The U. S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), Division of Adult Education and Literacy (DAEL) funds digital literacy initiatives to enable adult learners to succeed in a range of academic activities, including STEM and college and career readiness. These initiatives enhance the integration of technology into instruction, increase student access to technology and leverage learning outside the classroom.
Resources for Students
LINCS Learner Center lists free resources to help adult students learn English, improve reading and math, and explore jobs and new careers. Students can also learn more about increasing their skills in finding a better job or entering a training program.
Resources for Teachers and Tutors
- Helping Learners Problem Solve Using Technology-Rich Environments webinar focuses on resources for adult learners and how digital literacy and access to technology can be improved through a project-based approach. See webinar summary and list of resources.
- Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Using Technology to Support Learning webinar is based on the booklet, Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Supporting Learning and Motivation. A panel of practitioners and participants who use technology to support learning and motivation discussed what has worked well and what has promise in the years to come.
- Integrating Digital Literacy and Problem Solving into Instruction is a collection of lesson plans and ideas to accelerate learning for adult students by improving their use of technology to solve problems and communicate with others. View Webinar
- Integrating Technology in the Adult Education Classroom is a self-paced course that examines the why, how, and what questions for integrating technology in the adult education classroom. Log in to the LINCS Learning Portal.
- Integrating Digital Literacy into English Language Instruction is a resource suite focusing on foundational digital literacy skills, the importance of digital literacy, and ways to integrate digital literacy into instruction with information and communication technologies.
- Tech Tips for Teachers is a blog for adult education teachers and tutors who are looking for ideas on integrating technology into instruction. Watch for digital literacy updates and timely tips for integrating technology into instruction.
- Webinar for Older Americans Month - Blaze a New Trail Online: Resources for Seniors! was created by several key partners to highlight resources for professionals who work with seniors to address their digital literacy and broadband adoption needs. See video and links to resources
Resources for Programs
- Connected Teaching and Personalized Learning: Implications of the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) for Adult Education lays out a broad vision and applies these concepts to the adult education field and adult learners who are not currently connected to an established program. It follows the structure of the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) 2010 by addressing five areas of concern—Learning, Assessment, Teaching, Infrastructure, and Productivity. The 2016 Plan, Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education articulates a vision of equity, active use, and collaborative leadership to make everywhere, all-the-time learning possible.
- Educational Technology in Corrections 2015 informs corrections and correctional education administrators as they explore ways to securely and cost effectively provide advanced technologies in corrections facilities to help strengthen and expand educational and reentry services.
- Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Using Technology to Support Learning is based on the booklet, Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Supporting Learning and Motivation. A panel of practitioners and participants who use technology to support learning and motivation discussed what has worked well and what has promise in the years to come.
- Integrating Technology in WIOA highlights the places in Title II, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, in which technology plays a supporting role in the improvement of teaching, learning, professional development, productivity, and system efficiencies.
- Reboot Your Digital Strategy! highlights efforts by OCTAE and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to work together to enhance the digital literacy of youths and adults with low skills.
- Webinar for Older Americans Month - Blaze a New Trail Online: Resources for Seniors! was created by several key partners to highlight resources for professionals who work with seniors to address their digital literacy and broadband adoption needs. See video and links to resources.