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Digital Learning Guidance: Materials for Professional Development
Introduction
The Digital Learning Guidance serves as a practical resource for adult educators and staff. This research-based tool is organized into seven meaty chapters which include the following topics:
- Chapter 1 – Introduction
- Chapter 2 – Ensuring Equity and Access
- Chapter 3 – Foundations of Adult Education and Digital Learning
- Chapter 4 – Designing Flexible Learning Experiences
- Chapter 5 – Adopting Models that Work
- Chapter 6 – Data Driven Instruction and Digital Assessments
- Chapter 7 – Fostering Healthy, Equitable, and Inclusive Digital Communities
Each chapter delves deeply into the topic with links throughout which leads its reader to more thought-provoking information. Within each chapter are highlighted Voices from the Field featuring a diverse, statewide, group of educators sharing their thoughts on many topics and questions.
While each chapter offers so much to think about, the question is, how to provide professional development on this important document? The solution begins with the first step. Access OTAN’s newly curated training materials on the DLG (Digital Learning Guidance) webpage.
What training materials are available?
Listed beneath the training materials tab are three choices.
- Reader’s Guides
- Facilitator’s Guides
- Online Course
The Reader’s Guides furnish a succinct overview of each chapter’s key ideas. Each guide begins with an essential question to think about while reading the summary and ends with questions to consider. These PDF’s can be used alone or with the Digital Learning Guidance.
Facilitator’s Guides provide an interactive exploration of key ideas from the Digital Learning Guidance (Chapters 2-7). Sessions can be conducted in a manner best suited for each agency’s educators – in-person, online, or a hybrid of both.
Each session follows a similar agenda structure. While the core components remain consistent, there may be slight variations. This adaptable structure ensures each session is tailored to its specific topic while maintaining a cohesive learning experience across all sessions.
Each agenda includes:
- Warm-Up Activity or Discussion
- Content Delivery
- Content Application
- Discussion and Reflection
- Exploration of Next Steps
To assist facilitators in leading each session, each slide deck includes comprehensive speaker notes detailing how to present and facilitate the content of each slide, its suggested timings, talking points, and links to digital tools.
The Online Course housed on the Canvas LMS (Learning Management System) is a six-week course facilitated by OTAN (Outreach and Technical Assistance Network) Subject Matter Experts. Six learning modules correspond with each chapter. This learning experience is not just an exploration of the Digital Learning Guidance; it is a journey towards transformative, inclusive, and effective learning experiences for adult learners. Opportunities to participate in this course are advertised on OTAN’s professional development calendar and social media.
Final Thoughts
Thinking about professional development as a multi-year vision where educators can collaborate and deeply delve into a topic is crucial. There are many ways to incorporate bits of the DLG into your work using some of these resources available to you and your staff at any time.
Lastly, OTAN’s training team can customize and provide in-person or virtual training for your staff on any topic including the Digital Learning Guidance. Email support@otan.us for more information on this opportunity.