Instructional resources abound!
Attend a Training: In the opening months of 2007 the Resource Center has already scheduled several GED Connection trainings around the state. These trainings are an essential experience for many instructors because this is where LiteracyLink Teachers Guides are distributed, and participation in the training gives you the keys to your own LiteracyLink virtual classroom (for Workplace Essential Skills curriculum as well). Take a look at the calendar to see if one of these trainings will fit into your schedule.
Turn DVDs into GEDs: To help Virginia adult educators take full advantage of the LiteracyLink programs, we are distributing DVD sets of both PBS television series, GED Connection and Workplace Essential Skills (WES). You can show these programs in your classroom before the whole class, or allow individual students to play the discs at personal computer stations. The cost of the DVD sets is $80 for GED Connection and $65 for WES (including shipping). If you are interested, contact Marianne Baker about placing an order.
Get Cozy with eLearning for the GED: Registration is now open for our online course "Using Technology to Enhance GED Instruction." This professional development session is a great way to get caught up on the latest teaching techniques in adult education. The registration deadline for all courses is Friday, February 16; courses begin Monday, February 19.
Two New Products: Could your students benefit from having GED prep in the palm of their hands? Some instructors are finding it useful to a have a stack of GED Flashcard Secrets in the classroom for students who want to get some extra practice in just before the test. They say you can't cram for the GED, but flashcards let you go through the motion while sharpening GED skills.
Recently, the VAELN listserv received an announcement about Spanish language GED practice tests that are now available from InterLingua Educational Publishing (Spanishged.org). These are not the Official Practice Test (OPT) in Spanish, which is only offered by Steck-Vaughn. However, they are inexpensive, downloadable, available on CD or hard-copy, and come with lessons that may be useful to your native Spanish-speaking students.