OTAN Digest - March 2025

Message from the Director

As I sit down to craft this message, I’m thinking of the many exciting ways that OTAN is collaborating with the field in March. We kick the month off with our annual hybrid Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS) to be held at Long Beach School for Adults March 7-8. Each of the 82 presentations offer relevant, accessible, and practical strategies to implement in adult programs and classrooms. Some of our presenters are presenting for the first time and others are household names. I love that TDLS is a safe place to learn and grow alongside our peers.

In mid-March, OTAN’s advisory team will meet to discuss the first revision of the Digital Learning Guidance. OTAN first released the Guidance in September 2022. Since then, there have been 3,066 visits to its website. The Guidance includes a website and PDF with strategies for integrating digital learning into classrooms and programs. It also includes a larger suite of resources designed to support digital learning in adult education. These resources include Reader’s Guides, a self-paced online course, and a Facilitator’s Guide. How have you used the Guidance to approach digital learning at your site or in your classroom? Look for an OTAN Tech Trends Survey to be released soon as part of the discovery process of our Guidance revision work.

Our commitment to blended and remote learning options takes center stage with OTAN Canvas. This is a great time to join OTAN Canvas or to schedule Canvas professional development for your team. With the support of CDE, OTAN is now able to fully cover the cost of Canvas licenses for agencies. We have 58 adult ed agencies who are already on board. Reach out to aecanvas@scoe.net for more information or we invite you to complete the Interest Form available on the OTAN Canvas webpage.

March 3-7 is Open Education Week, now in its 14th year! OTAN has long been a proponent of open education resources (OER) in adult education as they are openly shared and free resources that teachers can adopt, customize, and use to augment learning in and out of the classroom. Check out Open Education Global's site for more information and resources. Also, don’t miss the many OER available on OTAN’s website.

As we navigate the transformative landscape of adult education, we must recognize the driving force behind our efforts – our students. The Students Succeed nominations are a chance for us to shine a spotlight on exceptional students who embody resilience, dedication, and success. Nominate deserving students by March 21, ensuring we celebrate their achievements and contributions to our learning community.

As a state leadership project and adult education partner, OTAN is eager to engage with you around your ed tech, digital, and blended learning needs! Reach out to support@otan.us. See you soon.

-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education