OTAN News

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of Nov 24

Wishing You a Peaceful Week Ahead

As we head into a season of rest and reflection, our offices will be closed November 26–28. We hope you enjoy a peaceful few days, whether that means spending time with family and friends, reconnecting with your community, or simply taking a well-deserved break.

Thank you for all you do, and we wish you a wonderful week of gratitude and renewal.

📢 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)

Inspire and Be Inspired at TDLS 2026

Join us March 6–7, 2026, for the Technology and Digital Learning Symposium (TDLS), a hybrid conference hosted by OTAN at Monterey Adult School and online. Explore innovative ways to use technology in adult education through engaging sessions and discussions. Have something to share? Submit a presentation proposal!

• Registration is now open!
• Call for Presenters closes Dec. 15

Learn more on the TDLS Website.

Coming soon!

Thursday, December 4, 2:00 - 3:30 pm |  Canvas Admin Management: Tools and Strategies for Confident Administration | Christina Hyatt, OTAN Subject Matter Expert | This workshop is designed for Canvas administrators to strengthen their ability to manage and optimize their Canvas environment. Participants will explore key administrative tools and strategies, including sub-account management, custom roles and permissions, provisioning reports, SIS imports, and LTI integrations. The session emphasizes real-world problem-solving and hands-on practice, allowing participants to focus on the features and workflows most relevant to their site’s needs.

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!

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.

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.

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!