From the CLN Board, Regional Delivery of "Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning" and more...
Thoughts for Our Friends
On behalf of the CLN Board and Staff, our thoughts and best wishes are with all our friends and colleagues in Fort McMurray and surrounding communities, and others who are currently under threat of wildfire - and all the learners you serve. In difficult times, remember:
CLN Board of Directors L to R: Charleen, Doray, Brenda, Lil, Jana, Karen
Every spring, the CLN Board comes together for our annual planning “Advance”. A few years ago, we realized that this yearly strategic planning session was so much more about looking forward, than looking back; so we moved from having an annual retreat to holding an annual Advance!
We also use this get-together to review our Framework Policies, to ensure that our Vision, Mission, Purpose and Goals are aligned with where we are, and where we aspire to be as an organization. Together, we have reaffirmed the following:
Our Purpose
To lead a visionary network of learning communities.
Our Vision
Community Adult Learning Programs are the hub for adult learning in every community.
Our Mission
Community Learning Network supports community adult learning programs through leadership, resources, training and connections.
All this is not to say that we don’t take advantage of our time together to review our accomplishments, our challenges, where we hope to improve as an organization, and to celebrate how far we have come! As part of this process, we reviewed our Goals, and have made a happy change. Last year, our Goals included:
“Establish the Regional Support Services network to be relevant, responsive and adaptable to support CALP staff.”
As we look back on 2015-16 (so far), the Community Learning Network has:
Engaged full-time Regional Support Staff to support CALP Staff and Boards in every region of the province
Developed and launched the first in a series of customized online microlearning self-directed workshops: Outcomes-based Measurement and Evaluation for the Community Adult Learning Program
Grown the CALP Portal online Community of Practice to more than 600 users
Coordinated and/or delivered more than a dozen regional training and PD events such as Family Literacy Models training and Plain Language Train-the-Trainer
Participated in, coordinated and hosted Advanced Education’s newly-formed Professional Development Advisory Committee (PDAC)
So far this spring, over 230 people have joined us for Regional Meetings, Networking and face-to-face Portal Training, and there are more events yet to come!
I am pleased to report that we have made great strides towards establishing the Regional Support Network, so this year, our new Goal is to:
“Grow the Regional Support Services network to be relevant, responsive and adaptable to support CALP staff.”
The CLN office will be sending out our annual member survey in the coming weeks, so I hope that you will keep an eye out for it and take the time to let us know how YOU think we are doing with our goals.
Regional Delivery of "Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning"
As many of you know, the updated "Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning" training for CALPs was piloted in Calgary on May 2nd and 3rd. This was the second round of pilots of the curriculum that was previously offered as "Introduction to Adult Learning" in Calgary and Grande Prairie.
Over 50 participants, representing diverse CALPs from across the province were able to participate and provide feedback in this most recent offering, but many more of you have enquired about accessing this training. The Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning (IAFL) will be offered again at the Literacy and Learning Symposium this fall in Edmonton. Registration for the Symposium is coming soon.
We are also pleased to announce that throughout the 2016-17 programming year, CLN will be ensuring that this training is delivered regionally, based on interest and the identified needs of CALP staff. The Regional Support Staff will be connecting with CALPs in each of their regions to ensure that this mandatory training is easily accessible and affordable, where ever it is needed.
As of July 1st, 2016, Community Learning Network will be the steward and caretaker of this curriculum.
We would like to acknowledge the work done by NorQuest College through this leg of the journey to produce a curriculum that is relevant and customized for Alberta's CALP practitioners. We are also thankful to Alberta Advanced Education for the input, funding and support they have provided to this project.
Change the Conversation, Change the Future
Reflections on my time with the CLN Board
This fall I will be leaving the CLN Board after 6 interesting, exciting, inspiring, years. And quite frankly, I’m going to miss it. I have enjoyed the big picture conversations and the impact that respectful engagement can have. I have had the privilege to be part of a dynamic team of visionary leaders who embraced the challenge put to us to "Change the conversation, change the future" - and what a conversation it has been!
One of the things I love about the CLN Board is that our composition truly represents the diverse nature of our membership. I am constantly energized by how much we can learn from each other. I am also continually inspired by the work and successes of the 130 CALPs that are our membership, and the difference they are making by providing and promoting lifelong learning opportunities across our province.
