LearningExpress Library
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials
LearningExpress Library
Revised Feb. 2011 SR
6/2011 Information on how tests are updated in LEX from the vendor: We publicly announce LearningExpress Library updates on a quarterly basis in the product sign-on page, News at LearningExpress Library (located on the right side of the LEL homepage), as well as direct email communications with our customers.
To give a bit more information, we strive to have the most up-to-date and authentic preparation possible for our practice exams and content. We monitor the websites and news from providers, and update our content to match the official revisions well in advance of release. For example, in August ETS will be issuing a revised GRE General test with significant changes. We are currently developing a revision in our practice exams for the new test.
In addition to updating content, we expand current offerings. The ACT format has remained constant, yet, we are improving our associated practice exams. This fall, two new complete ACT practice exams will be available on LearningExpress Library, as well as the eBook version of an new upcoming ACT publication, which will include four additional ACT practice exams.
The GED overhaul is scheduled for 2014: http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/etp/pros/The_Community_040511.htm
We will begin development, to meet the preparation needs of GED test-takers, well in advance of the first issue of the new GED.
LearningExpress has many products, but the specific list of practice tests and tutorials that is available as part of the Michigan eLibrary can only be viewed once a user is logged on to the individual account.
Explain that LearningExpress Library differs from all the other MeL Databases because patrons MUST be logged in to an individual, private account (called My Center) in order to do anything. However, before a patron can access an account, he/she must first be recognized as a Michigan library patron in one of several ways:
1. IP recognition
2. Driver’s license or MeLCat library card authentication from mel.org
3. The library registers its own webpage URL with LearningExpress (Contact the MeL Support Desk for assistance)
Once authenticated as Michigan library user, a patron may set up an account or click on “Returning User” to access an existing account.
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BEGIN BY LOOKING AT THE HOME PAGE:
The top banner has LearningExpress Library, with the library name directly below it. Please note that LearningExpress Library is a link to get back to the home page. On the right side are small links for Login and Help. Those links will always be visible if the user needs them. The help sections are pretty good.
The home screen is divided into 3 main columns. The left column has learning centers that group the tests by the type of user or content. The right side has a news box and a help box.
The middle section has two choices for getting to the tests:
1. click to go to a specific learning center
2. click to browse the complete list of tests
At the center bottom, there are two ways to login: Returning User and New User.
Remind the class that every user must have an individual account as a place to store test data.
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Have the class look at the left column again. Next to each center is a link to "more info." Clicking on that will bring up information on that center in the middle column, but it will still display all the centers in the left column. Click on MORE INFO about the Elementary School center to see how this works. Next, click on one of the small white triangles to see that the specific tests are then listed. Some categories will have “plus” marks which means there is even more detail to be listed if the plus is clicked.
Clicking on the white triangle also takes you into the center, which changes the left column display to a help section. This is good.
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Point out the tabs across the top that allow the user to jump to any of the test centers from this type of page. Click on the LEARNINGEXPRESS LIBRARY link in the top banner (there is a little house next to it when you are in a center) to get back to the home page.
Directly beneath the black banner is a search box. This is a new feature that allows the user to type in a term and find the corresponding test(s). Type in GED as an example and then click on the magnifying glass icon to execute the search. Give them some time to review the list of materials that is now displayed.
Click on the COLLEGE PREPARATION tab on the top of the page to move to that test center. This is where many high school students will want to practice the ACT.
HINT: for ease of access to this important test, click on ACT, then copy the URL. It is stable and can be placed on any library or school webpage. Before actually using the practice test, the user will be prompted to logon. The same type of thing can be done for GED test and any others that a library may want to highlight for users. This is a good thing!
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ADDING TESTS TO "My Center":
To add a test to My Center, the user finds the test (by any of the methods we have shown above) and then clicks on the right side of the screen to ADD TO MY CENTER.
In My Center, users will have records of any test completed, paused and ready to continue, or newly added and ready to take.
Click on the LEARNINGEXPRESS LIBRARY logo to get to the main page. Trainer, you will need an account to use at this point.
Open the center for SKILL BUILDING FOR ADULTS, then click on MATH AND REASONING SKILLS IMPROVEMENT, then on a test you (trainer) have not yet taken. Add it to your center.
Explain that you are only going to answer a few of the questions as a demo, so that it will not take up tons of class time.
Click on START THIS TEST NOW. Explain that a user would want to read all the directions, but we are skipping those today in the interest of time. Answer only 3-4 questions to demonstrate how to do that.
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Have them look at the top to see the SCORE MY TEST button and you click on it. Explain the warnings and how often they have to click the score button to get it to finish.
Keep clicking on SCORE MY TEST, then OK in the warning box that pops up. You will see a screen indicating the number of questions not answered, then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click SCORE MY TEST again and then click OK again in the warning box. LearningExpress really wants to make sure you’re ready to get the test results and don’t need to finish up any questions!
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Finally, once your test is scored, click back on MY CENTER at the top, then on the VIEW RESULTS link for the test you have just taken. At the bottom of the next page, you can now click on the VIEW ANSWERS button. For each question (right or wrong), there is an explanation of the answer. This is where users can really learn more about the subject and how to take the test more successfully in the future.
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