NLA Discussion: How Practitioners get Information and Knowledge

[David J Rosen]

NLA Colleagues,

The recent discussion about plain English vs academic English prompts me
to ask practitioners on this list -- especially those we may not have
heard from very much -- how do you, or how would you prefer to get
knowledge about theory and research results?  And how would you prefer
to get information about public policy which affects adult learners and 
the field of adult literacy?  

Research and Theory

For example, would you prefer to take a graduate course?  Would you like
to take such a course on-line?  Would you like those who post to this
listserv -- or other listservs -- to suggest useful books and articles to
read?  Would you like to see practitioner articles about theory and
research?  Would you like to see them on-line on a Website such as one of
the LINCS regional Websites?  Do you like _Focus on Basics_?  (Its
purpose is to help practitioners and others know about research in the
field.  Do you get this? Do you read it?)  Are there other publications
that help you get this information?  If so, which ones?  Share this
information with your colleagues here!

Public Policy

Is this listserv giving you all the information you need on public policy,
or are there other sources?  For example, do you read the NIFL Policy
Updates?  Are there other, on-line or print sources of adult
literacy-related public policy information? Do you read _Report on
Literacy Programs_? The New York Times or other newspapers?  

Are there other, better ways of getting knowledge and information?  Would
you like to see new ways developed? Ways which are participatory and
collegial?  If so, what?

I hope we get a good discussion going on this.  It seems to me that both
practitioners and academics would want to know the answers to these
questions.

David J. Rosen
NLA List Moderator
<DJRosen at world.std.com>