Quick Links

READ ENGLISH ON THE WEB

Project Title	Read English on the Web
Project Team	Associate Professor Michael Christie (SiMERR NT), John Greatorex, Kaye Lowe and BIITE staff.
Period	May 2007 – October 2008
Funding Agency	DEEWR Industry Training Strategies Program – Indigenous Regional Projects
Organisational Base	SiMERR NT

Description

This project, due to be completed in October 2008, will develop an on-line computer and English literacy program called Read English on the Web (REOW).

REOW is specially designed for people in remote locations. The first intention of the program is to build in layers of scaffolding that enable the learner to develop basic computer skills before moving on to other on-line learning activities. Learners can work through the course in their own time, at their own pace, without the need for on-line assistance.

The program works through finely structured and paced lessons using a screen reader and animations, which take the learner through basic instructions.

The project is collaboration with the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and seeks to develop a version of the software suitable for very remote Aboriginal community members.

The software has been designed for the Australian context, dozens of activities have been prepared, stories and illustrations prepared, and thousands of sound files have been recorded and uploaded, and the website is now being trialled. Beta-testing is currently being conducted by Aboriginal students at BIITE and other places.

Participants

Adult and young adult speakers of Aboriginal languages in remote communities wishing to improve their English literacy through interactive computer work.

Findings

Outcomes

The latest version of the program is available at http://www.rlmultimedia.com/REOW/index.html

Impact

The program will be distributed widely throughout remote Aboriginal Australia through a website. Full evaluation of the program thus far will be available in October 2008.

Read-English