 Useful Links for Basic Skills
TutorsAll 250+ links last checked 18/09/09. Latest links updated 30/06/10 |
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Useful Links for Basic Skills
Tutors All 250+ links last checked 18/09/09. Latest links updated 30/06/10 |
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | RESOURCES | POLICY AND INFORMATION | |
| General CPD (all levels) | Good books 23/05/10 | Good software | Agencies, DIUS sites |
| Level 2 Learner Support | Embedded learning 30/06/10 | Exams (inc. practice papers) and standards | |
| Level 3 Literacy | Hands-on resources | Research | |
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Level 4 and 5 Literacy 30/04/10 Understanding & describing language | Professional teaching practice | Language in a social context | Research |
Functional Skills 22/06/10 | LEARNING AND TEACHING | |
| College & community resource sites | Learning disabilities - difficulties | ||
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General links | Module 1 Approaches to mathematics learning and teaching | Module 2 Theories and frameworks for mathematics learning and teaching |
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More resources on our other links pages:
Printable Resources and Embedding ILT and on the BLOG |
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This section lists external links and resources only. To view a list of all the skillsworkshop resources written specifically for Functional Skills visit the Topical Links Functional Skills area |
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AQA Functional Skills have a useful teacher's guide that includes a discussion about teaching strategies and commentaries on some of exercises in this useful Tasks for AQA Functional Mathematics 2008 (110 page PDF document). The PDF contains 30 good maths tasks written by Leeds University to support teachers in pilot centres. These pilot tasks provide a great overview of the required skills and the types of questions that will be asked for L2 Functional Maths. Each of the 30 tasks consists of a data sheet (this could be a short text, a diagram, a table of information, a graph, etc.) followed by a set of questions. Many cover vocational areas. Topics include: farm animals, solar system, bacterial growth, bricklaying, hair salon, digital prints, picture frames and kitchen design. |
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updated 22/06/10 Edexcel Functional Skills have some new post-pilot resources. These are not free (for free resources see the pilot resources below) but you can apply to see sample packs and sample pages (that look very good) are available to download here (follow the large maths, English and ICT buttons at the bottom of the page).
Edexcel Functional Skills have masses of free downloadable Level 1 & 2 resources for teaching and learning of Functional Skills. Download and save them now! They will only be available until Sept 2010 as they are pilot resources but they will still be relevant and very useful post pilot. They will also be offering lots of new free materials when Functional Skills go live in September 2010: new downloadable teaching material, SOW, lesson plans, parent and learner guides, and a lot of practice material.
Section A: Building your reading skills base
(covers skimming, scanning, recognising main points, specific
detail, different features of text (headings, bullets, etc.):
Level 2 learner materials;
Level 2 teacher notes;
Level 1 learner materials;
Level 1 teacher notes
Resources for Edexcel Functional Mathematics is a set of excellent resources written by Pearson Education (each one makes up a separate chapter of a book, but the PDF versions are free to pilot centres). For a taster, try the direct links to the PDFs for the first three chapters given below. To find links to the remaining chapters visit the main page above. The page also includes practice tests and a 'preparing for the test' document.
Chapter 1 - A: Working with whole numbers:
Level 2 learner materials;
Level 2 teacher notes;
Level 1 learner materials;
Level 1 teacher notes
Resources for Edexcel Functional ICT
(L1 and L2) is a set of excellent resources written by Pearson Education
(each one makes up a separate chapter of a book, but the PDF versions
are free to pilot centres). For a taster, try the direct links to the
PDFs for the first three chapters given below.
To find links to the remaining chapters visit
the main page above where you can also find links to links to the
digital assets that you will need for each chapter. (These are web
based, on-screen teaching and testing activities that check that
learners can enter passwords, format text, send emails, search for
information, troubleshoot, etc.). The page also includes practice
tests and 'Test your Skills' activities for word processing and spread
sheets. |
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23/05/10 The Excellence Gateway has a huge new resources area called Being Functional. It has many useful CPD resources plus examples and checklists on how to convert existing resources to "functional" resources. Lots to explore. |
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Functional mathematics.co.uk is a site set up by two secondary maths teachers. It has a great selection of open ended tasks that really focus on problem solving skills and can be used at any level (including Entry). They include topical tasks such as Easter egg hunt (reading distance charts), planning a holiday, mobile phone deals and more. Each task is planned to cover several lessons and generally consists of a PowerPoint file and related PDF or Word task sheets. |
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updated 22/06/10FSSP (Functional Skills Support Programme) is a new dedicated site has all the latest news and a useful resource area (you will need to register to download resources). There is also a discussion board. There is now a new Development Projects area this site where you can download and use a huge range of resources (CPD, Intial Assessment, teaching resources, etc.) from 27 different institutions. |
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22/06/10
 NCFE
Functional Skills has lots of useful information including
sample
papers and a really useful list of resources which includes their
own
Functionality topics (DOC file) with lots of ideas for topics for
Functional Skills teaching. |
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OCR Functional Skills
have just recently released two really useful
maths resources ('Support
for Functional Skills mathematics'). Both the
Level 1 and the
Level 2 versions are substantial (approx 100 pages each) text book
type resources containing roughly 20 graduated practice tasks each,
along with useful teacher notes. They can be found, along with other
useful resources, on the
Level 1 F maths (Pilot)
and
Level 2 F Maths (Pilot)
pages. Each book also has a really
useful "Learner's Response Checklist" and "Reality Checks". OCR Diploma-Bank, hosted by Hodder Education, contains many free resources (you will need to register first) for those teaching the new Diplomas and currently covers Foundation (L1), Higher (L2) and Advanced Diplomas (L3) in Creative and Media; Information Technology; and Society, Health and Development. Some of the resources are supplied by Hodder/OCR, others are contributed by teachers. |
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Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator) published the final Functional Maths, English and ICT criteria in November 2009. Available at http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/2578.aspx but note that they do not come into effect (and will not replace the draft standards) until the end of the FS pilot stage (Sept 2010). |
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The Excellence Gateway FSSP
(Functional Skills Support Programme) has now been superseded by the
dedicated site above but still has some excellent
introductory documents available from the pilot: |
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Westleigh's Got Talent is a fun web site created by IT staff at Westleigh High School who piloted OCR FS ICT (in Year 9) last year. It is designed to cover most of the FS standards (E3-L2) and contains lots of integrated tasks based on a well known TV show! Might be good for Performing Arts and Media students? |
 Good
Books |
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Avanti Books the major UK supplier for "the most comprehensive supplier of resources to support basic skills teaching... cover literacy, numeracy and ESOL; key skills and workplace basic skills; family literacy and lifelong learning...". Good friendly service too! They also sell the BSA books mentioned above. |
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CGP Books brilliant publishers of low cost (maximum cost about £4.50) revision and workbooks for all levels of the UK
Schools National Curriculum from KS1 through to A level. Some are great
for adults too as they are well written, colourful and explain
everything clearly and with a sense of humour. Favourites include the GCSE Maths Foundation Level Workbook
(order the answer book too so students can self check
their work) and revision book. The GCSE English Grammar Book has good reference sections on
homophones, punctuation, etc. Level 1 and 2 Adult Lit/Num
practice papers now available. These are great! (select 'product
range' and then 'adult education'). All original
texts in the literacy papers (not copied from past papers). Four packs
(£4 each). Each includes 24 practice papers of 10 questions each.
These are arranged in curriculum areas so are great for
working on throughout the year when focusing on individual
topics. For example, in the Level 1 numeracy pack there are 6 papers on
whole numbers, 5 on fractions decimals and percentage, 6 on common
measures, etc. Literacy follows a similar pattern: for example at Level
1 there are 8 papers on reading text, 1 paper on sentence level work,
2 on vocabulary, 6 on spelling etc. |
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English Basics Books 1-3 by Mark Cholij. Great because they are suitable for adults, both native English speakers and ESL students. Each book includes 30 topics - covering punctuation, spelling and grammar at a range of levels. Each section has initial tasks, followed by a reference section and further exercises (answers at the back!). Sentences, capital letters, full stops, adding -ed, -ing, irregular verbs, negative prefixes, colons, hyphens, homophones, confusing words, informal speech, formal English, various noun endings. etc. I got mine from Amazon.co.uk |
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 Gatehouse
Books
publishes a great selection of adult beginner reader books for use in
Adult (and post 14) Literacy and ESOL. Many
have been written by adults who are developing their own literacy
skills, for example Secrets by Sue Torr and Getting Better
by Marie MacNamara.
