November 8, 2010

Great news!  LearningExpress Library (LEL) is now available for use by all Oregon residents for at least the next five years.

What is LearningExpress Library?

In short, it is a test prep and computer skills database.  For example, there are practice tests to help elementary, middle, and high school students hone reading and math skills.  Studying for the SAT or PSAT?  There’s assistance for that, too.  Need help learning Microsoft Excel for Windows or Macintosh?  Try an LE course.  There are also lots of eBooks that users can access; Grammar Essentials, SAT Writing Essentials, Just in Time Vocabulary, Statistics Success in 20 Minutes a Day, and Express Review Guides: Algebra II are just a sampling.

How Do I Access LearningExpress Library?

K12 access is via any of the Find Information pages on OSLIS.  Click on the LearningExpress logo to be directed to their homepage.    

            http://elementary.oslis.org/find-information

            http://secondary.oslis.org/find-information

            http://elementary.educator.oslis.org/find-information

            http://secondary.educator.oslis.org/find-information

Does Each User Have to Create an Account?

Yes.  Since users take tests and courses on LearningExpress Library, they need their own account to save works-in-progress and access completed tasks and score histories.  Users are strongly encouraged to note the user name and password that they choose when they sign up for their account.  Teachers might also want to track that information for their students.

Note:  To access the Gale databases, every user in a district or private school uses the same login (user name and password).  However, to access LearningExpress, every user will have a unique user name and password that they create themselves.

How Do I Create an Account?

Click on the LearningExpress logo from any Find Information page on OSLIS. 

At the bottom of the center column on the LEL homepage, click on Register, found under New Users.

Fill out the short form and click on Register.  (An email address is required.) [Correction: An email address is NOT required.  However, users who have one are encouraged to include it in order to be notified about their user name and password later if they forget it.]

Write down your user name and password for future reference.

Can Teachers and Parents Use This?

Yes!  They can follow the same instructions for accessing the database and creating an account as detailed above.  There are many resources for teachers and parents, including GRE practice tests, skill-building lessons for adults, and test prep for certain career exams.

Will I Get Training On This?

Yes.  First, the built-in help center has some good information to orient new users.  These are just a few topics:

            http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/help/NavigatingLearningExpressLibrary

            http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/help/UsingtheTestsandCourses

            http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/help/AboutMyCenter

            http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/help/AccessingLearningExpressLibrary

Also, LE offers free webinars every other Wednesday.  It looks like the times are often 9am or noon for Pacific coast users. 

            http://www.learningexpressllc.com/support/webinars/home.cfm

Finally, in the spring there will be 5 onsite trainings in Oregon.  Specifics will be announced later.  However, I encourage you to use the help center or participate in a webinar to get started before too long.

I’ll send a follow-up email with more information soon.  If you have questions, please ask.

Thanks,
Jen

Jennifer Maurer
School Library Consultant
Library Development
Oregon State Library
250 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR  97301-3950
503-378-5011
jennifer.maurer@state.or.us