(“Success & Innovation”—Continued from page 1)

to schedule several sessions per week to use our literacy specific software programs. This means that learners can now attend LBS training for up to 25 hours per week. This is a phenomenal change from our traditional program of two-hours per week with a tutor.

One of our primary goals for the Computer Assisted Interactive Learning Lab was to increase our student “contact hours” in the LBS Program, while maintaining a level of service that met learners’ needs and assisted learners to achieve their goals. To date, we have exceeded target expectations, realizing dramatic increases in student attendance. Our monthly contact hours have increased an average of 300% in a month-to-month comparison with 1999 statistics. As well, we have learners who are moving through our program within a shorter timeframe and progressing on to further training or employment.

“The Learning Lab” continues to grow. We are now completing further renovations to create a second small lab, in which we will set up five additional computers that we have received from the “Computers for Schools” Program. We are pleased to be involved as one of six research sites with the AlphaRoute Research Project, and have several students now accessing AlphaRoute from both on-site and off-site computers. In addition, we are using the lab for some ESL and GED Preparation Training, and for some fee-for-service programs for children and for adults.

Visitors are always welcome to LCG and to "The Learning Lab" Please feel free to call Susan Taylor at (905) 476-9900
E-mail: staylor@lcgeorgina.org

More Innovative Ideas!
Program Read’s New Small Group Class

By Betty Ffrench, Program Read

At Program Read, Sault Ste. Marie, we are pleased to meet a need in our community by offering a new class for mental health service consumers. We collaborated with staff from the Canadian Mental Health Association’s local clubhouse to write a successful proposal to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for $18,700 in funding for an instructor and resources. Program Read provides the instructor, assessments and volunteers, and CMHA provides facilities and staff support. Although Program Read does not count these contact hours, we are operating according to LBS guidelines, and hope that MTCU will support the program at the end of the Trillium funding period.