An ESL Web-based Tool for Distance Education Melinda Holt, Project Specialist Sacramento County Office of Education

About U.S.A. Learns Design, Delivery, Details Course content overview Teacher site overview Additional resources

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.

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

Adults with: Beginning or intermediate English language skills (NRS levels 2 through 5) Limited opportunities for attending traditional classes

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

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

Launch Date: November 7, 2008 by December 31, ,000 Learners/Student Teachers Data from 2/21/13

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

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:

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 Abraço! 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.

Clean & Intuitive Simple navigation; easy to see buttons Directions and feedback in consistent locations on standardized screen templates Audio and graphic animated screens

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

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

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.

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.

Independent Learner site Teacher site Class site (student)

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.)

1 st English Course  20 video-based units: survival language topics

2 nd English Course  20 video-based units: job and life skills topics

Practice English & Reading: Intermediate  42 stories: various topics from news

For Teachers and Tutors

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

Utilize Student Assessment Print/View class management tips View instructional Webcasts View/download Scope and Sequence Access “More Practice” resources with built-in search

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 ( Give students a personal tour of the course for orientation Review the “Scope and Sequence” document

OOPS!

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

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

USA Learns – Partners in Practice usalearns.wordpress.com usalearns.wordpress.com

Facebook USALearns Vocabulary App FREE! At the Apple Store! Android App is in the works!

For help send a detailed message to: A reply is generally sent within 3 business days or sooner