Literacy Resources
Zoom
A web-based software that allows groups to communicate via phone and/or video. A webinar version also allows users to share their screens, allowing programs to show documents needed during instruction. During the pandemic, for the free, basic version of Zoom, the 40-minute time limit has been lifted. Apply online at https://zoom.us/pricing.
Free Conference Call
Free Conference Call is a conference call solution which allows up to 1,000 participants to participate in a phone conference for free. There is a web-based version which allows for screen sharing, which gives instructors the ability to show learners documents needed for instruction.
Backchannel Chat
Backchannel Chat is a free, online, text-based class discussion tool that is designed to support instructors. Backchannels are great for facilitating participation in classroom discussions.
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is an easy-to-join way to conduct video calls between instructors and learners. Google is now rolling out free access to the advanced Hangouts video-conference capabilities for education customers until July 1. Click here to learn more.
Skype
Similar to Zoom or other software, Skype is an easy way for instructors and leaners to communicate. You can download and access Skype for free.
While this is not an exhaustive list, these are some of the more popular, free tools to explore for helping programs continue communication between administrators, instructors, and learners.
Online Learning Consortium
OLC Continuity Planning and Emergency Preparedness: a collection of resources and initiatives to support efforts in moving courses to an online format… https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/about/olc-continuity-planning-moving-teaching-online/
EveryoneOn offers broadband service to income-eligible families (for example, those that qualify for free or reduced school lunch, or who live in public housing) at a cost of around $10-12 per month (varies from state-to-state). Some states also offer very low-cost laptops or desktops ($100-200).
Several internet providers are offering discounts or free internet services during the time of the pandemic:
Comcast offers income-eligible families internet access at $10-12 per month. However, they are now offering this low-cost service for free for the next 60 days. internetessentials.com
AT&T is waiving data overage fees to all customers so that families and students can stay connected during the pandemic. They will not terminate service of any customer over the next 60 days. All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data. Additionally, AT&T will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through the Access from AT&T program.
Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free—including non-Xfinity customers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, click here.
Verizon is waiving late fees and committing to no discontinuation of service during the next 60 days. Visit verizon.com/about/news/our-response-coronavirus for information about Verizon’s services during the pandemic.
Websites for BL tutors
- ProLiteracy Education Network: http://www.proliteracyednet.org
- California Distance Learning Project: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/dl
- Literacy Information and Communication Systems: http://lincs.ed.gov
Websites on Learning Differences
- LD Online: http://www.ldonline.org
- Taos Dylexia Group: https://taosdyslexia.wordpress.com/
- Learning Ally: https://www.learningally.org/
- Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity: http://dyslexia.yale.edu/
Reading Horizons
Please contact LVSF office if you need more information on how to get your student started in this program!
Enjoy these free reading education resources.
- Reading Strategies – Tools and tips on how to help your struggling students
- Reading Huddles – Online discussions for reading specialists and coordinators
- Site of the Month – Honoring those schools that are going above and beyond the call to teach reading
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Vocabulary Word Lists
- Links
Websites for BL students
- News For You: http://www.newsforyouonline.com password: 998C77
- Goodwill Community Foundation Learn Free: http://www.gcflearnfree.org
- BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise
- Simple English Wikipedia: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
- Make your own wordsearch puzzle! http://www.armoredpenguin.com/wordsearch
- New York Times Learning Network: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/
Computer Literacy
- Typing Tutorial: KeyBlaze Typing Tutor: www.nchsoftware.com/typingtutor/index.html
- Typing Test: www.typingtest.com
- Typing Master Games: http://www.typingmaster.com/games/typing-games.asp
Publishers: for books and other resources
- Pearson: https://www.pearson.com/us/
- School Specialty: http://www.eps.schoolspecialty.com
- ABC Stuff: http://www.abcstuff.com
- New Readers Press: http://www.newreaderspress.com
- ABC Teach: http://www.abcteach.com
Teaching and Tutoring
For contacts, current issues, and chat
- Developing Teachers: http://www.developingteachers.com
- ProLiteracy: http://www.proliteracy.org
Advocacy: Adult Literacy and Adult Education
- ProLiteracy: http://www.proliteracy.org
- New Mexico Coalition for Literacy: http://www.nmcl.org
- National Center for Adult Literacy: http://literacy.org
- American Association for Adult and Continuing Education: www.aaace.org
- The Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy (CAAL): http://www.caalusa.org
Visual Literacy
Numeracy
- Coming Soon
GED
- http://adulted.about.com/od/gettingyourged/a/GEDstudy.htm
- http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/2014test
Websites for ESL Tutors (lesson planning etc.)
