Online Learning

Brainfuse HelpNow provides online tutoring for students in grades K-12 and adult learners. Live tutors are available every day from 2 PM - 11 PM.

The Brainfuse HelpNow app is available on iOS and Android devices.

To get a Brainfuse HelpNow login:

1. Open Brainfuse HelpNow in a browser.
2. Click "Login".
3. Click "Sign up".
4. Create a user name and password.
5. Use your user name and password to login to the app.

Brainfuse HelpNow Highlights:

• Writing Lab: upload a document and get feedback within one business day
• SkillSurfer: test prep & skill-building
• Live Chess Tutoring: Listed under Expert Help. New!
• Send Question: ask the tutors for help outside of tutoring hours — get a reply within one business day
• Language Lab: live practice for learning Spanish
• Español: tutoring in Spanish for many subjects

About Brainfuse HelpNow:

• Students communicate with live tutors using an interactive whiteboard to chat, write, draw, copy/paste text or images and graph homework problems.
• All live sessions are saved and can be replayed as well as shared with friends and teachers by email.
• Registration is not required to get live tutoring help, but it is recommended so that students can track their progress.
• Registration is required for certain modules like The Writing Lab and the SkillSurfer.

Check out the Brainfuse HelpNow tutorial from Niche Academy.

Email info@brainfuse.com for technical assistance.

Brainfuse JobNow provides online job and life skills coaching and resume assistance. Live coaches are available every day from 2 PM - 11 PM.

The Brainfuse HelpNow app is available on iOS and Android devices.

To get a Brainfuse JobNow login:

1. Open Brainfuse JobNow in a browser.
2. Click "Login".
3. Click "Sign up".
4. Create a user name and password.
5. Use your user name and password to login to the app.
6. If you have a Brainfuse HelpNow login, you will need to create a new login for Brainfuse JobNow.

JobNow Features:

Brainfuse JobNow provides users with a host of services to help in every step of the job search process including job searching, resume templates, professional resume review, and live interview coaching. Live Job Coaches are available every day from 2PM – 11 PM.

Live Interview Coaching: You can brush up on interview techniques or get live online interview practice from trained job coaches. Job coaches communicate via live chat in our online classroom. In addition to live interview coaching, you have 24/7 access to interview tips and career resources.

Life Skills Coaching: Life Skills Coaches will assist you with essential skills such as time management, financial literacy, practical skills, and more.

Expert Job Matching: You can get matched to open positions based on skills, interests, and preferences. After filling out a questionnaire, the Brainfuse Job Matching experts will search for available positions that match your requested criteria, including preferences such as salary range, benefits, industry, and more. Within two business days, you'll receive a response with links and additional information for the positions. Please note that the Job Matching Experts will not complete applications.

Resume Lab: You can submit your resume any time through the JobNow Resume Lab and a job coach will send it back within 24 hours with detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement. You are also able to download resume templates, or browse resources for producing better resumes.

Career Resources: You have 24/7 access to a carefully-selected library of job resources. In addition, Brainfuse job coaches help you strategically target jobs best suited to your interests and qualifications.

Unemployment Benefits: Brainfuse's unemployment benefits coaches have previous experience working with and within unemployment benefits and claims offices in different states throughout the country. In addition to expertise with their own states' procedures, our coaches are given access to updated, state-specific resources, and are trained to manage requests from users in any area that Brainfuse provides service. Benefits coaches can help users with simple questions, assist them with filling out the appropriate forms, and offer insight into the various specific guidelines that each state's unemployment insurance office abides by.

Adult Learning Center: The Adult Learning Center provides foundational, career-enhancing skills to job seekers. In addition, the Adult Learning Center offers test preparation (including the GED and the USCIS citizenship test) and a unique academic skills center featuring live, online tutors.

View the short tutorial from Niche Academy.

These YouTube videos highlight different features:

1. JobNow overview [2:17]
    
2. Job Resources and Live Job Coach [1:32]
    
3. Interview Resources and Coaching [1:19]
    
4. Self Assessment and eParachute [1:49]

Email info@brainfuse.com for technical assistance.

