Online Proctored G
ED
® Test Pilot
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Like the HiSET® exam
, GED Testing Service® will now offer an online version of the
GED® test. In-person testing will continue to be available, subject to opening of agencies across Pennsylvania. This "Online Proctored GED® Test" will be monitored over video, by a live, trained, third-party observer through OnVUE. This method will be in a pilot phase throughout July.
To be eligible at this time, test-takers must be a verifiable Pennsylvania resident and have tested within the green range on the GED® Ready within 60 days of scheduling the test.
What will this test be like? The test will have the same content as the face-to-face version, though neither Spanish language tests nor any accommodations are available yet. Students can only take one subject test at a time. The cost will remain the same for this online proctored version though this may change after the pilot period.
How will an online proctored test work? Students need to use a laptop or computer with a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection. Before taking the test, they will use a smartphone to provide pictures of their ID and their surrounding workspace. Once the proctor begins the recorded testing session, no one is permitted to enter the student's room. During the test, the student will use only the on-screen whiteboard and calculator. Breaks that are scheduled during the face-to-face tests still exist, but test-takers may not take their own breaks.
If a test-taker does not pass an online proctored GED® test and wishes to retest, that retest must be done in person, not online.
Agencies and students can go to
GED.com
to learn much more about this pilot and its requirements and possibilities.
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Teaching Tips and Resources
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Post-COVID Workforce Preparation Activity Ideas
The Workforce Development Project created a new resource for teachers to help incorporate workforce preparation activities into CCRS-based lessons.
Post-COVID Workforce Preparation Activity Ideas
provides ready-to-go activities that can be added to face-to-face, remote, or blended lessons. These activities, integrated with basic skills instruction, can help learners prepare for the post-pandemic workforce through practice of digital literacy skills, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborating with others. Additionally, the Workforce Development Project has recorded webinars and resources available on the following topics: Career Mapping, Employer Engagement Toolkit, Entrepreneurship Project-Based Learning Curriculum, and Using Labor Market Information with Adult Learners. Please contact KayLynn Hamilton (
klh267@psu.edu
) or Chrissie Klinger (
cok5111@psu.edu
) if you are interested in those topics or need any other workforce-related technical assistance.
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Keeping Students' Attention Online
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Creating an Inclusive Virtual Classroom
Edutopia recently shared an article,
Creating an Inclusive Virtual Classroom,
that includes a list of 15 tips that can improve the experience in your online classroom for both you and your students. Some are simple things to make your students feel at ease and connected (start class with a greeting), while others are more pedagogical and focused on enabling real learning (offer scaffolds throughout the lesson).
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Distance Education Guidance Briefs
The EdTech Center of World Education updated and published four Distance Education Guidance Briefs. They can assist you through many stages of offering distance learning this year. Links and descriptions from EdTech Center are below.
- The Ready, Set, Go: Steps to Rapidly Start Distance Learning brief provides step-by-step guidance and resources on how to get started.
- Implementation Tips: Recruitment, Screening, & Orientation provides step-by-step guidance, resources, and tips for the early stages of distance learning.
- The brief Teaching Online: Communicating and Tracking Progress provides step-by-step guidance, resources, and tips on how to communicate and track learner progress in a distance learning program.
- Assessment: Monitoring & Supporting Learner Progress provides step-by-step guidance, resources, and tips on assessment strategies and activities, as well as NRS testing and reporting.
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What is "Emergency Remote Teaching?"
An article,
The Difference Between Emergency Remote Teaching and Online Learning
, carefully lays out the distinction and describes what makes effective online education. What many in the adult education community, as well as K-12, have been doing this spring is best described as "emergency remote teaching." The difference is that emergency remote teaching lacks the full and robust support structure and well-thought-out practices of a true and purposeful online learning experience. The article goes on to describe methods that programs can use to look backward to evaluate the methods used so far and look forward to plan for effective implementation in the future.
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Professional Development Opportunities
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Professional Learning for Adult Education and Family Literacy Staff
Staff at PDE-funded adult education and family literacy agencies can view
a list of upcoming courses
now available for enrollment in the PD Portal. For more information about any of these courses, please visit the
PD Portal
, open the course catalog, and review the syllabus. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, please consult with your in-house professional development specialist (IHPDS) to determine if the course meets your professional learning goals.
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Webinar: Teaching Memory Strategies in Adult Education
Your students can benefit from the strategies presented in this webinar to increase focus and memory capacity. On Friday, July 24, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., COABE will present the webinar
Learning to Remember: Teaching Memory Strategies in Adult Education
which will include research-based and usable classroom ideas and resources that you can use to teach your students memory strategies.
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Webinar: Beat Test Stress
Many adult learners experience a unique kind of stress when faced with their big tests. However, those tests are a necessary hurdle before they reach their goals. A webinar on Friday, July 31, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.,
Helping Your Adult Learners Beat Test Stress,
will give you strategies that you can share with students to ensure that their true abilities show through their test scores. Participants in the web
inar will receive a free PDF sample of the Beating Test Stress customizable booklet for adult learners.
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PAACE featured webinar: Google Classroom and Khan Academy
Through July, the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) will be featuring their most popular past webinar trainings.
One recently highlighted recording
discusses best practices and uses for Google Classroom and Khan Academy in adult education.
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Register now for PSU's online certificate courses
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State and National Adult Education News
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Delaware CCC Chosen for College Success for Single Mothers Project
The National College Transition Network (NCTN) at World Education
chose
eight community colleges from across the nation to participate in the
College Success for Single Mothers
Project
, and among them is Pennsylvania's own Delaware County Community College. The eight colleges will form a task force to identify the needs of single mother students attending community college and develop a plan to enhance factors that contribute to their success. The results of this project will be shared at various levels with policymakers, funders and investors, and other colleges who share the goal of addressing the needs of single mother students on campus.
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COABE and Google Renew Local Digital Workforce Initiative
Through a partnership between COABE and Google's Applied Digital Skills program, local adult education organizations can apply for one of 40 $1,000 grants to run trainings for adult educators and students. This will allow local agencies to tailor trainings to the specific needs in their community.
Learn more and apply online
by July 31.
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The job postings below are for adult basic education programs funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and, at least in part, by WIOA Title II funds. You can also find the postings on the
paadultedresources.org
website. To post a job, please email the job advertiseme
nt to
dschauer@tiu11.org
.
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PA Adult Education Resources
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Upcoming State and National Conferences
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State and National Newsletters
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State and national organizations' newsletters are listed below and may be of interest to you. To receive the most recent editions by email, please subscribe directly to the newsletter.
Families Learning: News of the Week, National Center for Families Learning
Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education.
OCTAE Connection, US Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, & Adult Education
Features news and resources for adult basic, career, and technical education.
WorkforceGPS, Workforce3 One
Features career pathways and workforce development information.
COABE Journal, Coalition On Adult Basic Education
Features national information, resources, and initiatives for adult basic education.
World Education/U.S.
Features resources and information from World Education projects including The Change Agent, College for Adults, E-Learning, LINCS Region 1 Professional Development Center, National College Transitional network, and many others.
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