The AOK Basic Skills Project
& Building Independent Learners through the SDGs
Purpose Statement:
AOK is a nonprofit, non-commercial initiative designed to introduce a streamlined workshop format to help people gain basic skills in education, nutrition, and others as needed. It’s initial priority is basic competence in the topic at hand, but its ultimate goal is to help create independent learners.
The project aligns itself with the SDGs and petitions its offices through workshop evaluations to create and maintain free websites aligned with its goals.
The AOK Basic Skills Project is the individual retirement project of John Kirk. Its domain name, AOK Basic Skills Project, reflects its mission. AOK is not an organization, business, or registered entity. It’s programs are free for adult education centers, schools, NGOs, and local governments.
John Kirk supports this effort through electronic communication and, when possible, in-person visits to deliver workshops and demonstrate their effectiveness. Originally based in Quito, Ecuador, AOK is now located in Portland, Maine, USA.
Mini-Workshops & Rethinking Teaching Time
The AOK format challenges the idea that teaching basic skills requires significant instructional hours. By presenting an effective overview in a one or two hour workshop/s that’s linked-in to good websites, AOK makes the material accessible to a lot more participants! And today basic instruction in AI can make the material even more accessible!
Based on 1,000 student evaluations in Ecuador:
- The topics, such as how parents and family members and friends can help the children catch up to their classes, how to learn English more easily, and how to eat more simply, nutritionally and cheaply provided good motivation.
- Many learners benefited from a good overview with clear directions and access to free, related websites and by attending only one session.
- In many cases home support was available (such as a family member who knew the basics of computer use.)
- The workshops helped solve the problem that in today’s world many people simply don’t have time to attend a number of workshops, and often times a short one will suffice for the majority.
Workshop Format
AOK workshops are open to people of all ages and are offered free of charge for individual use. The workshops combine introductory presentations with annotated, linked websites to support further learning. They are follow-up by anonymous and voluntary evaluations with the them being about whether the UN and/or UNICEF can offer free, related websites.
There are three core topic areas:
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Supplemental educational curriculum for native speakers — from Pre-K to adult levels, including Adult Basic Education (ABE)
- Family nutrition and whole food education, including for those with very limited means.
AOK gratefully acknowledges the many educators and content creators whose linked-in websites help fulfill its workshop goals.
The Workshops provide a Simple and Inclusive Learning Model
Each workshop uses a straightforward and effective teaching model that begins with:
- An explanation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- UN SDG videos and badges introduce these goals and inspire participation – adult education centers, schools, NGOs, and local governments can use the official SDG colour wheel and icons when following the rules. (ChatGPT, June 28, 2025)
The core of each workshop includes:
- A brief PowerPoint presentation
- LinkedIn-based sources that illustrate the themes of the workshops
- An annotated website bibliography
- Some include a brief overview of how to use the Internet and study independently
Participants receive digital copies of all workshop materials for further study at home, often with the support of family tutors. Follow-up classes may also be available. AOK encourages programs to build on this foundation by adopting a SDG badge system and introduction videos and AI.
Connection to the UN SDGs and UNESCO
AOK’s alignment with the UN SDGs—especially Goal 4: Quality Education— increases interest among organizations and learners.
SDG 4 seeks to “ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” This goal is also central to UNESCO, which promotes “sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education.”
Although UNESCO’s mission focuses primarily on children, it also promotes Adult Learning and Education (ALE) through initiatives such as its Global Reports on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE). These efforts recognize that adult education is crucial—educating parents helps them serve as positive role models and providers for their children.
The Need for AOK’s Online Curriculum
Today the number of basic websites for adults and their children is increasing, but many adults aren’t aware of them. They also don’t have basic knowledge in how to use AI to make the curriculum more adaptable and accessible for themselves and their children. The AOK programs help them answer the questions:
- What online learning opportunities are currently available?
- What is their quality?
- How can their families benefit?
The AOK curriculum can help fill the gaps where quality local programs accessibility.
An Example of the Use of AI
For about 20 years the use of the European Language Portfolio (promoted by the Council of Europe) and the accompanying CEFR learning objectives have helped people to become independent language learners. Now AI enables learners to more easily apply English language learning study skills to learning assignments, and AOK explains how to do this within a one hour presentation.
Possible Workshop Follow-Up
At the end of each session, AOK provides voluntary and anonymous participant evaluation forms. If there is support for incorporating basic multilingual instruction in computer skills and study skills, native speaker education and basic nutrition information, AOK encourages hosting organizations to write a letter to the UN/UNESCO indicating this and provides sample letters with addresses for this purpose. AOK also forwards the evaluations to the proper UN offices with a summary of the evaluations and an accompanying letter.
Looking Ahead
With the support of SDGs 2 and 4, UNESCO, and like-minded programs, AOK hopes to contribute meaningful improvements in global education.
In Ecuador alone, AOK inspired over 1,000 participants to grow educationally by connecting their learning to the goal international related websites.
Learn More
Please visit the Start page and explore the different sections of the AOK website to learn more about each workshop. To date over 19,000 people have visited this website. This site is a work in progress.
John B. Kirk
Director, AOK Basic Skills Project
Portland, Maine, USA
🌐 www.aokbasicskills.gratis