|
Design and Methodology
Context for this qualitative case study is housed in a non-profit organization, established in 1985, with the intention to provide free literacy instruction to adult learners across their service region. Findings from this case study reflect a 16-member sample size, comprised of voluntary adult learners within the non-profit organization. Learners consented to participate in the case study and had voluntarily sought out the adult literacy program. Learners represent different class placements, ability levels, and backgrounds.
Semi-structured interviews (Merriam, 2009) were conducted with each of the 16 study participants, with the same six questions asked of each of them. Interview questions asked included:
- Summarize your life story and how you came to enroll in services at Mission Liberation.
- What challenges are you aware of that led to your limited literacy as an adult?
- How have those literacy challenges impacted your life as a child, learner, and adult?
- Why is overcoming illiteracy important to you as a learner and as an adult?
- What aspects of Mission Liberation have most motivated you to stay in the program, to continue your learning, and in the end, overcome illiteracy as a challenge?
- How will your life be forever changed because of the gift of literacy; what will you be able to do now successfully that you were not able to do before?
From those 16 interviews, interview transcripts were coded and themes extracted (Merriam, 2009). Recurring ideas and concepts were listed and their frequencies tallied. Based on the analysis of interview findings and the stories shared next, education is named repeatedly as the tool to setting oneself free and achieving the ultimate release from the restrictions driven by illiteracy.
|
|
|
|
|
