Using Authentic Curriculum and Materials

Step 1: Read the related research

Creating Authentic Materials and Activities for the Adult Literacy Classroom. Erik Jacobson, Sophia Degener, and Visctoria Purcell-Gates (Teaching and Training Materials, September 2003)

Summary:
Based on the results of a five-year study in which the authors investigated the use of authentic materials and dialogic relationships in adult basic education programs, this handbook provides practitioners with suggestions, activities, and assessment practices for creating authentic context. The use of authentic, contextualized materials correlated to increased reading time by adult learners and a broadening of their literacy activities. The authors concluded, "Bringing the lives, needs, and interests of the students into the classroom is an integral part of best practices."

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