2020 News
What's Here?
Catch up on recent, and past Adult Education News.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 1/4/2021
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Our Office Will Be Closed For the Holidays
Our office will be closed beginning Thursday, December 24th and returning Monday, January 4th.
Making the Transition at Mt. Diablo Adult Ed
As we close out 2020 and look forward to 2021, we continue to acknowledge the amazing work that adult education agencies have done this year during an unprecedented time in our field.
Achieve3000 / SPARK Curriculum Offer Now Available!
The Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) has a special offer for your agency!
Making the Transition at Santa Clara Adult Ed
As we come to the end of a tumultuous 2020, we want to acknowledge some of the amazing work that adult education agencies have done this year.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 12/14
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Celebrate Computer Science Education Week
December 7 to 13 is Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), a time to highlight the importance of computer science education and encourage students to take an interest in computer science.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 12/7
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Technology and Distance Learning Symposium 2021 Call for Proposals is Now Open!
Plans are underway for OTAN's Technology and Distance Learning Symposium 2021, scheduled for Wednesday, March 3 through Friday, March 5. This year, TDLS is going virtual!
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 11/30
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Our office will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day
Our office will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day
Questions to Ask About Tech Integration in Your Classroom
With so many technology options available to us, we want to be intentional in selecting the right technology for any given activity or moment.
Taking a Look at the Top Tools for Learning 2020
Since 2007, Jane Hart from the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies in the UK has been compiling an annual list of Top Tools for Learning from the results of an open survey of almost 2,400 participants from over 40 different countries.
Learning More About Apprenticeships
Last week was the 6th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, a nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities, and educators the opportunity to showcase their apprenticeship programs and apprentices while providing valuable information to career seekers.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 11/16
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Our office will be closed on Wednesday November 11th in observance of Veterans Day
Our office will be closed on Wednesday November 11th in observance of Veterans Day
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 11/9
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
National Distance Learning Week 2020 Begins
National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), sponsored by the US Distance Learning Association (USDLA), is November 9 to 13.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 11/2
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 10/26
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Celebrate Digital Citizenship Week 2020
October 19 to 23 is Digital Citizenship Week. Although the focus this week is on K-12 students and schools, this week presents many opportunities to think about how we should all be good digital citizens and how to encourage good online behavior when interacting with others, now and throughout the school year.
Survey on Learning Management System Use or Consideration
Our colleagues at World Ed have been working with state partners across the country to learn more about learning managements systems (LMS) being used or considered for use by adult education programs.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 10/19
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Are You Ready for the 2020 Great California ShakeOut?
The Great California ShakeOut will take place on Thursday, October 15 at 10:15am in California and other locations around the US and the world.
OTAN Announces the DLAC Cohort 3 Agencies
OTAN recently finalized the list of California adult education agencies that will participate in its Digital Leadership Academy 2020-2022, the third DLAC cohort.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 10/12
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Online Course to Help Adult Learners Get Job Skills
USA Learns just launched the Skills for the Nursing Assistant course in collaboration with the Health Workforce Initiative.
Digital Inclusion Week 2020 Is Here!
Digital Inclusion Week, sponsored by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, is an annual event meant to bring attention to solutions addressing home internet access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs, with the goal of closing the digital divide that exist in cities and local communities around the country.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 10/5
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 9/28
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 9/21
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 9/14
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Our office will be closed on Monday September 7th in observance of Labor Day
Our office will be closed on Monday September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
Back-to-School Series: OTAN News Items and Social Media
This is the fourth and final 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.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 9/8
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Back-to-School Series: OTAN Teaching Tools and Resources
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.
Back-to-School Series: OTAN Trainings
This is the second 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.
Back-to-School Series: Create an OTAN Account
This is the first 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.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 8/31
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are teaching and supporting their learners remotely.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 8/24
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 8/17
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 8/10
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Consider Participating in These Upcoming CAEP Events
We would like to announce two events on behalf of our colleagues at the California Adult Education Program Technical Assistance Project (CAEP TAP) - Fall Regional Network Meetings and the CAEP Summit in October.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 8/3
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
The Deadline to Apply for OTAN’s Digital Leadership Academy is August 14
OTAN announces an opportunity for California adult education agencies through the Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC) 2020-2022.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 7/27
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 7/20
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 7/13
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 7/6
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Our Office Will Be Closed In Observance of Independence Day.
Our office will be closed beginning Friday, July 3rd and returning Monday, July 6th in observance of Independence Day.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 6/29
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 6/22
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming Webinars to Learn More about OTAN’s Digital Leadership Academy
OTAN announces an opportunity for California adult education agencies through the Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC) 2020-2022.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 6/15
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
OTAN Field Support – What’s Next?
As we all prepare for fall instruction, OTAN is interested in hearing from adult educators about lessons learned in the rapid transition from face-to-face to online learning this past spring.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 6/8
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 6/1
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Congratulations to Our Adult Education Students Succeed Honorees!
OTAN is happy to share the results from the many nominations submitted this year to the Students Succeed program for recognition of the wonderful accomplishments by students during their time in adult education programs across the state.
Our office will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day
Our office will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 5/25
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 5/18
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 5/11
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 5/4
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 4/27
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 4/20
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 4/13
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 4/6
OTAN has scheduled a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Please Nominate a Deserving Student for the Students Succeed Program
The nomination period for the 2020 Adult Education Students Succeed Program is still open for a few weeks. OTAN invites nominations of adult education learners who are successful as a result of the education received at California WIOA funded adult education agencies.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 3/30
In response to COVID-19 and the closure of schools across the state, OTAN is setting up a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 3/23
In response to COVID-19 and the closure of schools across the state, OTAN is setting up a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators
In response to COVID-19 and the closure of schools across the state, OTAN is setting up a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.
