On-Demand, Self-Paced Learning

For individuals who would like to learn when it is most convenient for your schedule, we have developed a variety of on-demand, self-paced online tutorials. Do you want to brush up on a topic you haven’t worked with in a while or explore a new aspect of adult education that you haven’t yet experienced but do not have the time to participate in a facilitated course? These tutorial courses let you learn at your own pace when you have some time in your day. Even if you get interrupted, you can come back to them at any time and pick up where you left off.

These on-demand, self-paced tutorials are offered through VALRC’s Reach 360 platform. To see what courses are available, explore the individual courses below. Additionally, you can create a Reach 360 account to view our tutorial library and register for individual tutorials.

Questions? Watch our video on how to access the tutorials.

Please note that our courses previously housed in Canvas are available for completion until September 30, 2024. If you are already enrolled in one of these courses, you are able to complete in Canvas; however, after September 30, you will no longer have access to those courses.

For help with Reach 360, including account set-up, contact VALRC at vdesk@vcu.edu or 1-800-237-0178.

Available Tutorials: Click on the name of the tutorial to register for it in Reach 360.

• Adult Education in Virginia: This adult education overview was created as a resource for teachers, staff, and partners who want to learn more about the field of adult education in Virginia. 1 Credit Hour
• Adult ESOL Foundations: This two-hour, self-paced tutorial was designed to introduce or reintroduce adult educators and practitioners to foundational adult English language instructional tenets, practices, and strategies in order to broaden or deepen the understanding of foundational adult English language instruction. 2 Credit Hours
• Understanding Virginia’s Adult Education & Literacy Assessment Policy: The purpose of this training is to familiarize the participant with the assessment section of the Assessment Policy and Distance Education Policy for Virginia Adult Education & Literacy Programs. 1 Credit Hour
• Access-Oriented Education for Adult Educators: This one-hour, self-paced tutorial is designed to provide a brief overview of the importance of providing education to all learners. A resource document is provided for further exploration. 1 Credit Hour
• An Introduction to Helping Learners Cope with Stress: This one-hour, self-paced tutorial introduces a working overview of this topic. Participants will also gain a better sense of what is happening to a learner’s brain when they experience stress. 1 Credit Hour
• Lesson Planning for Adult ESOL Instruction: This two-hour, self-paced tutorial supports adult educators and practitioners in developing effective lesson plans for adult ESOL instruction that support language acquisition and prioritize learner needs, goals, and engagement. 2 Credit Hours
• Five Components of Accessibility: In this one-hour, self-paced tutorial you will learn about the five main components of accessibility. These components include: color-contrast, hyperlinks, alt-text, tables, and headings. 1 Credit Hour
• Distance Education Blended Learning Attendance Models (Module 1 of 2): The purpose of this one-hour, self-paced tutorial is to inform distance and/or blended learning instructors, administrators, and data staff about the core concepts of blended learning and the different time-tracking models for collecting and reporting student attendance data. 1 Credit Hour
• Distance Education Overview of Blended Learning (Module 2 of 2): This one-hour, self-paced tutorial provides information about blended learning classroom instruction and its required components so that teachers and instructional leaders can increase their facility with this type of instruction and improve student performance in a blended learning setting. 1 Credit Hour
• CCRS 101: Standards Overview: Part of the Introduction to the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRS) series, this self-paced module is designed to introduce Virginia adult educators to the fundamentals of standards-based instruction. CCRS 101 focuses on identifying adult education standards, understanding Virginia’s definition of standards-based instruction, and answering some frequently asked questions about instructional standards. .5 Credit Hours
•  CCRS 102: Observation Tools: Part of the Introduction to the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRS) series, this self-paced module is designed to introduce Virginia adult educators to the fundamentals of standards-based instruction. CCRS 102 focuses on understanding the five core actions of the CCR Observation Tools and how these tools describe standards-aligned classroom practices. .5 Credit Hours

For individuals who would like to learn when it is most convenient for your schedule, we have developed a variety of on-demand webinars. Do you want to brush up on a topic you haven’t worked with in a while or explore a new aspect of adult education that you haven’t yet experienced but do not have the time to participate in a live webinar? These webinars let you learn at your own pace when you have some time in your day. Even if you get interrupted, you can come back to them at any time and pick up where you left off.

These on-demand webinars are offered through VALRC’s Reach 360 platform. To see what courses are available, explore the individual courses below. Additionally, you can create a Reach 360 account to view our tutorial library and register for individual tutorials.

For help with Reach 360, including account set-up, contact VALRC at vdesk@vcu.edu or 1-800-237-0178.

Questions? Watch our video on how to access the webinars.

Available Tutorials: Click on the name of the tutorial to register for it in Reach 360.

• Science of Reading Overview Webinar: This webinar recording presents a basic overview of the science of reading and effective reading instruction, including alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. During the webinar, we discuss strategies for each component of reading and how to use them in the classroom. (Duration: 1 hour & 30 minutes)
• VALRC’s ESOL Beginning Literacy Contextualized Phonics Webinar: This webinar presents strategies for contextualizing phonics instruction in the ESOL beginning literacy or multilevel classroom as well as during one-on-one tutoring sessions. It includes an understanding of this approach, how it benefits ESOL beginning literacy instruction, and strategies for implementing this approach in the adult ESOL classroom.  (Duration: 1 hour & 5 minutes)
• Multilevel ESOL Webinar Series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3): This 3 part webinar series will present strategies for effective multi-level instruction and planning for ESOL classes or multi-level classrooms. Participants will leave the webinar with an understanding of what multilevel classroom needs consist of, how to prepare and plan for individual students needs, and strategies for implementing differentiated instruction in the adult ESOL multi-level classroom. (Duration: 2 hours & 30 minutes)
• The Language Experience Approach, Overview & Science of Reading: This webinar presents strategies for utilizing the language experience approach (LEA) in the ESOL educational setting as a strategy for integrating all four components of reading–alphabetics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension–into instruction. During this webinar, we discuss LEA, walk through the steps of implementing it, and look at strategies for using the student-generated text for activities related to all four components of reading. (Duration: 1 hour & 20 minutes)
• Disabilities and the Adult Learner: This three part webinar series includes the following topics (click on the topic to access the webinar recording): a) an introduction to working with adults with {dis}abilities; b) instructional strategies for working with adults with {dis}abilities; and c) making content accessible. (Duration: each webinar recording is 1 hour & 30 minutes)
• Pre-Literacy Activities for Emerging English Language Learners: Are you an adult ESOL instructor looking to enhance your teaching strategies for adult learners with emerging literacy skills? This webinar will present effective, practical approaches to help your learners succeed in literacy development. This webinar covers defining literacy and literacy learners, essential pre-literacy skills, and practical activities and strategies for developing pre-literacy skills in the ESOL classroom. (Duration: 1 hour)
• Advancing Alphabetics: Systematic Phonics Instruction with EBRI Tools and AI Insights: This session explores how systematic phonics instruction supports an effective reading program, using the Evidence-Based Reading Instruction (EBRI) Observation Tool for educator growth. Participants will gain insights into building alphabetics-based instruction and learn how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can offer truly exciting enhancements to these processes. Practical strategies for improving literacy outcomes and implementing evidence-based reading practices will be shared. Presenter: Mora da Silva (Duration: 2 hours)