OTAN Digest
Digest #20
October 2022
Message From The Director
How are you engaging with learners in-person and online? Earlier this month, I attended the national ProLiteracy Conference, and I was introduced to the new idea of Learning Circles, a small group of students who meet at scheduled times with a facilitator. The instruction is provided through online content and a facilitator encourages discussion and provides support to learners. (You can read more about Learning Circles in this ProLiteracy blog post: Learning Circles: Funding, Professional Development, and Other Resources) The workshop I attended used ProLiteracy's free Employability in a Digital World workforce course as example online content for a Learning Circle; however, there are many online open educational resources that could be substituted. I invite you to start your own staff Learning Circle to learn more about this innovative way to expand services to students.
ProLiteracy provides the following no-cost courses:
- Introduction to Learning Circles
- Learning Circles for Administrators and Site Coordinators
- Learning Circles for Facilitators
OTAN seeks to introduce you to and train you in emerging technologies like Learning Circles. Find more resources like this by visiting our OTAN website and looking at the Resources section. Or reach out to OTAN staff directly by phone or email at (916) 228-2580 or support@otan.us. We are here for you!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
News
For Teachers
TDLS 2023 Call for Proposals is Now Open!
Taking a Look at the Top Tools for Learning 2022
For Administrators
DRAW Report Theme 1 Overview: Defining Digital Skills and Resilience
Digital Leadership Academy 2022 – 2024
Finally, Some Guidance! Using the Triple E Framework to Shape Technology Integration
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
October
Retooling Zoom for Blended Learning
by Alisa Takeuchi
Although many districts have reopened schools for face-to-face instruction, there is still a need to continue to use Zoom in a blended class.
September
Blended Learning in Adult Education
by Debbie Jensen
What will our "new normal" look like post pandemic? What lessons have we learned that we can utilize?
July
HyFlex Model of Instruction: A Year of Reflection
by Alisa Takeuchi
The HyFlex Model of Instruction integrates in-class instruction with online instruction synchronously and in addition may add an asynchronous option on a learning management system (LMS). For the past year, agencies that have introduced the HyFlex Model to their staff and students have taken careful notes, made changes, and documented successes.
Spotlight On...
California Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance!
The Guidance is the result of a collaborative effort designed to identify, document, and disseminate practical information to support digital learning within adult education.
This Guidance serves as a resource for the many educators who support adult learners.
This link connects you to OTAN's Digital Learning Guidance Page where you can find the following information:
- CA Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance PDF
- Video topics & Presenters
- Guidance Overview: Dr. Carolyn Zachry, State Director Adult Education, CDE
- Digital Learning Practices: Ryan de la Vega, ESL Resource Teacher, Torrance
- Digital Assessment: Lila Young, CTE Department Chair, Clovis
- Preparing Educators: Oscar Medina, Supervisor Correctional Ed Programs, CDCR
If you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us – email us at support@otan.us or call us at (916) 228-2580. We are here to support you!
OTAN October and November Events
| Date/Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 7 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Communication: GMail and More ★ | Mt. Diablo Adult Education Concord, CA |
| Thu, Oct 13 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
CDLC - Canvas: Q&A with a Canvas Expert for Administrators | Online - Zoom |
| Wed, Oct 19 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Canvas Basics - An Introduction ★ | Burbank Adult School Burbank, CA |
| Thu, Oct 27 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Canvas Q&A for Teachers | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, Oct 28 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Use Wakelet in Adult Education Instruction! | Online - Zoom |
| Mon, Oct 31 9 :30 AM - 11:00 AM |
Google - Customized! ★ | Clovis Adult School Clovis, CA |
| Mon, Oct 31 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM |
Google Applied Digital Skills ★ | Clovis Adult School Clovis, CA |
| Mon, Oct 31 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
BEST Course Orientation (Fall) | Online - Zoom |
| Fri, Nov 4 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Google Drive and Docs ★ | Mt. Diablo Adult Education Concord, CA |
| Thu, Nov 10 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Canvas Q&A for Administrators | Online - Zoom |
| Thu, Nov 17 8:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
Using Interactive Whiteboards and Displays in Adult Education ★ | Hacienda La Puente Adult Education Dibble Campus Hacienda Heights, CA |
| Thu, Nov 17 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Creating and Using Padlet in Adult Instruction ★ | Pittsburg Adult Education Pittsburg, CA |
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 2022-2023 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!
- OTAN Face-to-Face Workshops (which can be tailored for the virtual environment!)
- OTAN Online Workshops
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!