ALEX and ACCESS

ALEX: The Alabama Learning Exchange
The ALEX website is an educational resource tool used for the public school system in Alabama. It serves to connect students, their parents, and the educators to one anothers resources in connection with the Alabama Courses of Study. Certified teachers are able to provide lessons plans, course outlines, and interactive resources that students and other teachers are able to access and use in the classroom. Through communication with teachers and other professionals, parents can access the information to know what their children should be learning and what areas will be heavily concentrated on.

Through ALEX, someone can also reach several other educational web links, such as the interactive site MaMaMedia. Teachers can log in to their own Personal Workspace, where they can do things like create lesson plans to provide to others, or based on one they have obtained from another educator. Links are also provided for professional development opportunities, and distance learning that can connect students and teachers to others statewide.

This is a resource I plan to take full advantage of during my career as a teacher as well as before. As a student teacher a first impression is all I really get to make before beginning my career. Having these lesson plans and course outlines available can be great models to go off of when getting the feel of making your own. They will also come in very handy any time one of my students is falling behind or having trouble with a certain aspect of the subject. I can help them as much as time will allow and then be able to point them in the direction of the site for further help at home or away from my class. Providing information for all teachers to see is also helpful any time the course standards change or information is added/taken from the course objectives.

ACCESS: Distance Learning
ACCESS is an educational website for those interested in distance learning. Through the help of qualified teachers acting as E teachers, this site is able to connect state wide courses in high schools. This way, those students wishing to take AP courses, Dual Enrollment courses, or just any elective that is not offered at their school may do so online.

The courses are approved and taught by those teachers certified in the subject. Advanced diploma courses and remedial and supplemental resources are available, as well as access to more multimedia and technology tools for teachers. This resource is very helpful to those students who are not able to work to their potential due to a lack of educators in their educational setting. As a teacher, I would love to be able to encourage my students to take advantage of these challenging and progressive tools regardless of the availability of the course in the school. Students do not have to pay for these services, as they are funded on both the state and federal levels.