Thrilled to become literacy tutor

For several years, I’ve wanted to work with adults who are learning to read and write. But for years I could never find the time to do it.

Now I have. And I’m very excited to have recently completed training to become a volunteer literacy tutor. My certification coincides with my “Technology in the Classroom’’ course.

During my tutor class, we weren’t trained specifically on how to incorporate technology into our lessons. But it is expected. There is a computer lab available to us. Many of the students seeking to learn basic reading, writing and math skills after graduating or dropping out of high school are seeking to improve their skills for landing jobs, better jobs or pursuing higher education. Future opportunities for them will also require improved computer knowledge. So it is imperative that those of us who are taking on the responsibility of helping students develop these skills do it with the best technology available to us.

In a 2009 report released by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 14 percent of American adults are considered illiterate. The report defines literacy as “using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.” Varying reports cite much larger rates in some U.S. cities.


I’m excited about this opportunity to help tackle a serious problem in our society. I am also excited that it comes at a time when I can put into practice some of the strategies I’ve learned from the textbook, “Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works’’.

These are students who fell through the cracks once. So I’m hopeful that along with teaching them reading, writing and arithmetic, I also hope to help close the now-widening gap in computer literacy.

In some of the research I’ve done for my podcast, I’m finding that educators are being challenged to think outside the box, to be innovative in connecting with students. The illiteracy rate in the country is proof of what happens when we don’t connect with these students.