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? A free Web site for immigrant adults who want to improve their English language skills

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

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

FUN FACTS Total # of visitors2,069,326 Repeat Visitors633,751 Average time on site27 minutes Number of countries represented 188

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First English Course Unit Menu 1st Course Topic menu

2nd English Course Topic Menu

Practice English and Reading Topic Menu

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

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

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

Activity Types

Learn New Words

Intermediate Vocabulary

Spell It!

Match Game

Listen for it!

Grammar - Writing

Life Skills - Listening and Reading

Life Skills - Reading a Lease

Write about it!

Making Choices -You Predict

Thinking Skills - Drawing Conclusions

Self-Reflection - Learning Log

Say it! - Record your Voice

Teacher Site usalearns.org/teacher

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

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

Teacher Home Page

Student Scores-Activity Menu

Feedback on Student Writing

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

U.S.A. Learns Questions? Problems?