Gatehouse's ever-increasing collection also includes
audio cassettes and interactive CDRoms.
Teaching
packs and worksheets are available to accompany many of the books.
Useful thumbnail views of books are available on the site.
Please support Margaret Adams, a
prolific contributor to this site (particularly phonics resources) who
has now had two books published by Gatehouse!
Pam's Secret is
suitable for Entry 1-2 students and has an adult storyline. It is the
first in the 'Supermarket' Series. There's also a CD that is chock a
block with related learning activities - these can be printed, or
displayed on a smartboard for group work . Worksheets are arranged
chapter by chapter and include cloze, comprehension, crosswords and much
more. Bob's problem
has just been released (summer 09) and continues the saga! |
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 Maths The Basic Skills (June Haighton) is an excellent book from
Nelson Thornes (ISBN
0-7487-7700-8). Covers all numeracy elements from E3 to L2
with clear explanations and lots of practice exercises (answers at
back). Great for students studying for Level 1 or Level 2 numeracy
as they often need to dip back to Entry 3 in some areas. Related packs of worksheets for Entry 1 and
2 numeracy (one pack each for number, measure and data) also available
plus
new E1-2 workbooks.
Recommended by Di Mellor, Darlington College (thank you). |
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More Mathematical Activities (Brian Bolt, Cambridge University Press 1985). Thanks to Susan Susan Allen for suggesting this book. Susan particularly recommends the divisibility investigation (no 113). The activities are supposed to be for school children but much of the book contains quite advanced activities. Out of print but there seem to be plenty of copies available on EBay! |
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NEC (National Extension College) have a range of Skills for Life workbooks and publications for both self study and tutor led literacy and numeracy. You can download free preview packs of some titles. |
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New Leaf Publishing has an exciting range of attractive and very readable books for adults who are new to reading. Audio CDs are available to accompany all 'Beginner Readers'. New Leaf has also published beautiful new editions of many titles previously published by The Gatehouse Publishing Charity (including old favourites such as The Cardigan and The Bin Men). There's also a great selection of Lifeline CDs - powerful stories written by prisoners and read by professional readers. Site has now had a major overhaul - you can now purchase books and CDs online and listen to many sample audio tracks (inc slow reading tracks). |
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updated 23/05/10 Quick Reads are a series of short (max 120 pages) quick reads from popular authors and/or celebrities. The latest 2010 titles include a Doctor Who story, and titles from Andy McNab and Rolf Harris. The old Quick Read resources designed to accompany various titles (along with a new writing guide to accompany this year's books) are now available on the Reading Agency site. |
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Richard Lederer has written many books about English language and usage. All are easy to read, fun and full of ideas and snippets of information that make great warm up activities (E3 upwards). My favourite is Crazy English (followed closely by The Write Way and The Play of Words - all available from Amazon.co.uk). His site also has a great page of language links to word games, oxymora, palindromes, grammar, online dictionaries and much more. |
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 Workplace
reading is a fabulous and very sociable way of promoting literacy
skills and an interest in reading. For just £99 you can buy a 'book box'
with thirty popular titles (across a wide range of reading levels and
covering self help, sport, biographies contemporary fiction). Each box
includes 10 Quick Reads and top up, themed packs or multiple copies of
one title are also available. I'm always on the lookout for Quick Reads
of interest to teenagers and young adults. Some of the new QR titles
that caught my eye include: Vinyl Demand, where two 19 year old
girls stumble across a priceless vinyl collection; Losing It,
about Baldock the 'Local drug dealer and hard man of the Welsh Valleys';
and Secrets, a ghostly mystery. The site also suggests different
ways in which book boxes can be used (they would certainly be ideal for
college literacy classes as well as in the workplace). Order packs
online or use a freephone number to order books and obtain more
information. |
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Embedded and Contextual
Learning (literacy and numeracy) |
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The Basic Skills Agency at NIACE (see our entry under DfES and Government agencies) has a great new series of embedded learning leaflets entitled 'Survival Skills in the workplace' (retail, hairdressing, motor vehicle and many others) that give an overview of the literacy and numeracy skills needed in each vocation. |
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Care Skillsbase is a new site designed to 'help managers in the adult care sector take constructive action on communication & number skills'. It contains lots of useful 'skills checks' PDF resources covering number, reading, writing, speaking and listening. For example the writing resources include incident reporting, supervision notes; the numbers at work section section covers rotas, diluting chemicals, car mileages, using graphs and charts, fridge temperatures and much more |
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University of Plymouth Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching - Mathematics Enhancement Programme (previously based at Exeter University). Now has a new Topical applications of Maths area with resources, OHTs and lesson plans. Topics covered include: Fair Trade, lottery, global warming and many more. This is one of my favourite and most used sites - check out the ILT page for details of the equally good interactive tutorials and the Printable resource page for details of their many PDF resources. |
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Learners.org from the Greater Manchester Community Grid for Learning is a free service open to all adults in Greater Manchester who fancy a go at an online course or quiz, particularly those who may have missed out on educational opportunities in the past. However, even if you don't live in Manchester you can try taster courses (make sure you have speakers or headphones) in gardening, parenting, digital photography, friends and family - talk about your neighbourhood (ESOL). Many new taster courses now added to this site. |
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30/04/10
The
NGfL Cymru (National Grid for Learning, Wales)
contains a
mass of learning resources for all levels and age groups from Early
Years to A Level. Check out these two areas:
Vocational and
Key Skills in vocational areas. You will discover huge sets of
resources (some are editable Word documents, some are PDF files) for
motor vehicles, plumbing, hairdressing, retail, travel, construction,
floristry, animal care, horticulture and many other areas. |
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updated
30/06/10
Skilled
to go is an educational site from
the Office of Fair Trading. You
need to register (free) but there are some fabulous Word/PDF resources
(and MP3 listening resources) here. The site has just been updated and
the
toolkit now has resources are now arranged in 5 main categories -
Buying & Selling, Technology (mobile phone contracts, etc.) and
Utilities (electric bills, etc.) and two new modules: Scams, and Buying & Running a Car. Copious teacher's notes, templates for
letters of complaint, Look-Say-Cover-Write-Check tables, key words,
annotated bills, and
more. The listening MP3 activity about mobile phone contracts would be
ideal for teenagers. There are also videos (dodgy dealers, car boots),
more MP3s (making a telephone complaint, etc), role play cards,
dimension cards (don't buy furniture that's too big!), etc. |
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Smart Shopper Guide is part of Oxfordshire Trading Standards site and is for those teaching teenagers about trading standards - includes teacher notes, lesson plans, student notes, student worksheets, crosswords, fun cartoons and other resources on a selection of topics inc. buying a car, advertising (persuasive writing), consumer rights, food labelling and more. |
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MLA Museums, Libraries, Archives (Yorkshire) has an Open Doors project which offers support, information and inspiration for museum, library and archive staff and Skills for Life practitioners. The site describes ways in which mlas can work with Skills for Life learners, and the benefits that this type of partnership working can bring. There are some very useful generic downloadable resources for introducing learners to libraries, etc. |
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The NRDC (see our entry under Research and Development) has many case studies (ad other research documents) about the embedded teaching and learning of adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL in a range of vocational areas (childcare, engineering, complementary healthcare, etc.) such as this research document (large 70 page PDF) |
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PoliceUK if your students are thinking of joining the force this site has online versions of their numeracy and verbal reasoning tests (you need to register first) |
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QIA Excellence Gateway - see below under DfES sites |
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Skillsmart Retail - the Sector Skills Council for Retail with masses of information of employment, learning providers and training. |
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Target Skills for Work interactive multimedia programmes
aimed at workers in the passenger transport, logistics, retail, care, manufacturing, cleaning,
construction and hospitality sectors. The materials concentrate on the
essential literacy and numeracy skills required for work, including
basic number skills, and reading, writing, speaking and listening.
