Click on Over. . .
Browsing the Web, TCALL staff found these literacy-related sites particularly relevant, helpful, or just plain fun.
U.S.A Learns is one of the newest and most exciting developments in student access to online learning. A project of the Division of Adult Education and Literacy of the U.S. Education Department in collaboration with the Office of Adult Education of the state of California, U.S.A. Learns is an electronic portal for adults to learn English and improve their basic skills completely free with lessons and videos at three different levels of proficiency. Teachers can register to have their class participate for extra practice online. Worth Visiting!
Adult Education Online. Just as exciting to adult education teachers as U.S.A. Learns is to students, this site is a portal for teachers and administrators to assess their own readiness and comfort level with the use of instructional technology and distance learning. The two assessments (each available for teachers and for administrators) are extraordinarily helpful to assess your technology integration skills and distance learning skill and potential. Once you have completed the assessment, Adult Education online will take you to list of resources you may need for technology centered professional development. This is true MUST for teachers and programs looking for a ready way to improve their students persistance!
Adult Literacy Technology Network. This site is a service of the National Institute for Literacy. Here you can access a wealth of technology resources including lesson plans to integrate technology in the classroom, tips for using technology, access to discussion lists, and learner resources; maintained by an extraordinary group of experts including our own Stan Ashlock.
National LINCS (of which ALTN is part). This site offers a variety of services for Literacy professionals. The section on publications has a good selection of reports on reading for educators, parents and students. The section on Facts and Statistics allows you to access reports and facts on a variety of topics of interest to adult educators, including Correctional Education, Health Literacy, ESL Literacy, and Learning Disabilities, among others.
ProLiteracy is arguably the world’s largest literacy organization. This website offers information about literacy around the world, including information on programs near you. There are resources for Professional Development and Trainer Certification, as well as access to free Practitioner Resources. Their classroom materials are published by New Reader’s Press and can be accessed through their website.
Sisters Push Each Other to Do the Extra Lap by Dora Espericueta The most rewarding teaching experience that I have had was the opportunity to teach two sisters that enrolled at the Pharr Adult Learning Center. While both sisters started at the pre-lit level, I did not start working with them until they were at the Pre-GED level. I started working with Elia first. She came to the Center with a very low self-esteem. She could barely make eye contact with me or anyone else. She was very soft spoken and shy. As her GED instructor, I was able to work with her on a one to one basis. Elia was able to express herself through her essays providing me the opportunity to feel her pain and depression. As time went by, it was obvious to everyone around her that she was gaining inner confidence. Her way of dressing, communicating, and physical appearance was so visible that you could see the metamorphosis from a cocoon to a beautiful butterfly. Her written thoughts and ideas helped me understand her more and allowed me to interact with her more freely. Working with her individually, allowed her to feel more comfortable in speaking or asking questions. Once she overcame her shyness, she became very determined to get her GED and set a goal to further her education. Eventually, Elia encountered transportation problems. Her only ride to class was her sister. Elia motivated Veronica to enroll so that she wouldn’t waste gas needlessly. By both of them attending, they could benefit from the program and better themselves at the same time. When her sister was promoted from the Pre-GED class to my GED class, I felt like this gave Elia more of an initiative or more self confidence. When her sister, Veronica, came into my writing class, it was like lighting a flame under both of them. I could see that they would work together and encourage and motivate each other. It was apparent to me that Veronica was different from Elia in many ways. She was more interactive, more sociable, and more approachable. This allowed me to use Veronica’s attributes to make Elia a stronger person. It was exciting to see that no matter what obstacles came their way, they both showed determination and dedication. Veronica was Elia’s only means of transportation and it was wonderful to see the family unity when it came to them having each other for support. I can honestly say that these two young ladies had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles to achieve what they had set as their goal, to obtain their GED and enroll at South Texas College. Through perseverance they were able to achieve what they had both set out to do. They are both currently in their third semester at South Texas College and are well on their way to successful careers in Nursing and Education. About the Author Dora Espericueta is a native of Monte Alto, Texas. She is married to Robert and has three children. She has taught all areas of the adult education program. She holds a certification in Interdisciplinary Studies and Generic Special Education and has taught adult education for thirteen years. She is currently the Lead Instructor for the Pharr Adult Learning Center. Her passion is working with adults and motivating them to succeed.
