One academic year in Alta has been a tremendous year of success in delivering free literacy classes to hundreds of students, as well as engaging in activities that realised some major goals in promoting literacy and the emerging reader.
For those unfamiliar with the Alta year, it is divided into three terms matching the school year and starts with national student registration at libraries in the first week of term in September.
With the end of this academic year, however, Alta journeys into a two-month period of growth and transformation – like a chrysalis – to maturity and sustainability.
At the start of academic year 2014/15, and with support from the Citizen Security Programme, student registration was boosted by the launch of Alta’s anti-stigma campaign. This campaign, long thought to be the key in increasing student turnout at registration, took shape in the form of spoken word poetry and was used in radio and television public service announcements in the lead up to registration.
Presently, videos of these poems, which tell the realities non-readers face daily, performed by members of the 2Cents Movement, can be accessed on demand on Alta’s YouTube channel. By taking Alta’s message to the Web, these videos are able to be shared by anyone supporting literacy throughout the academic year, and can also encourage potential students and volunteers to “go brave” and “get in” to Alta.
For the children who spend their time on YouTube these videos can provide a source of edutainment and potentially reach parents who may find difficulty connecting with their child’s academic needs as a result of low literacy.
Another exciting activity this academic year was a breakthrough partnership with the Bocas Lit Fest and Alta Reading Circles in the form of specially planned writers’ visits.
The writers’ series was conceptualised as a way to promote literacy through literature by inviting some of Trinidad and Tobago’s best writers and participants of the annual Bocas Lit Fest to read from their books and talk to literacy students about their literary inspiration.
The first series of readings was held in Term 1 and the second in Term 3, bringing 15 writers to Alta students with work ranging from the published Caribbean literary canon to poetry to modern science fiction. Students were not only firing questions and providing feedback to the authors, but many of them endorsed their approval of the author’s work by purchasing books, which in some cases was their first book purchase for leisure.
By inviting writers in, reading became accessible and Alta looks forward to the next academic year where writers have already promised to pay their new ‘fans’ regular visits.
Another first for Alta was the introduction of Open Days to provide a look inside the Alta classroom, and break down the invisible barrier of the adult literacy classroom. This event returned to the personal, community-level engagement by allowing students to invite friends, neighbours and our venue hosts.
Though the event identified specific venues, Alta’s volunteer tutors were supportive and enthusiastic for the interest shown by visitors and expressed hope that Open Days will join the Alta calendar in future.
This year has also been the year that a new chapter in Alta’s programme delivery unfolds. Alta Online, an interactive, learner-centred application is being carefully put together to help address the many requests for more Alta class locations.
Alta Online means the classroom can be the comfort of someone’s living room or in their hand, using a computer or tablet with a reliable Internet connection.
Though access to this learning tool will become available in late September/October, the reality of its existence is now well-established fact and with the final touches and testing of Level 1 beginning ahead of the new school year, Alta students can now look forward to keeping in step with this modern learning tool.
With Alta Online, the new academic year will see Alta as a 21st century, regional organisation poised to sustain and succeed in our mission to update and innovate adult literacy for the years ahead.
More info
Have you considered becoming a volunteer or are you interested in joining an Alta class? Call 624-2582/653-4656 to learn how to start the journey. Volunteer, Donate, Sponsor-a-student. Like us on Facebook or subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Alta Trinidad.