Literacy Tools

Technology Domain 1 training module

Target competencyIs able to use the tools that assist literacy and education workers in their work and is able to consult others in their use. This includes primer development and easy reader development.

Why it matters

This competency covers using the current literacy and education tools to produce primers and easy readers, and training others to use them.

Progression

Each rung is a level a learner is at; its activities are what carries them to the next one. How to read these levels

Literacy Tools

1. 0No Competency

   Demonstrates basic knowledge of literacy tools

   Carries a learner to 1 — Has Knowledge

2. 1Has Knowledge

   Can use literacy tools and troubleshoot issues that arise

   Carries a learner to 2 — With Assistance

3. 2With Assistance

   Can produce literacy materials using these tools.

   Carries a learner to 3 — Independent

4. 3Independent

   Prepare and teach a literacy tools training event.

   Carries a learner to 4 — Expert

5. 4Expert

   Train someone to teach literacy tools

   Top of the ladder

Creating Simple Books

1. 0No Competency

   Learn to create and translate simple books with illustrations using recommended software.

   Carries a learner to 1 — Has Knowledge

2. 1Has Knowledge

   Learn advanced formatting and customization of simple books with illustrations.

   Carries a learner to 2 — With Assistance

3. 2With Assistance

   Help individuals to write, translate, and publish simple books through literacy software.

   Carries a learner to 3 — Independent

4. 3Independent

   Train a group to write, translate, and publish simple books in literacy software.

   Carries a learner to 4 — Expert

5. 4Expert

   Train trainers to teach users to write, translate, and publish simple books through literacy software.

   Top of the ladder

Creating primers, decodable or leveled readers

1. 0No Competency

   Learn the tools used to create primers, decodable and leveled readers.

   Carries a learner to 1 — Has Knowledge

2. 1Has Knowledge

   Learn to create primers, decodable readers, leveled readers, and comics using recommended software.

   Carries a learner to 2 — With Assistance

3. 2With Assistance

   Learn to determine teaching order of graphemes and to advise others on the appropriate order for literacy publications.

   Carries a learner to 3 — Independent

4. 3Independent

   Help individuals to create primers, decodable readers, leveled readers, and comics through literacy software.

   Carries a learner to 4 — Expert

5. 4Expert

   Train a group to create primers, decodable readers, leveled readers, and comics in literacy software. Help a group to use tools to determine a teaching order for letters.

   Top of the ladder

Interactive Literacy Publications

1. 0No Competency

   Learn available tools that make interactive literacy publications

   Carries a learner to 1 — Has Knowledge

2. 1Has Knowledge

   Create an audio book with highlighted text

   Carries a learner to 2 — With Assistance

3. 2With Assistance

   Create an interactive literacy publication

   Carries a learner to 3 — Independent

4. 3Independent

   Train someone to use available tools for making interactive literacy publications

   Carries a learner to 4 — Expert

5. 4Expert

   Train someone to teach the use of available tools to make interactive literacy publications

   Top of the ladder

Description

Knowledge of the tools that assist literacy and education workers in their work, and the ability to consult others in their use. This includes primer development and easy reader development.

Further Information

• Reading App BuilderSite · software.sil.orgHome of Reading App Builder, for creating customized mobile reading apps with synchronized text and audio.
• SIL Literacy and EducationSite · sil.orgSIL overview page on its literacy and education work.
• SIL Literacy and Education (ILS)Site · sites.google.comGoogle Site on SIL literacy and education resources (ILS).
• Bloom LibrarySite · bloomlibrary.orgBloom Library, an online collection of Bloom books to browse, download and share.
• Bloom 4 Training PlanGuide · lingtran.netTraining plan for teaching literacy workers to use Bloom 4 to produce vernacular books.
• PrimerProSite · software.sil.orgHome of PrimerPro, SIL software that helps literacy workers create primers for a language.
• PrimerPro training videosVideo · vimeo.comVimeo showcase of PrimerPro training videos.
• PrimerPrepSite · software.sil.orgHome of PrimerPrep, free software that analyses text files to suggest a letter-teaching order and example words for primers.
• SIL Africa learning and DevelopmentSite · africa.sil.orgSIL Africa home page describing its language and learning work with African communities.

More in the resource library.

Descriptor last updated 2026-09-02.