Lesson 8--Learning Express Library

Learning Express Library is online tutorials and has over 300 practice tests that one may repeat as many times as needed. ACT, SAT, GED, ASVAB and more tests with complete answer explanations and study suggestions are available on PC in 400+ South Dakota libraries and campuses and on PC in South Dakota State Government, plus, Learning Express Library is available from home by entering a library Barcode and Password or one's own library card number and creating a password and including Email.

I really like this new home page design. It is so welcoming, nonthreatening, and so much easier to use. Everything is explained so well on the What Do I Do Now? feature and within each course.

The tutorial link for Learning Express Library that South Dakota Library Challenge:Electronic Resources Edition supplied in this Lesson 8 was very helpful. Thank you!

1. Set up an account.
I clicked on New Users only to learn my username was already used. Then, I remembered I'd set up an account years earlier and went to Returning User Login. I typed in the same username and password and rediscovered the results of the courses/tests I'd taken: SAT Practice Essay I; ACT Writing Essay Practice Test; Algebra, Patterns, Functions practice 4. For the Essay course, 4 courses were listed to take, which I haven't taken yet. I like the suggested answer sample showing examples of a 6-point response, 5-point response, down to a 1-point response scoring.

2. Choose one..."Score my test"..."View Answers"
Learning Express Library's tests are exactly that: a fast learning experience! While taking the test, you realize what you know and what you do not know. The test is scored right away, and with a quick click, you are given explanations and courses/tools you need to help you improve right now, or later, as you have the time to schedule it in your life. What a wonderful tool for being able to educate, improve and advance! I'll be coming back to do some computer courses...and will be showing students and teachers (they'll love it!) this database, too. What a great tool for those students in study hall "with nothing to do" !

3. Job searching and resume writing..."Job Search and Workplace Skills"
I chose Job, Search, Resumes, Interviewing and peeked at Career Course: Succeeding on the Job, got hooked on Time Management and ended up doing the whole 4-segment course with 22 sections/readings just to see what it had in it. I found Handling Criticism in Segment 2, Managing Work Relationships, to be helpful, and How to talk to your boss about a raise or promotion in Segment 3, Promotions and Raises, calming, in this taxpayer-environment. Segment 4, Your Next Career Stop, How to Handle a Resignation said to make three (3) lists: 1. Provide an outline of day-to-day activities. 2. List all open projects and the status of each. 3. State/describe the location of all important files and other information. Include these three lists with the letter of resignation. This course also gave samples of letters of resignation.
I like the course outline bar on the left of the screen so one can see where he/she is and what is still ahead to do. One can stop at any time and return later to finish just by clicking on My Center and resuming where you left off.

4. eBooks.
I printed out the list of LearningExpress Searchable eBooks.
Under Math Skills, I will demonstrate/show and point out Goof-Proof Personal Finance to the Personal Finance/computer teacher.
I clicked on Goof-Proof Resumes and Cover Letters (by Felice P. Devine, First Edition, c2003, 141 pages) under Workplace Skills and Career Tools and added it to My Center.
There are 8 books in the High School Library that relate to Workplace Skills and Career Tools with copyright dates ranging from 1993 to 2001. Four books have been checked out once, and four books have never been checked out. These dates are considered recent compared to the age of most of the books in this library's collection., but I think these 8 may be withdrawn, and then advertise Learning Express Library and let Learning Express Library take center stage.
The High School Library was once a stage, complete with one window wall facing the study hall, and four doors, one in each direction, creating a short-cut from one side of the building to the other, a traffic lane. I need to make some highway signs advertising these databases, similar to the Burma Shave era (1950s) or the Wall Drug era (1930s--Ice Water)!!
The 8 books.....The number in ( ) is number of times book has been check out.
Joyce Lain Kennedy's Career Book c.1993 (0)
How to Land a Better Job c.1994 (0)
How to Get a Good Job and Keep it c.1994 (0)
The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book c.1994 (1)
Dynamic Cover Letters c.1995 (1)
The Job Hunting Handbook: Job Outlook to 2006 c.1998 (0)
Panic Plan for the SAT c.1998 (1)
Hot Words for the SAT * 1 c2001 (1)
What do you think? Agree, all should be withdrawn ? Or does a book in hand with samples to see by flipping the pages or via index warrant a spot on the shelf? Something better than nothing? The 4 with zereo circulation will be withdrawn for sure. Two books with 1 circulation were checked out by the teacher teaching this subject in 2000. The other two books were checked out by students in 2004 and 2005.
I have never written a resume to obtain a job. For all the jobs I've ever held, the employer has come to me, including this one 16 years ago, before he hired me 2 years later in 1996.
Wow! What a useful database for life-long learning and employment!
I'll be roaming around in this one every chance I get.
I like the print feature that allows printing the one page I am on! :)
What an experience I am having in this South Dakota Library Challenge: Electronic Resource Edition course! Benefits galore!