Spotlight on Subscription Database: Learning Express

Learning does not have to be expensive or time consuming. The library offers a vast variety of learning resources to you for free. One of those awesome tools available at the library, or on your home computer, is the subscription database Learning Express. It is a resource that offers self-paced learning videos and study materials from improving your grammar, learning computer skills, through obtaining American citizenship. The subjects offered are listed below and each has its own Learning Center. Each Learning Center has different tools that include quizzes, instructional videos, tutorials, and practice material.

I recently used it brush up on some computer skills for Microsoft Excel 2007. In college I had taken formal courses on computer skills including the Microsoft Excel 2003. When the new program of Excel 2007 came out I felt like I had to learn an entirely different program! Over time I found out how to do a lot of things through trial and error. Talk about time consuming…. Even though I found my way around Excel 2007 from my own experience I wanted to see if there was anything else I could learn so I checked out Learning Express’ Advanced Video Tutorial for Microsoft Excel 2007.

After watching the video I felt like an old dog that could learn new tricks! I was expecting a long and droning video that lasted forever. Instead I watched an easy to follow video progression course where you could skip ahead according to what tasks you want to learn. Each section of video is from a minute to four minutes long. So in under fifteen minutes I learned a few new ways to collaborate and share my spreadsheets, how to merge files, and a few new protection features for more private documents. (Warning: learning can be addictive.)

Another portion of Learning Express that I tried out was the Workplace Skills Improvement area. In this economy it seems like everyone has to learn how to make a stellar resume, search for every possible opportunity of employment, and interview well. The tools available can help you improve your skills in all of those areas. It was kind of fun to take the career placement test and search for jobs all in one screen without bouncing to multiple websites.

I was also very impressed with the College Preparation area. I wish I would have had this when I was preparing to go to school. I think I would have scored a little better on my placement testing. So if you are gearing up for ACTs or SATs (or know someone that is) I suggest using the quizzes and study guides to brush up on your skills. There are a lot of books and software out there that will try to charge you an arm and a leg for a product that isn’t even as good as the one for free at the library.

I haven’t even touched on all the subjects and tools available through Learning Express. Why don’t you check it out and leave some of your thoughts in the comments. To access the database please have your library card number ready and access the database from the library website. You will have to create a user name and password to access the lessons, but this will also aid in tracking your progress.

Elementary School

Math Skills Improvement
Reading Skills Improvement

Middle School

Math Skills Improvement
Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
Writing Skills Improvement
High School Entrance Exams Preparation

High School

Math Skills Improvement
Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
Vocabulary and Spelling Skills Improvement
Writing and Grammar Skills Improvement

College Preparation

ACT Preparation
Advanced Placement (AP) Preparation
CLEP Preparation
CUNY Skills Assessment Tests Preparation
PSAT/NMSQT Preparation
SAT Preparation
THEA Preparation
TOEFL iBT Preparation
TOEIC Preparation

College Students

Math and Reasoning Skills Improvement
Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
Vocabulary and Spelling Skills Improvement
Writing and Grammar Skills Improvement
Graduate School Entrance Exams Preparation
Technical and Career College Skills

Computer Skills

Adobe Flash Courses
Adobe Illustrator Courses
Adobe Photoshop Courses
Corel WordPerfect Courses
Microsoft Access Courses
Microsoft Excel Courses
Microsoft Outlook Courses
Microsoft PowerPoint Courses
Microsoft Project Courses
Microsoft Publisher Courses
Microsoft SharePoint Designer Courses
Microsoft Visio Courses
Microsoft Word Courses
Windows and Mac Operating Systems Courses

GED Preparation

GED Practice Exams
GED Preparation Courses
GED Skills Improvement
Spanish-language GED Preparation

Workplace Skills Improvement

Business Writing
Job Search, Resumes, and Interviewing
TOEIC Preparation

Occupation Practice Tests

Air Traffic Controller
Civil Service
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
Cosmetology
Electrical
Emergency Medical Services
Firefighter
Law Enforcement
Military
Nursing and Allied Health
Plumbing
Real Estate
Teaching

Skill Building for Adults

Math and Reasoning Skills Improvement
Reading Skills Improvement
Writing and Grammar Skills Improvement

U.S. Citizenship

U.S. Citizenship Preparation

Recursos para Hispanohablantes

Mejora de las habilidades de lectura y escritura
Mejora de las habilidades matemáticas
Preparación para examen GED