Creating Learning Partners: A facilitator’s guide for training effective adult literacy tutors

Section 1 Characteristics of Adult Learners

It is important for tutors to see themselves as learners in order to understand those they work with. The activities in this section will help tutors

describe some of the characteristics they bring to a learning situation
compare their learning characteristics with those of the learners who come to literacy programs

Activity A

Different backgrounds and experiences

Option 1 Reflection and group discussion
Why choose this option? Choose this activity if you are comfortable facilitating a discussion. This activity works well for training more than one tutor. The activity uses a personal approach. STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS Share two or three things with your tutors that describe who you are. For example, you are a literacy worker and are involved in an interest, hobby or sport. Ask tutors to share two or three things about their background and experiences. Summarize with the group the varied backgrounds and experiences they have. Share with tutors that over the next while, they will be learning how to tutor and therefore they will be learners.

Option 1 Reflection and group discussion

Why choose this option?

Choose this activity if you are comfortable facilitating a discussion. This activity works well for training more than one tutor. The activity uses a personal approach.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Share two or three things with your tutors that describe who you are. For example, you are a literacy worker and are involved in an interest, hobby or sport.
Ask tutors to share two or three things about their background and experiences.
Summarize with the group the varied backgrounds and experiences they have.
Share with tutors that over the next while, they will be learning how to tutor and therefore they will be learners.

Option 2 Reflection and sticky notes posted around a picture
Why choose this option? This activity will work well with an individual tutor as well as a large group. The activity uses a less personal approach. Materials and equipment Sticky notes Markers Picture of an adult, on a handout or as a large poster Preparation Draw or find a picture of an adult. For a large picture, you could have someone lie down on a large piece of paper and draw around his body.

Option 2 Reflection and sticky notes posted around a picture

Why choose this option?

This activity will work well with an individual tutor as well as a large group.
The activity uses a less personal approach.

Materials and equipment

Sticky notes
Markers
Picture of an adult, on a handout or as a large poster

Preparation

Draw or find a picture of an adult. For a large picture, you could have someone lie down on a large piece of paper and draw around his body.

Variation

To draw on the “whole person,” you could ask tutors to create a name card (paper or card stock folded horizontally) with symbols or pictures of one or two of their passions.