Administrators' Digest

TECHNOLOGY AND DISTANCE LEARNING SYMPOSIUM

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!

Scheduled for March 1 and 2, the Technology and Distance Learning Symposium will be held this year at the "birthplace" of OTAN - Hacienda La Puente Adult Education - Willow Campus. The TDL Symposium is ideal for teachers, coordinators, and administrators in the network of California adult education providers under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (WIOA Title II). 
Read more about TDLS and view the schedule, location, and registration information.

WORKING TO MAKE ONLINE CONTENT ACCESSIBLE

Did you know that up to 20% of the population is potentially excluded if your website is not fully accessible? Not only is this bad for customer service, but it’s also bad for business. The gap between federally mandated accessibility guidelines and the reality of many inaccessible company websites has led to a sharp increase in the number of federal ADA non-compliance lawsuits in just the last year. Read this article to learn more about how to make your online content and website accessible.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTAN CURRICULUM OFFERS

OTAN wants to remind you about curriculum offers available to adult education teachers who work at WIOA-funded agencies in California. OTAN works to negotiate the best free or reduced-cost special offers for online curriculum licenses and professional development resources suggested by our OTAN Advisory Committee and adult educators in the field. Learn more about OTAN's current offers.

SOFT AND HARD SKILLS THAT ARE IN DEMAND

What are the soft and hard skills in demand in 2019? According to LinkedIn, the top five soft skills bosses are looking for are creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and time management. Read this news item to learn more about soft and hard skills and how technology can help in the teaching of these skills.

REASONS TO IMPLEMENT BLENDED LEARNING

Over the years, as adult education agencies have integrated more technology into classrooms and have become more sophisticated in their use of technology, we have seen an increase in Technology and Distance Learning Plan goals that aim to provide learners with blended learning opportunities, a variety of combinations of face-to-face instruction and online learning. California adult education agencies and others have come to recognize that blended learning is advantageous for teachers and learners in a number of ways that you can read about in this news article.

OVERCOMING FEARS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA

Do you find social media intimidating or overwhelming or a time waster? Are these fears or reservations preventing you from getting started with social media for professional purposes? Read this news item and learn about the importance of social media for your agency and find more resources you can use to get started.

Professional Development

OTAN PROVIDES FREE WORKSHOPS!

Are you or your staff having problems using or starting to use technology in your adult education program? Use OTAN as a professional development provider!

OTAN offers no-cost, three-hour, hands-on workshops to all WIOA-funded adult education programs. With a wide-variety of technology topics in their arsenal, OTAN training staff will go to any WIOA-funded site with a computer lab to facilitate a hands-on workshop for adult education staff. Click on the link to see our list of face-to-face workshops: OTAN's Face-to-Face Workshops

OTAN also offers short, online workshops to meet the demands of busy adult educators. Click on the link to see our list of online workshops and webinars: Online Workshops & Webinars

And remember - all OTAN workshops are free! Read more about OTAN Training and select Face-to-Face or Online workshops options to view complete workshop lists including descriptions and prerequisites. Need more information? Contact OTAN training staff anytime by phone or email at 916-228-2580 and support@otan.us

To view workshops already scheduled, visit the California Adult Education Professional Development Calendar and search for workshops sponsored by OTAN. Don't miss any!