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Leading adult education through support for and the effective application of technology.

OTAN Digest

Digest #9
October 2021

Message From The Director

It's October and that means the CAEP Summit from October 26 to 28 is just a few short weeks away. This year's theme is Reimagining Adult Education – Same Foundation, New Way Forward. One way California adult education programs are looking forward is through the lens of the CAEP state priorities, and News and Review recently helped us capture and report how the priorities are being accentuated in ten adult education agencies across the state.

Visalia Adult School Principal Tami Olson, reflecting on the priority of technology and distance learning, shared her school has "become more student-centered – not teaching-and classroom-centered." Jill Ibbotson, Adult ESL Faculty Coordinator at Saddleback College, discussed how her college used Facebook and Instagram advertisements for marketing to Spanish speaking students. And Dr. Daniel Walden, Superintendent and President of Victor Valley College, shared some of his leadership strategies to ensure students are prepared for life, for work, and to support their families in his High Desert Region.

Engage in learning around the state priorities by reading the full publication and joining us for over 60 presentations at the virtual, no-cost CAEP Summit. All are welcome!

-Renee Collins

Web-Based Class Activities

October

Introduction to the Triple E Framework
by Susan Gaer

The Triple E is a framework that measures how well a tool or activity engages, enhances, and extends learning.

September

New! Improved! Teaching with Technology (TwT) Database Updated for Usefulness and with a Focus on High-Quality Instruction
by Kristi Reyes

Now, after more than 1,300 entries, TwT is being transformed into a more user-friendly resource.

August

Choice Boards: Made for Adult Education
by Debbie Jensen

K-12 has embraced Choice Boards in their classrooms for over ten years, but if you missed the opportunity, here it is for Adult Education. It is as if Choice Boards were designed with adult learners in mind.

Spotlight On...

OTAN Office Hours!

When the COVID-19 stay-at home order went into effect in March 2020, one of the first things OTAN did was set up OTAN Office Hours three times a week to help adult education teachers who were scrambling to shift from in-person to remote instruction. Over the last 18 months, OTAN has helped many teachers with a wide variety of questions about tech tools and how to use those tools in their instruction.

We are continuing with OTAN Office Hours this school year, and we want to remind you about the Office Hours schedule: Monday from 2:00 to 4:00pm, and Friday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Office Hours are on a drop-in basis, and we look forward to assisting with whatever questions you might have about using tech tools with your students in-person, online, or both! You can register for OTAN Office Hours at the California Adult Education Training Calendar.

You can always contact OTAN outside of Office Hours with questions. Email us at support@otan.us, or call us at 916-228-2580. OTAN is here to serve our adult education colleagues throughout California!

OTAN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER EVENTS

Date/Time Event Location
Fri, Oct 1
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
A11y: Creating Accessible Documents Online - Zoom
Mon, Oct 4
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Fri, Oct 8
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Mon, Oct 11
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Fri, Oct 15
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Mon, Oct 18
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Thu, Oct 21
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
LMS: Canvas Admin Q&A Online - Zoom
Fri, Oct 22
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours with a QUICK TIP Online - Zoom
Mon, Oct 25
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours with a QUICK TIP Online - Zoom
Fri, Oct 29
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Mon, Nov 1
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Microsoft: Up Your Productivity with Mail Merge! Online - Zoom
Mon, Nov 1
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Fri, Nov 5
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Mon, Nov 8
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Fri, Nov 12
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
OTAN Tech Talks - Turn Power Points into Accessible PDFs Online - Zoom
Mon, Nov 15
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Thu, Nov 18
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
LMS: Canvas Admin Q&A Online - Zoom
Fri, Nov 19
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Mon, Nov 22
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom
Mon, Nov 29
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OTAN Office Hours Online - Zoom

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 2021-2022 school year. With a wide variety of technology topics from which to choose, OTAN training staff will present for any WIOA-funded adult education program in California either online or face-to-face with a computer lab or devices connected to the Internet. (Note that face-to-face trainings will be scheduled when it is safe and OTAN staff are free to travel.)

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!

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OTAN activities are funded by contract CN220124 from the Adult Education Office, in the Career & College Transition Division, California Department of Education, with funds provided through Federal P.L., 105-220, Section 223. However, OTAN content does not necessarily reflect the position of that department or the U.S. Department of Education.