Resources to Continue Teaching and Learning
If you’re thinking about switching to online learning as schools begin closing due to the coronavirus outbreak, OTAN has compiled a list of resources to review that cover a variety of online learning topics.
Planning to Continue Teaching and Learning
If and when your school has to temporarily close due to the coronavirus, does your school have a plan for continuing teaching and learning?
OTAN Tech Talk on Video Messaging with Loom Coming Up!
Loom is a free Chrome Extension that allows you to quickly record a video message and/or screencast and then share it immediately with students and colleagues.
TDLS is Almost Here!
OTAN’s Technology and Distance Learning Symposium 2020 is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to convene with our adult education colleagues from California (and a few other states!) and dive into all-things EdTech!
Still Time to Nominate a Deserving Student for the Students Succeed Program
The nomination period for the 2020 Adult Education Students Succeed Program is open. OTAN invites nominations of adult education learners who are successful as a result of the education received at California WIOA funded adult education agencies.
Thank You, Diana!
As we close out the month of February (with an extra day, no less!), we’d like to take a moment to say special thanks to Diana Batista, who recently stepped down from her position as the Director of Adult Education.
Supporting Digital Learning
Thursday, February 27 is Digital Learning Day, a day to celebrate innovative digital learning projects and initiatives across the country, primarily in K-12 schools and districts. These are projects that teachers, administrators, support staff, and students have contributed to that have effectively integrated technology into teaching and learning at schools nationwide.
Doing Our Own Digital Learning
Digital Learning Day is an annual event that highlights great teaching practice and showcases innovative teachers, leaders, and instructional technology programs that are improving student outcomes.
Keeping Everyone Safe on the Internet
February 11 was Safer Internet Day, a worldwide recognition of the need to actively safeguard children and adults when they spend time on the Internet. Safer Internet Day is a good reminder of the continuous need to educate everyone on staying safe online, protecting personal data, and acting as good netizens.
Our office will be closed Monday, February 17th in observance of Washington's Birthday
Our office will be closed Monday, February 17th in observance of Washington's Birthday.
Learning All the Time
Many people still assume that a student is only “learning” when they spend time in school, but technology has been upending that assumption for a while.
The Power of Graphic Organizers
As educators, we are always looking for ways that students can make better sense of the information we provide them in our lessons. Note-taking is one way of doing this, but we have a lot of other tools at our disposal that students can use (and we can use to organize our lessons).
Our office will be closed Monday, Feb 10th in observance of Lincoln's Birthday
Our office will be closed Monday, Feb 10th in observance of Lincoln's Birthday
OTAN Tech Talk on Internet Safety and Learn360 Webinar Coming Up!
Please join us for OTAN's next Tech Talk on Friday, February 14 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm PST. This month's Tech Talk is on Internet Safety for Students and Teachers by Susan Gaer, OTAN Subject Matter Expert.
Separating the Real from the Fake (News)
As we continue through election season, nominating conventions, and televised debates, and complete our Census forms in a few months, this year promises to be jam-packed with news that screams for our attention.
Nominate a Deserving Student for the Students Succeed Program
The nomination period for the 2020 Adult Education Students Succeed Program is open.
Making Sense of the Credentials Landscape
In the last few years, those in the adult education field in California have been discussing the importance of credentials as a way for students to acquire and demonstrate skills and abilities that are useful for the workforce and further education. As we have learned, however, the credentials landscape is a bit like the Wild West and not always easy to make sense of.
Census 2020 Is Almost Here!
Census Day 2020 – April 1 – is quickly approaching, and there are many census-related materials available to help students, staff, and community members learn more about the census and its importance, as well as assist students who might be interested in working as census enumerators in the coming months.
Better Understanding Personalized Learning
One of the advantages of technology is that it can be used to personalize a student’s learning, providing resources and activities that are tailored to a student’s needs and that supplement what a student is learning with other students through whole-group instruction.
Helping Get Over Our Fear of Change
Technology is a considerable driver for change, not just in schools and workplaces but in all aspects of our lives. With change, though, comes fear. Fear can stop change or give the illusion of stopping change. However, we can’t let our fear of technology get in the way of preparing our students for their lives beyond adult education.
You Can Still Register for OTAN’s Technology and Distance Learning Symposium!
Registration for OTAN’s annual Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS), which will take place Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 at the Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center in Sacramento, is open!
Our office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Our office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Bringing Collaboration to the Learning Process
Collaboration is a skill that many people feel is important for students to learn as we continue school and work life in the third decade of the 21st century.
Using Video to Engage Students
More and more teachers are using video in all kinds of way to deliver content and engage students. Video projects can be simple creations or more elaborate activities that utilize a number of digital skills.
OTAN to Present at the Upcoming EL Civics Conferences
OTAN is excited to present at the upcoming EL Civics Conferences that will take place across California in January, February, and March.
Completing Your Technology and Distance Learning Plan
The Technology and Distance Learning Plan (TDLP) is an annual deliverable required of all California WIOA-funded adult education agencies. The due date for submitting the TDLP is Friday, January 31. We’re in the home stretch for completing the TDLP and thinking about and planning for technology use at your school for the coming year.
Nominate a Deserving Student for the Adult Education Students Succeed Program
The nomination period for the 2020 Adult Education Students Succeed Program is now open.