Literacy CyberSpace Makes Learning Convenient

by Jack Newell

Florida’s Panhandle is home to a project that is greatly expanding opportunities for basic education and high school completion. In these areas the Literacy CyberSpace project represents the first (and for this region) only Internet distance learning program. While a learner may utilize the services of a teacher or mentor as they progress through the program they may choose the option of working independently.

Literacy CyberSpace is a Web site project (http://literacy.owcc.net) administered by the Okaloosa-Walton Community

College and funded by the Florida Department of Education, Division of Workforce Development.

This program is available at multiple sites in all fifteen (15) DOE Region One counties of the Northwest Florida Panhandle: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.

The site is designed for adult learners with educational skills below the ninth grade level.

Literacy CyberSpace consists of three key components: "Community Resources," "Get Ready for a Job," and "Web Classrooms."

Community Resources - Once on line,learners select their county and are taken to a page that lists the community organizations offering services to the public.

The county’s community resources are broken down into six categories. These resources can address many barriers that prevent adult learners from pursuing their education.

Get Ready for a Job - This page contains tips on how students can best present themselves when applying for jobs. It includes everything from filling out an application to writing a resume. Once they become employed, it gives them advice on how to keep their jobs.

Web Classrooms - On this site teachers and mentors will find two resources:

• Florida Department of Education’s Curriculum Frameworks
• Technology in the Adult Education Classroom

The second resource has an extensive list of topics of interest to adults. Teachers and mentors will find activities and corresponding educational Web sites that can be explored with adult students.

Interested teachers or learners may call (888) 585-9013 (toll free) or (850) 892-8414 for more information.