During my years on the Board, change has been the common denominator, and transition became our new normal. We’ve been through an extensive period of flux over the last few years, and we have emerged with more clarity and focus than ever. The very best part of being part of this board has been the golden opportunity to work with and learn from true visionaries and leaders in a time of system change - an experience with deep and lasting impact.
Would I recommend letting your name stand for the CLN board? Absolutely!
While the responsibility of sitting on a provincial board is weighty, the experience is invaluable. If you have a passion for community-based learning, have a desire to strengthen foundational skills and literacy in your community, and have experience or expertise to share, please consider putting your name forward. CALP Staff and Board members are eligible to stand for nomination. You can learn more about what is involved by going to the CALP Portal (login required), and looking at the CLN Board Information and Application Documents folder.
I would be happy to chat with anyone interested, so please feel free to connect me.
Have you already marked your calendar for the 2016 Literacy and Learning Symposium?
September 26th - 30th, 2016
Fantasyland Hotel, Edmonton
We are looking forward to offering you a great lineup of certificate training, including Introduction to Family Literacy and Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning, as well as timely and engaging breakout sessions.
This year, we also have two fantastic keynote speakers lined up:
Dr. Stephen Reder
Dr. Reder's research and interests include
Adult literacy, digital literacy and second language development
Longitudinal studies of literacy and language development
Role of technology in adult learning and adult education
Literacy, language and technology in the workplace
Tracy Defoe
Tracy's interests and practice include
Learning at work
Supporting peer-leadership
Informal learning
Multiple literacies
Communication in diverse settings
You won't want to miss either of these inspiring speakers!
Registration for the Literacy and Learning Symposium will be available online at http://www.calp.ca/symposium2016 in the coming weeks.
CALP Database Update
Last year, the CLN invested in updating the CALP Database - a data management program designed to help you manage and track your program information, learner registrations AND to help you manage the data collection and reporting of outcomes required for your CALP Grant Final Report to Advanced Education. Throughout the last year, approximately 50 organizations have been using this resource in their programs.
Throughout the launch and implementation of this new program, we have learned a lot and the feedback from users has been invaluable. We have taken these learnings and put them towards redeveloping and improving the system
The CLN has spent the last several months overseeing an overhaul of the CALP Database. Our aim is to make it much more user-friendly, responsive and flexible to not only meet your reporting requirements, but also to support your operational needs.
We will be re-launching the CALP Database by the end of May. All organizations who are currently using the system to track their data, need not worry - we will ensure that your data integrity is protected.
We would also encourage organizations who have not been using the Database this year to be sure to have a look and see if it may help you and your CALP throughout the 2016-17 programming year.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details about the big re-launch!
Featured Resource: All About CALP
We are delighted to share this brand new video with you. CLN created this video as part of the curriculum development for the Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning training that was piloted in Calgary on May 2nd and 3rd.
Introduction to the Community Adult Learning Program
This brief video gives an overview of the CALP system, our shared purpose, and the diversity of people who are working to advance our vision. It also provides a glimpse of all the services and supports that are available to support CALPs in the very important work they do!
You can access the video in the CALP Portal Resources (login required), so you can share it with your colleagues, your board or your community! Please also feel free to comment and rate the resource on the Portal to let us know what you think.
This is a joint initiative between CBC and the Government of Alberta. English Language Learners can stay current and get to know their community while improving their English listening, writing, reading and speaking. This site provides free lessons that use current news stories and interviews to help learners better know their community, province and workplace. They can also help English Language Learners understand Alberta’s culture and economy.
These free resources are great for self-directed ELL learners, or as resources and lesson plans for instructors. Just listen to the story, read the article, and answer the questions in the lesson.
The lessons use stories and interviews from CBC Radio One in Edmonton and CBC Radio One in Calgary. There are two types of free English lessons available: weekly newscasts and monthly stories.
Do you have instructors or volunteers who have been using Learning English with CBC?
If so, they would love some feedback!
Learning English with CBC is currently conducting a survey of instructors who have accessed these resources. Please share the link below with any of your instructors, facilitators or tutors who have been taking advantage of this resource. The survey should only take about 5 minutes to complete. The deadline for responses is Friday, May 13th.
Be sure to check the "Events" tab on the CALP Portal for upcoming Regional Meetings, training and professional learning opportunities, and important dates and deadlines.
Portal Pro Tip: Be sure to log in to your CALP account so you can see "Members" only events!
Quote of the Day
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
Reflections on my time with the CLN Board