I am working on developing three tobacco and literacy education lessons
(Math, Language Art, Research Skills) for young adults in GED classes in New
Hampshire.  In the third lesson on research skills learners brain storm
questions and use the Internet to find their answers.  We piloted the
lessons in 4 GED classes in New Hampshire.  While working on the Internet
was one of student's favorite activities some students were frustrated with
blocked sites and sites that were too difficult to navigate.  We also
learned from the smoking students that they were frustrated that the sites
didn't take them to direct advice on how to quit smoking.  We're in the
revision stage based on the pilot and I'll let folks know when the lessons
are available.  

The project, entitled "Tobacco and Literacy Education I New Hampshire: A
Pilot Program for Young Adults", is being implemented by JSI Research &
Training, a non-profit public health organization and the NH Bureau of Adult
Education with funding from the Legacy Foundation. 

Sabrina 

---------------------------- 
Sabrina Kurtz-Rossi, M.Ed.
Health Literacy Specialist
Coordinator, Health Information Literacy Research Project 
Medical Library Association
781-835-6488 phone; 781-391-4409 fax;
sabrina_kurtz-rossi at comcast.net


-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Janet Green
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2007 2:36 PM
To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1083] Re: [Health Literacy 1077] Re:
WednesdayQuestion: Printing out infofromcomputer

There is an even greater challenge for someone looking for language
appropriate health information. Not all website information is free. Also,
you need a subscription to RealPlayer to watch the operations on Medline
Plus. Only 50% of Americans subscribe to the Internet so there is more than
one issue. Asian language materials can be found at several sites, but each
is written at for a slightly different audience. It seems that the priority
was to collect all Asian language materials. Literacy level was a lower
priority. Check out  a www.aancart.org and then click on their web portal
APICEM. AANCART is the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research
and Training. Many medical centers contribute to the site. Also, there is
www.library.tufts.edu/hsl/spiral/brochures.html. SPIRAL is an all Asian
language resource. Our website is www.cchrchealth.org. All materials are
free to download in Simplified or Traditional Chinese or English. Knock
yourselves out making as many c
 opies you want. 
I think all of these sites would benefit from many more graphics, but the
cost is huge. Color diagrams and pictures enhance comprehension, but the
issue of finding good pictures that aren't under copyright has already been
addressed. NIH should lead the way with this.

Janet Green

-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov]On Behalf Of Davies, Nicola
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:18 AM
To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1077] Re: Wednesday Question: Printing out
infofromcomputer


I know a few statistics - 60% of doctors use google as a tool to find health
information and help diagnose. In our Wellness Centres we have moved away
from google and solely use MedLine+, which is a wonderful resource. We were
finding that many people were typing "herbal medication", "vit C" and
"snoring" in the search engine, and of course, this was returning mainly
sponsored links. Medline+ is a better alternative, but I very much like the
clean, user-friendly appearance of the google home page. Medline+ is way too
crowded for someone with low health literacy or low web literacy to be able
to identify and use the search box right away. If you compare the two, you
can see immediately what the implications of this are. 

In order for our websites to be accepted as a link in the wellness centres,
we check for things like frames, printer friendly versions, how much extra
software/add-ons you need to download to view the material, for web
literacy. 

I would love to know everyone else's ideas and accounts of what they use.
Nicola

-----Original Message-----
From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov]On Behalf Of Julie McKinney
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:54 AM
To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1075] Wednesday Question: Printing out info
fromcomputer


Hi Everyone,

Sunil's project made me think about how effective it could be to figure
out exactly what information a person needs, click around on a website,
and give them a handout that guides them through an important medical
process using pictures and plain language. This lead to today's
question:

How much do you (as literacy teachers, health educators, health
providers, and others) print out information from a website and use it
as a handout for students or patients?

How do you decide what websites and what kinds of matierial to use?

How easy is this in your setting (exam room, classroom, public forum,
etc.)?

How do patients/students respond to this?

I see the advantages of this approach being:

- If you have a good listing of resources, you can tailor the handout to
meet the person's needs (regarding topic and literacy level)
- You can find things written in simple language, and even handouts that
are mostly pictures 
- You have access to a bigger variety of handouts without going through
the process and expense of creating your own brochures for every
relevant health information topic
- It's free!!
- These can be authentic materials, which are shown to be effective and
motivating for adult basic education classes

I'd love to hear people's thoughts!

All the best,
Julie

Julie McKinney
Discussion List Moderator
World Education/NCSALL
jmckinney at worlded.org

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----------------------------------------------------
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Email delivered to janetg at chasf.org
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Email delivered to sabrina_kurtz-rossi at comcast.net