Teacher Digest

Digest #116
January 2020

News

Registration for OTAN’s Technology and Distance Learning Symposium is Now Open! External Link Icon opens in new window or tab

OTAN’s annual Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS) will take place March 6 and 7, 2020 at the Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center in Sacramento, and registration for TDLS is now open!

A Look Back and a Look Ahead External Link Icon opens in new window or tab

As 2020 and the 2020s begin, we take a look at edtech trends for the coming year by also looking back at some of the news we’ve shared with the field over the past 12 months.

Instruction: Face-to-Face, Online, or Both? External Link Icon opens in new window or tab

The results of two surveys regarding face-to-face and online instruction are in, and there is still a preference among teachers and students for face-to-face instruction, although online instruction is definitely a viable option and is making inroads in education.

Reviewing the Privacy Ratings for Edtech Products External Link Icon opens in new window or tab

How often are we considering the implications of data collection by edtech tools and whether the entities that created the tools are keeping our personal data safe?

Many Things Google External Link Icon opens in new window or tab

It’s no secret that Google is one of the top tech companies in the world, building on the success of its search feature and the ability to “just Google it” to find answers to so many questions we have. As busy people, though, are we taking advantage of search tips and tricks to quickly find the information we need?

Spotlight On...

Adult Education Students Succeed!

The nomination period for the 2020 Adult Education Students Succeed Program is now open. OTAN invites nominations of adult education learners who are successful as a result of the education received at California WIOA funded adult education agencies. This is a great way to recognize the hard work that an outstanding student has completed in the pursuit of their personal, academic, and professional goals and aspirations.

To get started, visit the Adult Education Students Succeed website at https://adultedlearners.org External Link Icon opens in new window or tab On the home page, you can read stories and watch videos from previous years by clicking on the Students tab on the website. You can also explore stories from specific adult education agencies and programs by clicking on the Schools and Programs tabs.

To learn how to nominate a student for the program, click on the About tab. Pay special attention to the five-point rubric at the bottom of the page that will be used to score each nomination that the panel will read. A nomination must secure a minimum score for the student’s story and photo to be included on the website. Students who get the top two scores from all nominations will each have a video story produced and will be invited to the 2020 ASCA Leadership Summit in November for a special recognition honoring successful students across California.

To nominate a student, click on the Nomination tab to complete an online nomination form. Once the nomination is successfully submitted, you will receive confirmation from OTAN. The last day to nominate a student for consideration is Wednesday, April 15.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Anthony Burik at aburik@otan.us External Link Icon opens in new window or tab or call our office at 916-228-2580. We look forward to learning more about the inspiring students you have helped at your adult ed agencies!

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 related to technology for Adult Educators?

Think about scheduling Professional Development for this 2019-2020 school year. With a wide-variety of technology topics in their arsenal, OTAN training staff will go to any WIOA-funded adult education program in CA that has a computer lab or devices connected to the Internet.

All of OTAN's workshops are provided at no-cost!
Each three-hour 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 of OTAN's face-to-face workshops can be tailored to fit the needs of the requesting program. Select the link to see a list of the current face-to-face workshops and, remember, if you don't see a workshop that "floats your boat" contact OTAN - we'll create what you and your staff need!

OTAN's Face-to-Face Workshops External Link Icon opens in new window or tab

OTAN also offers short, online workshops to meet the demands of busy adult educators. Click on the link to see our list of online workshops and webinars: Online Workshops & Webinars External Link Icon opens in new window or tab

All of OTAN workshops are free! Read more about OTAN Training External Link Icon opens in new window or tab and select Face-to-Face or Online workshops options to view complete workshop lists including descriptions and prerequisites.

Need more information? Contact OTAN training staff anytime by phone or email at 916-228-2580 and 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 any!