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Back-to-School Series: OTAN Teaching Tools and Resources

Posted on 09/04/2025

This is the third in a series of news items that will provide information about essential features of OTAN for you to know as you and your colleagues begin the new school year.

OTAN has a number of teaching tools and resources that teachers can utilize in their instruction. Here are some resources that you should consider throughout the school year (and click on the Resources menu at the top of the OTAN website to access):

• The California Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance is designed to identify, document, and disseminate practical information for adult educators to support effective implementation of digital learning within adult education.
• Our Accessibility Resources webpage includes OTAN-developed resources as well as resources you can use to learn more about accessibility and create your own accessible content.
• The OTAN Canvas project provides free access for California adult education agencies to the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) for in-person, blended, and distance learning.
• Teaching with Technology is a resource that teachers can use to locate lesson plan topics and ideas that integrate specific websites and other tech tools based on the Triple E Framework and the WIPPEA lesson plan format. You can filter your search by program area, level, subject, and standards.
• Web-Based Class Activities are monthly technology-based activities organized around instructional themes and topics as well as edtech tools, with ideas on how to get started and how to use them in the classroom.
• Curriculum Offers are free or reduced-cost special offers for online curriculum licenses and professional development resources that OTAN has negotiated on behalf of the state. The curriculum offers cover ESL, ABE, ASE, and CTE program areas.
• The Lesson Plan Builder is designed as a tool for adult educators to develop detailed lesson plans that follow the WIPPEA lesson plan format and the Triple E Framework that can also be shared with their peers.
• The California EL Civics Exchange is a repository for original EL Civics instructional materials created by California WIOA EL Civics agencies. These materials can be used to teach EL Civics content to English language learners.

Finally, OTAN invites nominations of adult education learners who are successful as a result of the education received at California adult education agencies for the California Adult Education Students Succeed program. 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. Visit the Adult Education Students Succeed website for more information. From the home page, you can read stories and watch videos from previous years by clicking on the Students tab. You can also explore stories from specific adult education agencies and programs by clicking on the Schools and Programs tabs. The nomination period will open at the start of January and remain open until early spring.

Please let us know if you have any questions about these teaching tools and resources. We look forward to providing you with additional resources throughout the school year!

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