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2023 News

What's Here?

Catch up on recent, and past Adult Education News.

Happy Holidays from OTAN!

Wishing you and your loved ones a restful holiday.

8 AI Tools for Summarizing and Reviewing

Staying current requires reading professional journals and research. What educator has time for that? The sheer volume of innovative technologies and correlating research makes keeping up nearly impossible. One of the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is they “offer a solution to summarizing lengthy, complex articles into concise overviews by highlighting just the key points.”

Updated Canvas Administrator Cohort & Apply IT

It is a heavy lift to figure out how the Canvas Admin system works especially if, like most Adult Education administrators, you “wear many hats” within your district/agency. Within the past year, OTAN streamlined many of these processes with asynchronous Admin courses, a Canvas Video Library and access to Tier 1 support. These teaching and learning tools help many, but Canvas Administrators continue to request sessions with a trainer and an added application session.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - January 9-17, 2024

All times PST For up-to-date upcoming professional development from OTAN and others, visit the California Adult Education Professional Development Calendar. OTAN will be closed December 25-January 1st for the holidays.

Roadtrip Nation: How to Use it to Teach

RoadTrip Nation has been traveling across the nation for 20+ years. Throughout those years, they have had over 100K+ broadcasts on public television and have designed a process for Students & Career Seekers to empower them to “define their own road.” A teacher facilitator can use this resource anytime in their own classrooms.

Transform assessment with new Forms updates

If you use Microsoft Forms in your classroom, some updates might add some value to checking understanding with your students or with assessments. There’s a new Forms app. which streamlines the process. Unfortunately, this Forms app cannot be used offline, and with an internet connection, this Forms App isn’t an issue. What are the changes?

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of December 11

For up-to-date upcoming professional development from OTAN and others, visit the California Adult Education Professional Development Calendar. TDLS’24 Registration now open! Technology and Distance Learning Symposium 2024 is an annual conference featuring engaging, interactive presentations and vibrant discussions. Join us!

Draft State Digital Equity Plan Coming Soon

The California Department of Technology (CDT) will release the Draft State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) the week of December 11, 2023.

Students Succeed 2024 Nomination Window Opening January 1, 2024

Nominate a deserving adult learner that embodies a resilient spirit, has overcome difficult challenges, and contributes within their own communities to improve their own circumstances.

Nominating a Deserving Student for CAESS

The nomination period for the 2024 Adult Education Students Succeed Program is now open. OTAN invites nominations of adult education learners who are successful as a result of the education received at California adult education agencies. 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.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of December 4

TDLS Call for Proposals | Deadline, Monday, December 4th. December 4-10 | Computer Science Education Week is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners in the field.

OTAN’s Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC) Cohort 4 Navigates and excels in year 1

In August 2022, DLAC 4, commenced a groundbreaking journey in adult education and digital education, focusing on fostering team growth, collaboration, and skill enhancement. The first year saw teams dedicating efforts to understanding strengths, honing conflict resolution skills, and participating in a comprehensive Distance and Digital Learning 101 course facilitated by the IDEAL Consortium/Ed Tech Center through World Education.

Upcoming OTAN Activities November 20-December 1

For up-to-date upcoming professional development from OTAN and others, visit the California Adult Education Professional Development Calendar.

CAMPGPT: Engaging Opportunity to Practice with Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) Tools

Rachel Riggs from World Education is facilitating this opportunity for OTAN.

AI Confirms Our Unrealistic Body Ideals: What AI regards as the ideal body type and why it’s so problematic.

Gather a group of people together and many will have body shaming stories, dieting extremes, and the ever-ending parade of an unattainable body expectation. Whether it’s a large backside or nonexistent front side, whatever the perceived body problem, these have all been amplified, throughout time, by advertisers and the media long before the arrival Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Upcoming OTAN Activities Week of November 13

Digital Learning Guidance: Materials for Professional Development

The Digital Learning Guidance serves as a practical resource for adult educators and staff. While each chapter offers so much to think about, the question is, how to provide professional development on this important document? The solution begins with the first step. Access OTAN’s newly curated training materials on the DLG (Digital Learning Guidance) webpage.

Upcoming OTAN Activities Week of November 6

Executive Orders about AI from President Biden & Governor Newsom

On October 30, 2023, President Biden issued an executive order on safe, secure and trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Canva vs Adobe Express: Which is Best?

This article written by Luke Edwards aims to compare the features of two design platforms which allow users to create projects like a graphic designer. Both platforms suit both teachers and students with curating projects, designing digital artwork, and creating like a graphic designer without needing an art degree. However, one may be better suited to your classroom and adult learner needs. Which one is best?

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of October 30

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of October 23

Building a WORLD that is OPEN

CROWDED Learning an initiative of World Education streamlines open resources by category “for adult education learners and instructors to access quality, free and open resources (OER).

