Literacy WebsitesLIS 762 Lisa West

UNESCO EducationUnited Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural

Organization

Part of the United Nations

Approximately 200 members

UNESCO falls under Chapter IX of the UN charter:

To promote international economic and social

cooperation, including education

Education division mission: provide international leadership to create learning societies with

educational opportunities for all populations.

provide expertise and foster partnerships to strengthen national educational leadership and the capacity of countries to offer quality education for all.

work as an intellectual leader, an honest broker and clearing house for ideas, propelling both countries and the international community to accelerate progress towards these goals.

facilitate the development of partnerships and monitors progress, in particular by publishing an annual Global Monitoring Report that tracks the achievements of countries and the international community towards the six Education for All goal

Dakar Framework for Action Expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially

for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children

Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, children in difficult circumstances and those belonging to ethnic minorities, have access to and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality

Ensuring that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to appropriate learning and life skills programmes

Achieving a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for all adults

Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005, and achieving gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls’ full and equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality

Improving every aspect of the quality of education, and ensuring their excellence so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills

UNESCO strategy Capacity-building: to provide a platform for intellectual and

thoughtful leadership for educational innovation and reform.

Laboratory of ideas: to anticipate and respond to emerging trends and needs in education and develop education policy recommendations based on research evidence.

International catalyst: to initiate and promote dialogue and exchange of information among educational leaders and stakeholders.

Clearing house: to promote the development and implementation of successful educational practices and document and disseminate successful practices.

Standard-setting: to develop Standards, Norms and Guidelines for action in key education areas.

The Website

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/

Strengths/Weaknesses Strengths: The website is a good resource for finding information

on global education and literacy initiatives. The statistics are a great resource for the target audience (policy makers and researchers). It is from a reputable source.

Weaknesses: The site is difficult to navigate. It is hard to find relevant information, except in the statistics education resource. There is very little information for the layperson. Much of the information is dated. It is definitely not for a student looking to improve literacy. There are few resources for the local educator.

Suggestions: The site is geared towards its target audience. A section for the general population or the local educator would be a great addition. An advanced search tool may also assist users in locating information.

BBC Skillswise, English, &

Maths for adults

Created by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Launched in 2001

Target audience is British adults and tutors

The Website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise

Strengths/Weaknesses Strengths: This website is a consolidated resource for a variety of useful

information. Students and tutors can use this website to improve one skill, or a variety of skills. The use of video, worksheets, and games can assist in teaching students with different learning styles. A “quick resource finder” uses a Google style search box to easily search the site.

Weaknesses: The site is geared towards the British user. The differences between American and British vocabulary, currency, and culture may confuse some American students. The site also relies on an assumption of computer literacy. Some students would need the assistance of a tutor to navigate the site, which may lead to learning frustration. The variety of subjects and resources on one site may cause confusion for students.

Suggestions: I would recommend this site for British students and tutors. American tutors might find it useful as a resource, but not as a teaching tool. The photos attached to a particular topic could be more applicable and intuitive. If I was not a proficient reader, I may not be able to tell what area to select based upon the photos alone.