Little Pim: children’s language learning system for ages 0-6 years - TRIAL ACCESS

TAKE A LOOK at Little Pim now.  Even better, visit this blogpost from home and let your kids loose on it --we'd like to have some real live kids try it out.

After you click the Trial URL in the box above, from the upper right corner,  click on Courses / Little Pim

This is a brand new online product. You may be familiar with the DVD version, but Little PIM ONLINE version is interactive and brings a new level of access to language learning resources for kids.


Little Pim is specifically designed for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Each lesson provides the basic building blocks of a second or third language, and incorporates Julia Pimsleur Levine’s Entertainment Immersion Method™, as well as a series of practice quizzes, designed to increase the child’s comprehension and retention of the content.

LANGUAGES AVAILABLE:
• Spanish  • French • Mandarin Chinese • Italian • Japanese • Hebrew • German
• Russian • Arabic • English/ESL for Children is available from a link over on the Right column.


Barring any un-forseen problems which the trial might turn up, we do expect to make this live in October.

Please report any problems connecting or software conflicts to Sally.  Any questions about the content, check with Rachel Wood.

Universal Class

Allow me to introduce you to "Universal Class," a brand new resource available from the vendor Recorded Books. We're one of the first public libraries on the East Coast to offier it, and YES--it is NOW live for the public (effective Sept. 13th.  )

 
Thanks to the generosity of the  Friends, we have a distance learning resource available--you guessed it--24/7. If you've ever wanted to take a class from Adult Ed, but the time or location was inconvenient, you're going to love "Universal Class.  

The variety of courses is staggering...over 500 to date, and take note: this is NOT the place for a quick review of anything.  These are full blown courses, which usually take from 1-6 months to complete.  You'll find business, arts,  DIY, tech skills, writing and lots more. 

 
Intrigued? See the full catalog.

I admit up front that I am now enrolled in a course on horseback riding and and considering the one on "Haunted Places," or maybe "Astronomy 101" or "Travel Writing." While lots of courses seem to be just for fun,  many offer CEU's (Continuing Education Units) good for professional or employer credit.

Moira has already agreed that for staff completing courses with CEU's, she will award Library Traning credits, so talk to her if you are considering a course. 

It's aimed at people interested in the lifelong pursuit of knowledge,  which let's face it-- can be just about anyone! Job hunters, home-schoolers, seniors, kids, small business folks, new moms or bored 20somethings...

NOTE: you DO need to create a free private user account, and you are limited to 5 courses over a 6 month period.


Also,  this is a brand new partnership with public libraries but Universal Class is a long-standing FEE-BASED outlet for online learning. So occasionally you may see a reference to refunds, or prices.  So it's very important to always access Universal Class from the library Research Portal or this website link above.  Be SURE you're at the site which says "Arlington Public Library" at the top.


When talking to patrons "Free with your Arlington Library card" is a good way to explain it! And be sure to guide them to this "Details" page on the Library website
http://library.arlingtonva.us/departments/Libraries/ref/Databases/Universalclass.aspx 


So, explore and enjoy.


Any questions, please let me know.


Sally