OTAN Digest - April 2023
Digest #26
April 2023
Message from the Director
OTAN recently presented several sessions at CUE’s (aka Computer-Using Educators) annual Spring Conference. CUE inspires and empowers educators to integrate technology into their teaching practices. Sessions covered a wide range of topics related to technology integration in education, such as distance learning, blended learning, digital citizenship, and the use of virtual and augmented reality in the classroom. While participants are largely made up of K-12 instructors, OTAN is partnering with CUE leadership to create a strong adult education presence.
ChatGPT was a hotly debated topic at CUE. As a large language model trained by OpenAI, ChatGPT can provide numerous benefits to both teachers and students but it can also bring along with it challenges. A panelist in one session invited us to recall other “advancements” that faced resistance before educators widely adopted them. Remember when teachers resisted the use of pens, or Google, or cell phones? Overall, Chat GPT provides access to information and resources that help to improve student outcomes and support the integration of technology in education.
Spring provides a plethora of professional learning opportunities. OTAN will be presenting at upcoming CUE chapter events along with their annual Fall Conference. OTAN will also be at COABE, CCAE, and CASAS. We hope to see you at some or all of these events!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
News
For Teachers
Time Saving Artificial Intelligence (AI) Apps for Teachers
Leverage Search Coach To Build Information Literacy Skills
For Administrators
How Can Blended Learning Help With What and Who Is Taught?
Get Internet: Claim Your Affordable Connectivity Program Benefit
Are you looking for a way to integrate technology in your classes? Visit Teaching with Technology on the OTAN website and start searching for ESL, ABE, ASE, and even CTE lesson ideas today!
Web-Based Class Activities
April
Classroom Video on Demand and Learn360 in the Blended Classroom
by Susan Coulter
Learn360 is a great resource for blended learning. With Learn360, you can have your learners watch a video or complete a game or activity to support what you are teaching in the classroom.
March
Guidance From the Guidance: An Agency's Approach to the California Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance
by Francisco X. Pinedo Jr
It has been almost three years since our world changed along with most aspects of education. COVID 19 became a worldwide pandemic and our way of teaching and delivering instruction changed 180 degrees in a matter of days.
February
Introduction to OERs
by Diana Vera-Alba
Open Educational Resources, or OERs, are openly licensed teaching and learning materials.
Spotlight On...
California Distance Learning Cooperative (A Canvas Project)
The remodeled CDLC webpage provides updated information and videos about the Canvas Project. To get there:
- Go to OTAN.us website
- Select Resources tab
- From the menu, select California Distance Learning Cooperative
What short video topics will you find there?
- "Power of Canvas in the Classroom" Alfred Miller, CTE Teacher1 Berkeley Adult School
- "Digital Literacy, Flexibility & Educator Commons" Ute Maschke, Manager East Region Adult Education
- "Accessibility & Curriculum Consistency with Canvas" Thomas Reid, Principal Berkeley Adult School
- "Piloting Canvas" Jaemi Naesh, Director, Tamalpais Adult School
OTAN April and May Events
| Date/Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Apr 3 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
Advancing Canvas Skills: Outcomes and Learning Mastery | Online - Zoom |
| Tue, Apr 4 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Canvas for Vocational Studies | Online - Zoom |
| Wed, Apr 5 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
Advancing Canvas: Group Work and Collaboration | Online - Zoom |
| Thu, Apr 6 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Advance your Canvas Skills: Studio | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, Apr 7 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Open Educational Resources 101 - Basics | Online - Zoom |
| Mon, Apr 10 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Advance your Canvas Skills: Accessibility | Online - Zoom |
| Tue, Apr 11 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Advance your Canvas Skills: Different Learning Modalities | Online - Zoom |
| Wed, Apr 12 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Using CC Licenses and CC Licensed Works | Online - Zoom |
| Wed, Apr 12 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Advancing Canvas Skills: Google Integration | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, Apr 14 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
OTAN Tech Talk: Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools for Adult Education | Online - Zoom |
| Mon, Apr 17 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Canvas Q & A for Teachers & Administrators ★ | Saddleback Community College Mission Viejo |
| Mon, Apr 17 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
CK-12 FlexBooks® 2.0 - Getting Started! | Online - Zoom |
| Wed, Apr 19 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Advancing Canvas Skills: Student Experience | Online - Zoom |
| Wed, Apr 19 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM |
Creating Instructional Videos | Online - Zoom |
| Thu, Apr 20 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Spotlight on Simultaneous Instruction | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, Apr 21 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM |
Open Educational Resources 102 - Intermediate | Online - Zoom |
| Mon, Apr 24 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
Advancing Canvas: Creating Mastery Paths | Online - Zoom |
| Wed, Apr 26 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Advanced ESL Course on Canvas | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, Apr 28 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
CC Licenses, Public Domain, and Copyright | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, May 5 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Finding and Curating OERs | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, May 12 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
Open Educational Resources 103 - Advanced | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, May 19 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
Building an OER Project and Team | Online - Zoom |
OTAN training events are OPEN to Adult Education staff.
★ = CLOSED, In-Service Training
Professional Development - Plan Ahead!
Did you know OTAN provides FREE professional development workshops to help Adult Educators integrate technology?
Think about scheduling OTAN Professional Development in the 2023-2024 school year. With a wide variety of technology topics from which to choose, OTAN training staff can provide in-person workshops or presentations at any approved California adult education agency or professional development event, either online or face-to-face with a computer lab or devices connected to the Internet.
All OTAN's workshops are provided at no cost!
Each session is hands-on - everyone will learn new skills related to technology or using technology that they can use in their adult education class or program. And all OTAN online or face-to-face workshops can be tailored to fit the needs of the requesting program. Select the links to see a list of the current online or face-to-face workshops and descriptions. If you don't see a workshop that is exactly what you need, contact OTAN - we'll work together to create a training that's best for you and your staff!
Need more information? Contact OTAN training staff anytime by phone at (916) 228-2580, or by email at support@otan.us.
To view workshops already scheduled, visit the California Adult Education Professional Development Calendar and search for workshops sponsored by OTAN. Don't miss out!