OTAN Digest - September 2025
Digest #55
September 2025
Spotlight On...
Lesson Plan Builder
The OTAN Online Lesson Plan Builder is a free tool designed to help adult educators create effective, engaging lessons. Simply register as a new user to get started.
Research has shown that effective teachers follow a structured methodology for planning and delivering lessons. One widely used framework is the WIPPEA model1, which serves as an instructional roadmap. This continuous teaching cycle ensures that each stage builds on the previous one, supporting both teacher planning and student learning.
WIPPEA stands for:
- Warm-up
- Introduction
- Presentation
- Practice
- Evaluation
- Application
The Lesson Plan Builder guides instructors through each WIPPEA stage, offering prompts and ideas to support lesson development. Teachers can easily create, save, and refine their lessons, with built-in scaffolds for all learners. The tool also integrates ideas from the Teaching with Technology database, helping educators incorporate digital tools into their instruction.
For inspiration on blending lesson planning with AI, explore our Streamline Planning with AI: Craft Custom Lessons web-based class activity article and watch the related OTAN Tech Talk.
1The model is based on the work from Madeline Hunter from her text, Mastery Teaching (1982), and adapted by the ESL Teacher Institute, Lesson Planning Module, then published by Longman, Teacher Training Through Video, 1992.
Learning by Doing in the Digital Age
Build Digital Literacy into Your ESL Classroom Routine
Teaching Resource: DART - A Foundational Digital Literacy Curriculum for Beginning ESL Learners
Building AI Literacy in Adult Education: A Framework for Action
The Heart of a Teacher: The Power of tREACHING
New in Canvas: Differentiation Tags
Upcoming Webinar on Computer Ownership in Rural America
New digital literacy resources in the California Adult Education Canvas Commons!
New Dyslexia-Friendly Font in Canvas
Instructure, the Canvas LMS parent company, released a new support font which is “easier to read for users with dyslexia.” This recommendation made by educators across the country, can now be applied in a new “user-level feature flag which replaces the default font in Canvas with Open Dyslexic.”
What to Expect:
No matter the role, everyone can enable this feature within their Account. Simply,
- Click on the Account button on the navigation bar
- Scroll to the bottom and toggle the “Use a Dyslexia Friendly Font” from left to right.
Voila!
The Open Dyslexic Font is now available as a default.
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.
September
Padlet TA: Your AI-Powered Teaching Assistant for Effortless Classroom Preparation
By Alisa Takeuchi, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Padlet TA is an innovative, web-based AI assistant created by the makers of Padlet, designed to reduce teacher prep time and allow educators to concentrate on student interaction and instruction.
August
AI Powered Tutor and Teacher Tools added to CK-12's Free Digital Resources
By Debbie Jensen, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
CK-12’s Flexi was introduced to be that tutor—and answer questions 24/7. Then AI entered the world stage. Immediately CK-12 worked to add AI to Flexi. And what resulted is more than an online tutor.
July
Boosting Efficiency and Organization with Microsoft Bookings
By Yecsenia Castro, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Microsoft Bookings offers a user-friendly solution to streamline appointment management and productivity. Eliminating the back-and-forth of scheduling— this tool allows you to set your availability so students can easily book time with you and stay connected.
OTAN Tech Talk September 2025: Exploring AI Tools at Padlet TA
Friday, September 12, 2025 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Padlet TA is an innovative, web-based AI assistant created by the makers of Padlet, designed to reduce teacher prep time and allow educators to concentrate on student interaction and instruction. Users can explore a range of free Widgets and AI tools that instantly generate materials such as lesson plans, quizzes, worksheets, rubrics, AI enhancements, and more - all driven by advanced AI models. This presentation will introduce the Padlet TA website and its tools that educators can use for teaching and learning.
Message from the Director
I hope this message finds you settling well into your new program year! September is always a big professional development month for OTAN.
I’m pleased to share that registration is open for the 2025 New Administrator Orientation (NAO), led by the Adult Education Office at the California Department of Education (CDE) and taking place online September 9–11, 2025, This training is designed for new grantees and staff in WIOA, Title II: AEFLA programs who have been in their role for fewer than three years, including adult education administrators, principals, supervisor-level staff, and those supporting grant administration.
The NAO provides an essential overview of grant implementation requirements and highlights how the State Leadership Projects—OTAN, CASAS, and CALPRO—work alongside CDE staff to support the field with successful implementation. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of program requirements and discover resources, training, and tools available to strengthen services for adult learners. Whether you are leading a program or working behind the scenes, this orientation is an excellent opportunity to build knowledge while connecting with colleagues across the state.
- One registration covers all three days
- Deadline: September 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
- Register on the CA Adult Ed Professional Development calendar
Don’t miss this chance to build your knowledge and network—secure your spot today!
As always, reach out to support@otan.us for any of your digital training and resource needs. We look forward to working with your team this year!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
OTAN September and October Events
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 2025-2026 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!