OTAN Digest - February 2024
Digest #36
February 2024
Spotlight On...
Affordable Connectivity Program External Link Icon opens in new window or tab
ASCD’s Most Popular Blog Posts of 2023 External Link Icon opens in new window or tab
What Great Principals Really Do External Link Icon opens in new window or tab
4 Lessons from California's Teaching with AI Guidance External Link Icon opens in new window or tab
Technology and Distance Learning Symposium 2024
Registration is open for TDLS 24. External Link Icon opens in new window or tab The Technology and Distance Learning Symposium, hosted by OTAN, is an annual conference featuring engaging, interactive presentations and vibrant discussions. This event is designed to demonstrate effective ways of incorporating technology to enrich the learning experience, expand educational reach through a combination of in-person and online learning, 
and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of adult education programs. This year’s Keynote Speaker is the Director of Academic Innovation for CUE, Joe Marquez.
Accessibility Resources Available for You
There are many tools available to support practitioners with accessibility in the classroom on the OTAN website. For complete lesson plans, visit the Teaching with Technology External Link Icon opens in new window or tab page with a EEE lesson plan Accessibility Features for ALL Our Learners External Link Icon opens in new window or tab featured this month. Perhaps some ideas from 30-year SPED instructor OTAN SME Elisia Doonan with her OTAN Tech Talk Creative Ways to Engage All Levels of Online Learners External Link Icon opens in new window or tab might inspire some changes in your classroom. For a video overview about Accessibility: Considerations for AE Teachers watch Penny Pearson outline the “why” behind ensuring everything we do is accessible and inclusive for all types of learners.
February
Streamline Planning with AI: Craft Custom Lessons
by Susan Coulter
Save time and energy crafting custom lesson plans with Artificial Intelligence (AI). This article shares step-by-step ways to curate an amazing lesson plan within seconds.
January
Hyflex Successes and Challenges
by Francisco Xavier Pinedo Jr.
HyFlex combines the terms hybrid and flexibility. While in hybrid learning, the instructor makes all the decisions about the format, in HyFlex learning is based on students deciding how they would like to be taught.
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.
Learn About the Digital Learning Guidance Course
In this online session, participants will learn about and be able to sign up for the Digital Learning Guidance Canvas Course which launches on March 6, 2024.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 1-2:00 pm.
During this session, the course facilitators will explore and discuss:
- What is the Digital Learning Guidance (DLG),
- How can this course help teachers and agencies,
- What will be learned in this course,
- Time required/commitments,
- Certificates of Completion,
- What individuals will take away from this course, and
- Where and how to sign up!
Questions will be answered throughout.
Join this online session to discover the compelling reasons why every professional in adult education should embrace and implement the Digital Learning Guidance.
Message from the Director
As the Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS) approaches, I am thrilled to extend an invitation to join this enriching event designed for tech-minded adult education professionals like yourself.
Scheduled to take place virtually and in person on March 1-2 at Fremont Adult School in Fremont, California, TDLS promises a dynamic experience with interactive presentations, engaging discussions, and numerous opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state.
Based on valuable feedback from previous attendees, we assure you that TDLS will offer insights that can be immediately applied in your classroom or program. Personally, as a former teacher and current administrator heavily reliant on Word for document creation, I was delighted to discover time-saving keyboard shortcuts at TDLS. For instance, pressing Ctrl + Spacebar clears all formatting from a document including font, font size, and bold. Additionally, Ctrl + Q removes paragraph formatting – a true game-changer!
Moreover, TDLS showcases innovative teaching tools, including Canva, Canvas, augmented and virtual reality, and AI, demonstrating their role in enhancing digital learning for students. With over 60 sessions, TDLS is sure to inspire you with fresh ideas on integrating digital learning models and strategies into your courses and programs.
Importantly, TDLS content is carefully curated to be relevant to each of the seven California Adult Education Program-approved program areas, ensuring inclusivity for attendees. Our commitment is to foster a welcoming environment, whether you choose to participate in-person or online, guaranteeing a truly worthwhile experience.
For more information and to secure your spot, please visit the TDLS webpage External Link Icon opens in new window or tab on OTAN’s website. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to connect with you in early March and explore the exciting possibilities TDLS has to offer.
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
OTAN February and March 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!