On-line literacy is at students' fingertips

Literacy North Halton is keeping pace with technology and with the needs of adults in the community who need to upgrade their literacy and computer skills. Five years ago most Literacy North Halton (LNH) students wanted to learn how to use computers. With donated equipment and the assistance of trained volunteer tutors, LNH was able to start providing basic technology training for their students. Today, computers have become an integral part of basic literacy training. Students not only want to learn how to use a computer, but they also want to navigate the web, use e-mail and access online learning. Literacy North Halton is a registered provider of AlphaRoute, an online adult upgrading program. AlphaRoute is a secure site where students are registered to access activities suited to their individual needs. There is a chatroom, where they can chat with other students, and all students are assigned their own e-mail address. Students learn to use a computer and build new technology skills at the same time as they improve their basic reading, writing and math skills. AlphaRoute has hundreds of on-line literacy lessons for all levels of learners working to upgrade their skills. In 2006, LNH is partnering with Halton Hills Community Services and Information (HHCSI) thanks to funding received from the Healthy Community Fund. This project entitled "Access to Literacy" has given LNH one part time coordinator whose prime function is to find donated space for programming in the Acton community. An office has been secured at HHCSI for assessments and tutor interviews. Students will now be able to receive programming right in their own town with ready access to six computers. Classes are part-time day or evening. Literacy North Halton is a non-profit community based adult literacy organization dedicated to supporting adults in the community who need to upgrade their basic skills in order to achieve employment, independence and educational goals. Learning to use a computer, accessing the internet and writing an email are all necessary skills to be productive in our knowledge based world. If you would like an opportunity to learn to use new technology while upgrading your reading, writing, basic math and computer skills - you are an adult and have been out of the school system for at least one year: Call LNH, 905-873-2200.