High quality photocopiable workbooks are also available. |
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Vocational numeracy online has a series of very good PDF worksheets - some teach a general skill (e.g. fractions decimals and percentages PDF or this 32 page document on measure (3MB PDF), then there are others where you can apply the skill. These are selected via a vocational menu which includes business, forestry, care, automotive, tourism, etc. |
| Hands-on Resources | |
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At
long last! After looking for months for a supplier of small whiteboard
pens and individual boards (for spelling, planning and mental maths) I
found Easy Teach where I
obtained 10 cream coloured
boards (lines on one side , blank on reverse) and 20 small dry wipe
pens for £28 (larger class packs of 30 are even cheaper). Very fast and
friendly service. |
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BEAM specialise in maths resources for UK primary schools (paper based and tactile - kinaesthetic) and have a huge collections of board games, counters, blocks, mirrors, etc. They also have an good 'Maths of the month' page with a range of free printables for all levels and topics. |
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Firetop-Mountain
EBay shops has a brilliant selection of educational dice and will put
together custom sets. Dice include fractions; percentages; decimals;
smileys; transport pictures; animal pictures; 6 , 8, 12 and 20 sided;
giant dice; Roman numerals, and more. They provided me with a great set
of 58 dice plus a storage bag for £20. Next day delivery and
friendly service. |
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Good
Software |
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Basic Skills Resources offers more than 30 basic skills programs for Windows; covering literacy, numeracy and spatial skills. Each program costs only £10 (discount for 5+ programs). All available for a free 21 day trial. Titles include fractions, spelling months and days, word matching, giving change (UK currency and Euros) and much more. Ideal for Entry Level Students. |
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Eclipse Crossword is a completely free downloadable program that is fast and powerful but easy enough for students to use to create their own puzzles - whilst practising spelling and sentence writing (for the clues) at the same time! Thanks to Janet Wilkins, Royal Forest of Dean College College, for suggesting this link. New 1/03/08 Janet has now contributed several crosswords to get you going! Crosswords can be printed with or without a word bank, answer key, etc. and can also be saved as interactive web pages (these make a good whole class activity on a smartboard). |
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Crossword Construction Kit another excellent program, again available for free trial use, before registration of only $20 (simply pay with your UK credit card and download). We have used this program for several years - great for working on particular word endings or word strings, and parts of grammar. One of the most useful crosswords we have produced with this is based on the past tense of verbs (appearing on this site soon!). Allows import and export of clues and puzzles, built in thesaurus, fancy shaped crosswords, clues, bonus questions, etc. |
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DFilm is a really fun site where you can create a short movie. Huge choice of characters and backgrounds. Then simply type your dialogue into the speech bubbles and choose your back ground music and you can create a short educational snippet in whatever subject you wish (or get your students to create one). Once finished you type in your email address and a link to the new movie is sent to you. Recommended by Ellen Lessner, Abingdon and Witney College (thank you). |
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PictureGrid Editor (note this link takes you to Tower Hamlets site - log in as guest) is a quick and wonderful way to create simple drag an drop picture exercises in just a few minutes. You can can add optional sound files and link activities together. Saves as a PowerPoint, Word document or html filet. Recommended by Ellen Lessner, Abingdon and Witney College (thank you). |
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Whiteboard
Maths (previously known as
Powerpoint maths) is a
CD with a huge selection of presentations designed for teachers to use
with electronic whiteboards. Designed for the secondary curriculum but
many presentations are suitable for Entry Level and a cut down version of
the CD is available. Each presentation can also be ordered individually
from the site with prices ranging from 50p to £3 each. Recommended by Di
Mellor, Darlington College (thank you). Some free sample PPTs are
available (you need to register - free) including odd-even numbers,
mental addition, negative numbers. |
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Target
Skills an excellent set of eight CDs that
help adults learn and practise their literacy and numeracy skills (
Entry Levels 1-3, Level 1, and
New Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy and Entry 1 Resource Banks). All activities are mapped to the
adult literacy and numeracy curricula with optional web based tracking
for tutors. Plus the Target Skills Initial Assessment disc that checks
literacy and numeracy skills, and gives detailed results from Entry 1 to
Level 2, and there's also a Basic Skills Screener that gives an overall
idea of level (below level 2, below level 1 or below Entry 3).
see our embedded learning section for Target Skills
at Work (workbooks and CDs for Retail, Hospitality, Construction,
Manufacturing, Care and Cleaning. |
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Tarsia
Formulator is a brilliant free program that creates wonderful
matching jigsaws (rectangular, hexagonal, etc - with between 12-24 facts
to match), dominoes and follow me cards. Although designed for maths use
(built in formula editor etc.) it can be adapted for any topic and
allows images to be imported. Thanks to Dave Clapham, Park Lane
College for recommending this program. I hope to build up a
collection of Tarsia files for all levels in both Literacy and Numeracy.
Please download and send in your contributions! New 17/10/07- see Dave's help sheet for creating simplified Tarsia puzzles |
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Schoolhouse Technologies -
Worksheet Creation Software produce four fantastic
worksheet programs. Two are
completely free:
Math
Resource Studio Lite
(for simple straight
forward maths operations and tables squares) and
Word search Factory.
The other two are
available for 30 free "goes", before purchase
at very reasonable fees.
Vocabulary Worksheet
Studio 4
is ideal for crosswords, word searches,
dictionary searches and a host of other tasks. For
example "Word Shapes" is great for beginning
readers at level E1, and the
"Jumbles" games allow many options such as
missing out specific letters (such as vowels or
consonants) - useful for spelling, and phonics practice
at levels E1-E2. Finally our favourite, Math Resource Studio 4 is just brilliant - create personalised worksheets for all adult numeracy levels at the touch of a button. All four basic operations, counting, number squares, graphs, angles, shapes, fractions, decimals, percentages, ordering numbers, and dozens more options. Superb value - registration after your trial period is only $25 (or they accept UK cheques). We will be featuring some maths worksheets made with this program on this site soon! |
| Professional Development for Teachers and Supporters of Adult Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL | |
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General |
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Interactive on-line adult literacy literacy tutoring/coaching course has 9 separate web quests (teaching adult reading, adult writing, study skills, numeracy, etc.) where you follow a series of web links to investigate different teaching ideas and strategies. Some of the links appear to be dead but there is much useful background material to be found. |
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Life Long Learning UK is the body responsible for the professional development of all those working in work-based learning; higher education; further education; community learning; and libraries, archives and information services. |
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The
Skills for Life Improvement Program has dozens of online PowerPoint
resources for trainers and
managers. If you are trying to encourage a 'whole-organisation' approach
to SfL and a professional SfL workforce then this is the site for you.
Plus lots of info on embedding basic skills. Plus
modules and
teaching resources for delivering levels 2, 3 and 4 Literacy,
numeracy, preEntry and ESOL. |
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 Skills for Life: Adult Literacy Resources' a talk (and related web
site) given by me to PGCE students (post 16) at Oxford Brookes University as
part of a 'Basic Skills Theme Day'. The day was designed to meet the
FENTO requirements to address Skills for Life during teacher training.
Includes: a downloadable PowerPoint (with notes and hand out) on
background and history of the Skills for Life strategy, the development
of commercial and free literacy resources, and pointers for creating
high quality printed resources; an online mystery web hunt (to
familiarise students with free online resources) with fill-in worksheet; useful links and much more. Note: web hunt answers can be
found by clicking small animated icon at bottom left of the web page or
by going to this link. |
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Skills for Life Network provides up to the minute information on all areas of Skills for Life development both locally and nationally. Regular newsletters are sent out to members who also have access to useful resources and a knowledgebase. Most resources are simply links to other sites but there are about a dozen downloadable items including a very useful 20 hour spelling course for E2 upwards. |
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Resources for those studying or delivering the
Level 2 Certificate in Adult learner
Support |
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Literacy Connections has useful information for volunteer tutors (and others) about the terms used in literacy / reading teaching such as guided reading, paired reading, visualisation, etc. Lots of other good stuff too. |
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City and Guilds have detailed info on the Level 2 certificate in learner support (now replaced with the new Level 2 Award in Literacy, Language, Numeracy and ICT Awareness) such as the Scheme handbook and interesting examiner's reports on the externally assessed 'Working in the sector' assignment. |
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Skills
for Life Improvement Programme (see above) has modules
for delivery
of Literacy 2.1: Developing and achieving good communication skills in
support work,
and 2.2: Progression to planning and teaching. Numeracy 2.1:
Language and numeracy, and 2.2: Dyslexia, dyscalculia and numeracy. ESOL
2.1: Refugee awareness for frontline workers: who are the refugees? and
2.2: Refugee awareness for frontline workers: Skills for Life strategy.
