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Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of Dec 8

Posted on 12/05/2025

OTAN’s December Digest

Check out our monthly digest to learn about OTAN happenings, catch up on adult ed news, and read a message from our director.

📢 OTAN is Hiring

Learn more about our open positions and apply on EdJoin:

• Coordinator, OTAN Technology Projects (Application deadline – Dec. 9)
• Project Specialist II, Technology Projects (Application deadline – Dec. 16)

Call for Presenters at TDLS 2026

Have something to share at this year’s TDLS? Submit a presentation proposal! This year’s hybrid conference will be held March 6–7, 2026 at Monterey Adult School. The Call for Presenters closes Dec. 15. Learn more, register, and submit a proposal on the TDLS Website.

This Week’s Upcoming Activities

Thursday, December 11, 2:30 - 3:30 pm |  Northstar Digital Literacy User Group | Anthony Burik, OTAN Coordinator | Join this user-driven group of adult educators using Northstar Digital Literacy at their agencies. Some possibilities for regular meeting topics: hear about the different ways educators are using Northstar, share best practices and things that work, address and get advice on concerns and challenges, and exchange tips and ideas. Let’s discuss using Northstar for the benefit of our students, staff, and communities!

Friday, December 12, 1:00 – 2:00 pm | OTAN Tech Talk December 2025: Using Available Models to Approach an AI Policy in Your Classroom | Maricel Manglicmot, OTAN Subject Matter Expert | How do you start creating a classroom policy for the use of AI? From state standards to plagiarism, we take a look at how to get started using what you have.

Saturday, December 13, 9:00 - 10:30 am |  Outcomes: Tracking Mastery in Canvas | Dana Thompson, OTAN Subject Matter Expert | Support skill development and mastery with the power of Outcomes in Canvas. This session is designed for educators and trainers working with adult learners who need clear progress tracking and targeted feedback. Learn how to create and align outcomes to course content, use rubrics to assess performance, and leverage the Learning Mastery Gradebook to monitor individual growth over time. Whether you’re facilitating workforce training, continuing education, or certification prep, Canvas Outcomes can help you track what really matters—learning that sticks.

Coming soon!

Thursday, December 18, 12:00 - 1:00 pm |  Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) Check In: 2025-26 CIP Journey | Jaemi Naish and Penny Pearson, OTAN Subject Matter Experts | Want to connect with colleagues, reflect on your agency’s 2025-26 continuous improvement plan (CIP) goal progress, and identify opportunities for improvement? Join us for a relaxed discussion to discuss CIP goals in-progress, highlights, challenges, and explore practical tips and strategies to enhance CIP efforts in 2026-27. To ensure meaningful discussion and interaction, participation is limited to 15 people. Though all are welcome to attend, this series is intended for WIOA agencies who are required to submit Continuous Improvement Plans.

Saturday, January 10, 9:00 - 10:30 am |  Updating & Creating Course Content for the new Semester | Dana Thompson, OTAN Subject Matter Expert | Learn best practices for starting the new semester with Canvas! This session covers efficient content copying from current courses to new shells, updating existing materials and resources, and creating engaging new course content to ensure a seamless experience for you and your students.

OTAN Satisfaction Survey 

OTAN would like to invite you to participate in our new Satisfaction Survey to help us improve our services in the following areas: 

• Trainings and Presentations
• Website Resources
• Curriculum Offers 
• Digital Learning Guidance 
• Canvas 
• and additional OTAN services 

Please take some time to complete this survey as soon as you have a chance! This survey should not take more than 20-30 minutes of your time. As with all OTAN surveys, the results will be kept completely anonymous.  You can find the survey here: Survey Link 

Thank you for your time and your feedback!