- ESL Flow (mother ship of ESL web links! Lessons galore!): http://www.eslflow.com/
- Dave’s ESL Café (everything!): http://eslcafe.com/
- Puzzlemaker (make your own word searches, crosswords and more!): http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/?CFID=12876080&CFTOKEN=28304945 or
- http://www.armoredpenguin.com/wordsearch/
- Lanternfish (worksheets and flashcards for ESL): http://bogglesworldesl.com/
- Owl at Purdue (great grammar explanations): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/5/
- Pronunciation Lessons (including those crazy “–ed” endings!): http://www.eslflow.com/pronunciationlessonplans.html
- Developing Teachers Newsletter (chatting with other tutors/teachers): http://www.developingteachers.com/
Websites for ESL Students (English practice online)
- News For You: www.newsforyouonline.com Password: 998C77
- USA Learns: www.usalearns.org
- PBS Kids: http://pbskids.org/games/ (account required)
- Activities 4 ESL Students: http://a4esl.org/
- English Zone: http://english-zone.com/index.php
- Dave’s ESL Café for Students: http://www.eslcafe.com/students/
- Wellington County Learning Center, Canada: http://www.wellingtoncountylearningcentre.ca/
- Goodwill Community Foundation Learn Free: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/
- BBC Skillswise: http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise
- Simple English Wikipedia: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
- New York Times Learning Network: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/
Audiovisual Websites/Activities (great listening practice!)
- Tales of Mere Existence (repetitive language; humorous, illustrated tales of daily life): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdYEkZL9KPM&feature=PlayList&p=93B5AB4DBF9F3DED&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=12
- Khan Academy (advanced lectures with visual tutorials): http://www.khanacademy.org/#browse
- We Are New York (immigrant stories in a TV learning show in NYC): http://www.nyc.gov/html/weareny/html/home/home.shtml
Publishers (books and other resources)
- Pearson-Longman (Side by Side & True Stories publisher): http://www.longmanhomeusa.com/
- Cengage English Learner Materials (Heinle Picture Dictionary Publisher): http://elt.heinle.com/cgi-telt/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M80&discipline_number=301&subject_code=AYA01
- Cambridge University Press: http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/?site_locale=en_US
- Resources for Reading (lots of interactive teaching materials): https://www.abcstuff.com
- New Reader’s Press: http://www.newreaderspress.com
Organizations and Advocacy: Adult Literacy and Adult Education
- ProLiteracy: http://www.proliteracy.org/
- New Mexico Coalition for Literacy: http://www.nmcl.org/
- National Center for Adult Literacy: http://literacy.org/
- American Association for Adult and Continuing Education: http://www.aaace.org/
- The Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy (CAAL): http://www.caalusa.org/
- Literacy Information and Communication Systems: http://lincs.ed.gov/
- Center for Applied Linguistics: http://www.cal.org/
These are just a FEW of the myriad sites out there! If you find other Adult Ed. or ESL sites that you like, please let us know!
Coming Soon!
Websites on U.S. Citizenship/Immigration Resources
- USCIS Citizenship Resource Center (EVERYTHING you need to teach the Citizenship Test): https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship
- American Immigration Lawyers Association: http://aila.org/
- Catholic Charities of Santa Fe (Center for Immigration and Citizenship Legal Assistance): http://www.ccasfnm.org/immigration.html
- Somos Un Pueblo Unido (immigrant/worker rights—bilingual website): http://www.somosunpueblounido.org/somos-un-pueblo-unido.html
- New Mexico Immigrant Law Center: http://nmilc.org/
- Santa Fe Dreamers Project: http://www.santafedreamersproject.org