What is the role of the University of Prince Edward Island in supporting adult literacy? A team of investigators from the UPEI Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning and the UPEI Centre for Education Research explored that specific question looking at:

Developing a clearer understanding of adult learning needs;
Identifying existing successful adult learning opportunities at UPEI;
Identifying any barriers and opportunities that exist in improving adult learning at UPEI;
Identifying successful and innovative programs offered in other universities;
Suggesting ways to create a “climate of opportunities and possibilities” to support adult learners and learning at UPEI
Research Team: Dr. Martha Gabriel (Faculty of Education, UPEI), Dr. Ray Doiron (Faculty of Education, UPEI), Dr. Ron MacDonald (Faculty of Education, UPEI)

Funded through the...

WorldReaders is an online social network site for exploring students’ independent reading interests, while providing them with an opportunity for communicating with readers in other countries. Aimed toward children between the ages of 12 and 16, the site attempts to engage children who share a love of books and literary themes. This project provides librarians with a successful example of using social networking to achieve teaching/learning goals, and presents new knowledge on how learners use social networks for learning; how social networks can be a rich resource for studying reading interests; and how best to develop the use of social networking for library applications.

Specifically, this project aims to explore:

How can an online social network effectively support the development of positive reading habits among upper elementary and secondary students?
What...

The Research in Early Child Development (RECD) Initiative is a multidisciplinary collaboration between researchers at the UPEI Centre for Education Research (CER) and the PEI Children's Secretariat. The PEI Children's Secretariat, a group of twelve local networks involved in healthy childhood development, includes both government and community contacts. The RECD research team are working on developing and implementing a conceptual research framework of early child development (ages 0 to 8 years) in Prince Edward Island. The research model nests the child in several spheres of influence — the family, the community, the society, and the global world. Such a framework presents new challenges for the early child sector to rethink current policies and practices related to healthy child development, with the goal of developing more integrated approaches to supporting children and their...

This study was prompted and funded by the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island to establish a profile of Mi’kmaq learners on PEI. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods to generate baseline statistical information relating to the educational levels of Mi’kmaq learners as well as to provide recommendations for the types of supports that would promote success. The researchers interviewed Mi’kmaq parents and key professionals in the schools, and they conducted focus groups with students to establish a thorough profile. Statistical data was enriched by comments from the parents and focus-group participants who shared their opinions about the types of programs and services that could make a difference in promoting education success.

In addition, researchers have visited various locations across Prince Edward Island as part of the Mi'kmaq and Inuit Research/...

In November 2009, the Centre for Education Research at the UPEI Faculty of Education and the Prince Edward Island Teachers’ Federation embarked on a study of provincial teachers’ workload and work life, to strengthen the research available on teachers' experiences.

This project will collect information from teachers Island-wide.

Eating Between the Lines (EBTL) is an early literacy, healthy eating program for young children, developed and tested in child-care facilities in Prince Edward Island. In 2009, an e-learning resource was created for kindergarten educators, parents, and children. The EBTL website connects children’s early literacy development with their growth and understanding of healthy eating and includes units such as Eating the Rainbow, Breakfast Matters, and The Salad. The website, created by a team of early childhood researchers and an advisory team, includes separate sections for parents, enabling them to link nutrition and literacy activities in the home, and, for educators, allowing the information to be used in the classroom.

Principal Investigators: Dr. Ray Doiron, Education, and Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Family and Nutritional Sciences.