Recommended Resources for Adult Education Practitioners

Technology Platforms Provided by the State

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) offers technology platforms specifically designed for adult education practitioners and learners. Access to these tools requires permission and an account from RIDE. For more information, contact support@riadulted.org.

Download the Software Showcase, which includes each platform’s content area, intended audience, access requirements for teachers and students, and links to the most recent training recordings.
Learn how to access these tech platforms on the January 2025 Tech Tuesday: Software Showcase

Featured

Adult Numeracy Network (ANN)

Intended for: all learners

A community dedicated to quality mathematics instruction at the adult level. Notify support@riadulted.org to gain membership access.

IXL

Intended for: ABE/GED students, improving math and English skills

IXL is a comprehensive online learning platform that provides adaptive practice and real-time data across four core subjects—math, science, social studies, and reading/language arts—to support adult learners in building essential academic skills. Through personalized skill pathways and detailed analytics, instructors can target instruction, monitor progress toward assessments, and integrate IXL into both classroom and independent study.

The Change Agent

Intended for: all learners

Teaching resource that features writings by adult learners and inspires adult educators and learners to make civic participation and social justice part of their teaching and learning.

Ellii

Intended for: English as a second language students

Over 1,000 printable and digital interactive lessons to plan and teach in-person, distance, and blended learning. Search for materials by topic or level.

News For You

Intended for: ESOL, Civics/Current Events, Digital Literacy

Easy-to-read news stories that can help students learn to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Seven new stories are posted each Wednesday, along with audio, exercises, vocabulary, a crossword puzzle, a word search, and a poll. And every Monday, a weekly News Roundup of breaking stories is released.

Northstar Digital Literacy

Intended for: all learners

This program helps individuals build and improve their digital skills, making them confident in using technology and online tools. It covers various computer and internet skills to support both education and career growth.

Open Source Online Resources

Adult Education practitioners can access a variety of open-source tools that support tracking progress, setting learning goals, and providing personalized guidance. These tools are available at any time to enhance the learning experience, helping both educators and learners on their journey.

Free Technology Platforms (source)

Financial Literacy

Rhode Island Adult Education has partnered with BayCoast Bank and Banzai to bring you clear, in-depth lessons that help you dive into the financial topics you care most about.

Intended for: ESOL, Citizenship, Workforce, Technology

Free instructional planning tool for adult educators. It helps teachers easily find, organize, and share high-quality digital learning resources aligned to adult education content standards, specific skill areas, and the Teaching Skills That Matter (TSTM) framework. SkillBlox supports instruction in math, reading, writing, digital literacy, ESL, and more. Educators can use SkillBlox to target learner needs, build lessons that integrate TSTM skills like critical thinking and communication, and differentiate instruction in both in-person and remote settings.

Intended for: ESOL, GED

PBS LearningMedia is a free online library of high-quality, K–12 educational videos, lessons, and interactive resources created by PBS. While designed for K–12 classrooms, many practitioners in adult education use it to support instruction, build background knowledge, and provide accessible, media-rich content—especially for ESL, GED, and workforce readiness contexts.

Intended for: Digital Literacy

Applied Digital Skills is a flexible video-based curriculum that prepares students for the growing number of jobs that require basic digital skills, such as email and spreadsheets.

DART: A Foundational Digital Literacy ESL Curriculum

Intended for: ESOL, Digital Literacy

The Digital Access and Resilience in Texas (DART) curriculum integrates beginning English language learning with foundational digital skills. The curriculum is intended to supplement existing English language instruction in lower-level adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

Intended for: English language learners (intermediate-advanced), Pre-GED/GED learners, Civics/citizenship learners, Basic literacy skills learners

The CILIA-T curriculum merges U.S. history and civics content with academic English instruction to support adult learners, helping them gain the skills needed to be involved, informed members of their communities. Technology use is interwoven throughout the curriculum, both as an instructional tool and as a way to improve learners’ digital skills.

Intended for: all learners

AskRI.org is designed to be a comprehensive research resource for Rhode Island residents, students, job seekers, librarians, and educators.

Intended for: Digital Literacy

Toolkit to build digital resilience. BRIDGES offers the tools and resources needed for learners and training providers to build digital skills.

Intended for: English as a second language, citizenship, and nursing assistant students

A free website that helps adults learn English, gain job skills, and prepare for U.S. citizenship online.