Thinkfinity Literacy Network On-Line Tutorial

Thinkfinity Literacy Network offers free online courses to guide volunteers in the best literacy instruction.  We ask
that that before training begins, potential tutors complete a short, free online tutorial ‘Orientation to Volunteering in
Literacy.”    The URL is http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/TLN/

Course Enrollment Process
  1. Go to Thinkfinity Literacy Network at http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/TLN/
  2. Click on “Free Online Courses.”
  3. Select course entitled “Orientation to Volunteering in Literacy”
  4. Click on the "Enroll Now" link to the right of the course title.
  5. Click on the Confirm button to enroll in the course.
  • If you are new to Thinkfinity Literacy Network, click on the "Register Now" link and complete the
    form as indicated. You will create your own unique username and password as part of the
    registration process.
  • If you have already taken a Thinkfinity Literacy Network course and want to enroll in a new course,
    type in your already established User Name and Password and click the Log On button.
  1. A Registration Statement will appear. Print it out for your records.
  2. Click on the Begin button at the bottom of the page.
  3. Click on the title of the course.
  4. Click on the Begin button.

About the Tutorial
    Orientation to Volunteering in Literacy
    This course is designed for people who are asking themselves, "What can I do to make my community a
    better place to live?" Orientation to Volunteering in Literacy will help you make that decision. You will find
    information about: the impact of low-literacy in America; how volunteers play a vital role in helping to meet
    the need; how to contact a local program to explore how YOU might become involved. This course was
    developed jointly by The National Center for Family Literacy and ProLiteracy Worldwide. Estimated
    Completion Time: 45 minutes. Your actual completion time will vary, depending on your preferred learning
    pace.

    OBJECTIVE
    This course will enable you to:
    •        Understand the size of the literacy problem in the United States.
    •        Learn about the work of adult and family literacy programs and its effect on participants.
    •        Recognize the opportunity for volunteer contributions to literacy work.
    •        Assess your skills and abilities, and relate them to possible volunteer opportunities.
    •        Find a literacy program to which you might contribute your time.

NOTE:  There are additional courses you might find interesting:
  • Working with Adult Literacy Learners
  • Understanding the Reading Process
  • Working with English Language Learners, Principles of Adult Learning
  • Volunteering in English Language Learner Literacy Classes
  • Culture and English Language Learners

With every course completion, be sure to print out a copy of your certificate of completion and bring it in.  We will keep
these in your file and they will meet the requirement on annual professional development.   



Frequently Asked Questions about Thinkfinity Literacy Network On-line Tutorial

Why do I have to complete a course before training?
    LVEB has updated our tutor training to spend less class time on lecture, theory and background information.  
    Our training time will be spent on hands-on practice that will make you a better tutor.  This way, you can study
    this information on your own before class begins and be ready to spend your training session on developing
    skills.

Is it free?  Will they sell my name if I register for this course?
    Thinkfinity Literacy Network is a free “online school” operated by Verizon.   You will need to register for the
    course using an email address, your name and other information.   Many of our staff and tutors used Verizon
    courses for years and have never received any junk email or telemarketing calls at the email and phone
    numbers used to register.  

I don’t have a computer.  How do you expect me to do this?
    Computers can be used for free at LVEB and at your local public library.   At the library, you have to sign in to
    use a computer, and may need to show your library card.   Most libraries let you use a computer for 30 minute
    blocks.   You will be able to print, and the staff should be able to help you if you have questions.  

    If you have a disability that does not allow you to use or access a computer, the LVEB office will provide you with
    a paper copy of the course.   Contact the office for assistance.

I am nervous about using the computer.  Maybe this tutoring thing is not for me.
    When students come to seek services, they take a great gamble: they risk embarrassment, ridicule and possible
    ramifications at work and at home.   At LVEB we figure that tutors should be able to take a much smaller risk to
    access a huge variety of free resources that will help them become better tutors.

    If you are worried about this course, or even if you have never touched a computer in your life, call the office
    and one of us will personally help you.   Accessing the computer will give you so many materials, the opportunity
    to meet up with other tutors and talk about teaching, and a million other things.   “Try it!