Learn Time's Info Center
§ KeyTrain Package for Parapro's
Paraprofessionals can prepare for the WorkKeys assesments with the KeyTrain Parapro Training Package available here. The package includes a single user software license for Applied Math, Reading for Information, and Writing. $50 plus $7 shipping.
§ Product Links
SolidWorks - Awesome software for design and analysis. Blows away the competition for power and price!
K to the 8th Power - Integrating Technology in K to 8th grade classrooms
Crick Software - Making award-winning, easy-to-use reading and writing software for children, teens and young adults.
Animated Clock Software - For those in search of a free tool to help kids learn to tell time.
Technological Fluency Institute - Home of CAT1 - For Title II of NCLB
KeyTrain’s Web Site - KeyTrain - best Instructional Solution for WorkKeys available anywhere at any price. Demo Available.
Mastery Group South - Interactive OSHA safety training.
§ Other Links
Sites we find interesting
The Future of Work is quite interesting - Try the career check up!
How Stuff Works! - I love this site. When you really want to know.
Refdesk A great site with tons of links...to anything you can imagine.
§ New Things
Thursday, June 14, 2007
KeyTran FAQ's. What is said and what is real.
Q. Does KeyTrain Address Low Level, Low Skilled Individuals?
A. In addition to having the best high level WorkKeys® instructional materials available, KeyTrain does indeed have courseware to address low performing individuals. In fact our low level materials are the most comprehensive and effective Pre-WorkKeys materials on the market today. We combine the most engaging beginning level curriculum available, with our exclusive “RealHumanSM Voice” audio. This powerful combination means that comprehension and retention increases dramatically. Studies prove that synthetic speech can cause confusion and reduced engagement by learners. Comprehensive material for all audiences combined with “RealHuman Voice” make KeyTrain unbeatable.
Q. Isn’t KeyTrain really just “test prep” material?
A. “Test Prep” sure does have a negative connotation to it doesn’t it? After all, who wants their students to merely prep for a test? Wouldn’t you rather have them master the skills? Of course you would. Saying that KeyTrain is “test prep” for WorkKeys demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding about WorkKeys. WorkKeys is a series of “applied academic” assessments. “Test Prep” implies drill and memorization. Drill and memorization will not help an individual perform on an applied assessment. It is imperative that learners gain sufficient knowledge and fully understand how that knowledge should be used in a variety of situations. That is applying knowledge. KeyTrain’s results speak for themselves. KeyTrain learners consistently out-perform all others in their WorkKeys scores.
Q. Does KeyTrain have “gaps” in the curriculum?
A. Who would want a curriculum with gaps in it? Not me, or you either I suspect. ACT® is the sole decision maker on this point. In fact, years ago ACT established a program to insure curriculum marketed for WorkKeys met their high standards. It took hard work and commitment on our part, but KeyTrain was the first curriculum to be fully approved as meeting the WorkKeys Standards. For 18 months, we remained the only curriculum to be fully approved. Do you think ACT would approve something with “gaps”? As the proven leader in the field, do you think we would sit idly by with “gaps” in our curriculum? No way. Not today, not ever.
Q. Does KeyTrain have good Tech Support?
A. Well this one’s easy enough to test. KeyTrain has 24/7 tech support via a toll free number. 24, means 24 hours a day, 7, means 7 days a week. Problems are rare, but when they’re your problems, they’re huge. Our goal is to have a solution to any problem within 15 minutes. No answering machines…real people ready to help you…all hours, any day. Pick up the phone and try it right now!
Q. Can KeyTrain be updated very frequently if you use “RealHumanTM Voice”?
A. While it is true that it is harder to update the content, because it requires time and money to have professional talent record new audio. The fact is, when your content meets the standards and is the most effective available, you don’t need frequent changes. The benefits of our “RealHuman SM Voice” technology are undeniable in the learning process. When changes are indeed warranted, KeyTrain is willing to spend the money to insure our customers have the best tool to help their learners.
