Institute for Health Advancement

On-line Resouces

Excellent links to health information resources  presented in a format and language appropriate for reading levels below the fifth grade.

There is now in place for local patrons  access to two excellent language learning programs:  Mango languages is available through the Kansas State Library Card and the Byki course of study may be reached through the Hutch Public Library website.  Most of the word's major languages are represented and both Byki and Mango have mobile tools, terrific for on-the-go vocabulary review, etc.  Patrons who have any questions about how to access or benefit fully from these programs can stop by the library or call us.  Byki is great for learning English, also.

Language Learning Opportunity

Hutchinson Public Library now offers Transparent Language, Inc., in addition to Mango Languages, as a way to learn a  new language online.   Available for registration with a HPL card:

Transparent Language, Inc

Take a look! English Language Learning is supported too.

The State Library has just announced that Mango Languages will be offered as past of the database offerings.  There is English as a Second Language and much, much more. I can't wait for August 1 to use it.

 Coursera is in the news this morning with commitments from 5 major universities (including one of my former schools, Penn) to offer free online courses.  Content here is college-level, and the intent is to teach the nuts and bolts with video segments, much as KhanAcademy does.  The education revolution appears finally to be gaining momentum.  I am experimenting with Khan for GED math concepts and with Buzzmath for middle school core standards with several adult students at Hutchinson Public Library.

How to search for free learning materials

Videos of Adult Learners

If you are interested in becoming a tutor or if you know an adult who might want instruction, these videos from Philadelphia -- in 4 parts on YouTube -- might be of interest:  It's never too late to learn to read.

TED talk shows possibilities for language learning

Academic Word Lists

In the course of advising several ESL learners who want to increase their mastery of words commonly used in texts and discussions of intellectual material, I ran across several valuable web sites.  The AWL originated in New Zealand, these are British and Canadian sites, and they include American spellings also.

Download a list of the AWL word families


Copy and paste text to see highlighted AWL terms

Practice exercises and pronunciation audio

Get help completing FAFSA

http://www.collegegoal.org/

This web site explains the help available. The Hutchinson site is Parker Student Union on the HCC campus.

Great free courses

This basic English/Spanish course can be done online, or saved for working offline:



http://ocw.usu.edu/University_Extension/CALFNES_Spanish/index.html


Take a look at this beta site for many free university-level courses. If Einztein takes off, this could offer an  exciting way to learn.

http://www.einztein.com/

For food for thought, take a look at this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

Learn English

Take a look at the New York Public Library list of sites for learning English.

http://www.nypl.org/help/community-outreach/immigrant-services/learn-esol-online-resources

Tatoeba translates sentences

http://tatoeba.org/eng/pages/home

Google Translates

from Der Spiegel

There have been some decided improvements recently.  Google now offers  pronunciation, also, for a handful of languages, with more to come.

Research Materials, Free for the Asking

The National Institute for Literacy, a federal agency, is closing in September. In advance of that, they have made available fee copies of literacy and reading publications which they had published to support adult literacy and education stakeholders. Yesterday, I received multiple copies of about 8 different research reports. Feel free to stop by my office on the 2nd floor of the Library, take a look and choose any for which you might have a use.

Ready to start up again

I have not tended my blog for some time now, but I want to revisit some old resources and highlight some new ones. To begin with, however, I want to encourage students and tutors to sign up for the 2010 project at the Hutchinson Public Library:

www.hutchpl.org


You will have an opportunity to begin at your own level and proceed at your own pace, while getting a nice introduction to lots of newer online applications.

Start a blog to practice English

One of our students has begun to write a blog.I think blogging is a wonderful way to practice writing English with a purpose. You might enjoy checking out her site.

http:/vegangifts.blogspot.com

"Just Words" now offered as one choice

If you are interested in learning about and evaluating the Tutor and Student materials for the new Wilson Reading System's "Just Words," come to the Literacy Office. I attended a training session last week, and would love to discuss with you what this system offers to adult learners. You can read about the program here:

http://www.justwords.com/

Free computer courses and job seeking information

www.gcflearnfree.org

Great free help and actual training. Take a look.

Consejos de Salud Para Tí

http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/espanoix.htm


Rebecca Brown, MLS, Kansas Outreach & Technology Liaison, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region
University of Kansas Medical Center announces:

Consejos de Salud Para Tí (Health Advice for You), a new monthly online health advice column for Spanish-speaking consumers. The column is part of AHRQ's Información en Espanol Web site which now includes audio and video in Spanish on a wide range of health care issues.

AHRQ's enhanced Spanish-language Web site includes more than 35 consumer guides (guide titles are in English as well) on health care quality, surgery, health conditions and diseases, quitting smoking, safe use of medicines, understanding health insurance options and prevention and wellness. The 30 and 60 second audio spots on the Web site focus on comparisons of pills for type 2 diabetes, pain medicines for osteoarthritis, tips for preventing blood clots, safe and effective use of blood thinner pills, tips for quitting smoking, preventive health and more.