OTAN Digest
Digest #5
May 2021
Message From The Director
Your third quarter reporting, including the new Continuous Improvement Plans (CIPs), has been submitted. Phew! On the one hand, you may be breathing a little easier, but on the other, you may be considering how you're going to address the goals and actions outlined in your CIP. OTAN can help! Perhaps your agency is implementing Canvas courses in your distance learning or hybrid programs, trying to build digital literacy remotely, or looking for quality web-based activities to use with students. OTAN has a host of technology-related workshops that can be delivered virtually or face-to-face, as that becomes possible again. And, best of all, these services are available at no cost. Our team of trainers and subject matter experts are ready to assist you with your back-to-school or professional learning plan needs. Reach out to OTAN staff by phone or email at 916-228-2580 and support@otan.us.
Be safe and well as you close out your 20-21 program year and plan for the year ahead!
-Renee Collins
News
For Teachers
Congratulations to Our Adult Education Students Succeed Honorees!
New Resource for Exploring Primary Sources
For Administrators
Voxy EnGen® Grants Available Through the Write Her Future Institute
Diving Deeper into the Digital Divide
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
May
Google Extensions for Teachers
by Ryan de la Vega
As wonderful as Google is, it can't always do everything. Lucky for us there are third parties who create add–ons and extensions to fill those gaps.
April
Recent Developments in Online Citizenship Preparation
by Jennifer Gagliardi
Citizenship applicants and their teachers breathed a collective sigh of relief on February 22, 2021, when USCIS announced that they were withdrawing the 2020 Civics questions and restoring the 2008 Civics questions.
Spotlight On...
Accessibility Resources!
We often mention during OTAN events that the materials we provide to the adult education field need to be accessible before they are made public. OTAN is committed to providing full and equal access to all. As such, OTAN follows Section 508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 compliance, which means that content is made useable for people with disabilities. Making content accessible also benefits others, such as those using mobile devices or those with slow network connections.
To assist staff at adult education agencies in familiarizing themselves with accessibility practices and regulations, OTAN has compiled a list of resources you can use to learn more about accessibility and how to create your own accessible content. Visit our Accessibility Resources page on the OTAN website at https://otan.us/resources/accessibility-resources/ There is a lot of accessibility information online, and we have tried to identify those resources that we think are most useful for educators, including those from government agencies, nationally recognized organizations, and everyday technology (Microsoft, Apple, and Google) and browsers. We also have a great introductory video from OTAN Coordinator Penny Pearson on how to begin understanding accessibility issues. Additionally:
- For more information on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, visit https://www.section508.gov/.
- For more information on WCAG 2.1, visit https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/.
Stay connected to OTAN! Please contact us at support@otan.us or call us at 916-228-2580. We're here to help with accessibility resources and more!
OTAN JUNE EVENTS
| Date/Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jun 4 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Instruction: Teaching Vocabulary with Technology | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, Jun 11 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Instruction: Engaging Remote Instruction | Online - Zoom |
| Mon, Jun 14 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
Device/OS: Windows 10 Tips | Online - Zoom |
| Mon, Jun 21 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
Web Apps: Symbaloo | 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 2020-2021 school year. With a wide variety of technology topics from which to choose, OTAN training staff will present for any WIOA-funded adult education program in California either online or face-to-face with a computer lab or devices connected to the Internet. (Note that face-to-face trainings will be scheduled when it is safe and OTAN staff are free to travel.)
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!
- OTAN Online Workshops
- OTAN Face-to-Face Workshops (tailored for the virtual environment!)
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!