Check out this month’s OTAN digest for our most recent Adult Ed news: March OTAN Digest

This week's Upcoming Activities

Thursday, March 19, 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, March 20, 1:00 - 2:00 pm | Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) for Small Agencies | Jaemi Naish & Penny Pearson, OTAN; Carol Hirota, CALPRO | Small agencies have unique challenges writing required reports, plans, and other 'deliverables' of different federal and state grants. This session is designed for small agencies -- typically with student enrollments below 500 learners -- to write an effective Continuous Improvement Plan due on April 30, 2026. Join this session to get ideas, support, and opportunities to talk to other small-school planners on how they approach the CIP process.

Coming Soon!

Friday, March 27, 12:00 - 1:00 pm | When AI Helps You Write: Smarter Goals, Better Plans | Steven Casperite, Principal, Placer School for Adults | Generative AI is changing how educators plan, write, and communicate—and it can make your work easier and more effective. Whether you’re drafting SMART goals for your Continuous Improvement Plan or developing a strategic plan for your program, AI can provide powerful support when used thoughtfully.

Tuesday, April 7, 2:00 - 3:30 pm | Using AI with Students | Barry Bakin, OTAN Subject Matter Expert | This presentation will explore student use of Artificial Intelligence tools and applications to enhance instruction. Attendees will gain insights on leveraging AI to create classroom-tested learning experiences for students. Participants will be guided through the activities in this hands-on learning experience. Most of the activities require no or minimal preparation.

Friday, April 10, 1:00 - 2:00 pm | Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) Office Hours | Jaemi Naish & Penny Pearson, OTAN; Carol Hirota, CALPRO | The CIP Office Hours are being made available for California Adult Education agencies that want specific guidance or feedback on their CIP goal(s) before submission. Arrive to ask questions and get feedback and support in your CIP planning and review. If the posted dates and times do not meet your needs, you can request one-on-one support by sending an email to support@otan.us with the subject line: CIP support. You will be contacted by OTAN staff to schedule a time for additional support on preparing your CIP.

Saturday, April 11, 9:00 - 10:30 am | Purposeful Assignments: Designing Canvas Tasks for Adult Learners | Dana Thompson, OTAN Subject Matter Expert | Design Canvas assignments that are flexible, relevant, and aligned with adult learning needs. This session covers how to create meaningful tasks that promote autonomy, real-world application, and self-paced progress. Learn to leverage Canvas features like varied submission types, rubrics, and feedback tools to support engagement and success in adult learning environments.

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