This report describes how tertiary education organisations (TEOs) and industry training organisations (ITOs) are using results from the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (Assessment Tool) to inform their teaching and learning practices, and the extent to which this information contributes to educational outcomes for their learners. The information in this report supplements the quantitative data the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) collects on Assessment Tool use and the progress of learners.
Purpose
This qualitative research study on the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (Assessment Tool) aimed to find out:
• how Assessment Tool results are used with learners
• how Assessment Tool results are used to inform teaching and organisational practices
• how information from the Assessment Tool is used to contribute to educational outcomes for learners.
Methodology
The nine organisations surveyed (four institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), three private training establishments (PTEs) and two ITOs) were selected through a purposive sampling approach. Their selection was informed by information the TEC has about their Assessment Tool use and the need for a small cross section of organisation types.
Data were gathered from March to June 2014 through face-to-face interviews with programme managers, tutors, literacy and numeracy advisers, and learner focus groups. Structured questionnaires were used to ensure equivalent information was collected by two researchers. Eighty-two people were spoken to. This included programme managers, tutors (vocational and literacy and numeracy), literacy advisers (n=51) and 31 learners.
Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed separately by two researchers using an inductive approach looking for patterns and themes. The researchers then conducted an analysis workshop where the patterns and themes were analysed for similarities and differences within and between the organisations.