Welcome!

Introduction

Violence shapes us. It can make us stronger as learners, teachers, and simply as people in the world. It can also make it hard to trust ourselves and others, and difficult to learn. Its impact on learning is not well recognized, but the resources and allies found here can help all of us – whatever our role or experience – to address this issue creatively.

On this site you will find:

• practical ideas to make it easier to learn or teach when violence or hard times mark our lives and/or the lives of those we work with;
• people and organizations exploring violence and learning through research or practice.

Most information included is Canadian, and from the adult literacy field. Gradually resources from more countries and more settings will be included here. Help us to include your local wisdom and experience. In the meantime take the Canadian information as an example of what might already be happening – or you might initiate – in your area.

This site is for all of us — whatever our age, language group, culture, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation, educational or economic status, work role, or personal history. Throughout this site we acknowledge and embrace our differences and our commonality and include a range of resources to meet all of our needs. We want us all to feel included and valued here and find resources that reveal our realities and support us.

In that spirit, this site is not divided into separate sections for literacy learners and teachers. Pieces that talk to “learners”—some read out loud, easy to read, or in pictures—are intended for all of us as we try to learn, whatever our educational background. Similarly, materials about how we learn are intended to improve our own ability to learn, and to help us to design and teach effective programs for others.

This site is becoming increasingly accessible ― as we review, adapt, and develop materials to reflect our different realities and reveal our shared struggles. Some pieces will work well if you are Deaf, some if you are blind or have low vision, some if you read with difficulty; some will be more or less useful to you depending on your preferences, your role, and your needs. Check back often to find more pieces that speak to you. We know we have more work to do to create access for all. We invite you to join in this work-in-progress.

When the topic feels too hard ― or you feel confused, sad, angry, overwhelmed, weird, or find yourself remembering tough times as you browse this site - you can try out activities in Taking Care of Self, leave and come back after a break, go to an easier part of the site, or read the section When you Feel Bad.

There are many ways to move around this site:

The Spiral

Around the spiral of the nautilus shell on the home page you will find each topic. Go inside, delve into the links that interest you, and explore the many layers.

Read more about the focus of each topic, how we organize them, and why we use spirals throughout the site.

The List

At the bottom of each screen there is a linear list of each section as an alternative way to navigate the site.

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  Gateways

Materials for students, educators, administrators, researchers and so on are integrated throughout this website but we are also developing new gateways to make it easier to find the materials that speak directly to your needs.

Adult literacy learners (and anyone who wants to find visual and easier-to-read resources) can enter here or click on the icon on the home page.

Tutors and teachers who want to quickly find an answer to common problems can enter here.

Watch this space for more routes to help you find key resources.

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