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Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of August 10
Posted on 08/10/2026
Check out this month’s OTAN digest for our most recent Adult Ed news! August OTAN Digest
This Month’s Upcoming Activities
Friday August 21 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | OTAN Tech Talk August 2026: OTAN Canvas Courses: Free and Ready to Use Today | Debbie Jensen, OTAN Subject Matter Expert | We will examine why you should consider Canvas Courses for your classroom and how you can use the Canvas courses whether you are in-person, hybrid, or completely online. We will look at the courses currently available and finally how you can get these free courses. The last point will be a request for your future course development direction.
Saturday August 22 at 9:00 am – 10:30 am | Canvas Course Design Best Practices | Dana Thompson, OTAN Subject Matter Expert | Design Canvas courses that are visually engaging, easy to navigate, and built for student success. This session covers best practices for organizing content, using consistent design elements, and incorporating visuals like banners, icons, and multimedia to enhance clarity and connection. Walk away with practical tips to create a clean, inviting course that keeps learners focused and engaged.
Thursday August 27 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Overview of Northstar Features | Theresa Sladek, Strategic Partnerships & Northstar Business Development Manager, Literacy Minnesota | In this training, participants will learn about Northstar Digital Literacy standards, assessments, curriculum, self-directed online learning, and reporting. You will ascertain how to start incorporating and implementing digital literacy into your organization using the Northstar features. *Note: This is the first of three trainings for agencies that are participating in the OTAN Northstar pilot for 2026-28. Agencies that are currently using Northstar are also welcome to join this training.
Summer Learning: Self-Paced Canvas Courses
Open Canvas Course| Mastering Technology Integration through the Triple E Framework | To strengthen your technology integration and enhance student learning outcomes, this asynchronous course explores the Triple E Framework - a research-based approach that focuses on learning first and technology as a means to support instruction. The Triple E Framework emphasizes what students do with technology rather than what instructors do, focusing on three key areas: Engagement, Enhancement, and Extension.
Open Canvas Course | Digital Learning Guidance Course: Harnessing the Power of Online Education | To maintain and grow our digital future, this six-chapter asynchronous Canvas course will delve into the Digital Learning Guidance (chapters 2-7), written by adult educators for adult educators. Sign up to discover why every professional in adult education should embrace and implement the Digital Learning Guidance.
