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U.S.A. Learns

U.S.A. Learns. An ESL Web-based Tool for Distance Education. AGENDA. • Development & Components of USAL Course Content Overview Teacher Site Overview Implementing U.S.A.Learns in a distance education program. What is U.S.A. Learns?.

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U.S.A. Learns

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  1. U.S.A. Learns An ESL Web-based Tool for Distance Education

  2. AGENDA • Development & Components of USAL • Course Content Overview • Teacher Site Overview • Implementing U.S.A.Learns in a distance education program

  3. What is U.S.A. Learns? A free Web site for immigrant adults who want to improve their English language skills

  4. Who is the target audience? • Immigrant Adults with • beginning or intermediate English language skills (NRS levels 2 through 5) • limited opportunities for attending traditional classes

  5. Who created U.S.A.Learns? • Sacramento County Office of Education, • Internet and Media Services • and • Project IDEAL, University of Michigan • through a federal grant • from the • U.S. Dept. of Education, • Office of Vocational and Adult Education

  6. FUN FACTS

  7. What are the hardware requirements? • Fast Internet connection at least 384 Kbps or faster; no dial-up connections • Up-to-date Web browser with Flash plug-in

  8. What are the hardware requirements? • Sound card • Speakers or headphones • Microphone (optional)

  9. What computer skills are required? • Mouse: • Click and scroll • Keyboard: • Letters, backspace, shift key, space bar

  10. What computer skills are required? • Web browser: • Open a browser (e.g. IE, Safari, Firefox). • Navigate a basic Web site. • Click buttons and links. • Microphone: • optional

  11. What are the USAL components? • Independent Learner Site • usalearns.org • Teacher Site • usalearns.org/teacher • Class Site • usalearns.org/class

  12. What are the USAL components? • 1st English Course: Beginner 20 video-based units: Survival language topics

  13. What are the USAL components? • 2nd English Course: Intermediate 20 video-story based units: Job & Life Skills topics

  14. What are the USAL components? • Practice English and Reading: Intermediate 42 stories: Various topics

  15. 1st Course Topic menu First English Course Unit Menu

  16. 2nd English Course Topic Menu

  17. Practice English and Reading Topic Menu

  18. What are the features of USAL? Clean Intuitive Design Directions and feedback in consistent locations on standardized screen templates Simple navigation; easy-to-see buttons Graphic and audio-animated Help screens

  19. What are the features of USAL? High Quality Video • Video programs converted to an interactive Web-based learning system • Putting English to Work • English for All • Interesting and humorous characters, situations and stories relevant to immigrants

  20. What are the features of USAL? Language Development Activities • Practice of: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking skills • Special focus on: Vocabulary, Life Skills, Grammar

  21. Activity Types Activity Types

  22. Learn New Words

  23. Intermediate Vocabulary

  24. Spell It!

  25. Match Game

  26. Listen for it!

  27. Grammar - Writing

  28. Life Skills - Listening and Reading

  29. Life Skills - Reading a Lease

  30. Write about it!

  31. Making Choices -You Predict

  32. Thinking Skills - Drawing Conclusions

  33. Self-Reflection - Learning Log

  34. Say it! - Record your Voice

  35. Teacher Site usalearns.org/teacher

  36. What can I do at the Teacher site? • Create an online class. • Monitor student’s progress and scores. • Score/comment on writing assignments. • And…

  37. What can I do at the Teacher site? • Post messages to the online class • Print an instruction document to help learners sign into the online class. • View/download Scope and Sequence

  38. Teacher Home Page

  39. Student Scores-Activity Menu

  40. Feedback on Student Writing

  41. Remember! Different URL for students in class usalearns.org/class URL for teacher management usalearns.org/teacher

  42. U.S.A. Learns In a Distance Education Program

  43. Getting the Most out of USAL • Register on the Teacher site. • Give students a personal tour of the course for orientation. • Make sure students use the Class site. • Monitor your student’s progress online to find their problem areas.

  44. Getting the Most out of USAL • Familiarize yourself with the content; check scope and sequence document. • Use the rich video content, storylines, characters for writing assignments, discussion and other activities. • Suggest other online sites to extend and supplement USAL content.

  45. Teach Good Learning Habits Encourage students to: • Spend about 30 minutes a day rather than speeding through all the content in one sitting. • View videos 2 or 3 times with and without the script. • Practice speaking either with a mic or simply speaking out loud.

  46. Teach Good Learning Habits Encourage students to: • Keep a learning journal for new words, expressions, practice, and questions. • Set personal goals and self-monitor. • Supplement their learning on other Websites you suggest.

  47. Face-to-Face Time Inverted Classroom • First contact with content is online, outside of class. • Teacher time is for communication, discussion, interaction, practice of content. • “Are there any questions?” starts the class rather than ends the class.

  48. U.S.A. Learns Questions? Problems? help@usalearns.org

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