OTAN Digest - December 2023
Digest #34
December 2023
Spotlight On...
Technology and Distance Learning Symposium
If you enjoy learning from fellow adult educators with the flexibility of a hybrid format, TDLS is for you. For more information click this I am interested in TDLS.
Canva vs. Adobe Express: Which is Best?
CAMPGPT: Engaging Opportunity to Practice with Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) Tools
Executive Orders about AI from President Biden & Governor Newsom
Digital Learning Guidance: Materials for Professional Development
OTAN's Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC) Cohort 4 Navigates and excels in year 1
Digital Learning Guidance: Materials for Professional Development
The Digital Learning Guidance serves as a practical resource for adult educators and staff. While each chapter offers so much to think about, the question is, how to provide professional development on this important document? The solution begins with the first step. Access OTAN’s Newly curated training materials on the DLG (Digital Learning Guidance) webpage.
Best Course Spring Orientation
The ever-popular Building an EdTech Strategy Toolkit (BEST) Course developed by EdTech Center@WorldEd in partnership with OTAN will be offered Spring 2024. Register for the orientation, Friday, January 12, 2024, 12-1:00 pm, for more details about course participation. Discover how the BEST course helps educators develop a strategic approach to designing and implementing technology-based routines for learners. Orientation Registration
December
Let's Continue Classroom Collaboration!
by Cindy Wislofsky
Collaboration. Collaboration Tools. Collaboration Activities. All good terms for working in groups to move learning forward and enhance the learning experience. The California Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance document reminds us that collaborative opportunities are essential for learners in higher education.
November
Building Teacher Leaders for Enhanced Technology Integration in Adult Education
by Yecsenia Delgado
We live in a fast-paced digital age, where technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. In education, technology has revolutionized the way we access information and communicate with each other. As adult educators, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology in enhancing learning experiences in our classrooms. Now more than ever, it is crucial to become leaders who can effectively integrate technology into our teaching practices.
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.
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.
Message from the Director
When’s the last time you looked at what California’s State Library system has to offer in the area of Career Pathways? With 186 library jurisdictions and 1200 branches, local libraries provide free and easily accessible resources that can extend the learning for our adult students beyond the classroom. Recently, I was fortunate enough to attend a presentation at the CTE Conference hosted by CALCP and CAROCP on the eight CAreer Pathways digital resources offered through the library system and designed to empower Californians in their educational and professional pursuits.
The CAreer Pathways program serves as a digital bridge connecting individuals to the skills demanded by today’s employees. Which of the following digital career resources are you aware of?
- Coursera – Provides learners with access to more than 5000 courses and certifications
- Get Set Up – A social learning platform offering live digital courses for individuals 50+
- Job and Career Accelerator – Digital search tool to find, apply for, and get hired in a career
- LearningExpress Library – Assists in professional exam preparation (CBEST, CA Real Estate)
- LinkedIn Learning – Provides courses and certificates that can be added to a LinkedIn profile
- Northstar – Builds skills in key digital literacy areas; demonstrate knowledge with badging
- Skillshare – 35,000 videos on topics that support building a business or learning new skills
- VetNow – Assistance for veterans designed to meet a range of career and veteran needs
At the heart of these resources lies the commitment to providing accessible and diverse avenues for learning. More than likely, your local library jurisdiction is one of your CAEP consortium partners and you have regular communication with them. If not, check out their website. Or visit a branch of the library that is close to your adult school or college and ask a librarian how to get started. These resources may be just the “gift” that your students are looking for to accelerate their digital learning.
I wish you all a happy holiday season filled with joy, peace, and gratitude.
-Warmly, Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
OTAN December and January Events
| Date/Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, December 1 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Canvas: Basics | Mt. Diablo Adult Education |
| Friday, December 1 12:30 PM - 03:30 PM |
In-Person Instruction and Engagement ★ | Independence Adult School |
| Friday, December 1 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM |
USA Learns Updated Citizenship Course Plus More! | OTAN Webinar |
| Wednesday, December 6 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM |
Using Google Workspace to Create Accessible Documents ★ | Whittier Adult School |
| Thursday, December 7 07:30 AM - 05:30 PM |
Google Forms, Quizzes, and Sheets ★ | Chula Vista Adult School, |
| Friday, December 8 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM |
OTAN Tech Talk December '23: Utilizing Collaborative Online Tools to Enhance and Engage | OTAN Tech Talk |
| Tuesday, December 12 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM |
Canvas Q & A for Administrators and Teachers | Zoom Meeting |
| Wednesday, December 13 12:15 PM - 03:15 PM |
Using Microsoft Outlook Effectively ★ | Twin Rivers Adult Education |
| Friday, December 15 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM |
Got Canva? You Got AI! | OTAN Online Workshop |
| Monday, January 8 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
Digital Learning Guidance Course: Harnessing the Power of Digital Teaching ★ | Oxnard Adult School |
| Tuesday, January 9 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM |
Canvas Q & A for Administrators and Teachers | Zoom Meeting |
| Friday, January 12 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
OTAN - Resources for Adult Education! ★ | Apple Valley Adult School |
| Friday, January 12 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
CK-12 FlexBooks® 2.0 - An Introduction ★ | Apple Valley Adult School |
| Friday, January 12 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Canvas: Basics ★ | Mt. Diablo Adult Education |
| Friday, January 12 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM |
BEST Course Orientation (Spring) | OTAN Course |
| Thursday, January 25 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM |
Canvas Q & A for Administrators and Teachers | Zoom Meeting |
| Tuesday, January 30 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM |
Canvas Accessibility | OTAN Online |
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, or by email at 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 out!