Reading Work Literacies in the New Workplace

Combines collaborative studies of "literacies in use" in four workplace settings with analysis, relevant theory, and discussion of what can be learned from the research. Focuses on how people make sense of texts at work.

Reading Work: Literacies in the New Workplace explores changing understandings of literacy and its place in contemporary workplace settings. It points to new questions and dilemmas to consider in planning and teaching workplace education. By taking a social perspective on literacies in the workplace, this book challenges traditional thinking about workplace literacy as functional skills, and enables readers to see the complexity of literacy practices and their embeddedness in culture, knowledge, and action. A mixture of ethnographic studies, analysis, and personal reflections makes these ideas accessible and relevant to a wide range of readers in the fields of adult literacy and language education and helps to bridge the divide between theory and practice in the field of workplace education.Reading Work: Literacies in the New Workplace features: *four distinct but related ethnographies of literacy use in contemporary workplaces;*a social practice view of literacy brought to the workplace;*collaborative research undertaken by experienced workplace educators and academics working in the areas of adult literacy and second language learning;*implications chapters for both practice and theory--presented not as a series of steps but rather as reflections by seasoned educators on shared dilemmas; and*engaging, accessible writing that encourages workplace practitioners to read, learn from, and do their own research.This book is an important resource for practicing workplace educators, trainers, and instructors; academics who teach workplace educators; unionists, policymakers, human resource managers, supervisors, or quality coordinators who believe education can make a difference and are interested in seeing maximum results from workplace learning. Visit the In-Sites Research Group Web site: http://www.nald.ca/insites/.

Contents: Preface. N. Jackson, Introduction: Reading Work. Part I: "Literacies in Use" in Workplace Settings. M.E. Belfiore, Literacies, Compliance and Certification. S. Folinsbee, Paperwork as the Lifeblood of Quality. J. Hunter, Working Life and Literacies at The Urban Hotel. T. Defoe, Literacies at Work in a Culture of Documentation. Part II: Reflections on Learning. M.E. Belfiore, S. Folinsbee, Workplace Learning and Literacies in Practice. T. Defoe, S. Folinsbee, M.E. Belfiore, Implications for Practice. J. Hunter, Implications for Theory. Conversation on Collaborative Research. N. Jackson, Appendix: Notes on Ethnography as Research Method.

Mary Ellen Belfiore, Tracy A. Defoe, Sue Folinsbee, Judy Hunter, Nancy S. Jackosn