The Education & Training Research Guide provides research tools on the following topics:

• Adult and Continuing Education
• APL Digital Makerspace
• Central Library Field Trips for Kids and Teens
• Coding
• Colleges and Universities
• Computer Training
• Language Learning
• Media Literacy
• Online Education and Training
• Resources for Educators
• Test Preparation

Gale Presents: Udemy offers thousands of on-demand video courses taught by world-class instructors across 75 categories for upskilling in the areas of business, technology, and design, as well as courses on health and well-being, the arts and language learning. Courses are replaced monthly with new material addressing emerging topics. On-demand videos in eight different languages taught by native-speaking instructors are also included.

Signing up for a Udemy account is required. If you've signed up with another library, you can use that login. If you have a direct account with Udemy, you need to create a new account after signing in with your Library card and password.

View the tutorial

LearningExpress Library features nearly 1,000 online tutorials, practice tests and eBooks to help learners of all ages. It offers job search and workplace skills improvement; skill building in reading, writing, math, and basic science; career certification and licensure exam prep; college and grad school entrance prep; and GED test prep. It can be used on mobile devices.

Get started:

1. Go to LearningExpress Library. You will enter your library card number for verification.
2. Click Sign In/Register button in the top menu, and create an account with your email address and password*.
3. Browse Learning Centers on the home page, or use the Search box.
4. Click on your name in the top menu to access "My Center," where you can track your progress and organize your tests, tutorials and eBooks.

* The LearningExpress Library account is not linked to the My APL catalog login.

Check out the LearningExpress Library tutorial from Niche Academy.

The Video Guides can help with using LearningExpress Library.

Mango Languages helps you learn over 70 world languages, offers more than 20 ESL/ELL courses, and improves your proficiency with Mango Movies.

• Sign up for an account to track your progress, or try it out as a guest.
• To use the Mango Languages app, sign up for an account in your browser first.
• To see if your language has Mango Movies, a film-based language-learning tool, click on Explore.

• Check out the Mango Languages tutorial from Niche Academy.
• Mango Languages FAQ
• Mango Support

Niche Academy provides brief tutorials for many Digital resources.

SkillMill by Interplay Learning offers skilled trades training courses online on HVAC, solar, plumbing, electrical and more. Develop job skills at your own pace through expert-led video lessons and digital training simulations. With SkillMill, you can:

• Explore careers in the skilled trades.
• Gain continuing education units and prepare for certification exams like EPA 608, OSHA 10, NATE and more.
• Learn how to complete home repair projects.

Accessing SkillMill

An email address is required to use this resource. (Need an email address?) Click Register now above to complete the registration form. You will receive an activation email from marketing@interplaylearning.com 3-5 business days after registration.

Please note the registration form will not be available if all licenses are in use.

Tech requirements

• For the best experience, download the desktop app to your Windows computer or iPad.
• You can access SkillMill in-browser (Chrome or Firefox recommended) on most devices.
• Video courses are playable on all devices.
• Training simulations are only available on tablets, computers, and VR headsets.

Don’t have a computer or internet access at home? Cardholders can check out Chromebooks and WiFi hotspots to take home. (Need a Library Card?)

• Need help getting started? Take a welcome assessment to get course recommendations: Skills Assessments.
• SkillMill Tutorial: Click through an interactive tour of the user dashboard, course catalog, a simulation example and more.
• For technical issues within the SkillMill platform, click Report a Problem at the bottom of the page or email support@interplaylearning.com.
• For Library questions, Ask a Librarian or give us a call at 512-974-7400, option 1.

Texas Driving Permit Practice Tests from Driving-Tests.org provides free driver's permit practice tests. Tests and handbooks include permit, motorcycle and CDL licenses.

Handbooks are available in Spanish. Click on the handbook's link, then select "Spanish" from the menu. 

A library card is not required to use this site.

Transparent Language Online provides courses in over 110 world languages, American Sign Language, English for speakers of over 30 languages, and KidSpeak courses for children. The instruction is for learners of all levels looking to build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a foreign language.

• Sign up for an account to track your progress, or try it out as a guest.
   
• To use the Transparent Language Online app, sign up for an account in your browser first.

View the Niche Academy tutorial