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OTAN is at CCAE 2026!
Posted on 04/28/2026
OTAN will see you in San Diego! At the 2026 CCAE Conference, OTAN staff and subject matter experts will share practical strategies, tools, and real‑world applications focused on Canvas design, Generative AI, accessibility, UDL, digital equity, ESL, math instruction, neurodivergent supports, and adult education program design. Sessions include hands‑on workshops, TED‑style talks, and ready‑to‑use classroom resources designed to help educators immediately strengthen teaching, learning, and program operations.
Not attending this year? Not to worry! Our subject matter experts offer webinars on many of these topics throughout the year: Upcoming Sessions
OTAN Elevate Your Canvas Use (Pre-registration required)
Thursday April 30th | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | OTAN Staff
Take your Canvas courses from functional to exceptional! In this interactive session, we’ll dive into practical ways to design courses that are visually engaging, easy to navigate, and inclusive for all learners. Explore how thoughtful use of modules, pages, and multimedia can enhance student motivation and connection. We’ll also highlight accessibility essentials and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies that make content more usable and equitable. No matter your experience level, you’ll walk away with design frameworks, real examples, and quick wins to help your Canvas courses truly support teaching and learning.
OTAN Generative AI: Managing Workflow, Lesson Activities, Materials Creation, and Refining Content (Pre-registration required)
Thursday April 30th | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Audrey Dierdorff & Kristi Reyes OTAN Subject Matter Experts
Curious about how Generative Artificial Intelligence can support your daily work in adult education? This practical workshop is designed specifically for faculty and staff in adult education programs. Discover how large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini can streamline your workflow, assist in ideation, and ultimately help you better serve your agency’s learners. In the first part of the session, we’ll explore how LLMs can assist with tasks such as goal setting and progress tracking as well as creating a variety of materials. The second part of the workshop will focus on using Generative AI to create engaging class activities and instructional materials.
From Principles to Practice: Using OTAN's 2026 Digital Learning Guidance to Support Professional Learning and Program Design
Friday May 1st | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Renee Collins, SCOE CAEP TAP
An interactive introduction to OTAN's 2025 California Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance, showing how programs can use it to guide professional learning, program design, and accessible digital instruction.
AI-assisted Story Creation for Students
Friday May 1st | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Barry Bakin, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Use AI and other Apps to bring the power of Story Creation to students for pleasure reading, assignments, family literacy, and exciting personal projects!
Padlet Beyond the Wall: Building Bridges and Empowering Adult Learners with One Versatile Tool
Friday May 1st | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Kristi Reyes OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Discover how to use Padlet’s advanced features to remove learning barriers, increase engagement, and support synchronous and asynchronous instruction through hands-on practice.
Building the Future of Adult Education with AI Assistants
Fri May 1st | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Anthony Burik
Discover how AI assistants or “agents” can transform your adult education program by streamlining administrative tasks, enhancing instruction, and supporting school operations.
Neurodivergent Resources-Learn with OTAN
Friday May 1st | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Elisia Doonan, OTAN Subject Matter Expert Do you have a learner with neurodivergent challenges? Let me show you what OTAN has to offer you. You will take a tour of our module, Adults with disAbilities. The tour takes you through terms, planning options, effective strategies, adaptive technologies and much more.
Math Tools That Open Doors: Practical Technology for Adult Learners
Fri May 1st | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Christina Hyatt & Yesenia Delgado, Subject Matter Experts
Discover practical AI-powered and digital tools that help adult education math teachers break learning barriers, build understanding, and empower students across ABE, HSD, HSE, and CTE programs.
"My Students Can’t Do That!" (Breaking the Myth: How SLIFE Master Complex Academic and Technical Skills)
Fri May 1st | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Josh Eick, Subject Matter Expert
This TED Talk–style presentation challenges myths about SLIFE, demonstrating how project-based learning and innovative andragogy empower learners to master complex academic and technological skills.
From Waitlist to Ready: Creating a Bridge Class for Seamless Student Transition
Fri May 1st | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Alisa Takeuchi, OTAN Subject Matter Expert & Anthony Burik, OTAN Staff
A practical model for designing a bridge class where waitlisted ESL students build English, technology, and classroom-readiness skills to transition smoothly into their full-time ESL course.
Write with AI oh mAI!
Sat May 2nd | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Francisco Pinedo, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
This session will showcase how Adult Ed students use AI to assist with their writing. Presenter will go over the steps done in class to organize their authentic writing before using AI
Advanced EL Civics on Canvas: Ready-to-Use COAAPs for the Adult Education Classroom
Sat May 2nd | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Alisa Takeuchi, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Discover complete EL Civics COAAPs available in Canvas Commons and learn how educators can easily adopt, adapt, and implement them for engaging, standards-aligned instruction.
Click, Learn, Repeat: Simple Digital Literacy Routines for ESL Classes
Sat May 2nd | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Miranda Currie, OTAN Staff
Bridge the digital divide using simple, repeatable tech routines. Integrate essential 21st-century skills into ESL lessons with minimal prep or class time.
Is NotebookLM Really All That? Come and See!
Sat May 2nd | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Audrey Dierdorff, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Explore Google’s AI-powered assistant, NotebookLM. Learn document interaction, audio/video summaries, timelines, and mind maps to decide if it fits your needs.
Mail Merge Magic: Building Bridges to Personalized Communication in Adult Education
Sat May 2nd | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Penny Pearson, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Learn how Microsoft Word’s Mail Merge empowers adult educators to personalize certificates, letters, and labels—saving time and strengthening learner connections.