Kikori: How to Use It to Teach

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the new buzz in Education. While the stress for our adult learners to overcome many financial obstacles, care for their families, work several jobs all while obtaining an education, are not new, the Kikori App promises to provide some SEL relief with its lessons and activities.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of October 16

Grant Funding Available Through ProLiteracy’s Mobile Learning Fund

One of the resources available from our friends at ProLiteracy is grant funding through its Mobile Learning Fund. Grants provided through the Mobile Learning Fund give adult literacy programs access to free, easy-to-use subscriptions and licenses for distance- and blended-learning. Mobile Learning Fund grants may be used for digital materials from providers such as New Readers Press, Learning Upgrade, EnGen, Leamos, and News for You Online.

TDLS 2024 Call for Proposals is Now Open!

Plans are underway for OTAN's Technology and Distance Learning Symposium 2024, scheduled for Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2. TDLS will be a hybrid event offering in-person and virtual sessions. The in-person event will be hosted by our friends at Fremont Adult and Continuing Education. The Call for Proposals is open!

Upcoming OTAN Activities

Upcoming OTAN Activities as of 10/5

Applying Universal Design for Learning in Adult Education

The Division of Adult Education and Literacy (DAEL) at the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), in partnership with CAST, has developed seven online modules to help adult education instructors, administrators, and programs learn more about Universal Design for Learning and create an educational environment where all students can thrive.

FutureTools AI

FutureTools AI is a free curation website that collects and organizes AI (artificial intelligence) tools for a variety of needs. When you come to the homepage, you can do a search for an AI tool by using the search box or filter your search by checking the different topics and features to narrow your focus.

Upcoming OTAN Activities

Upcoming OTAN Activities (Updated as of 9/28/23: All times PST)

New Additions to USA Learns Citizenship Course

Since 2017, adult learners across the nation have been using the free USA Learns Citizenship course to prepare to successfully pass their naturalization interview. The course has always included comprehensive information about the naturalization process and preparation for the N-400 interview, civics, and reading and writing tests. Now, thanks to a generous grant from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), new instruction has been added to the USA Learns Citizenship course.

Upcoming OTAN Activities

Upcoming OTAN Activities as of 9/21/23 - All times PST

Introducing the California Adult Education Canvas Commons!

Taking into account valuable feedback the OTAN Adult Ed Canvas team received from educators across the state, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the California Adult Education Canvas Commons. This exciting new Canvas platform welcomes and invites ALL California adult education agencies to openly collaborate, share resources, and connect with one another.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - September

Financial Literacy Resource Bank

“A big part of financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the what ifs of life.” Suze Orman

Gratitude Languages: How to Support a Culture of Appreciation

This article, written by Chris Bronke & Dr. Erin Ludwick suggests some basic ideas which intentionally build a culture of appreciation. A must read for any leader or educator, an expression of gratitude either by text or written note can “work magic for our mindsets.” What better way to motivate colleagues and adult learners than by taking time to both give and receive messages of appreciation?

Upcoming OTAN Activities - September

Report on Technology and Distance Learning for California Adult Education Now Available

Earlier this summer, OTAN submitted to the California Department of Education a report entitled Technology and Distance Learning for California Adult Education. The report covers a wide range of topics, including enrollment data, student access to and use of technology, teacher use of technology and thoughts about technology integration, waiting lists, and barriers to learning. The report concludes with a section on factors that should be considered for future research and reporting.

Building Digital Communities of Practice

With the ever-evolving new additions to online learning and technology, educators cannot possibly keep up with all necessary professional development to support “digital age learning.” To address this conundrum, SkillRise, an ISTE Initiative, has published two toolkits to “help meet a need for connection” and learning with their cost-free published toolkits entitled How to Build a Digital Community Practice.

Differentiated Learning and Technology: A Powerful Combination

Educators realize the importance of innovative technologies for students in the classroom. As with any new tool, people, including instructors, need time to experiment and decide its usefulness. Post-pandemic, teachers, especially those who personalize learning for their students, realize “technology has potential to transform learning.”

Upcoming OTAN Activities – August and September

Listed below are Upcoming OTAN Activities for the month of August as of 8/23/23. Check OTAN’s Upcoming Professional Development: https://caadultedtraining.org/ for the most up to date information. We are adding events all the time.

OTAN will be closed Monday, September 4th for Labor Day

OTAN will be closed Monday, September 4th for Labor Day.

Peer Digital Navigators Key to Digital Equity

Closing digital divides “points to the value of educators having lived experience, cultural and language competencies and the trust of the community.” Digital Navigators External Link Icon opens in new window or tab are people who volunteer or are staffed to “connect people to the Internet, devices and support for digital skills.” Some agencies are even “training participants to serve as ‘Peer Digital Navigators’” to assist with the community’s digital needs.

