Blog

Indigenous Ways of Knowing
Indigenous Ways of Knowing
This week we are marking National Aboriginal Day on June 21st, and we are honoured to feature Donna Webster as a guest blogger. Donna is the Executive Director of the Lac La...
CALP PD: It's all about the adult learner
CALP PD: It's all about the adult learner
Over the last couple of years, the Community Learning Network has moved to an outcomes-based model of measuring the impact of the supports, resources and training we provide...
Community Engagement: Focus Groups
Community Engagement: Focus Groups
Community engagement is a process that CALPs can use to strengthen the impact of learning in their community. By bringing people together who have a vested interest in adult...
Taking Time to Reflect
Taking Time to Reflect
I have to confess that reflection is something I don’t always take enough time for. I know that I should do it but, truth be told, I have invested more in the tools to...
WE: Building a Stronger Sense of Community within CALP Organizations
WE: Building a Stronger Sense of Community within CALP Organizations
"Community” is a term that we love to hear and practise – especially in the CALP system. The benefits of a group that feels connected is great for both the individuals...
Red Flags for Adult Literacy and Language Barriers in Service Delivery
Red Flags for Adult Literacy and Language Barriers in Service Delivery
This week's blog comes to you from one of our featured guest bloggers! Dyan Semple is the Coordinator for CALLS Fort Saskatchewan and Strathcona County. Dyan shares...
Getting Ready to Learn
Getting Ready to Learn
Have you ever signed up for something only to realize you just don’t have the time to commit to it? Not long ago, I registered for a free online course through the University...
A Family's Journey with Learning Disabilities
A Family's Journey with Learning Disabilities
I’m so excited that the CALP system has had the chance to take LIFE Training with Dr. Anne Price from Calgary Learns this spring. LIFE stands for “Learning Is For Everyone”,...
Choosing an Online Learning Product
Choosing an Online Learning Product
We live in the age of digital technology, which is fantastic for CALPs who want to provide more learning opportunities for their communities. Sometimes an instructor isn’t...
ESL Literacy Readers
ESL Literacy Readers
One of the activities I enjoyed doing in volunteer tutor training was to have volunteer tutors create their own easy readers. I would take an existing easy reader from our...
Learner Support Services: Transitioning learners to post-secondary education
Learner Support Services: Transitioning learners to post-secondary education
Congratulations, you did it! Your learner has progressed through your CALP program and is ready to transition into further learning! So now what? Your program ROCKS and your...
Innovative Ideas from CALPs across Alberta
Innovative Ideas from CALPs across Alberta
Is it just me, or is time flying by? It seems hard to believe that we are half way through the grant year. Now is the time that many step back to evaluate and tweak their...
Arts-Based Tools for Community Development
Arts-Based Tools for Community Development
Full disclosure, I do not have an artistic bone in my body. So, when I received an invitation to Literacy for Life’s Culture of Collaboration event – Arts-Based Tools for...
Family Literacy Day and the Difference it Makes
Family Literacy Day and the Difference it Makes
*Did you know that studies show that as little as 15-20 minutes of reading a day dramatically helps both children and adults succeed in life? Family Literacy Day is one...
High Fives All Around! – Appreciation and Retention Strategies
High Fives All Around! – Appreciation and Retention Strategies
Why is Conveying Appreciation Important? Regardless of where a CALP location is in Alberta or whether they are large or small, one similarity in the non-profit CALP world is...
New Tutor Interviews
New Tutor Interviews
In the CALP world we know, without a doubt, how valuable volunteer tutors are. They willingly share their time, energy and expertise with adult foundational learners in a way...
Culture of Collaboration
Culture of Collaboration
Thinking of ways to improve your CALP’s reach in the community? Want to make the best use of your resources – human and capital? Consider hosting a community event with...
I Spy with My Little Eye….
I Spy with My Little Eye….
Do you remember playing “I Spy” as a child or now with your children and/or grandchildren? This classic game has saved many doctor’s visits for my girls and myself in the...
Honouring National Aboriginal Day - June 21st
Honouring National Aboriginal Day - June 21st
This week, as we honour National Aboriginal Day on June 21st, we are pleased to feature Monique Fry as our guest blogger.... Monique is from the Cheam First Nation in BC, and...
WriteForward - A skills-based writing assessment
WriteForward - A skills-based writing assessment
write forward is a new writing assessment tool for adults. The Adult Literacy and Essential Skills Research Institute at Bow Valley College spent the last couple of years...