C.O.D. Library ESL/ABE/GED Faculty Newsletter February 2009
Resource of the Month
http://literacyworks.org/ learningresources/ Learning Resources, formerly known as CNN Interactive Learning Resources, pairs news stories with language learning activities to promote practical literacy in adults. A news story such as "Sea Otter Census Shows Big Population Jump" contains video, audio and a written transcript plus links for further information on the topic. Links in a sidebar to the left of the story provide activities that quiz users through multiple choice, sequencing and word selection activities. Unfortunately, Learning Resources has not been updated since it's beta site was released in 2006. As a result, the new format website only
Taking Requests Whenever I walk through the stacks of the Library, I'm impressed by the large number of books we have on such a great diversity of topics. The Library supports all of the departments and divisions of the College, and as such has everything from HVAC Equations, Data, and Rules of Thumb to The Golden Bough to Milady's Standard Cosmetology. We have 1508 titles alone classified as "Readers for New Literates", not to mention the hundreds of other books, videos, CDs, software kits and more that support ESL, ABE and GED students, faculty and programs. What more could there be to add to this collection? Well, here's where you come in. I'm lucky enough to have a fair amount of funds for purchasing materials to support these areas, and while there have been budgetary cutbacks recently, I do still have money to spend-- especially for A/V materials. So! What would you like? What books, videos, CDs do you wish we had? What do you wish we had more of? What is out of date and needs replacing? I'm seeking suggestions, recommendations, requests, thoughts, and ideas. Send them my way and I'll see what I can do to expand, update and improve our collection of ESL/ABE/GED resources for you, our students and the community. In related news, I have written in the blog about some improvements in the Learning Express Library -- take a look and learn how this great resources is now even easier to use. If you'd like to introduce your students to the Learning Express Library, just let me know-- we can arrange a hands-on demonstration.
New Library Materials Easy Information Sources for ESL, Adult Learners and New Readers Author: Rosemary Riechel Call Number: Z1033.H53 R535 2009
has a fraction of the stories that the older version (http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/ home.html) offered. While the older site is still operational, useful tools such as the built-in word lookup have not been maintained and deliver the user to error screens. Despite the neglect, Learning Resources offers excellent selfcontained study and practice modules that can be assigned individually, used in a classroom setting or serve as inspiration for developing similar activities.
Your Librarian Jenn Kelley Reference Librarian Office: SRC 3043A Phone: (630) 942-2383 E-mail: kelleyj@cod.edu Library Website: www.cod.edu/ library Find me on Facebook
Learning Computers, Speaking English: Cooperative Activities for Learning English and Basic Word Processing Author: Steve Quann and Diana Satin Call Number: Z1033.H53 R535 2009 Citizenship, Passing the Test: Civics and Literacy Author: Lynn Weintraub Call Number: Z1033.H53 R535 2009 25 Business Stories: A Practical Guide for English Learners Author: Andrew E. Bennett Call Number: PE1127.B86 B66 2008