Literacy Volunteers Computer Lab:
A Place for Learning
 

Thanks to a substantial grant from The Roanoke Times, the Literacy Volunteers Learning Center has four computers with high-speed cable Internet access and a full package of productivity software, e.g., Microsoft Office (including word processing and spread sheets). The computer lab also has English, keyboarding, computer skills, and reading software that ESOL and Basic Literacy learners may use independently or that tutors and learners may use for their lessons. Computer workstations have given Literacy Volunteers the opportunity to expand its offerings to learners.  

In January 2001, the learning center acquired two great programs Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing and Rosetta Stone. Mavis Beacon does an excellent job to help learners acquire or improve keyboarding skills. Rosetta Stone is an English tutorial program that gives ESOL learners an opportunity to practice language skills independently. Although Rosetta Stone is billed as an ESOL program, basic literacy learners might find the reading and writing lessons in it useful. Both Mavis Beacon and Rosetta Stone have received positive responses from the tutors and learners who have used them.

LVA-Roanoke Valley was chosen as the recipient of a National Book Scholarship Fund award from Laubach Literacy International. The following computer programs were donated by the NBSF to our computer lab: Let’s Talk English, Smart Start English, Road to Citizenship, and The Oxford Picture Dictionary Interactive. These programs will give the Literacy Volunteers ESOL learners a broader opportunity to improve their English skills. Learners do not have to have computer experience to use these programs. A staff member can show the learner how to get started and in practically no time the learner will be able to use the software on his or her own.  

The learning center has acquired software that teaches basic computer skills. These programs are interactive, talking their learners through common computing tasks, which make them quite easy to use. PC 100 gets learners acquainted with the PC basics, teaching the operating system, buttons, icons, windows, text boxes, etc. PC 110 moves learners into the nitty gritty of using files and folders.  PC 125 focuses on using the Internet and email. PC 140 and PC 141 teach beginning and intermediate Microsoft Word for Windows. These programs will help interested learners and tutors to acquire computer skills on an independent basis. 

We have recently added Mulitsensory Reading, Spelling, and Penmanship Program. This program uses the Orton-Gillingham Approach to teach reading skills to learners at a variety of levels, from beginners to more advanced. The program is easy to use, so learners with limited computer skills can get started quickly and work independently. 

We have also added two sets of Start-to-Finish Books: Nick Ford Mysteries and Classic American Stories. The books are read to learners as they follow along, allowing them the opportunity to flag and repeat unfamiliar words as well as take a comprehension quiz after each chapter. Learners seem to really enjoy this interactive program. These mysteries and classic stories give students at a variety of levels the ability to read a complete book while they work independently on word recognition and comprehension.

The computers are available from 9-5 Monday-Friday and some evenings upon request.