OTAN Digest - October 2023
Digest #32
October 2023
Message from the Director
I am excited to share an important brief External Link Icon opens in new window or tab that was released in September 2023 addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in Adult Foundational Education (AFE). As a contributing member of the Equity in Adult Education Research workgroup within the Collaborative Research for Educating Adults with Technology Enhancements (CREATE) Adult Skills Network that produced this brief, I can attest to the work that was done to develop a document that explored working definitions for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, considered the current conditions in which DEIA is intentionally addressed in AFE, and identified successes, challenges, and recommendations as adult practitioners dive more deeply into this work.
The world is undergoing profound transformations, driven by technological advancements and societal shifts. In this rapidly evolving environment, it is crucial that we ensure equitable access to foundational education for all adults, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities, or circumstances. The DEIA in Adult Foundational Education brief addresses precisely this imperative.
The Equity workgroup, comprised of researchers and practitioners, has dedicated significant effort to craft this comprehensive brief. I believe its findings and recommendations will resonate with many of us in adult education. Take this opportunity to engage in discussion, share insights, and chart a course for a more inclusive and accessible educational environment for all our adult students.
DEIA in Adult Foundational Education External Link Icon opens in new window or tab
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
News
For Teachers
New Additions to USA Learns Citizenship Course
Financial Literacy Resources Bank
Differentiated Learning and Technology: A Powerful Combination
For Administrators
Gratitude Languages: How to Support a Culture of Appreciation
Report on Technology and Distance Learning for CA Adult Education Now Available
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.
October
Creative Ways to Engage ALL Levels of Online Learners
by Elisia Doonan
This article will go over many ways to engage all levels of online learners. To best serve students with varying invisible and visible disabilities, this article will suggest ways to modify, keep the goal simple, and repeat for clarification.
September
The Importance of Supporting ESL Students in CTE Pathways
by Alisa Takeuchi
English language learners are students who are learning English as a second language (ESL). They come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, and they may have different levels of English proficiency. Despite these differences, ESL students have the same potential as any other student to succeed in career and technical education (CTE) pathways.
August
Using Accessibility Features to Help ALL of Our Students Improve Their Learning
by Debbie Jensen
Over the past years I have focused on what we as educators must do to make our documents/presentations etc. accessible to our learners with disabilities. Along the way I discovered that as I made needed changes to my materials, I also increased the usability for my able-bodied learners. On this journey, I discovered that some of those accessibility features helped me as well. This article is to inform and motivate us all to know about accessibility features that will help our learners.
Spotlight On...
Introducing the California Adult Education Canvas Commons!
Taking into account valuable feedback the OTAN Adult Ed Canvas team received from educators across the state, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the California Adult Education Canvas Commons. This exciting new Canvas platform welcomes and invites ALL California adult education agencies to openly collaborate, share resources, and connect with one another. More specifically, the Adult Ed Canvas team invites K-12 adult education and non-credit community college partners, community-based organizations, library literacy programs, workforce organizations, and other partners of adult education to have one place to go to access Canvas adult education-specific resources.
The California Adult Education Canvas Commons reflects our commitment to fostering a collaborative environment with open shared resources, courses, assessments, and assignments for agencies to use. To ensure your agency’s adult education instance is included in this dynamic community, simply complete the linked survey: Canvas information form External Link Icon opens in new window or tab
Once this information is processed, the Adult Ed Canvas team will extend an invitation to join the California Adult Education Canvas Commons accompanied with instructions on how to accept it.
For those agencies that were familiar with the California Distance Learning Cooperative (CDLC) Commons, the CA Adult Education Canvas Commons is replacing it and will be fully open and inclusive to all adult education agencies, notwithstanding membership in the CDLC. By making this change, the Adult Ed Canvas team hopes to inspire creativity, facilitate time-saving lesson planning, and provide resources which best support our adult learners and instructors.
Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for the Canvas LMS! If you have any questions about this new initiative, please reach out to us at aecanvas@scoe.net External Link Icon opens in new window or tab
OTAN October and November 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!