PreENTRY: Supporting learners and the Pre-entry curriculum framework,
Knowing about your learners, and Identifying and supporting progress and
achievement. |
| Level 3 Literacy | |
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updated 16/09/09 Apostrophe protection society not only gives you rules for using apostrophes but also provides dozens of real-life pictures showing examples of misuse. Great for teaching. Thanks to Ruth Wood at Pro-Training, Colwick, Nottingham for recommending this link. |
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Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation is ideal for reference. Plus useful online tests to check your learning (try the mastery grammar quiz for a challenge). Thanks to Ruth Wood at Pro-Training, Colwick, Nottingham for recommending this link. |
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Hypergrammar is an electronic version of the grammar course offered at the University of Ottawa. Recommended by Ruth Wood. |
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The Tongue Tied Untied (Guide to grammar, punctuation and style) is an online book which includes printable exercises so that you can check your learning as you progress. Thanks to Ruth Wood at Pro-Training, Colwick, Nottingham who recommends this link for the text analysis assignment. |
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Resources for those studying or delivering the
Level 5 Additional Diploma in Teaching
Mathematics in the Lifelong Learning Sector |
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| General links | |
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National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics is a DfES funded site aimed at enhancing professional development in Maths teachers across all sectors and levels. There are news items, message boards, stacks of resources and links to some very interesting blogs from maths teachers, etc. Becoming a member of the NCETM is an absolute must for anyone undergoing professional development in teaching numeracy/mathematics. Keep in touch with all the latest news, ideas (and gossip!) by joining one of the online discussion communities (try the Maths Cafe for starters). |
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City and Guilds are one of the providers of the Additional DTTLS Skills for Life Diplomas (Literacy, Maths, ESOL) details here (or search for '7305 additional DTTLS') |
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Skills
for Life Improvement Programme (see above) has many
many modules (particularly at level 4) for delivery
of Literacy, Numeracy. ESOL and PreEntry at levels 3 and 4. |
| Module 1 – Approaches to mathematics learning and teaching | |
| History of Mathematics i.e. the 'Developing Role of Numeracy' essay! | |
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Harvard references to useful online references.
Harvard references to useful printed references that are not (as far as I know!) available online.
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| Teaching resources, curricula, etc. | |
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ALM (Adults Learning Mathematics) has its newsletter / magazines available online. The June 2005 version has an overview of the new adult numeracy strategy in Ireland. Its journals also now available, the first one (56 page PDF) includes 'A New View of Mathematics Will Help Mathematics Teachers' and 'Growth of Mathematical Understanding in Workplace Training'. |
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Functional Skills Support Programme (part of the Excellence Gateway) has much useful information about Teaching and Learning Functional Mathematics (150 page PDF booklet). If you are not teaching Functional Maths yet - you soon will be! |
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Maths4Life site is now part of the Excellence Gateway and has loads of ideas for teaching and learning numeracy - along with related constructivist / connectivist theory . |
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nrich is a fabulous source of resources, puzzles and problems for all levels from Primary through to Level 3 (A Level). Plus useful general information such as these: an introduction to RICH tasks and RICH Tasks and Contexts. |
| Meeting a learner's needs - case study, etc. | |
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Harvard references to useful online references.
Harvard references to useful printed references that are not (as far as I know!) available online.
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| Module 2 –Theories and frameworks for mathematics learning and teaching | |
| Educational theory | |
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MERGA (Mathematics Education research Group of Australia) is a good source of research papers an information such as: Linda Galligan's Using Valsiner [zone theory] a study of numeracy in first year nursing students, Creating Learning Spaces (Merrilyn Goos), and Technology-Enriched Teaching of Secondary Mathematics: Factors Influencing Innovative Practice (Merrilyn Goos & Anne Bennison) which includes an analysis of Valsiner's Zone Theory. Also check out this page of recent theses on Mathematics Education. |
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Literacies is the online magazine of the Movement for Canadian Literacy. The Spring 2005 edition focuses on reflective numeracy practice and has several fascinating articles including Making Math Concrete (and Iron, and Plastic...), Can Numeracy and Technology Work Together? Beyond WorkSheets: Making Math Meaningful, and Working with Student Resistance to Math Tools. |
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NRDC National Research and Development Centre for adult numeracy and literacy has resources that arose from a 20 month researcher-practitioner project on teaching measures. Web quest, handouts about the history of measurement, fascinating transcripts of interviews with learners about how they use measures, free images of measures and people measuring, scheme of work, worksheets including some great measure questions for discussion and a wonderful 'Do you measure up?' quiz that will defy even the most numerate practitioner! |
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Communities of practice is site run and written by Etienne Wenger (of Lave and Wenger fame!), a leading expert on communities of practice. Try this excellent quick starter diagram (pdf) to get your head round his theories and apply it to your teaching rationales, reflective diary, etc. |
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Learning Theories is a very useful index of learning theories and models. Includes pages on Communities of Practice (Lave and Wenger), Situated Learning Theory (Lave) and much more. |
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EMIS - The European Mathematical Information Service has a huge library of Mathematical Collections and Conference Proceedings. These include: A sociocultural analysis of learning to teach (Merrilyn Goos) - where her three zone framework is discussed. |
| The misrepresentation of data | |
| The nature of argument and proof | |
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The amazing Factasia site from RB Jones 'mostly covers philosophy and logic' has many useful pages including Classic Greek Mathematics and A Short History of Rigour in Mathematics. Thanks to Fiona Campbell, City of Bristol College for this link. |
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The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy amazing Factasia site from RB Jones 'mostly covers philosophy and logic' has many useful pages including Classic Greek Mathematics and A Short History of Rigour in Mathematics. Thanks to Fiona Campbell, City of Bristol College for this link. |
| Greek Mathematical Thought and the Origins of Algebra (Jacob Klein): parts of this book can be browsed online at Amazon and include useful information about Diophantus. Thanks to Fiona Campbell, City of Bristol College for this link. | |
| The beginnings of Greek mathematics (Árpád Szabó) has much useful information on the nature of prooof. Thanks to Fiona Campbell, City of Bristol College for this link. | |
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Resources for those studying or delivering the
Level 5 Additional Diploma in Teaching Literacy in the Lifelong Learning
Sector |
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Level 4-5 Literacy - Module I
(or similar):
Understanding and describing language |
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Ask Oxford (Oxford Dictionaries) is a goldmine of information. Try How spelling got to be so diffcult, and Better writing has great sections on grammar and spelling tips, letter writing and much more. |
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Buncha Roots leads to two separate pages, each with immense tables of Greek \ Latin roots - affixes along with definitions and examples. |
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Centre for Research in Computational Linguistics (Bangkok) has some interesting papers such as this PDF from Douglas Inglis: Cognitive Grammar and Lexicography. |
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Dictionary of English Words derived from Latin and Greek Sources is an incredible source of information and a must if you are interested in Greek and Latin roots and affixes. Too much to summarise here - you must explore it for yourself! |
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Encyclopaedia of Linguistics has only a few entries available online but one happens to be a good article about function words. |
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Fun with Words has lists of heteronyms (in the UK we call them homographs) Fun With Words: Heteronyms, contronyms (e.g. clip - to fasten, to detach), negative words with no positives (e.g. inept, gormless, dismayed, ungainly) and many more. |
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George Boeree has some great language pages: English phonemic spelling, introduction to morphology and much more. |
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Greek and Latin roots is one of a series of useful reference pages from a tutor at Michigan State Uni. Also covers vocabulary, homonyms, easily confused words, etc. |
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IPA (international phonetic alphabet) fonts (serif, sans serif and fixed width) available for free download from University College London Dept of Phonetics and Linguistics. (I used the Sophia font when preparing a presentation about a phonemic text analysis). |
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Julia Hirschberg (Columbia State Uni) is a specialist in computational linguistics. Two of her course outlines are available online, along with a host of resources such as this great PowerPoint (under her 'courses' information) on Lexical Semantics (rather technical towards the end, but includes useful slides on polysemy, homophones, homographs and ambiguity). |
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Language museum has fascinating word lists. I frequently use homographs (words that are spelt the same but pronounced differently) as reference when teaching. Homophones, function words and minimal pairs (words whose pronunciation differs at only one segment, such as sheep - ship or lice - rice) also feature. Note: site takes ages to load - be patient! |
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Steve Bett has a huge Linguistics site, although parts (such as the home page) seem to be missing. I have used the Dewey Spelling Frequency page (fascinating), Origins of the Alphabet and this discussion about the number of phonemes in the English Language. |
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More Words is great for solving crosswords and other word games (use * for any number of missing letters, a hyphen for one missing letter). It is also very useful if you are looking for words that follow particular spelling or phonics patterns. |
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Phonics on the web covers all basic (analytic) phonics rules and is a useful reference source. Covers blends, digraphs, syllable rules, and much more - also spelling rules such as plurals and compound words |
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The Phrontistery is a fascinating site specialising in lost, forgotten and rare words. Plus interesting essays, etymology pages, lists of numerical prefixes, 2 and 3 letter Scrabble words. A huge selection of 'glossaries' include 269 words for different fabrics, 168 rare colour terms, measurements, phobias and much much more! |
