Access to Learning Through Technology: Community Learning Networks
The purpose of this workshop was to present information on the Community Learning Networks (CLN) Initiative sponsored by the Office of Learning Technologies (OLT) and Human Resources Development Canada. The CLN Initiative provides funding to community organizations for pilot projects that enhance community development and the lives of constituents by supporting and encouraging lifelong learning. These pilot projects may be new models or may build on existing models that other communities can learn from or adapt. A community can be defined geographically or by interest.

OLT is particularly interested in new ways of providing access to learning opportunities through new technologies and in developing creative uses of learning technology in communities. Funding of up to $100,000 per year for three years is available, on a 50% cost-shared basis (volunteer and in-kind contributions can be included). In some cases, development funding of up to $25,000 (not cost-shared) for six months may be available to develop a comprehensive proposal and business plan.

More information can be found at: http://olt-bta.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca, Office of Learning Technologies, 15 Eddy Street, Hull PQ, K1A 0MS, 819.953.0300, olthrdc@ibm.net.

Women's Literacy Education
An important trend that was noted in the literacy on-line discussions is the push to link literacy to employment, rather than as a step towards independence and empowerment. Also identified was the importance of learner-centred, goal-oriented curriculum, not a standardized approach for every program and every learner. Resources available in order to maintain a learner-centred curriculum are much better than twenty years ago, and it was suggested that examples of good programming be presented at the congress. Workshops under this theme, then, were: Women, Literacy and Health; Basic Education for Women at Work; and Worker- centred Learning Programs for Women and Their Families.

Women, Literacy and Health
The Center for the Study of Adult Literacy at Georgia State University has carried out research and initiated projects that link levels of health with levels of literacy. Daphne Greenberg, Associate Director of the Centre, spoke about the assumptions of medical professionals, what is lost in communication, and how the health of those with low literacy is jeopardized as a result. Sometimes a slight difference in how a question is asked or what information is requested affects a diagnosis. If the directions on a prescription aren't clearly understood, they aren't followed correctly or aren't followed at all. Less access to clear information about various illnesses can lead to greater degrees of fear and misunderstanding, and possible reluctance to seek treatment.

In response to these problems the Center has developed a number of strategies and resources. In the area of preventative health, they have developed resources that use simple pictures along with clearly worded text to illustrate precautionary measures. They have also made use of video; for example, creating a short video for elderly African American women on the importance of regular mammograms. Resources for literacy instructors, and for health care professionals, are also available, and the Centre has worked with the American Medical Association to have low literacy recognized as a health issue. One possible strategy is to form referral networks between literacy programs and physicians, so that referrals for patients with low literacy skills can be made in the same way as referrals for the treatment of physical conditions.

The Center for the Study of Adult Literacy can be found at: http://education.gsu.edu/CSAL (under construction) or emailed at alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu.