Background
Vision
Content
Funding

Background

The Simcoe-Muskoka Literacy Network and the Peel-Halton-Dufferin Adult Learning Network originally developed the Demonstrations Ontario Web site in 2001 through funding by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. These two Networks worked in conjunction to research the needs of practitioners in understanding and implementing demonstrations into their program planning. This research resulted in the development of a Web site that would eventually support LBS practitioners by providing a bank of demonstration activities and a builder tool that would enable practitioners to build demonstrations on-line. When the Web site was completed it was migrated to AlphaPlus Centre, where it now resides permanently.

Since 2002, the AlphaPlus Demonstrations Ontario Web site project team has been working on redesigning the site based on feedback from practitioners in the literacy field. The site has changed considerably since it was first developed, with the addition of new features such as a “Learn” section with valuable information and resources on fair assessment practices. This site will continue to grow and develop as new research and practitioner experience inform content and design ideas to ensure an innovative and dynamic learning space.

Vision

The Demonstrations Ontario Web site is designed to assist Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) Program delivery agencies in Ontario to develop and apply learning outcomes demonstrations. The Web site offers a diversified learning approach to help practitioners to better understand the purpose of and application of using demonstrations to assess adult literacy students’ progress. It is our intention that this Web site will offer a dynamic and proactive professional development portal that supports and educates practitioners on an outcome based education approach and the role of assessment and evaluation, specifically demonstrations.

Content

The Web site is designed based on a diversified learning model that allows users to access different learning approaches. Each of the three sections offers a different learning opportunity that enables users to discover a range of learning experiences from accessing resources, practice opportunities, and feedback on their work.

The Learn section gives practitioners a wider perspective of assessment, specifically on the principles of fair assessment practice. Here users have access to print resources that can be downloaded and printed, an index of Web sites relevant to the topic and on-line workshops.

The Create section provides on-line practice at developing demonstration activities. Practitioners can either download a demonstration design template to fill out manually, or can work on the "builder tool" and develop a demonstration on-line through a step-by-step process model. Once completed these on-line demonstrations can be saved to use with LBS students.

The Search section is a repository of all demonstrations contributed to the Web site by practitioners or through LBS funded demonstration projects. The purpose of this area is to provide a sample of different varieties of demonstration activities that practitioners may use to stimulate new ideas or adapt for use in their program.

Funding

The development and maintenance of this Web site is made possible through the generous financial support of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.