SBIR-STTR Award

Functional illiteracy means being unable to address and mail a letter or to receive change and a receipt and determine that is correct. It means being unable to read and understand a classified ad, to use a road map correctly, and to read street signs. Functional illiteracy is the inability to compute that one's paycheck is correct and in many cases functional illiteracy causes on not to be able to even compete to receive a paycheck. AIT proposes to design and develop an interactive videodisc information system (IVM) to address the above social ill and economic problem of illiteracy. The SBIR Phase I effort will be to develop a plan of action and lay out the design for a mode development of courseware to address the reading improvement of adults as a complement to the research work being done in Project READY at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, N.C.Technical innovation and courseware design will occur in the development of a new, low cost IVD hardware delivery system which will allow for the distribution of said hardware and application sites such as vocational centers, community college and civic centers.The Phase I document will serve as a scope and implementation guide for pilot project development in Phase II.. Phase I objectives will include scope definition and project design and analysis.Anticipated Results and

Potential Commercial Applications:
After conversion of the Ready Course to interactive videodisc, it will be added to AIT's growing library of courses available to operate-on the company's Interactive Video Machine (IVM). The distribution channels for the course and machine are already established. State social agencies and school districts will be key target markets.Key Words: Literacy, Interactive, Videodisc, Project ReadyTopic 17: Innovative Use of Technology in Adult Literacy/Basic Skills Instruction

In the United States the media reports widespread illiteracy among adults who may not be able to read, write, speak, or communicate well enough to meet the demand of modern society. However, there is no consensus on the definition of illiteracy or supporting statistics. The U. S. Department of Education's estimate of the adult illiteracy rate is 13%. Accordingly, of the 191 million Americans 14 years and older in 1985, the number who are less than functionally proficient ranges from 17 million to 21 million persons (Irwin).There is no agreement on the costs of illiteracy, but some estimates are over $200 billion annually. The impact of illiteracy and incompetence in the work force results in low productivity, accidents, employee errors, and extra training programs. Illiteracy also troubles military services and national security.Some symptoms of functional illiteracy are the inability to address and mail a letter or to calculate correct change. To some people it means being unable to read and understand a classified ad, a road map, and street signs. Functional illiteracy sometimes results in the inability to compute one's paycheck and often being unable to compete for a paycheck.AIT proposes to design and develop an interactive videodisc training system that address fifth, sixth, and seventh grade reading level skills. This course will improve adult reading proficiency and will complement the work completed in Project READY at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, N.C. AIT has completed Phase I of this project.Courseware development and delivery is designed for the low cost IVD hardware system. The ACT developed system, the Interactive Video Machine TM, allows for distribution at application sites such as vocational centers, community college and civic centers.The Phase II document serves as a plan for development of an interactive videodisc course. It includes a project design and analysis.Anticipated Results and

Potential Commercial Applications:
After developing the interactive videodisc Ready Course, AIT will add it to the growing library of available courses . It will operate on the company's Interactive Video Machine (IVM). The distribution channels for the course and machine are already established. State and Federal social agencies and school districts will be key target markets. Key Words: Literacy, Interactive, Videodisc, Project ReadsTopic 17: Innovative Use of Technology in Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Instruction