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RhymeZone dictionary and thesaurus is great for preparing phonics, spelling and vocabulary worksheets or lists. Type in a any word and receive a list of synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, words with matching consonants, homophones, etc. There's also a 'Reverse Dictionary' where you can type a definition and get a word! You can even search for 'kid-safe' pictures! |
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Take our Word for It (from the Institute for Etymological Research and Education) is a no nonsense friendly yet informative etymology site, updated bi-weekly. The 'Theory' page has a great overview of Etymology and where words come from. Also check out the archive and the lists of roots and prefixes. |
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The Trouble with English Orthography plus discussion about alternatives! Good reading. |
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 THRASS UK (Teaching
Handwriting Reading And Spelling Skills) have just released an
excellent new version (4) of their THRASS
Phoneme Machine. Now available for free download from a new
dedicated site at
http://www.phonememachine.com/. The programme uses
moving human lips and the International Phonetic Alphabet to teach
learners of all ages and abilities to read and spell in English. It
is also very useful for students of linguistics, phonics, etc. |
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UCL (University College London) has a prestigious Department of Linguistics and Phonetics with many resources, fonts and web tutorials. For example, take a look at their archived English pronunciation tips of the day (with audio). |
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Word Detective fascinating background and histories for hundreds of words and terms. Huge archive. |
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Word Play is a wonderful hot pot of information about words. If you ever wondered about the origin of the prefix - para you must read this fascinating para-ble! Other gems include un-rhyming words, triple-quadruple homonyms, contranyms (Janus words) and much more. Addictive! |
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Word Sources has masses of info on Greek and Latin word origins. Latin-Greek-English Cross Reference Search - type in any word to receive a list of related roots and affixes |
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World Wide Words is amazing site about 'International English from a British Point of View'. Histories of words and phrases, weird words and topical words. Warning! You could spend hours on this site. |
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Writing for business and pleasure has some fascinating background information on spelling compound words. Numerous other columns include: apostrophes, 5 elements of style, email dos and don'ts, thank you letters. |
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Level 4-5 Literacy - Module II
(or similar): Professional teaching practice |
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The Chalkface Project is a large provider of materials to UK secondary schools and colleges. One of their free samples (click on Basic Literacy Skills for 16+), which they will email you a link for, is a useful 12 page document that includes teaching tips, Dolch sight words and more. Many other samples are available for spelling, writing, etc. |
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The original Dolch list of 220 high frequency words compiled in 1936, plus links to later versions and adaptations. |
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Dr B's lessons and resources has a great scaffolding resource for writing a five paragraph essay. Suitable for Level 2 students |
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The Five Paragraph Essay is a complete site about planning and writing with separate sections covering the distinct formats of expository, narrative and persuasive essays. |
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Halton Borough Council has some really well designed, highly structured writing frames (although how I originally found them from the home page is now beyond me!) - inc. reports, explanations, stories and discussion - plus guidance notes on teaching a new text-type. |
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LITE (Literacy, Information and technology in Education) has some good background info on teaching reading and comprehension strategies. |
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Literacy Matters has a good page of info (and further links) on text structure (Genre theory). |
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updated 16/09/09
Irish National Adult Literacy Agency
have an excellent free
preeparing learning materials (PDF) to help make your resources and documents more
accessible. Notes on good layout, fonts, signposting, plain English,
and much more. For details of the many downloadable student
resources from this site refer to the entry on our
printable resources page. |
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Mrs McGowan's class page has very useful reference list of words listed in groups such as consonant blends, short vowels, long vowels. Great for teaching Entry 1 and 2 phonics. |
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NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) has a great online SMOG readability calculator instantly checks the level of your texts - simply copy and paste in the text and you are given a reading age. For more information about the SMOG (Simple Measure Of Gobbledegook) index download the very useful 'Readability: How to produce clear written materials for a range of readers' PDF leaflet. |
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Springfield public school district has a very good writing workshop that includes an expository writing genre study in 15 lessons (narratives and persuasive writing also covered). The reading workshop has excellent coverage of comprehension strategies inc inference and explains the difference between shared and guided reading. |
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Teacher's Toolbox is mostly pages of links but has a very useful list of 20+ reading strategies - each one leading to a more detailed explanation. These include SQ3R, cloze procedures, open minded portraits, readers' theatre, directed listening activities and many more. |
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Somers Central School District has some fantastic reading resources and ideas. The strategic reading area has a section on text structure where each type is accompanied by a suitable downloadable graphic organiser (writing frame / flow chart / bubbles) |
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Step by Step is a programme of 100 synthetic phonics lessons for children and adults. Each lesson is complete with notes and resources and can be downloaded and printed for free from the site. Alternatively you can order the complete pack for only £5 direct from the author Mona McFee, a retired teacher who developed the system in order to teach her her son, who has Downs Syndrome, how to read. Mona believes that anyone can teach children to read using her method - and with no special training, just common sense! She also helped set up the UK branch of the (American) Reading Reform Foundation - their sole aim is to bring phonics back to the teaching of reading. |
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Types of writing in the information age (Hong Kong University) has a great set of genre - purpose of text resources that were developed as the result of a research project. the resources aim to teach students how to distinguish between different types of writing (genres) including digital forms such as email and ICQ instant messaging. There are 8 great example texts (email, lCQ text message, diary, story, etc.) with three related resources ranging from simple matching (E2 upwards ) through to rewriting and discussion. There are also very useful accompanying teaching notes for each text - reminding teachers of the key features of each genre. |
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Utah Students at Risk has many online resources including several high frequency and 'sight' word lists including Dolch lists and Fry's list of some fantastic reading resources and ideas. The strategic reading area has a section on text structure where each type is accompanied by a suitable downloadable graphic organiser (writing frame / flow chart / bubbles) |
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Virtual Salt is a fascinating site from Robert Harris, a retired English professor. There are masses of teaching ideas such as these Recommendations for writing comments on student papers. Useful reference page about roots and prefixes along with many more pages including punctuation, conjunctions, short stories, plagiarism and critical thinking. |
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David Wray is Professor of Literacy Education at Warwick University. His site contains many interesting links and some useful writing frames for E3-L2. |
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Level 4-5 Literacy - Module III
(or similar): Language in a Social Context |
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| NEW LITERACY STUDIES and LITERACY AS A SOCIAL PRACTICE | |
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Adult Literacies online is the main online resource bank for the Scottish Government's adult literacies programme. Also see The Scottish Government -lifelong learning pages for all the latest news on community learning and development in Scotland, development and training, pathfinder projects, learners zone, plus links to research and useful resources. Take a look at the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Framework for Scotland which, unlike its English counterpart, is based on a social practices /literacy in the community model. |
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David Barton's paper (PDF) A social practice view of language, literacy and numeracy makes interesting reading and provides useful background material for the Module 3 Essay. |
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Changing Faces of Adult literacy, Numeracy and ESOL: a critical history of policy and practice 1970 - 2000. The site is not yet complete but if you want an overview of ABE in the last 6 decades take a look at the fantastic timelines. |
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Literacies is the online magazine of the Movement for Canadian Literacy. If you have difficulty understanding exactly what is meant by New Literacy Studies read The New Literacy Studies (Guy Ewing) from the Spring 2003 edition (also available as a very readable pdf newsletter). |
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Current Issues in Comparative Education is an online journal from Columbia university. Volume 5 no 2 May 2003 (Literacy, Education, and Development) includes an excellent article from Brian Street (King's College London) What's "new" in New Literacy Studies (PDF). There is also an interesting response / critique (PDF) to this article (Joyce Kim)which discusses limitations of NLS, such as transferability to pedagogical practice and a lack of concrete suggestions for classroom practitioners. |
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Dept Linguistics and English Language at Lancaster University is currently participating in research into literacy practices particularly adult literacy). Working papers are available on line including this PDF: Moral Panics about Literacy by David Barton 2000 (very useful for the Module 3 essay!) |
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Mankind Is No Island "uses found signage on the streets of New York and Sydney to tell a touching story from the very heart of two cities and was shot entirely on a cell phone. The entire budget for the film was $57. " This fantastic record/story of street literacy won the top $20,000 prize at Tropfest NY, the world’s largest short film festival. |
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30/04/10
Sutherland
College oral histories project is an oral history collection and a
teaching and learning resource. It records the histories of students
studying Social Inclusion and Vocational Access courses - second chance
learners, and teaching and general staff of Sutherland College, Sydney.