Read, Write, Advocate! State Digital Equity Plans Out Now for Public Comment

In the July 19th, 2023, World Education Blogpost, as part of Transforming Immigrant Digital Equity (TIDE), published some next recommendations for adult educators and advocates to ensure both adult learners and adult education systems are included in California’s Digital Equity Plan. The blogpost recommends each advocate to participate heavily in public commenting.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – August Events

Welcome to the ‘Walled Garden.’ Is this Education’s Solution to Artificial Intelligence’s Pitfalls?

The article, written by Alyson Klein, discusses ChatGPT’s ability to “spit out a coherent sounding paper on the causes of the Civil War,” and can still mess up the most basic facts about the Civil War. Because AI tools “pull from nearly every imaginable source on the internet, even if much of the content is not accurate or produced by a reputable source,” this does not create credibility to earn user trust

Upcoming OTAN Activities – August Events

Upcoming OTAN Activities for August and September

Restarting Careers in the United States

Yet more than 2 million immigrants (about the population of Nebraska) and refugees with degrees and professional work experience from their home countries face systemic barriers that leave them unemployed or underemployed in the U.S.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – August Events

Friday, August 4, 1-2:30 pm | Ramp Up Safety and Security! | This session will explore safety measures and tips to use across platforms, keeping accounts secure, avoiding scams and phishing, digital civility, and sites that teach and promote internet safety.

How UDL helps students merge onto the 'learning expressway'

Developed by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), UDL provides a framework for educators to create inclusive learning environments.

Bridging the Digital Divide: A Global Perspective

Bridging the Digital Divide: A Global Perspective This article published June 1, 2023, highlights some innovative strategies and initiatives from other countries around the world. Featured here are South Korea, Estonia, India & Uruguay

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of July 17

Thursday, August 10, 12-1:00 pm | Course Approval System Updates and Training | Course approvals are a required annual process for K-12 and COE Adult Education agencies.

What’s new in your Canvas instance?

OTAN’s AE Canvas team updated each agency’s Instance with some new tools. If you are a member of the CDLC, then look no further than your Canvas Dashboard for three new customized for Adult Education tools.

ALL IN Small Research Grant Initiative – Request for Proposals

The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (ALL IN) is a new collective impact initiative formed by national thought leaders in the adult learning field and beyond and is charged with carrying out the goals of the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy (NAP), a multisector, multiyear initiative designed to drive inclusive, collective action to increase adult literacy nationwide.

Rural Coaching Project

The Rural Coaching Project creates an opportunity to partner adult education agencies in sparsely populated areas with an OTAN coach.

Register for the BEST (Building an EdTech Strategy Toolkit) Course for Adult Educators

OTAN offers a course that will guide you through a systematic way of considering your students' needs, choosing activities that work for adult learners based on research, and selecting tech tools to tie together needs and activities to fulfill them.

ACSA (Association of California School Administrators) and CAEP (California Adult Education Program) TAP (Technical Assistance Program) 2023 Honorees

Each year, since May 2006, OTAN recognizes Students Succeed honorees who are successful as a result of an adult education program.

Our office will be closed Thursday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day

Senior Planet from AARP - Live Online Classes for Seniors

As part of AARP's mission, they have created a website called Senior Planet from AARP which offers online classes, articles, 1:1 Tutoring, and Videos.

CTN Community Tech Network: Transforming Lives Through Digital Equity

Community Tech Network acknowledges the barriers people may face acquiring digital literacy skills like people who cannot physically attend a class or people who speak additional languages other than English.

Our office will be closed Monday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of June 19

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

JAN: Job Accommodation Network

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues.

Sustaining 1-2-1 Programs by Selling School Devices

An illustrative example of how to maintain the most current hardware without breaking the budget.

Building a Computer Science Program

5 Best Practices to Build a Computer Science Program within your agency.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of 6/12

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues

CA Adult Education Students Succeed 2023 Nominations!

Congratulations to the students who were awarded certificates as well as those who were nominated!

human-i-t

If your agency is looking for low-cost access to technology for adult learners, look no further than human-i-t.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of 6/5

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Our Office Will Be Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

Our office will be closed Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of 5/30

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Can Publicly Owned Internet Close the Digital Divide in U.S. Cities?

Plans for massive federal funding are boosting U.S. efforts to view broadband as a utility.

Non-Linear Learning Examples: For Teachers and Students in the Digital Age

Today's workers are required to be "proficient problem-solvers, communicators, collaborators, and lifelong learners."

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of 5/22

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

How Instructional Technology is Impacting Higher Education

"Technology is as vital to teaching as textbooks once were." Thus, the rapid growth of digital learning offices throughout the state especially in college and universities.

