The Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center

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• Facts & Statistics
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• Learning Disabilities
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Training: Online Courses

Online Training Schedule

Taking an online course is a great way to begin or further your work in adult education. We offer four online courses. The eight-week courses are designed for adult education and ESOL practitioners and are conducted through the Blackboard platform.

Experienced facilitators lead the classes, and you learn at your own pace in the comfort and convenience of your home or office. Participants should be able to spend at least four hours per week for eight weeks. Other course requirements include access to an Internet-ready computer, basic computer skills, and periodic access to an adult education classroom.

There are no fees for the courses if you are a Virginia adult literacy practitioner, and a certificate will be mailed to you upon course completion. For more information, please contact Lauren Ellington at (800) 237-0178.

Adults and Learning Disabilities

This online course is designed for any adult literacy teacher or volunteer. Participants will learn how to help students who struggle or who may have a learning disability through identifying the characteristics of students with learning disabilities, appropriately planning instruction for learning disabilities, and adapting current instruction.

“I have learned so much that I will be able to implement in my own classroom and also to encourage my program to move towards in order to meet the learning needs of our adult students."

Nichole Bennett, Teacher

As part of the registration process, we ask that you go through a short tutorial on online learning in order to better prepare yourself for success. Click the register now button below to begin the tutorial.

Adults as Learners: An Orientation

This course helps new practitioners learn the keys to success in working with adults by introducing instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, and assessment approaches to measure learning gains.

“The course caused me to focus on my teaching and to consider how I can do it better, and it provided a multitude of wonderful resources to use.”

Catherine Krebs, Instructor

Registration is now open for the spring session of this course. As part of the registration process, we ask that you go through a short tutorial on online learning in order to better prepare yourself for success. Click the register now button below to begin the tutorial.

ESOL Basics

This course explains how to identify characteristics of adult ESOL learners, introduces effective methods of teaching languages, and addresses the four language skills and how adults learn another language.

“I am really benefiting from the course. I am in the middle of conducting training workshops for our ESOL program volunteers. The resources at the VALRC and this course have been a God-send to me.”

Mary Hall, ESOL Program Director

Registration is now open for the spring session of this course. As part of the registration process, we ask that you go through a short tutorial on online learning in order to better prepare yourself for success. Click the register now button below to begin the tutorial.

Using Technology to Enhance Instruction

Are you a GED teacher who wants to enhance lessons through technology but aren't sure where to start? If you are, then this course will help you in those first steps towards joining the digital community.

“I was a bit reluctant to delve into an online course because I was so busy. However, it turned out to be a blessing... Your course was just what I needed at just the right time.”

Rich Emery

Registration is now open for the spring session of this course. As part of the registration process, we ask that you go through a short tutorial on online learning in order to better prepare yourself for success. Click the register now button below to begin the tutorial.

TABE Certification Training Online

Are you new to adult education? Or are you a person who has worked with adults in an educational capacity for some time? Either way, the TABE Online Certification Training will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and ability to place adults into the appropriate instructional level. This training covers both Forms 7 & 8 as well as Forms 9 & 10. If your program is currently using Forms 7 & 8, you may certify for those forms and then revisit the course when your program switches to Forms 9 & 10. This course is self-paced and designed to be completed in approximately three hours.

Registration for this self-directed course is ongoing - you may register for this course at any time. To complete your registration, click the register now button below.

Virginia Content Standards Online Training

Do you want to learn how to effectively integrate the Virginia Content Standards into your instruction? If you plan to attend any face-to-face trainings about how to use the content standards, you must complete the short online introduction before attending. The course is self-paced and is designed to be completed in approximately two hours.

If you have previously completed this training, you do not need to complete it again. If you have lost your certificate, please log back into the training and resubmit the evaluation noting that you are only printing your certificate. This will allow you to reprint your certificate for your training.

To complete your registration, click the register now button below.