In addition, this fascinating wiki also includes
10 language-literacy lesson based on 10 oral histories. Each lesson
includes an audio file so learners can listen/read along with the
written history. The associated PDF files include a range of resources
including comprehension questions, research tasks, cloze exercises and
much more. Thanks to Carol McKirdy, Head Teacher, Adult
Basic Education, TAFE,
Sutherland College,
NSW for recommending this site.
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Powerful Literacies is a fascinating and very readable book (also available from Amazon). Invaluable for Module 3 essay. |
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RaPAL (Research and Practice in Adult Literacy) produce a bulletin three times a year. Well worth the subscription fee and an excellent source of research, critiques and practical ideas. If you believe that literacy is more than a set of narrow skills (and don't think that the Adult Literacy Curriculum is the 'be all and end all' of literacy teaching) then this is the journal for you. |
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VALBEC Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council is a major Canadian body for networking, professional development, sharing information and promoting good practice in adult literacy. You can enrol and receive an informative monthly newsletter. The site has links to many research and conference papers including 'Exploring an intensive reading pedagogy in adult literacy' - a fascinating presentation by Dr. David Rose at the May 09 VALBEC conference. |
| RESEARCH - VARIOUS (see also our Research and Development section below) | |
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ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) Adult Basic Education Seminar Series provides a fascinating set of papers, notes and reflections from a series of six seminars held between 2002 and 2004. Seminar 1 (Adult Basic Education as a Social Practice) is of particular interest and was a great help to me when writing my module 3 essay! |
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Centre for Literacy (University of Quebec) has an annotated bibliography Adult Basic Education: Impact of Policy on Practice (2004) with useful summaries of core readings such as Adult Literacy, Learning Disabilities and Technology, Adult literacy and Television, Seniors and Literacy, and Math for learning; math for life. |
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Critical Literacy: theories and practice - based at Nottingham University - is an excellent online journal with a ride range of papers. Four editions are now available. |
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updated 16/09/09 NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education - England and Wales) has many useful policy and research documents including this paper from Mary Hamilton: Commentary on the NFER Research Report - Progress in Adult Literacy |
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RIPAL (Research in Practice in Adult Literacy) is a great source of recent projects and research such as: Learning About Participatory Approaches in Adult Literacy Education PDF (six research in practice studies) 2000 available as a free 200 page PDF document (includes 3 chapters by Mary Norton) |
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Examination links
- practice paper based and online exams and assignments, information on
standards (For practice exams & Entry assignments visit the exams section of the topical links page. For downloadable exam tips and resources visit Exam Tips section of the Study Skills page) |
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AQA has past papers and answer keys (now updated with 2009 exams in addition to dozens of earlier examplese. The examiners' reports on previous basic skills \ key skills exams give a very useful insight into exactly which types of questions students find difficult in the Level 1\2 numeracy and literacy tests. NEW (thanks to Ruth Wood, Pro Training, Nottingham for this link) see also their complete list of downloadable past GCSE papers (the Foundation Maths and English papers often provide useful Lit/Num practice). |
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Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages Exams - Skills for Life has loads of sample exams papers for reading, writing and listening, such as ESOL Entry 1 Reading. Now also has SfL past papers for E1, E2, E3 reading and writing. |
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City and Guilds Basic Skills: all the latest news plus details of new accreditation for Entry Level (short task/portfolio or assignment route) and Level 1/2 tests. The download page has all the latest documents including practice past papers in Level 1 and 2 literacy / numeracy. Plus practice on-screen tests for literacy and numeracy New exemplar Entry Level short tasks and assignments in literacy and numeracy. ESOL practice assignments - multimode (i.e. S/L, reading, writing) or single mode available in two topics at E1, E2, E3. ICT as a Skill for Life awards available soon in five topic areas. |
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Edexcel has useful practice papers available for all sections and levels of literacy (reading, writing, S&L) and numeracy (number, measure, data). |
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Edexcel : Services for Centres : Onscreen Testing online Level 1 and 2 (and also now for Entry 3) online practice tests for ALAN (adult literacy and numeracy). (three at each level and subject for L1 and L2, two lit and two num for Entry 3). Thanks to Ruth Colclough, Newcastle College, for this link |
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Key skills 4 U for students revising for Level 2 literacy or numeracy (identical to Key Skills L2 number and communication). Use the Key Skills Trainer to practice or test yourself in any area, or enter the Symtel Files to play an interactive game that also boosts your skills (needs audio and a fast connection). |
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Move On
is aimed at higher level basic skills students (i.e. those aiming to
take Level 1 or 2 tests in literacy or numeracy). Loads of free
resources including on-screen and printable tests (at least four at each level and subject), quizzes
aimed at specific areas such as work, children and health. Find your
nearest test
centre. For providers and practitioners: promotional
material, an online version of the national test toolkit, schemes of
work, plans for taster sessions and 30 hour courses, etc.
