Worthwhile websites

Many websites provide useful tools and information for adult educators. If you have a favorite website you’d like for us to share, please send us an e-mail at .

In this issue:

gcflearnfree.org
This free website, supported by the Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc., provides "quality, innovative online learning opportunities to anyone who wants to improve the technology, literacy, and math skills necessary for them to be successful in both work and life. We believe there’s freedom in the ability to learn what you want, when you want, regardless of your circumstances."

Visit their sitemap for an overview of the wealth of learning opportunities you’ll find here.

famlit.org/byronpitts
As CBS chief national correspondent and a 60 Minutes contributor, Byron Pitts is clearly a success, but as a teen Pitts was functionally illiterate and had a serious stuttering problem.

His new book, Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped me Conquer Life’s Challenges, describes his journey. If you purchase the book through this website, 100 percent of the net profits will go to the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL). Pitts is also the first author to join NCFL’s A PENNY A BOOK initiative which benefits family literacy across the country.

"NCFL is in the trenches when it comes to literacy and that’s where the real work is done: one child, one family at a time," Pitts said. "For those of us who want to see tangible results for our efforts, NCFL is the place to be."

Favorite websites from past issues of eNews:

Caalusa.org
The Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy (CAAL) is a national public charity dedicated to developing adult education, ESL, and workforce skills in America. CAAL does research, policy and issue analysis, symposia, planning, and leadership development activities, all with the goal of bringing about change that will help move individual Americans and the nation toward a better future. Visit this site to sign up for the new CAAL e-newsletter.

ebooks.sesamestreet.org/monster-book
Encourage your adult learners to find a young person and enjoy hearing Sesame Street’s Grover reading The Monster at the End of this Book.

ket.org/GED2002
Are you a new GED teacher? This site provides information on the GED® Tests and strategies you can implement in your classroom. If you need guidance in such areas as problem solving, calculator use, graphic literacy, essay writing, or critical thinking skills, this site’s for you.

ning.com
Love Hershey kisses? Want to serve your city? Want to know what author Anne Rice is up to? You can find the answer to all these questions and thousands more at Ning.com. The site touts itself as "a place to create and join social networks for your interests and passions." If your passion is not already covered, or even if it is, you can create a network for free. Richard Sebastian, instructional technology specialist and project manager of eLEARN Virginia, used Ning.com to create the first-ever adult education conference that was both on-site and online. For more information on how Ning might help you, read Social Media Opens Up New Possibilities.

Onguardonline.gov
Maintained by the Federal Trade Commission, this site provides tips to help you avoid Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.

pbs.org/literacy
February is Black History Month, and you can find a matrix of 20 Major Black Writers in GED Connection on the LiteracyLink® website. Go to pbs.org/literacy and click "GED Connection" on the left side of the home page. You’ll find a link to the list on the right. Or look for the list under Teacher Resources from your home space.

TED.com
Described as "ideas worth spreading" and "riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world." Your brain will thank you.