Staff Development

One of my successes this year has been introducing the Adult High School and GED students to Learning Express Library Database, one of the many outstanding databases in NC LIVE. The instructors had no idea this resource was available. Once I showed them, they have brought each new group of students down to the library for a quick orientation. As they add new students during the semester, they send each one for a library card and set of passwords, and I give the orientation individually.

Students love the flexibility of this resource. They can do the tutorials or practice exams in the classroom or at home. They can work at their own pace. Tutorials start at grade level 4 and move up, so in the privacy of their homes, they can go back and pick up whatever principles they missed. The teachers appreciate having another tool at their disposal, especially one the students seem eager to use. It has been especially helpful to our international students who may not be fully comfortable with their English and math skill preparation for college level work in the US. In any event, at this end of the hall (AHS and GED are my neighbors), it's been a big hit.

There is so much available in this database, including career test preparation, it seemed like a good thing to share with the rest of the faculty. And the easiest way to do that was to create a short Camtasia video and show it in monthly staff meeting. Blogger doesn't give the best rendering of videos, but you get the idea. And if you have access to NC LIVE, it is definitely worth the time to explore.