An ESL Web-based Tool for Distance Education Melinda Holt,
Project Specialist Sacramento County Office of Education
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About U.S.A. Learns Design, Delivery, Details Course content
overview Teacher site overview Additional resources
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A free Web site for adults who want to improve their English
language skills as an Independent Learner OR as a Student with a
Teacher.
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Sacramento County Office of Education Internet and Media
Services University of Michigan Project IDEAL Funded by U.S.
Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult
Education
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Adults with: Beginning or intermediate English language skills
(NRS levels 2 through 5) Limited opportunities for attending
traditional classes
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Up-to-date Web browser with current Flash Sound card to support
speakers or headphones Microphone (optional) Fast Internet
connection (at least 384 Kbps) Not really suitable for use in a
computer lab with many simultaneous users, unless a very fast and
large connection is available
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Mouse & Keyboard Point, Click, Scroll Letters, Backspace,
Shift, Spacebar Internet Browser Open a browser (Explorer, Safari,
Chrome, etc.) Navigate a basic Website Microphone (optional) Use
built-in or external microphone. Volume control
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Launch Date: November 7, 2008 by December 31, 2008 44,000
Learners/Student 2000+ Teachers Data from 2/21/13
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14,305,563 visits from 217 countries/territories 724,291
Learners 42,665 Teachers 53,963 Student Launch - November 7, 2008
Data from 2/21/13
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Total Pageviews: 851+ million Total Unique Visits: 4+ million
Avg. number of pages viewed: 59 Avg. minutes per visit: 26 minutes
Daily avg.: 6000 then 10,000 now 14,000 Data from 2/21/13 Launch -
November 7, 2008:
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DesignDeliveryDetails Every day I take some engish class on the
internet on usalearns.org. I like to learn with the wizard, the
stories are very funny and important... thanks for your help.... Um
Abrao! My name is Alex. I live in Argentina. I'm doing the English
course. It's great! The best English course I've never done. I feel
I'm learning a lot. Congratulations! I find it very practical and
good comprehension intersante am greatly pleased lessons of English
language lessons thank you very much! Thanks a lot, is the best
course i ever had, not excuse any more to say I can't learn
English.
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Clean & Intuitive Simple navigation; easy to see buttons
Directions and feedback in consistent locations on standardized
screen templates Audio and graphic animated screens
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High quality media Video programs converted to an interactive
Web-based learning system soapettes! Putting English to Work I
English for All Real photos and created images instead of clip-art
Professional narrators
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Activities created to simulate interaction using language in
the videos. Vocabulary includes over 1000 words with images and
definitions Grammar presented as patterns found in context of
spoken language Audio passages repeated with specific tasks to
focus listening
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Real life skill activities allow practice to fill out forms,
follow directions, or search for info. Lessons offer Life Skill
readings and narrative reading (audio available) followed by
comprehension activity Speaking and writing activities present in
even low-level units. Learners can self-manage by viewing scores,
repeating activities, and using logs to assess their success.
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U.S.A. Learns offers a wide range of tasks - boredom and
frustration are not issues. Content developed by teachers
experienced in the ESL classroom AND digital delivery. Every
activity was subjected to a meticulous process and had to meet
criteria set by teachers, developers and design staff.
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Independent Learner site www.usalearns.org www.usalearns.org
Teacher site www.usalearns.org/teacher www.usalearns.org/teacher
Class site (student) www.usalearns.org/class
www.usalearns.org/class
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Self Assessment Visitors and Independent Learners can take a
Self Assessment when they start. Teachers must provide the link to
students (from the teacher site.)
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1 st English Course 20 video-based units: survival language
topics
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2 nd English Course 20 video-based units: job and life skills
topics
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Practice English & Reading: Intermediate 42 stories:
various topics from news
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www.usalearns.org/teacher For Teachers and Tutors
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Create online classes based on 3 courses with one account
Monitor students progress and scores Manage student accounts Manage
classes (gradebooks, delete) Post message to entire class Print
instructions for students
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Utilize Student Assessment Print/View class management tips
View instructional Webcasts View/download Scope and Sequence Access
More Practice resources with built-in search
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Register on the Teacher site often forgotten After creating a
class, enroll as a student to familiarize yourself with the content
as well as having at least one student to monitor Make sure
students REGISTER and SIGN IN at the Class site
(www.usalearns.org/class)www.usalearns.org/class Give students a
personal tour of the course for orientation Review the Scope and
Sequence document
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OOPS!
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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
microphone or simply speaking out loud
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Encourage students to: Keep a learning journal for new words,
expressions, practice, and questions Set personal goals and
self-monitor Supplement their learning with other Websites the
teacher suggests
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USA Learns Partners in Practice usalearns.wordpress.com
usalearns.wordpress.com
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Facebook www.facebook.com/usalearns USALearns Vocabulary App
FREE! At the Apple Store! Android App is in the works!