OTAN Digest - June 2025
Digest #52
June 2025
Spotlight On...
Rural Coaching Project
OTAN's Rural Coaching Project is an opportunity to partner adult education agencies in sparsely populated areas of the state with an OTAN coach. The project aims to connect rural educators with technology resources and technical support. Because every agency has unique technology challenges, this partnership hopes to align agency tech-related goals with resources. OTAN training and coaches are free to agencies.
Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you're interested and would like to learn more, please email us at support@otan.us and we'll be in touch to discuss further.
CA Rural Agencies - Make Your Technology Goals a Reality!
Working with educators and aligning support with agency goals, OTAN can provide customized guidance on several technology integration topics: for example, what types of tech tools to integrate, ways to support students with digital integration, and how to begin online or blended learning. We can share successes and discuss modifications or replications of what other agencies have put into practice. In this presentation, we will describe the project in-depth and how rural agencies can participate in this opportunity. Our goal is to support CA rural adult education agencies!
Adapting HyperDocs to Help All Students Learn
From Deficit to Growth: A guide to Asset-Based Feedback and Rubric Design
Social Media Post Design Mistakes to Avoid Today in 2025
Scaffolding Language in a CTE Class with Technology
Written by Yecsenia Castro
Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes emphasize hands-on, real-world learning, but many students—especially English Language Learners (ELLs)—struggle with technical vocabulary and academic language. To ensure all learners can access content and succeed, teachers must scaffold language using supportive strategies and technology tools. Full Article link
The Journey to Enrollment
The Recruitment and Service Strategies for Adult Education Workbook was designed for states to highlight different aspects of enrolling students. It is full of activities and ideas to use with staff for recruitment. Full link
Monthly, SMEs write an article about technology and how it correlates with teaching and learning. These articles become companions of each OTAN Tech Talk. While OTAN welcomes an article or Tech Talk from any adult educator in California, our SMEs without fail consistently write about the most innovative ideas for adult education classrooms.
June
Creative Ways to use Microsoft Sway in your Classroom
By Chris Vela Che, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Microsoft Sway allows teachers to create and share visually appealing presentations, reports, newsletters, and stories. It’s also ideal for learners who are just beginning to explore digital spaces.
May
AI in the AE class, Oh mAI!
By Francisco Xavier Pinedo, Jr. OTAN Subject Matter Expert
While traditional digital tools have been valuable resources for adult education students pursuing ESL, HSD, or HSE goals, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) represents a shift in educational support.
April
Ways to Engage Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for All Learners
By Elisia Doonan, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
This article explores the importance of engaging socially and emotionally for all learners with a focus on SEL lessons threaded into adult education.
Using 3D Printing and Student Input to Aid Accessibility
Senior Leader of Assistive Technology Solutions, Laurie Dale, at Ability Beyond decided to form a “TIP (Technology Innovations for Peers) Squad.” The squad provides adults with disabilities “the chance to learn technology skills and build adaptive solutions to barriers they and their peers face.” Design ideas come to fruition with the help of 3D printers and students learn the process of design to solve relevant issues.
Saturday Sessions in June
Curious about Padlet's newest feature, the Teaching Assistant (TA)? Padlet TA is AI-powered to help you focus more on teaching and less on preparing and admin tasks. This session introduces adult educators to the powerful potential of Padlet TA to support classroom instruction and personalize learning in real time. Perfect for those just getting started! You will set up an account, learn about the different features, and practice using this wonderful resource to share for Session 2! This free resource is ideal for teachers, tutors, and administrators alike.
Register
➡️June 7, 9-10:00 am | https://bit.ly/43gHQ2w
➡️June 14, 9-10:00 am | https://bit.ly/4dCfLYw
Message from the Director
Welcome to June and congratulations to your certificate earners and recent graduates! As many of you wrap up your spring term, this can be a great time to reflect, recharge, and explore new professional learning opportunities—whether for yourself or your team—or to begin planning for the upcoming term.
As one of California’s state leadership projects, OTAN has a wealth of digital resources to take your courses and programs to the next level. Web-based Class Activities (WBCAs) are an exceptional resource designed to help adult educators integrate technology into instruction in meaningful, engaging ways. Each WBCA article highlights a web-based tool or strategy and provides ideas on how it be used across various instructional settings, subjects, and learner levels.
Whether you’re teaching ESL, ABE, ASE, or CTE, these activities offer practical guidance and examples that instructors can adapt to meet learners’ needs. They’re a great starting point for introducing new tech tools, enhancing digital literacy, or sparking student creativity.
New WBCAs are published every other month, and they are authored by educators active in the field, so there’s always something fresh, relevant, and practical to explore. We encourage you to browse our archive of past activities for additional inspiration.
To access the latest Web-Based Class Activities and other free, high-quality digital resources, visit OTAN's website. And if you’re looking for training, support, or ideas for tech integration, don’t hesitate to connect with us at OTAN by emailing support@otan.us.
We look forward to seeing many of you at CASAS Summer Institute in mid-June. For others, we hope to see you at one of our online webinars in the near future. Enjoy the start to your summer!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
OTAN June and July Events
| Date/Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 5 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM |
AI in Adult Education: Creating Materials and Content for the Classroom ★ | This session is an inservice for Visalia Adult School staff only. |
| Saturday, June 7 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Padlet TA 101: A Hands-On Intro for Educators (Part 1) | OTAN Online |
| Friday, June 13 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM |
OTAN Tech Talk June 2025: Creative Ways to Use Microsoft Sway in Your Classroom | OTAN Online |
| Saturday, June 14 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Padlet TA 101: A Hands-On Intro for Educators (Part 2) | OTAN Online |
| Sunday, June 29 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM |
Digital Learning Guidance Course: Harnessing the Power of Online Education | Online Self-Directed Course |
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 2024-2025 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!