53
USALearns.org Web-based Learning for ESL Students Presented by: Evelyn Fella [email protected] TESOL March 2010 Boston

Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

  • Upload
    evfella

  • View
    6.760

  • Download
    5

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

This is an overview of the features of USALearns.org, a free Web site designed to help ESL students improve their English skills outside of a traditional classroom.

Citation preview

Page 1: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

USALearns.org

Web-based Learning for ESL Students

Presented by:

Evelyn Fella [email protected]

TESOL March 2010 Boston

Page 2: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

AGENDA

• USALearns Components & Requirements

• Course Features

• Teacher Site Overview

• Implementation Tips

Page 3: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

What is U.S.A. Learns?

A free Web site for immigrant adults who want to improve their

English language skills

Page 4: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Who created U.S.A.Learns?

Funded by:

U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education

Developed by:

Sacramento County Office of Education with

Project IDEAL, University of Michigan

Page 5: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Who is the target audience?

Immigrant Adults with

limited opportunities for attending traditional classes

beginning or intermediate English language skills

(NRS levels 2 through 5)

Page 6: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

What computer skills are required?

Mouse: Click and scroll

Keyboard: Letters, backspace, shift key, space bar

Web browser: • Open a browser (e.g. IE, Safari)• Navigate a basic Web site • Click buttons and links

Microphone: optional

Page 7: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

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

• Sound card

• Speakers or headphones

• Microphone (optional)

Page 8: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

What are the content components?

1st English Course: Beginner20 video-based units: Survival language topics

2nd English Course: Intermediate20 video-story based units: Job & Life Skills

topics

Practice English and Reading: Intermediate42 stories: Various topics

Teacher Management SiteMonitor progress and scores; comment on writing

Page 9: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Main Menu

Page 10: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

What are the features of USAL?

High Quality Video• characters, situations and stories relevant to

immigrants

Language Development Activities • 4-Skills practice with video, images, audio

Clean Intuitive Design • simple navigation; easy-to-see buttons; consistent screen templates

Page 11: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Classroom Video - 1st Course

Page 12: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Situational Video - 1st Course

Page 13: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

First English Course

Unit Menu

Unit menu - 1st Course

Page 14: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

2nd English Course Topic Menu

Page 15: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Video - 2nd Course

Page 16: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Video with Text - 2nd Course

Page 17: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Practice English and Reading Topic Menu

Page 18: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Practice English and Reading - Story Sample

Page 19: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Review of 3 Core Content Components

Page 20: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Language Development Activities

Skills practice in: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

Special focus on: Vocabulary, Life Skills, Grammar

Media-rich activitiesVideo, images, sound

Page 21: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Activities Menu

Activities Menu

Page 22: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Learn New Words1st Course

Page 23: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Learn New Words (Intermediate Vocabulary)

Page 24: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Spell It!

Page 25: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Match Game

Page 26: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Listen for it!

Page 27: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Say it! - Record your Voice

Page 28: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Grammar - Writing

Page 29: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Life Skills - Listening and Reading

Page 30: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Life Skills - Reading a Lease

Page 31: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Write about it!

Page 32: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Thinking Skills - Drawing Conclusions

Page 33: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Making Choices -You Predict

Page 34: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Self-Reflection - Learning Log

Page 35: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

usalearns.org

Page 36: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Teacher Management Site

usalearns.org/teacher

Page 37: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

What can I do at the Teacher site?

Create an online class. Monitor students’ progress and scores. Score/comment on writing assignments. Post messages to the online class

View/download Scope and Sequence. Story summaries Vocabulary word lists Grammar Life Skills; functions

Page 38: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Teacher Main Menu

Page 39: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Teacher Registration

Page 40: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Teacher Home Page

Page 41: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Add a New Class

Students need Class Password, Teacher Last Name & class web address

usalearns.org/class

Page 42: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Manage Classes Menu

Page 43: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Class Roster

Page 44: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Student Scores-Activity Menu

Page 45: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Feedback on Student Writing

Page 46: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Teacher messages

Page 47: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

3 USAL Components!

Independent Learner Site usalearns.org

Teacher Management Site usalearns.org/teacher• Class Site usalearns.org/class

Page 48: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

U.S.A. Learns

Implementation Tips

Page 49: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Good Language Learner 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.

Page 50: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Good Language Learner Habits

Encourage students to:

Keep a learning journal for new words, expressions, questions, writing practice.

Set personal goals and self-monitor.

Connect learning in their real-world environment -- signs, billboards, newspapers, listening-in to others.

Page 51: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Tips for Teachers

Register on the Teacher site and be sure students use the Class site.

Give students a personal orientation tour of the site and show how to best use it.

Monitor your student’s progress online and communicate with them regularly.

If possible set up a class web site with links, or a social network for online discussion.

Page 52: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Tips for Teachers

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.

(usalearns.wordpress.com for unit-specific recommendations)

Page 53: Engaging Adult ESL Online Learners with USALearns

Questions? Problems? Comments?

Technical Support: [email protected]

Content/implementation: [email protected]

Unit/Topic-Specific supplementary activities: usalearns.wordpress.com