It was a delight to work with adult educators to share and evaluate a smattering of the free content available out there for adult education and GED Test Prep. Participants at The Literacy Cooperative’s training organized into groups to become the Adult Education Resource Evaluation Team (AERET). After introducing 25 free websites available for Ohio adult educators (18 of those sites are free to a national audience), I sent the teams on a webquest.  They have shared their recommendations with you:

Low Level English Proficiency Learners

Our first group were professionals who serve a variety of literacy levels. Their overall finding was that there is not much out there that is intuitive and well paced for low level English readers or speakers. Almost everything requires instructional intervention.

Parameters for evaluation:

1. Accessibility
2. Site navigation
3. General app look and feel
4. Tech requirements

USAlearns.org

1. Accessibility : Need to sign in which requires a username and Need to have an email address in order to enter the site. Need to answer a series of questions in order to enter the site.
2. Site Navigation: The site is difficult to navigate; it doesn’t allow you to return to the previous page.
3. Applications : The speaking part of the testing is too fast for low level learners. There are multiple ads on the page which makes it confusing for low level English.
4. Tech Reqs: Need to have speakers on the computer to do the testing.

Gcflearnfree.org (non profit)

1. Accessibility : No sign in for this site ; no email address needed.
2. Site Navigation: No ads on the site but you need to have a higher level English level to understand the choices.
3. Applications : Navigate in multiple languages to understand what to choose but there is a lot of narrative (content). There are many applications but they are scattered and difficult to navigate by technology.
4. Tech Reqs: No special technology requirements.

Khanacademy.org

1. Accessibility : Need to sign in (register) and requires an email. You need to enter a birth date which is a personal security issue.
2. Site Navigation: Requires that you go to your email and click a link to sign up. Once you go to the email you then have to enter additional information which is confusing.
3. Applications : Requires you to select an avatar which is confusing and then does not allow you to move to the next level.
4. Tech Reqs: Speakers would be nice for interaction of sound but not necessary; necessary for video component. Adobe flash needed for video component.

LearnAmericanEnglishOnline.com

1. Accessibility: No sign in required ; no security issues or email address needed.
2. Site Navigation: The site has too many ads that could be confusing to the low level English learner.
3. Applications: The quality of the videos is very low; not ESOL teachers on the video which allows for the use of confusing English for low level learners.
4. Tech Reqs: Speakers and Adobe flash for video component.

NEO Literacy Corps

The next group was a team of AmeriCorps Members serving for a year in adult literacy and workforce development contexts.

We evaluated four different sites for GED preparation. It was our goal to find sites to use in our classrooms, with students ages 17-22 as well as adult learners (22+).  All sites evaluated require internet access and access to a computer with a functioning keyboard, mouse or track pad, and monitor. We analyzed the sites based on Usability and Instructional Quality. In the conclusion, we covered Cost Analysis.

Tri-C’s Math MOOC

Usability:

• the students need to know how to navigate the Blackboard Course system.
• Accessing the system requires login
• Facilitators would need to have taken the course themselves, as there is no instructor companion material.

Instructional Quality:

• Student & adult learners can use website
• Math, English, GED readiness
• Learners use without instructor guiding

McGraw Hill Online Learning Center

[Farrell Ink’s note: Aligned to the 2002 GED Test Prep Series from Contemporary/McGraw Hill.] Websites:

• GED Reading
• GED Math
• GED Writing
• GED Social Studies
• GED Science

Usability:

• Has a teachers guide
• Does not require auxiliary equipment
• Simple, logical layout and structure
• Language arts focus on writing, but not reading comprehension.

Instructional Quality:

• Both instructors and students can use site for language arts, math, various refreshers for GED readiness
• Instructors can assist students with curriculum
• Does not have to be instructor lead

GEDforfree.com

Usability

• Unappealing set up: small print, antiquated look.
• We don’t know if signing up grants you access to automatic grading for question responses.

Instructional Quality:

• Student based
• This site does not give process updates, this is not instructor based

Readtheory.org

Usability:

• This site was one of the only places we could find for Reading Comprehension, which is one of the major components of the GED and one that many sites (including Khan Academy) did not specifically target.
• Sleek, appealing layout and appearance.

Instructional Quality:

• Reading comprehension, language arts, reading development
• Student based but they can track their progress

Conclusion

With respect to analyzing cost, start-up fees are associated with any computer lab or computer based program including location (renting or maintaining available space, as well as associated utilities).  Classroom instruction fees could be incurred as well.  Maintaining the computers will require IT personnel, which may be volunteers but it is more likely that programs will pay for these services.  All of the online programs we analyzed were free to access.

Workforce Development

The final group’s target population were low-income, low-literacy un-employed or under employed adults with limited labor market attachment; individuals who need to advance towards self-sufficiency.

Costs:  Headphones for computers (if needed), paper, pens, printer

Criteria:

• Low-cost/free resources for low-income and low-computer literacy users
• Materials written at around a 6^th grade level; visually appealing as well to keep users engaged
• Sites able to blend smoothly into the job search process AND support career retention and advancement

Recommended Resources and Process:

1. DigitalLiteracyAssessment.org
   • We will start off with an assessment of each individual’s existing computer literacy level
   • Students will be instructed on how to improve their skills, as most resume and job search is done online
   • This website has different modules that individuals can take on their own; they are scored and instruction can be tailored to the lacking skills
2. DOL.gov’s Soft Skills to Pay the Bills
   • This site uses role play and interactive classroom-based activities
   • These can keep students engaged while teaching valuable job skills that are needed to gain and retain employment
   • The materials on the site are written at an appropriate literacy level and the printable worksheets are visually appealing
3. TheBeehive.org
   • This site offers an excellent section on jobs
     • Includes online career coach, resume tips/examples, interviewing basics, how to dress for success, and how to find a job with a criminal background, amongst others
     • The site is well-written at an appropriate literacy level, and again is visually appealing
4. OhioMeansJobs.com
   • At this point, we envision students registering on the website, uploading the resume, and beginning to search for jobs online
   • They can also perform WorkKeys testing, if they want to brush up on their skills
5. The Beehive (again)
   • After obtaining employment, students can be referred back to the Beehive.com for additional supportive services
6. Tri-C’s Math MOOC
   • Students who are interested in career pathways and advancing their education and career will be referred to Tri-C for MOOC and other classes

Thanks again to all the awesome AERET groups for their recommendations! Happy teaching, and Happy New Year!