February 2010 Task: Learn-A-Test

February 2010 Task: Learn-A-Test

I registered for an account on the Learn-A-Test database.

I visited the Library Help Center and read all about Finding Help, Accessing Learning Express Library, Finding Tests and Courses, About My Center, About the Learning Centers, Navigating Learning Express Library, What's New in Learning Express Library Version 2.0, Using the Tests and Courses, FAQs, and System Requirements.

I took a Guided Tour of the Learning Express Library.

I browsed the list of Learning Centers and Their Resources.

I browsed the complete library of eBooks.

The tabs at the top of the Learning Center page are a convenient feature, as this makes navigation more streamlined. Many of the new features of the 2.0 version have made navigation more friendly. It is handy to put Practice Tests and Courses in the My Center account that is set up for the individual. That account can be accessed easily if one must stop at any point and return later to continue on. This is especially nice for anyone who may be using our Public Computers, which have a time limit. Viewing All Learning Centers and being able to click on all the subtopics of the particular sections is set up well and easy to use.

I took the Guided Tour, which was helpful because it gave some hints on what can be found as one goes.

I chose to use the GED Learning Center and Test Practice because many people come to the Library requesting GED study guides. I selected the High School Writing Courses, 1 and 2 to review. I took the GED practice test. The guides also included information on what it would be like to take the test and assess how one's own study practices may be helped.

There are lots of occasions to recommend this data base to patrons. One is that our study guides for GED, ASVAB, SAT, and ACT are often already checked out when a patron comes in. This is an alternative they may use on their home computer or the Library's Public Computers. Also, we do not have a number of study guides in book form, such as Cosmetology or Real Estate.

One of the down sides to the Learn-A-Test may be that a number of tests are for tests for state licenses. I'm sure that a lot of the general information can be applicable to all, yet their may be a significant amount of information that is missing. For instance, there are only Real Estate Exams for 7 states and Colorado is not one of them. The same is true of the selection of eBooks.