OTAN Digest - May 2023
Digest #27
May 2023
Message from the Director
It was wonderful connecting with so many of you at the recent CCAE Conference External Link Icon opens in new window or tab in Oakland whether it was at the OTAN booth or through one of the many engaging OTAN-sponsored presentations. Did you pick up some OTAN swag? OTAN was happy to be in-person to recognize the accomplishments of recently retired Coordinator Penny Pearson and our CAEP TAP colleague, Dr. Veronica Parker.
We have an additional reason to celebrate. Recently, CUE introduced their newly elected members to the CUE Board of Directors, voted in by their fellow CUE members. Our own Coordinator Neda Anasseri was elected to one of the open positions. She will serve for 3 years at the State level, making decisions about CUE’s priorities, programs, and initiatives and serving as an ambassador to promote CUE’s mission to educators and technology leaders across the state and beyond. Neda is passionate about adult education, ed tech, and equity, and will be an excellent advocate for adult ed practitioners in her role as Board member. Congratulations Neda!
The end of the year is right around the corner and you may be planning for the new program year. How are you addressing digital learning for staff at your agency? We encourage you to reach out to OTAN to assist with goal setting and training. We offer cost-free workshops and can be flexible to offer in-person, virtual, or hybrid options for your staff across the state. Connect with us at support@otan.us External Link Icon opens in new window or tab for additional information.
Wishing you all the best as you close out your year and congratulations to all the new grads and certificate earners!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
For Administrators
Integrated Education and Training (IET) in Corrections
What Is SkillBlox, and Is It Worth Valuable Time To Explore It?
OTAN is committed to sharing information about accessibility with the adult education field. On our Accessibility Resources, you will find OTAN-developed resources as well as resources you can use to learn more about accessibility and create your own accessible content.
Web-Based Class Activities
May
What's New in Online Civics Education and Citizenship Prep?
by Jennifer Gagliardi
Seven new online civics education and citizenship resources from USCIS, LINCS, and more.
April
Classroom Video on Demand and Learn360 in the Blended Classroom
by Susan Coulter
Learn360 is a great resource for blended learning. With Learn360, you can have your learners watch a video or complete a game or activity to support what you are teaching in the classroom.
March
Guidance From the Guidance: An Agency's Approach to the California Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance
by Francisco X. Pinedo Jr
It has been almost three years since our world changed along with most aspects of education. COVID 19 became a worldwide pandemic and our way of teaching and delivering instruction changed 180 degrees in a matter of days.
Spotlight On...
Teaching with Technology
You know your subject, and you know how to get your students engaged and focused, but where can you find high-quality lessons that integrate technology in a way that complements what you already do?
The Teaching with Technology tool is designed to help adult education teachers locate lesson plans that can be used as-is or modified for use with your learners. The lesson plans integrate technology tools in a way that engages students, enhances their learning, and extends their learning beyond the class.
There are various ways to search and filter:
- By program area and level: Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), High School Equivalency Preparation (HSE), Career Technical Education (CTE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE), or Adults with Disabilities (AwD).
- By standards, topics, and technology tool(s): College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS), lesson plans, and keywords.
OTAN May and June Events
OTAN training events are OPEN to Adult Education staff.
★ = CLOSED, In-Service Training
Professional Development - Plan Ahead!
Did you know OTAN provides FREE professional development workshops to help Adult Educators integrate technology?
Think about scheduling OTAN Professional Development in the 2023-2024 school year. With a wide variety of technology topics from which to choose, OTAN training staff can provide in-person workshops or presentations at any approved California adult education agency or professional development event, either online or face-to-face with a computer lab or devices connected to the Internet.
All OTAN's workshops are provided at no cost!
Each session is hands-on - everyone will learn new skills related to technology or using technology that they can use in their adult education class or program. And all OTAN online or face-to-face workshops can be tailored to fit the needs of the requesting program. Select the links to see a list of the current online or face-to-face workshops and descriptions. If you don't see a workshop that is exactly what you need, contact OTAN - we'll work together to create a training that's best for you and your staff!
Need more information? Contact OTAN training staff anytime by phone at (916) 228-2580 External Link Icon opens in new window or tab, or by email at support@otan.us External Link Icon opens in new window or tab.
To view workshops already scheduled, visit the California Adult Education Professional Development Calendar External Link Icon opens in new window or tab and search for workshops sponsored by OTAN. Don't miss out!