HELLO Project

What is the Hybrid Education for Literacy Learners Optimization (HELLO) project?

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Hybrid Education for Literacy Learners Optimization (HELLO) is a project designed to study existing modes of hybrid instruction for LINC Literacy students and test sustainable hybrid modes for literacy and lower-level clients. As part of this project, we will develop recommendations for sector best practices in facilitating and improving newcomer Literacy education in a hybrid format.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting pivot to remote and hybrid learning modes, teachers, administrators, and researchers alike have noticed the markedly difficult transition experienced by Literacy clients. At the same time, some have proposed and embraced hybrid as a possible solution to persistent barriers to accessing in-person services, as well as an opportunity for low-literacy students to develop and sustain vital digital literacy skills. Our project will add to this emerging field of study using data and expertise from the TIES LINC Literacy program and our partner institution, Edmonton Catholic School Division (ECSD) LINC Literacy. With this project, we are committed to a community-based participatory research model and include multiple phases of participation from the Literacy teaching community.

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How will this be accomplished?

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The project will be accomplished in four phases:
  

1. The knowledge-building phase will aim to:  

    a) Integrate knowledge and gather data on existing modes of hybrid and blended learning for Literacy students. 

     b) Incorporate expert knowledge through Advisory Groups and co-creation sessions with participating Literacy teachers. 

     c) Identify strengths and gaps in the current models and opportunities for development 

2. The development of materials phase will aim to:

     a) Develop a set of resources/toolkits to support the development of long-term (sustainable) hybrid and/or blended learning modes of
         instruction for Literacy and lower-level clients. 

3. The pilot and pilot evaluation phase will: 

    a) Test the toolkit in a real-life teaching environment through participating Literacy classrooms. 

     b) Optimize and refine the materials through pilot feedback.

     c)  Finalize recommendations for sector best practices based on pilot results, participant feedback, and final data. 

4. The Community outreach and data sharing phase will:

     a) Share Study findings and best practices openly through appropriate channels. 

    b) Make finalized toolkit available to a wider audience as appropriate. 

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