Alabama Learning Exchange

The Alabama Learning Exchange, or ALEX, is an online reference site full of useful tools for educators and students. Alex offers quite a few useful features. For one, it provides lists of helpful websites and help with mapping out lesson plans within its "Lesson Plans" feature. There is a "Personal Workspace" feature that allows users to store, share, and access lesson plans, as well as lists of teacher friendly websites. The "Course Material" feature has mapped out grade level appropriate class work and content standards for students. Alex also offers a "Distance Learning" feature which allows students statewide to engage in courses they may not otherwise have access to. Also, the "Professional Learning" section offers a list of websites offering development opportunities, teaching and learning tools, and links to pages offering resources to promote growth as a professional and communication skills.

Alex has much to offer both veteran and rookie teachers. The sharing of information and ideas over the Internet should be used as much as possible within Alabama's school system. Having these tools available over the Internet is also a good way to encourage teachers, (both young and old) to understand and use the technologies which our students will be undoubtedly have grown up using.