Improving Access to Computer Science Can Help Students Catch Up After the Pandemic

The need for students to "catch up" in basic skills from the pandemic is "understandable."

15 (Free) Ways To Create Unforgettable Multimedia With Adobe Express

Adobe Express allows students to create professional looking graphics without any formal graphic design experience.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of 5/15

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Adult Education in Focus: An Annotated State Digital Equity Plan Template

World Education's Annotated State Digital Equity Plan Template for Adult Education Template offers leaders, advocates, and providers language and recommendations to ensure the inclusion of adult education learners in state digital equity planning and implementation.

Join a Broadband for All Digital Equity and BEAD Planning Regional-Local Workshop

The California Department of Technology is partnering with local-regional organizations and other state entities to host 20 Broadband for All Digital Equity and BEAD Planning Regional-Local Workshops throughout the state.

Conversations About The Innovation & AI Frontier

Take a look at these interesting discussions from the Arizona State University (ASU) + Global Silicon Valley (GSV) Summit 2023!

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of May 8, 2023

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Carnegie Foundation, ETS Partner to Transform the Educational Pillars They Built

Influential institutions throw their weight behind bringing competency-based education to high school and college.

Research: Asynchronous Work Can Fuel Creativity

Aruna Ranganthan's article, Research: Asynchronous Work Can Fuel Creativity, published April 17, 2023, in the Harvard Business Review asserts that working asynchronously, or completing work independently, has "tremendous consequences for creativity" in the future.

Integrated Education and Training (IET) in Corrections

The purpose of this article is to outline the contents within the Integrated Education and Training (IET) in Corrections: A Companion Guide to the IET Design Toolkit for our colleagues who are passionate about rehabilitation and reentry programs.

What Is SkillBlox, and Is It Worth Valuable Time To Explore It?

With too little time for work, life, balance, exercise, eating healthy, meeting friends, family, meeting a new partner, dumping one, cleaning house, car, and bike, updating passwords, the question for this article is, "What is SkillBlox, and is it worth valuable time to explore it?"

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of May 1st

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Best Google Docs Add-ons for Teachers

With more than 500 specific add-ons available for Google docs, which one is the best for your needs?

Digital Skills Library

The Digital Skills Library is an open repository of "free learning resources" curated by educators and managed by the EdTech Center @ World Education.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of April 24

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Teaching Strategies for Auditory Learners

Auditory learners are those people who learn best through sound and make up about 30% of the entire population.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of April 17

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of April 10

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Open Educational Resources (OER) Sessions

OTAN Subject Matter Expert Diana Vera Alba will present 7 sessions about Open Educational Resources.

Leverage Search Coach To Build Information Literacy Skills

Search Coach, a Microsoft Learning Accelerator and a feature with Microsoft 365, assists students with "real-time coaching on how to form more effective queries and understand reliable resources online."

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of April 3

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

CK-12 Is for Adult Education

Despite its name, CK-12 designates a section of their online platform to Adult Education.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of March 27

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Time Saving Artificial Intelligence (AI) Apps for Teachers

Teacher task time does not end when students leave at the end of our workday.

How Can Blended Learning Help With What and Who Is Taught?

Adult educators facilitate learning with a diverse population of languages, needs, obstacles, and familial responsibilities.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of March 20

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Get Internet! Claim Your Affordable Connectivity Program Benefit

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Biden and Vice President Hariis worked with Congress to create the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Nominate a Student for Students Succeed!

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2023 California Adult Education Students Succeed program. Each year, OTAN recognizes adult learners who are successful as a result of the education received at adult education agencies.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of March 13

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

New Naturalization Videos

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services just released four new videos and a fact sheet. Included in the videos are “scenarios that people could encounter like biometric processing, testing using electronic tablets, and other situations surrounding the process.

Upcoming OTAN Activities – Week of March 6

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Locating and Importing a Canvas Custom Template From Commons

The concept of organizing an accessible Canvas course with all the process that it entails can be daunting, especially for a beginner.

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of February 27th

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

The TDLS 2023 Conference Schedule Is Now Live!

The Conference page for TDLS 2023 is now available and includes the schedule of each day's sessions.

Introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

UDL is a set of principles for curriculum development that gives all individuals equal opportunity to learn.

Our Office Will Be Closed on Monday, February 20th in Observance of Washington’s Birthday

Our office will be closed on Monday, February 20th in observance of Washington's Birthday

Upcoming OTAN Activities - Week of February 20, 2023

OTAN provides activities and resources to support our adult education colleagues.

Blended Learning for the Adult Education Classroom

With so many resources to review and share with colleagues within the purview of adult education, the guide Blended Learning for the Adult Education Classroom, written by co-authors David J. Rosen Ed.D and Carmine Stewart, is a friendly resource for educators.