A
great new feature: build customised exams from specific curriculum
elements (currently only produces on-screen tests but it promises that
printed versions will be available soon) |
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OCR have practice paper based tests (including Functional Skills at Entry, L1 and L2) and etests for levels 1 and 2 literacy and numeracy |
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Trinity College London now has sample ESOL Skills for Life examinations available for Entry 1, 2, 3 (reading and writing) and Level 1-2 (writing only). Now with many past papers for E1, E2, E3. Plus great videos of speaking and listening exams and useful resource including lovely sample maps to practise giving directions. |
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QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Basic Skills Section) for the latest news on adult basic skills qualifications. Download example Level 1 & 2 Lit and Num papers and useful test specifications that give details of context, structure, scope, pass marks etc. (Link provided by Carol Wilson, programme co-ordinator for ABS at Rotherham College. Thank you) |
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UK Agencies and DIUS
(Dept for Innovation, Universities and Skills) sites |
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Basic Skills Agency has now merged with NIACE. It has news on Basic Skills (across all sectors) and there are many free downloadable publications which are now much easier to find. These include a great series of useful embedded learning leaflets entitled 'Survival Skills in the workplace' (retail, hairdressing, motor vehicle and many others) that give an overview of the literacy and numeracy skills needed in each vocation. |
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Note This site has now been integrated into the NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics - below) Maths4Life was a 3 year project (2004-07) funded by the DfES Skills for Life unit aimed to stimulate a positive attitude to numeracy in both teachers and students. The idea is that initial research projects will be used as the basis of pathfinders (activities which test out the points raised in research document) and lead to the production of resources, case studies, lesson plans, etc. |
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National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics is a DfES site aimed at enhancing professional development in Maths teachers across all sectors and levels. There are news items, message boards, stacks of resources and links to some very interesting blogs from maths teachers, etc. |
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QIA
Excellence Gateway is the portal to many Adult Education sites
including ACL (Adult and Community Learning), FERL (Further Education)
and Learning for Living ( for staff working with learners with learning
difficulties and/or disabilities in various contexts). With access to to
many vocational and academic
resources and
forums. Check out the new Basic Skills for Adults with Learning Difficulties area (under Skills for Life) for lots of resource ideas for Dyslexia, etc. Note the Excellence Gateway is now the home of the new updated adult literacy, numeracy, ESOL and preEntry online curricula - you must register (free) in order to access the new updated curricula. |
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Read Write Plus UK Government site aimed at adult learners and providers. (Now part of the Excellence Gateway Site - see above). Includes National Occupational Standards Mappings area (adult literacy and numeracy standards mapped to NVQs). These maps are intended for use in staff training and development within each sector but are also useful for study support tutors and co-ordinators. Very useful document bank: view or download all the Skills for Life learner materials (now includes teacher notes), all the diagnostic assessment task sheets (literacy, numeracy, ESOL, Dyslexia), and much more. |
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Skills for Life - The National Strategy for Improving Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills here's the complete document in a (relatively!) easy-to-read online format. |
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Skills for life Web Site (Diagnostic Assessment) provides useful support include download patches for the ICT version of the Diagnostic Assessment package (available free from DfES). critical update patch available July 2005 |
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DfES Standards Site for schools is huge and difficult to navigate. Useful areas include interactive teaching programs for maths. |
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Tools Library (now part of the Excellence Gateway - see above) is a site for trialling Skills for Life assessment tools. Paper and computer based materials are available for both generic and workplace screening and initial assessment. Initial Assessment materials now available for download - complete with audio files for assessing listening skills. |
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UK college, local and community basic skills
sites and blogs
(more resources on our
printable resource sites page) |
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Bodmin Link into Learning is one of 30 centres across Cornwall providing free help with reading, writing, spelling. numeracy and computer skills. Many listed resources are simply links to resources on other quality sites mentioned on this page such as City College Manchester and Skillswise. However, there are some good curriculum linked, in-house PDF resources if you look carefully. Try these: 34 page colour, illustrated E3 numeracy facts; 6 page worksheet on negative numbers; 8 pages on percentages; and E2 shapes. Now has a new online whole number activity section. |
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Essential Skills Support Unit for Hampshire and Isle of Wight has useful resource links. Plus two very useful 'Linking Resources to Delivery' 40 page PDF files which list literacy (PDF) and numeracy (PDF) elements (E3-L2) with links to related online activities. |
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Jean Thomas has a site for teachers and numeracy students at Henley College. It has had a major update. Lots of new Word worksheets. Try the area & perimeter worksheet (under Measure) or the place value and number examples. |
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The Manchester College (previously City College, Manchester) has an excellent ESOL site (great for Literacy too) with printable and online worksheets, online activities and quizzes and many useful links. See our embedding ILT and Printable Worksheets pages for more on this site. |
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Chris Jackson's site at The Manchester College has many curriculum linked online and printable activities. Check out the teachers page for masses of good links. For students there are interactive quizzes including "Discloze" spelling games and much more. Plus some great E1/E2 practice assignments. Chris's Skills for Life blog also interesting links, resources and news. |
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Hillingdon Adult Education Community ESOL project has a fascinating report on their approach to teaching English in the community in North London. Plus loads of excellent really high quality resources including this PDF selection of reading materials. |
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Peter Symonds College in Winchester have masses of
excellent curriculum linked interactive resources, please visit
our Embedding
ILT pages for details |
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Talent (Training Adult Literacy, ESOL and Numeracy Teachers) Another site hosted by Tower Hamlets College. After registering (free) you have access to a huge range of downloadable teaching materials and links (for tutors to use with their learners and for tutor trainers). Visit our printable resource sites for more details. |
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Tower Hamlets College Curriculum Intranet log on as a guest. Printable resources for all subject areas including 100+ numeracy docs (includes many handy "Learning Checks" on ratio, negative numbers, etc. and a useful level 1 numeracy assessment). |
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Research
and Development
(see also our level 4 literacy research
section) |
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Basic Skills Agency & NIACE Shared practice area contains 100s of useful free PDF booklets. Try these two for starters: Speaking and listening skills for young people on work experience - a practical guide for teachers and trainers Jan 2008 (30 pages) and Adult literacy learners' difficulties in reading - an exploratory study July 20004 (144 pages). |
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Dept Linguistics and English Language at Lancaster University is currently participating in research into literacy practices particularly adult literacy). |
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EFF (Equipped for the Future) is a 'national standards-based educational improvement initiative for adult basic education and English language learning' and provides a fascinating insight into US basic skills teaching. All very familiar but with different terminology. interesting examples of the teaching/learning cycle in action and they have some excellent Hot Topics newsletters /research such as this one on teaching adults to read with understanding and Using Maths to solve problems and communicate. |
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NRDC (National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy) has all the latest research documents along with related practitioner resources such as this excellent section on teaching measures at Entry Level |
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Assistive
Software and embedding ILT (visit our
Embedding ILT
page for suggested interactive online activities) |
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ArtSigns is an excellent 'online glossary for BSL' designed for Art and Design students. Look up a word, read the definition and watch the sign in a video, see an image and related words. |
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Clicker4 is an excellent writing support tool that I have used in Pre Entry / E1 literacy classes. Masses of free grids available at Learning Grids which has a special download section for adult learners. |
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Dasher is amazing FREE assistive software that allows users to write using only their eyes. |
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Harnessing Technology to Serve Adult Literacy interesting site that includes teaching problems, solutions, teaching ideas and links. |
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Inclusive Technology sell a range of assistive software and inclusive technology; they also provide training and are very helpful. |
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Inspiration is a great planning and brainstorming tool that can be used at all levels. Insert your own pictures, convert mind maps to MS Word lists and much more. |
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Level Learning UK offers impartial advice during the demonstration of assistive software. They do not sell software and give expert advice on all aspects of assistive software including: speaking instead of typing, creative brainstorming and planning, accurate proofreading and working co-operatively with your computer. |
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One Switch is full of ideas, resources and games aimed at moderate to severely learning / physically disabled people using a computer with a switch. One of their aims is to make mainstream and classic arcade games available to switch users - they even have DIY info on making your own switches. |
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updated 27/08/08 SIP (symbols inclusion project) is a collaboration between Widgit (below) and Warwickshire Education Authority. There are some wonderful free download packs (need Widgit Writing with Symbols) aimed at schoolchildren but several suitable pre Entry - E1. |
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TechDis is a JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) funded advisory service that aims 'to enhance provision for disabled students and staff in higher, further and specialist education and adult and community learning, through the use of technology.' Many free help sheets and downloads such as the User Preference Toolbar to control the look and size of web pages. |
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textHelp a brilliant program that I have used extensively in Entry 1 literacy. We have used it for proofreading student projects and for reading out web pages that would otherwise be inaccessible to non- or beginning readers. It is also great for learners at all levels (especially those with dyslexia) especially for proof reading work. |
