OTAN Digest - January 2023
Digest #23
January 2023
Message from the Director
Happy New Year!! Our team at OTAN has so many exciting things planned for you in 2023 and encourage you to join in on the fun.
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Registration for the hybrid Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS) External Link Icon opens in new window or tab is now open! Participants are welcome to engage with us in-person or virtually. Don't miss out on the new Thursday Bootcamps – dive a bit deeper into Canvas, Google, or Microsoft 365.
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The Students Succeed External Link Icon opens in new window or tab nominations opened January 2nd and will be open until April 1st. Adult Education staff are encouraged nominate a student External Link Icon opens in new window or tabwho has experienced success because of participating in adult education.
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OTAN is working with vendors to offer curriculum pilots to the field. Supplement your classroom curriculum with Learning Upgrade External Link Icon opens in new window or tab, a Math, ESL/English, and Digital Skills App for everyone! The App has 1020 lessons and 22 courses to extend learning! In a separate offer, test the computer skills of your students with Northstar Digital Literacy External Link Icon opens in new window or tab, a widely recognized assessment offered by Literacy Minnesota. Look for additional offers from Newsela External Link Icon opens in new window or tab and others! If you are interested in learning more about and possibly participating in any of these curriculum pilots, please complete this OTAN Curriculum Offers Interest Form External Link Icon opens in new window or tab.
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Jump on board with Canvas and commit to bringing the #1 Learning Management to your site! 100% of our California community colleges and higher education systems are using Canvas and our list of committed K-12 Adult School agencies is growing. Complete the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) External Link Icon opens in new window or tab to formalize your commitment! Email questions and completed MOUs to aecanvas@scoe.net External Link Icon opens in new window or tab.
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OTAN is working with ISTE and advisors to develop a Facilitator's Guide and optionally facilitated or self-paced course to engage with the California Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance External Link Icon opens in new window or tabthat was published in September 2022. The new resources will be available in Summer 2023! Also, look for an updated look to the Guidance website to be released in January 2023.
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OTAN wants to work with you on custom professional development for your team. Training can be in-person or virtual. Dates are filling quickly so don't hesitate too long to reach out to OTAN at support@otan.us External Link Icon opens in new window or tab.
I look forward to connecting with each of you and hearing what wonderful things you have planned at your agency this year. Until then, stay true to your resolutions and Happy New Year!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
For Administrators
Learn More About OTAN Curriculum Pilots
Fostering Powerful Use of Technology Through Instructional Coaching
Are you looking for a way to integrate technology in your classes? Visit Teaching with Technology on the OTAN website and start searching for ESL, ABE, ASE, and even CTE lesson ideas today!
Web-Based Class Activities
January
5 Tech Tools to Try With Adult Learners
by Yescenia Delgado Lorenzo
Try these five tech tools and notice adult learner engagement increase.
December
5 Tips for Engaging All Learners with Digital Literacy
by Elisia Doonan
Many educators are exploring new ways to engage learners online. Engagement for Adults with Disabilities can be especially challenging due to a lack of professional support for educators.
November
Survey, Quiz, and Schedule Appointments Skillfully with Google Forms
by Cindy Wislofsky
It's time to review what you know already about Google Forms and move forward learning and practicing some newer features to make your work life more efficient and productive.
Spotlight On...
OTAN's Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS)
This year's upcoming TDLS's Keynote Speach will feature Dr. Cherina Betters, who has always viewed education as the "means to overcome" and holds a deep appreciation for the educational process. Dr. Betters is committed to advocating for students and educational excellence through equity.
Cherina Betters is the Chief of Equity and Access for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. A lifelong learner, she has served in the field of K-12 education for 18 years in the capacity of teacher and administrator serving the students, families, and communities of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties in Southern California.
TDLS 2023 Registration is coming soon!
OTAN January and February 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 2022-2023 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!