Open-ESL.org is now a “secure” site!

“SSL” (Secure Socket Layer) is a security mechanism that encrypts the data that flows between your computer’s “browser” (such as Firefox or Chrome) and a web site’s server. Normal, unsecured Internet traffic uses “http” (Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol). For many years banks, online retailers, etc. used “https” (Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol: Secure). This protects your financial data, credit card number, and passwords from being intercepted during the journey from your computer to the web site’s computer.

Recently, “https” has become the standard for all sites, and Open-ESL.org has now implemented this standard.

The email subscription mechanism has been restored. Use the “Subscribe” option on the top menu bar to access the sign-up form. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Three new items have been added to the Sandbox content area:

1. Proverbs- How to Live: This content was adapted from VOA and includes written material, a “fill in missing words” listening exercise, and comprehension exercises.
2. Weather words- Word Soup:  A “Word Soup” / “Find the Words” worksheet has been added to supplement the existing Weather-words vocabulary sheet/recording.
3. Template to help teachers create their own “Flash Sheets” for vocabulary.

There have been significant changes to the web site. Bit by bit a new, more consistent, user-friendly interface is being rolled out across the Open-ESL.org site.

The latest recipients to this face-lift are the home page itself, and the Kiosk documentation directories. The new pages are designed to be useful on the “full screen” of a desktop or notebook computer, as well as “mobile friendly” for tablets and SmartPhone devices. Testing has been done primarily with the Chrome and Firefox browsers, as well as (Icecream Sandwich and above) Android mobile devices. If you encounter a problem on your device, please send an email.

In addition “The Blind Men and the Elephant” has been added to the “Stories” section of the Sandbox. This version of that classic parable is a fun addition to the available content, and should spark some great class discussions! The audio file, combined with a “partial dictation” exercise are supplemented with some vocabulary materials that may be useful depending on the class level.

As always, comments and suggestions are welcome!

The category and content pages for the “Sandbox” have been redesigned!

• Cleaner look
• More consistent
• Mobile-friendly! (try them on your cell phone or tablet)
  Note that as with most other applications and pages designed for SmartPhones, when the screen is not wide enough to display the menu bar, it collapses into an icon represented by three horizontal bars at the top right corner. Just click it for access!

Category pages now use icons to help you know at a glance whether a content package has a document file, audio, etc. (Click on an icon if you are unsure what it means!)

Content package pages have also been redesigned, moving away from several different “trial” layouts that have been around for several years. The most common objects can be either previewed or downloaded by clicking icon-buttons. But, if you “want it all”- PDFs, source documents, MP3s, WAV files, etc, you can now click a single “package” button to download a compressed zip file with all the content objects!

As always, if you have questions, suggestions, or other feedback, feel free to send an email message!

Next up?  More content! Over the next couple of weeks more content packages will be added. This will include worksheets, and reference pages, as well as packages that include audio files!

(And don’t neglect your own creative urges! Submit your own content to share with other teachers on the Sandbox! Click the “Share Content” option on the menu bar on any of the Sandbox pages to get more information!)