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TV411, sponsored by The Adult Literacy Media Alliance, is an interactive website where adults can strengthen
their literacy and math skills while reading about practical topics. The reading level is intermediate to advanced.
The learner first selects a general skill to work on. The choices are reading, writing, vocabulary, math or learning.
For each of these main topics, there is a list of more specific skills. Some of the skills covered under reading are:
scanning, reading maps, summarizing, and using context clues. The writing topic includes such skills as filling out a
job application and writing a business e-mail, an autobiography, or a cover letter. The math section is largely moneyrelated,
dealing with budgets, using a calculator, figuring out interest and percentages. The learning section includes
lessons on such diverse skills as preparing for the GED, how to use a library, time management, and using a table of
contents. A slide show introduces each lesson. Flash version 6 is required to view the slides, but there’s an option to
skip the slide show. Each lesson has several activities. These activities are introduced with written information and
explanations, and are often supported by graphics and/or charts. The learners are asked to respond in many different
formats. There may be a series of multiple choice questions, a drag and drop exercise for categorizing, or learners may
be asked to type their own information. If there is only one correct answer, a feedback box provides immediate
feedback. The learner can also choose to focus on one of four topics—health, parenting, people, and money. Each
topic has several articles to read, but aside from some short polls, there aren’t any interactive exercises to accompany
these readings.
One drawback to this site is that it’s quite high-end, so those with older computers may have difficulty using it.
Otherwise, TV411 is an impressive site. It contains a large amount of useful information which is presented in an
interesting, user-friendly manner.
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