OTAN Digest January 2026
Spotlight On...
Celebrate Your Students: 2026 Nominations Now Open!
Behind every adult education success story is a student who turned a challenge into a triumph. OTAN is now accepting nominations for the California Adult Education Students Succeed program. This is our opportunity to honor those who embody resilience, give back to their communities, and redefine their futures through education.
- Who Can Nominate: Any California adult education agency.
- Submission Window: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 – Friday, March 20, 2026.
- Take Action: Help us tell the story of adult education by submitting your nomination here.
2025 Nominee Spotlight: Elizabeth Torres
We are proud to share the story of Elizabeth Torres, a former Santa Ana College School of Continuing Education student whose determination took her from navigating entry-level roles to a professional career in student services. After overcoming systemic barriers and validating the Industrial Engineering degree she earned in Mexico, Elizabeth has become a vital advocate for adult education within the Latino community. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at CSU Fullerton with the goal of becoming a university professor, proving that when we bridge the gap between global experience and local opportunity, our entire community thrives. Read her full story here.
Looking for more inspiration? Browse other student stories here.
Teaching Resource Spotlight: Digital ESL
Find the Right Digital Literacy Curriculum for Your Adult Learners
Resources for Low-Cost Internet and Devices
ChatEDU – A Podcast Exploring AI’s Impact on Education
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The Future of Adult Ed is Here: Join us for TDLS 2026!
Get ready for the Technology and Digital Learning Symposium (TDLS), OTAN’s premier annual event! This March, we’re heading to Monterey Adult School for a high-energy hybrid conference focused on the tools and strategies that are transforming adult education. Whether you’re looking to master digital tools or expand your program’s reach, this is the place to be.
- When: March 6 and 7, 2026
- Where: Monterey Adult School OR Online (Hybrid)
- What to Expect: Interactive presentations, vibrant discussions, and hands-on tech demos.
Registration is Open! Space for in-person attendance is limited to just 200 participants, so don’t wait to secure your spot.
Visit the TDLS Website for more info
Image from TDLS 2025 at Long Beach School for Adults
Stay in the Loop with Canvas Updates
Our Canvas Customer Support team recommends following these key sections of the Instructure Community to stay informed on product roadmaps and releases. Create an account and subscribe to these pages to receive updates directly in your inbox:
- Weekly Highlights: A quick roundup of everything happening in the Instructure Community.
- The Product Blog: Deep dives into new features and strategy.
- Product Events: Keep an eye out for "New and Next" sessions for product roadmap previews.
- Canvas Release Notes: The home for technical updates and monthly release details.
Monthly, SMEs write an article about technology and how it correlates with teaching and learning. These articles become companions of each OTAN Tech Talk. Have something to share? OTAN welcomes an article or Tech Talk from any adult educator in California.
January
Integrating Digital Literacy into Adult Citizenship Education
By Jennifer Gagliardi, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
The path to naturalization in the United States increasingly requires a foundation in digital literacy. As a significant portion of the adult population lacks basic digital skills, adult citizenship education must adapt to address this critical need. The goal is to prepare legal permanent residents not only for the civic and language components of the N-400 application but also for the digital environment in which the process now operates and the soon-to-be new American citizen lives.
December
Using Available Models to Approach an AI Policy in Your Classroom
By Maricel Manglicmot, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Artificial intelligence is becoming as commonplace as a computer or calculator in the classroom, however policies vary from school to school, classroom to classroom. There might not yet be a school-wide AI policy at your site, or your site’s policy can be further tailored to your curriculum. The purpose of this article is to begin creating an AI policy that works for you and your class.
November
Writing SMART Technology Goals for the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) Using the Digital Skills Library.
By Francisca Wentworth, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Is your agency struggling to develop a strong technology goal for your Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP)? When thinking about a technology goal, consider how it can support learners’ digital literacy skills at your agency.
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OTAN Satisfaction Survey
OTAN would like to invite you to participate in our new Satisfaction Survey to help us improve our services in the following areas:
- Trainings and Presentations
- Website Resources
- Curriculum Offers
- Digital Learning Guidance
- Canvas
- Additional OTAN services
Take some time to complete this survey as soon as you have a chance. This survey should not take more than 20-30 minutes of your time.
As with all OTAN surveys, the results will be kept completely anonymous. OTAN has no way to trace individual results back to specific participants.
You can find the survey here: Survey Link
Thank you for your time and your feedback!
Message from the Director
Welcome to the New Year with OTAN!
As we begin a new year, OTAN is excited to continue partnering with you and your teams to support meaningful, practical, and innovative digital learning across California adult education. We’re grateful for the work you do every day—and we look forward to learning and growing together in the months ahead.
To help you start the year strong, here are a few upcoming opportunities to add to your calendar:
California Adult Education Students Succeed (CAESS) Awards
Awards Nominations open January 1 and close Friday, March 20. Each year, OTAN honors adult learners whose persistence, resilience, and achievements reflect the powerful impact of adult education. These students inspire us all—please consider nominating a deserving learner or learners from your agency. Need some inspiration? Check out previously nominated students on our CAESS website.
Kick Off the New Year with OTAN’s Online Trainings
The California Adult Education Professional Development site is your place to see the latest offerings from OTAN as well as our other State Leadership Projects, CALPRO and CASAS. In January, you can choose from training about integrating digital literacy into adult citizenship education, updating Canvas course content for your new semester, and exploring Notebook LM. In addition, there are self-paced courses on California’s Digital Learning Guidance as well as mastering technology integration through the Triple E Framework.
Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS)
A favorite among teachers, support staff, and administrators alike, TDLS offers practical, ready-to-use instructional ed tech strategies shared by colleagues across the field—at an extremely affordable cost. Registration is now open for in-person ($50) or virtual ($20) participation. Join us in beautiful Monterey, CA, March 6-7!
With so many trainings, curriculum resources, and support services available, this is just a snapshot of how OTAN can help. If you’re not sure where to start, contact support@otan.us and connect with one of our knowledgeable technology experts.
Here’s to a new year filled with collaboration, growth, and continued success. We look forward to connecting with you soon. Until then, best wishes for a strong start to the year—and Happy New Year!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
OTAN December and January Events
| Date/Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 7 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Creating with Canva - Basics and MORE for Grossmont Adult Education ★ | This session is an inservice for Grossmont Adult Education. |
| Friday, January 9 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM |
OTAN Tech Talk January 2026: Integrating Digital Literacy into Adult Citizenship Education | OTAN Online |
| Saturday, January 10 09:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Updating & Creating Course Content for the new Semester | OTAN Online |
| Saturday, January 17 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Curious about Google’s new NotebookLM but not sure where to start? | OTAN Online |
| Wednesday, January 21 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM |
Pilot Pace This Year! AI Made Just for ESOL Teachers and Learners | OTAN Online |
| Thursday, January 22 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM |
Northstar Digital Literacy User Group | OTAN Online |
| Friday, January 23 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Creating a Successful Canvas Course at Chaffey Adult School | OTAN Online |
| Saturday, January 24 09:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
What’s New in Canvas LMS? | 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 2025-2026 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!