Orientation for the CAHSEE English Language Arts Course

The CAHSEE English Language Arts (ELA) project provides a multitude of resources for the students. In this orientation, the resources are listed by the following:

• Weekly Online Meeting with the Class
• Online Resources for Independent Learning and Communication
• Communication Tools

Weekly Online Meetings with the Class

Each week, the class will get together using a program called CCC Confer or E-lluminate-Live. The instructor leads the group in the learning of the topics of the week. Tools in this program include:

1. Chat - students can type questions and messages to the class.
2. Voice - The instructor uses a microphone to present the materials. All students can hear the instructor. If the student has a microphone, then that student can also be granted speaking privileges and speak to the instructor and others in the group.
3. Web Cam - The instructor is visible via a web cam. If the students also have a web cam hooked up to their computer, then they can take turns being seen.
4. Whiteboard - The instructor will be presenting the lesson using a virtual whiteboard. The whiteboard has tools to draw or write text. Graphics can be imported in and there is a pen tool for writing on the whiteboard. Students can also write on the white board and participate with the instructor and the rest of the students. The instructor can post texts for students to read.
5. Application Sharing - The instructor has the ability to project what is on the instructor's computer to all of the students who are participating.
6. Polling - When the instructor asks a question, the students can respond and both the individual results and the results for the whole class are sent to the instructor.
7. Raise a Hand - When a student wants to ask a question, comment, or just be noticed, that student can raise their hand by clicking on the hand button.

Online Resources for Learning and Communication

The CAHSEE English Language Arts class is designed to help you learn strategies for being a more active reader, writer and test taker. There are many resources for learning the strategies, for practicing, and for reference, and communication. The ELA content is divided up into four modules:

1. Being an Active Reader
2. Being an Active Writer – Writing an Essay
3. Being an Active Reader – Strategies for Analyzing Words
4. Being an Active Writer – Writing Strategies

In this course, you will begin with the Being an Active Reader Module and then proceed in the order listed above. You will need to complete all of the lessons in Module One in order to continue with other course modules. Once you are in one of the modules, you will have the use of resources for these modules. Below is a list of these resources:

Interactive Lessons - These are the centerpiece of the CAHSEE course materials. Each module has 3 lessons and each lesson has several parts. Before you begin the course, you will be taking a pre-assessment test that will help you know the areas where you are the strongest and the areas where you need more work.
  • Introduction and Demonstration of Strategies - The first part of the lesson will explain what the lesson is about and introduce the strategies that will be the focus. You can select the Audio On icon in order to have a voice to read along with as the strategies are explained. There will be videos in which students help you to understand what the strategies look and sound like in action. There will also be an instructor to help you notice how each of the strategies is being used. You can replay any of the videos.
  • Journal Windows/Pop Up Writing Response Windows – You will have the opportunity at different points throughout the lessons to write about what you are learning, to respond to what you read, to express your ideas about what you are learning. A window will ‘pop up’ when it is time for you to write. It is important that you express your ideas here, so you do not need to worry about spelling or grammar here. Just write your ideas. You need to write in these windows in order to be able to continue with the lessons.
  • Interactive Practice – These are activities where you will be able to practice strategies with help. You will also have a chance to practice without hints or help.
  • Think Like a Test Maker – Either throughout the lessons or in separate sections in the lesson, you will learn what the strategies you have been practicing look and sound like when taking a test. You will have the opportunity to see videos of students and to practice the strategies in order to become an active test taker.
  • Practice Items - this part involves practice items that look much like CAHSEE exam items. You will be asked to complete these items and you may view your results. You will also learn why one answer works and another does not so that you can use what you learn the next time
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  • Writing the Essay – In Module Two, Being an Active Writer – Writing an Essay, you will be asked to write a draft of an essay during the first interactive lesson. You will be able to print a copy of this essay. It is important that you do this and that you save the essay, because you will be asked to use it in each of the other two lessons and to return to it at the end of the interactive lessons.
Glossary of Terms - If you forget what a particular reading or writing word means, you can go to the glossary and look it up.

Course Syllabus - This has all the information you need to know about the ELA 550 course taught at Lake Tahoe Community College. You can find the course syllabus by clicking here.

Lesson Supplements or Links - These supplements or links to other helpful websites can be found in each lesson. These can help you to learn more about particular English Language Arts concepts or to find additional practice activities.

Post-Assessment – This is a post assessment that you should take when you have finished the entire English Language Arts course. You should take this in interactive, online format so that you can get your results. The post assessment is also available to be downloaded in its paper/pencil format so that you can practice as you would for the CAHSEE.

Communication Tools

Forums - Each module and each lesson has a forum where students can pose and answer question related to that topic. This is where students (and the instructor) can relate to their peers the issues and challenges that they have with the topic. Active readers and writers often need and want to communicate with others in order to talk about what they are reading and writing. In Module Two – Writing the Essay, students will be able to post their essays in a special forum in order to get feedback from the instructor and/or peers. In addition, in each module there is a Social Forum in which students can get to know one another.

email - Students are encouraged to email their instructor or their tutors when questions arise. You will receive a response in a timely manner.

Adult Schools or other Organization - You may go to your local adult school, Library, or other organization that provides support for assistance.