Road Trip! OLC is blogging its way through Ontario!

November 30, 2010 — ontarioliteracycoalition

Map of OntarioFollow OLC over December and January as they visit dynamic literacy programs across Ontario to showcase “Agents of Change” in the literacy field.

Six literacy programs from varying geographical locations and sectors were selected through an application process to participate in an exciting and unique learning model – the first of its kind in the literacy field. The OLC developed this model to ensure learning continues and translates into action after the Spotlight on Learning: Becoming Agents of Change conference ends.

OLC’s road trip will highlight all the amazing work these programs are doing to increase the literacy and essential skills of Ontarians: stories, videos, photos and much more will be available on OLC’s brand new Spotlight on Learning website, launching at the end of January, 2011.

Within this model, participants had the opportunity to map learning objectives they felt important to their program and organization. To facilitate continued learning and change initiatives, programs participate in focused discussion, follow-up and resource sharing.

The lucky road trippers? Allison Mullin, OLC’s Communications and Marketing Coordinator, and Vijaya Chikermane, OLC’s Knowledge Exchange Coordinator. During their visits to these sites, they will be blogging and updating live via Twitter and Facebook about where they are, what they’re doing and all the great things they’re learning.

Follow them as they blog their way through Ontario and showcase Agents of Change in the literacy field!

For more information contact olc@on.literacy.ca.

Locations and Dates of Visits

Atikokan Adult Learning Centre, Atikokan: Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

A.C.E.: Academic and Career Entrance, St. Clair College, Thames Campus, Chatham: Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

North Bay Literacy Council, North Bay: TBD

Avon Maitland District School Board, The Learning Hub, Sudbury: Friday, December 17th, 2010

YMCA Learning Oppotunities, Toronto: TBD

Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Hamilton: TBD

Posted in Just for fun, Partnerships, Professionalism, Public Awareness, Spotlight On Learning, Uncategorized. Tags: , , . 1 Comment »

Literacy in the Park

October 30, 2009 — ontarioliteracycoalition
Melissa Alers of Literacy Northwest; Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and MPP for Thunder Bay--Superior North; and Annemarie Wesolowski Executive Director of Literacy Northeast.

Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry with Literacy Northwest representatives.

On October 1, 2009, the Ontario Literacy Coalition (OLC) hosted a reception at Queen’s Park to applaud the work of literacy programs across the province. The goal was to promote awareness of how investing in literacy and basic skills programming contributes to Ontario’s economic prosperity.

Members of Provincial Parliament and numerous government ministers gathered to meet literacy stakeholders from across Ontario and acknowledge their support of individuals (especially displaced workers) through the current economic downturn.

John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation; Robert Bailey, Critic, Training and Apprenticeship; Gary Porter, transitioned adult learner and business owner; and Lesley Brown, Executive Director of the Ontario Literacy Coalition spoke to those who gathered. All applauded the efforts of the literacy practitioners, tutors, and administrators, and the success of adult learners across Ontario.

The OLC invited several people to speak to literacy as the key to economic recovery:

  • Trudy Lothian – President and Chair, OLC Board of Directors (emcee)
  • Honourable John Milloy – Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and Minister of Research and Innovation; MPP (Kitchener Centre)
  • Mr. Robert Bailey – Critic, Training and Apprenticeship; MPP (Sarnia-Lambton)
  • Gary Porter – Transitioned Literacy, Laubach Literacy Ontario and Business Owner
  • Lesley Brown – Executive Director, Ontario Literacy Coalition

    John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation and Gary Porter, transitioned adult learner.

    John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation and Gary Porter, transitioned adult learner.

All applauded the efforts of the literacy practitioners, tutors, and administrators, and the success of adult learners across Ontario.

Speeches can be viewed by visiting the OLC’s YouTube Channel and photos of the event can be found on the OLC Facebook Page. While visiting our networking site, become a fan of the OLC!

The Ontario Literacy Coalition is proud to have offered the opportunity for government officials and literacy stakeholders across Ontario to network. Connections made at these events go a long way to making sure literacy stays on the policy agenda.

Thank you to Reza Miridi, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister, for sponsoring the event and to everyone who attended.

Posted in Events, Literacy Field Information, OLC News, Partnerships, Public Awareness. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Conference Resources Now Online

September 9, 2009 — ontarioliteracycoalition

The Ontario Literacy Coalition has dedicated an entire section of their website to sharing and continuing the experiences and learning that took place at the Spotlight on Learning: Literacy Takes Centre Stage Conference held at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto.

There you will find podcasts, summaries and pdf. files on the many excellent presentations, discussions and resources shared at the conference. You can also help us build content on this site that continues the spirit of the Spotlight on Learning Conference by contributing to the knowledge base, skills and expertise of everyone interested and engaged in the literacy field.

Throughout the site, we invite you to share your thoughts, comments and resources, and to ask questions and begin new dialogues. We have also created several blog discussions that we hope you will join.

Click Spotlight On Learning category on the main page of the OLC blog for a list of all these postings. Share your thoughts with your colleagues and others within the literacy community.

Posted in Announcements, Events, Literacy Field Information, OLC News, Partnerships, Professionalism, Spotlight On Learning. Leave a Comment »

Spotlight On Labour Market

September 9, 2009 — ontarioliteracycoalition

Business and labour have always had a stake in literacy and essential skills development.

The Ontario Literacy Coalition has worked with the business and labour communities for over 15 years on Labour Market Literacy initiatives. We consistently hear from employers and union representatives that they do not know where to go for literacy services. To appropriately market our services to business and labour representatives, we need to hear what these markets need and communicate our ability to meet those needs.

With that in mind, how can we engage these groups in literacy work and initiatives?

What do you think are the requirements of the business and labour sectors?

How can the literacy sector better service these requirements?

Posted in Literacy Field Information, OLC News, Partnerships, Professionalism, Spotlight On Learning. Leave a Comment »

See JERSEY BOYS

August 12, 2009 — ontarioliteracycoalition

The Ontario Literacy Coalition and Dancap Productions have partnered to promote literacy and entertain you with Toronto’s hottest show – JERSEY BOYS.

Purchase a ticket to see JERSEY BOYS between now and September 27, 2009 and $5.00 from every ticket sold goes to the OLC. Tickets range in price ($30 – $85). Matinee and evenings shows are available.

Visit www.jerseyboystoronto.com/olc/ for full details.

Take a friend (or two or ten) to see this critically-acclaimed musical while building a culture of lifelong learning in Ontario. You cannot see a better performance or support a better cause. See you at the show!

JERSEY BOYS

JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time.

They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide — all before they were thirty. The musical features such Four Seasons’ hits as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Posted in Announcements, Blogroll, Events, OLC News, Partnerships, Public Awareness. Tags: , , , , , . 3 Comments »

$33 Million for Literacy

July 7, 2009 — ontarioliteracycoalition

On Thursday, July 2, 2009, the Honourable John Milloy – Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and Minister of Research and Innovation – announced $33 million in funding for adult literacy:

  • $20,000 flat rate increase for delivery programs plus a 25% increase based on current funding
  • $20,000 flat rate increase for umbrella and support organizations
  • $5 million for e-learning
  • $3 million for research and development

After more than a decade of stagnant funding, how you feel about this announcement? What do you think of the role of the OLC in this process? What is your organization going to do with the allotted funds? Share your ideas, plans and strategies with your colleagues in the field.

Posted in Adult Literacy Curriculum, Announcements, Funding, Government News, In the News, Literacy Field Information, OLC News, Partnerships, Professionalism, Uncategorized. Leave a Comment »
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