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Using Symbols With Adults (DOC) is an excellent online FERL article (now on the QIA Excellence Gateway) written by Imogen Howarth. Essential reading for those that are new to symbols. |
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Widgit Writing with Symbols use this amazing program in pre-Entry / Entry 1 literacy. Allows creation of both printed materials and interactive 'environments' (we have used it to create sample "thank you" letters and for work on describing objects and asking questions). See also our Symbol World link on our ILT page. |
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Learning Styles and
Teaching |
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ARKS
(Adult Returners Key Skills) is an EU funded project that has some
fantastic, very large
PDF
resources covering: Study skills, IT, Communication, Numeracy,
Participation and Tutor Training. There are worksheets, tutor notes,
examples and much more. |
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BBC Keyskills: an excellent site for both students and tutors. In the Extra section there are some quick learning style quizzes - find out if you are right or left brained; visual, auditory or kinaesthetic; etc.. |
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Chaminade College has a useful one page table to help you determine your learning style (V, A or Kinaesthetic - Tactile) |
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Do you think you are overworked? "Changing notions of teacher professionalism inthe Further Education sector" is a fascinating paper by Farzana Shain of Keele University. |
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We don't normally list links pages but emTech have 15000 educational links arranged in 200 + categories including Learning Theories, multicultural education, Teaching Resources and Constructivism |
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English Learning Area is a huge site from Tasmania - background theory (interesting stuff on literacy that answers questions such as: What is a text? What is literacy?), teaching ideas (try beaut ideas!), a fabulous section on spelling strategies and much more. |
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The Graphic Organizer has fantastic examples of every imaginable type of mind map, grid, matrix and flow chart. Most are created with Inspiration (see our Assistive Software section) |
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Big Dog's ISD pages are stuffed full of training advice, including an excellent chapter on Learning Styles (VAK, Briggs, Gardner) which are discussed both individually and as whole. |
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University of West of England in Bristol has an interesting workshop on learning styles with good background on the Kolb cycle. |
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Learningandteaching is a wonderful trio of sites (teaching,
learning, reflection) from retired academic, James Atherton. The
contents
page of the learning sections looks like a mind map showing the relationship between
different teaching and learning theories. Too much to describe - just go
and take a look! |
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Lifelong Learning at Bath Spa University College has an amazing ItsLife area run by Jim Crawley, head of Lifelong Learning (previously the Post Compulsory Education and Training Department). Full of information, links to background theory on adult learning and learning styles, and all the latest news, theories and controversies in adult education. Excellent for those embarking on Level 4 Literacy and Numeracy teaching courses, Cert Ed, PGCE, or City and Guilds 7407. |
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Learning Styles Interactive Diagnostic Screening (Ross Cooper - LLU, South Bank University) really is a great online assessment tool that does not rely purely on reading skills. Best explained by this graphic. Find out if you are: visual holistic, visual sequential, verbal holistic or verbal sequential. There is also information on dyslexia screening and a really useful teacher's toolkit page with ideas for teaching learners in each group and encouraging independent learning. |
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 Mindmaps.Moonfruit.com
contains an incredible selection of downloadable hand-painted mind maps
covering everything from de-cluttering, breathing properly and silence
through to the symptoms of diabetes and personal finances. Great for
introducing mind-mapping to students and for demonstrating their many
uses (planning, organising thoughts, posters, transmitting information
to others, etc. - see
this mind
map for more ideas!) Large graphics are free for personal use but the
author encourages you to contribute to a diabetes charity. There is also
a brilliant set of
15
templates to get you started - one is shown left. |
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North Carolina University has an online Learning Styles Questionnaire. Instant results on a sliding scale in 4 areas: active - reflective, sequential - global, sensing - intuitive, visual - verbal. With background information and teaching and learning ideas. Probably best for higher level learners (and their tutors!). Suggested by Bob Davis, Basic Skills tutor - British Army. |
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Peter Patsula's complete interactive tutorial on five theories of learning (Vygotsky, Bruner, Bandura, Carroll and Gagne) with visual effects and audio. Each theory is split into principles, examples and strategies with a final quiz to check your knowledge. |
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Teacher Vision is a paying site but has some good areas where you can glean ideas. Great graphic organiser section with 40 organisers (all subjects - small screen shots can be seen): stories, conflict, prediction, cause & effect, vocabulary, antonyms, etc. |
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VARK online or printable (external PDF) learning styles questionnaire is particularly good for Entry level students as it has only 13 questions. There are also special versions for young people and athletes. Used in my preEntry - Entry 1 class. |
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Learning
Difficulties and Disabilities |
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The British Dyslexia Association has lots of useful information and a shop with an interesting selection of resources. |
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Check the map was put together so that anyone in the UK (parents, teachers, health care workers, etc.) working in Special Educational Needs can 'stop having to go all around the houses to find simple, local information - across all sectors'. Just click the map or type in your postcode to find your local dyslexia association, holiday accommodation, transcription services, BSL resources, etc. |
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Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Interest Group - Loughborough University has help and ideas for those teaching mathematics to such students, useful help sheets such as this PDF: 'Helping Dyscalculic & Dyslexic Students with Maths'. Plus student check list, and a must-read article 'Damn the Three Times Table' written by Jess Blackburn, who is dyscalculic but not dyslexic. |
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dyslexics.org.uk is an interesting site run by a remedial reading tutor and is aimed primarily at the parents of school aged children - not adults with reading difficulties. The site owner has similar feelings to Hugo Kerr (below) - she is not denying that dyslexia exists but suggests it is caused by the opaque English orthography and the way it is taught. Whether you agree with this or not, the site in undeniably a great source of numerous references and links to research articles on dyslexia and reading. I also found the 'basic principles for teaching with synthetic phonics' very illuminating. |
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Dyslexia at College is a great source of information and study tips for college and university students. Get help with giving presentations, note-taking, essay writing and more. Thanks to Ellen Lessner, Abingdon & Witney College for this link. |
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Focus on Disability - the site has a wide range of information for disabled people and their carers in the UK. It has a wealth of contact details about organisations and agencies who may be able to help you make it the most comprehensive not for profit disabilities website in the UK. Thanks to David from ITBuddy for this link. |
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A framework for understanding Dyslexia is a very useful DfES site (now on the Excellence Gateway) to accompany the free paper-based resource folder of the same name. |
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Hugo's Web site contains a huge 200 page downloadable e-book entitled: The Cognitive Psychology of Literacy Teaching: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Dyslexia (& a bit besides). This might sound rather dry but is actually an absorbing read - although I must admit I was drawn in by the appendices - most which are in poetry! The author's sceptical, yet reasoned, views on dyslexia are fascinating. Note also that the large PDF book crashes when you try to read it online - best to download first and then load up in Acrobat reader. (Apparently it needs the very latest version of Acrobat - v9? - but the author is happy to email the book directly to anyone who encounters problems, his email is on the site). |
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ldpride.net has a great 'Learning styles and multiples intelligences' online test and very useful, straightforward information on hidden disabilities. Recommended by Tal Levy (thank you) who suggests you check your own knowledge of LD by doing this LD/ADD Myth or Reality challenge. |
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Dyslexia Action (previously known as The Dyslexia Institute) has some very useful pages including a dyslexia checklist for adult learners lexia in different age groups, along with hints and tips. |
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International Dyslexia Association has a special section for adults with many useful downloads in Word and PDF format (spelling, multisensory teaching, social and emotional problems, dysgraphia, etc.). |
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Learning Differences has lots of useful information plus a few select resources including the fascinating mnemonic clues and a huge selection of compound words. |
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Learning Disabilities Resource Community has masses of online learning style resources including an excellent (but long) questionnaire based on Gardiner's 8 intelligences. It's a bit of a fiddle to register (free) but well worth the effort. |
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Study
Support and Study Skills |
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James Cook Uni has some excellent online study skills resources - take a look at the mindmapping and time management skills sections. |
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Know It All has been set up by Knowsley LEA and North West learning Grid. Loads of study and revision tips, plus sections on 'How we learn' and developing personal skills such as confidence and memory. |
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Lancaster University provides study support through its Student Learning Development Centre which has masses of wonderful study materials including grammar and punctuation PowerPoints, hints on note-taking and much more. |
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"The Mature Student's Study Guide" by Catherine Dawson is now available online as a free e-book. (The paper version currently costs £6.99 on Amazon UK). Really useful for anyone returning to study including existing teachers who are studying for higher level diplomas, etc. |
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Pearson Adult Learning Centre has online resources such as grammar and comprehension quizzes, along with study skills ideas and handouts and much more. |
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University of Greenwich has some great downloadable skills for learning resources including note taking, mind mapping, managing exam anxiety. Some suitable for Basic Skills students, others (e.g. referencing, citing, critical thinking) for tutors doing level 3 and 4 qualifications. |
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University of Hull Study Advice Services has some brilliant help sheets on study skills, writing and maths. Some are advanced but many are useful for level 2 students (try apostrophes, plurals, time management, maths phobia). There's also a fabulous new series of mindmaps showing: famous people with dyslexia/dyspraxia, weaknesses of dyslexia/dyspraxia, strengths of dyslexia/dyspraxia, writing skills, study stress, revision, memory, SQ3R and much more. |
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More links on our
embedding ILT
and printable resources pages |
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