As alway, the proof is in the pudding. Look for yourself. Ask questions. Ask for results. KeyTrain - The Premier Curriculum Solution for WorkKeys
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
It's That Time Again - National WorkKeys Conference in New Orleans
Yes, it’s time once again for the National WorkKeys Conference, and this year the destination is New Orleans. It is May 2-4, and features such interesting speakers as Jeb Bush and Kathleen Blanco. I’m not sure what either of these have to do with WorkKeys or the National Career Ready Certificate. Florida has been on board with the NCRC program for 9 months now and from what I hear still hasn’t issued a single certificate. There must be some problem with the organizations involved in the delivery. Besides the governor, Florida only has 7 people attending the conference. Not too good.
Louisiana on the other hand, has issued thousands of certificates. I still don’t think a single business has heard of it. A Career Readiness Certificate isn’t required for entry to or exit from the State network of Technical Colleges. Is that because their graduates aren’t “Career Ready”? Maybe things will improve one day. All in all, the conference should be a good time. Stop by and visit the KeyTrain booth. Let us show you how your students can win with KeyTrain and WorkKeys. If your goal is success, KeyTrain means Results.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
WorkKeys in the News
Last week ACT made the long anticipated announcement of their National Career Readiness Certificate. This is a portable credential designed to convey information to a potential employer about the skills of an individual. ACT’s entrance into this initiative is most welcome as it has the potential to remove a lot of the politics from movements of this nature.
A Career Readiness Certificate was put in place in Louisiana several years ago and was almost completely lost due to politics. After all, the program was put in place by the previous governor (R) and therefore has little value or merit to the current governor (D) regardless of how much merit the program has. Now, anyone in any state can get a National Career Readiness Certificate...or get a national seal to place on their current certificate. Great News… Follow this link to get the details... ACT has also established a web site for users to request their certificate. Follow this link for that information.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Results. KeyTrain. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As I travel around the country speaking to groups, I get quite a few routine questions about KeyTrain. I thought I would share these with everyone and put the responses on the record.
Q: Does KeyTrain have an Internet version?
A: KeyTrain does indeed have an Internet version...in fact KeyTrain was the very first company to have a fully approved (by ACT) Internet based WorkKeys® curriculum. Let me say that again...the first.
Q: Isn’t KeyTrain just “test prep” software?
A: KeyTrain is not “test prep”. This would imply that you can fool the WorkKeys assessments. KeyTrain students always seem to get higher scores on WorkKeys, on Accuplacer, on the GED, on COMPASS, on the PSAE (Illinois), on the ACT, on the SAT, and more. Has KeyTrain suddenly discovered the magic bullet that is “test prep” for almost any test?? It is much more likely that KeyTrain is an effective curriculum with more than enough depth to have a positive impact on virtually any assessment.
Q: Who wrote KeyTrain?
A: KeyTrain was written by a team of highly qualified curriculum development specialists. These range from professors at colleges and community colleges to specialists in learning strategies...all experts in their fields and in instructional development.
If you have any more questions about KeyTrain, call or send them in and I will be happy to address them. There is no better tool available anywhere to teach basic workplace skills than KeyTrain. Compare and see for yourself.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Results. KeyTrain.
By all accounts the 2006 National WorkKeys Conference was a huge success. Nashville was a great venue and the attendance was over 500. Many of the conversations centered around the number of States rolling out a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) program.
That was the conversation. The buzz was all KeyTrain. The KeyTrain theme was results. No matter what instrument you use to document progress...KeyTrain delivers the results you need. Contact us for the documentation. Help learners win with KeyTrain. Results. KeyTrain.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
National WorkKeys Conference
The time is near. The National Workkeys Conference is just 3 weeks away. This year the conference will be in Nashville. We expect a record turnout. KeyTrain will be unveiling the new look of our curriculum. Come and join us to see what’s new. As always, if you want your participants and your programs to win, you should select KeyTrain. We continue to be effective, strong innovators in the world of skill development. No one else comes close. You can have state wide initiatives where ineffective material is shoved down people’s throats, you can claim bizillions of disheartened users...but nothing comes close to the power, quality and effectiveness of KeyTrain.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
KeyTrain Software with or without Career Skills
KeyTrain remains the premier solution for developing Basic Occupational Skills. Contact us to purchase. You can also contact our office for a demo of either the KeyTrain Curriculum or the new Career Skills addition. To help students win in the workforce, help them prepare using KeyTrain. KeyTrain was developed around the skills identified in the WorkKeys Employment System from ACT.
