In the summer of 2014 RECLAIM introduced the idea of "Blended Learning". Our focus is to use technology in order for our adult learners to have a shared responsibility for their learning.
Blended Learning in an adult literacy classroom uses the principles of adult learning and constructivism. Chickering and Gamson (1987) suggest that active learning and relationships improve learning. Classes are holistic, learner centred and interactive. Students learn critical thinking and problem solving skills while collaborating, creating and communicating with other students.

Blended learning promotes a “shared responsibility for learning . . . [because] education is a partnership between teachers and their adult students” (Bryson). Students learn independence and responsibility in a community of trust while “being offered choice and control over the ways that [they] learn” (Bryson).

One-on-One Tutoring

Our one-on-one tutoring remains a vital part of our literacy program and is geared specifically to those learners who require individualized learning opportunities.

Trained volunteers are paired with learners and work at a time and place that is convenient to them. The tutoring pair is supported by our Program Coordinator and tutor mentors. Following an initial telephone interview, the learner meets with the program coordinator and undergoes a placement evaluation to determine the level and types of materials suitable for his/her needs.
Similarly, the volunteer, if accepted after a meeting with the coordinator, then goes through a training program which may include a hands-on experience in our learning centre.
We continue to work on the growth of this program, investigating new tutoring tools, new venues for tutoring and new recruitment strategies for adult learners.

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Learning Centre

The Learning Centre, in operation since 1990, has been  one of our proudest accomplishments. Over 40 adult learners pass through our doors annually. The volunteers work as literacy learning facilitator to deliver a literacy program to small groups of learners. The Learning Centre currently operates Monday and Tuesday 9am until 2:30pm and Wednesday and Thursday mornings 9am until 1pm. Our adult learners are introduced to basic reading skills, current events, ‘word of the week’, journal writing and a variety of other literacy skills. 

One of our innovative programs within the centre has been the introduction of our "Pay it forward" program for our learners, where they are encouraged to get out in their community to do volunteer work. This program has proven to be a huge morale and self-esteem booster for our learners and we continue to add volunteering opportunities for them throughout the year.

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