample tasks and learning activities to support practitioners using digital technology in Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) programs within the context of the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF).

As this is an older document, you may find the links to resources have become outdated.

The sample tasks and learning activities are organized by theme:

Package 1 (PDF) includes:

• Introduction (PDF)
• Work using digital technology (PDF)
• Manage money using digital technology (PDF)
• Sample online instructional resources (PDF)

Package 2 (PDF)  includes:

• Introduction (PDF)
• Manage Health Using Digital Technology (PDF)
• Manage Learning Using Digital Technology (PDF)
• Share and Collaborate Using Digital Technologies (PDF)

These instructional resources were developed in collaboration with Anne-Marie Kaskens and Tracey Mollins. Instructors and learners at The Literacy Group of Waterloo Region reviewed many of the tasks and provided valuable feedback. We thank them all for their invaluable support.