Distance Learning Platform Resources

Minnesota is unique as a state which allows a wide variety of Distance Learning (DL) platforms to be used for adult instruction, and to claim proxy hours. Many states identify one or at most a couple of platforms that may be used. Our philosophy is that instructors and managers are best suited to decide which platforms most appropriately meet the needs of their learners, as long as the content meets ABE standards and has adequate reporting features. We have nearly 60 approved platforms, covering all types of ABE content for students at many different instructional levels, listed here on the Literacy Minnesota website.

In addition to the Search by Keyword function, there are several easy-to-use filtering options designed to facilitate easy identification of platforms designed for specific learning levels, by content, and price:

• The Topic filter includes 30 different topics, ranging from Accuplacer prep through Writing.
• The Literacy Level filter includes ranges for both CASAS and TABE.
• The Funding filter includes State-Supported, Commercial – Purchase Required, Free – with Paid Upgrade Available, and Free.

Within each filter, you can easily choose more than one selection; you can also select one or more choices from each filter, for a given search. For instance, selecting Accuplacer and Writing from the Topic filter, CASAS score Greater than 246 as Literacy Level, and State Supported from the Funding filter, Edmentum and Moby Max are identified as meeting those criteria. There are live links from each identified selection to more detailed platform information.

Hint: If you have selected something from a given filter and want to choose something else from a different filter only, you need to deselect your original filter choice(s).

Platform listings include:

• A very brief Platform Description
• Key Information (including prerequisites)
• Proxy Hours (proxy hour equivalents, criteria for awarding proxy hours, and documentation required)
• Resources (a variety of links and other helpful information)
• The recommended literacy level for the platform – CASAS and/or TABE (at the bottom of each listing)
• Information on accessing the platform (cost and superuser)