OTAN Digest - February 2023
Digest #24
February 2023
Message from the Director
OTAN’s Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS) is approaching, and we’re enthusiastic about adding a new Bootcamp component to the symposium. The traditional TDLS presentations, of which there are more than 75, will take place on March 3-4, 2023. However, if you have the ability to attend in-person and to arrive a day early, OTAN is offering three targeted Bootcamps on Canvas, Google, and Working with Microsoft Office, on the afternoon of March 2.
The Canvas Bootcamp will help teachers who are getting started with Canvas and want to build their first instructional module. Create an inviting home page of your own or learn how to use the OTAN course template that can be customized with your own school logo and information.
The Advancing through Google Bootcamp is designed for teachers building and honing Google skills as well as preparing to take the Google Certified Educator exams. Master the integration of Google Workspace for EDU tools into your classroom.
Join the Microsoft Office for Instruction and Certification Bootcamp to bring your Microsoft skillset to a new level. Instruction will focus on key skills and concepts to increase office productivity, teaching, and classroom projects!
The Bootcamps are filling quickly and are limited to 30 individuals each. Register today for TDLS and for the TDLS Bootcamp of your choice. We hope to see you at Chula Vista Adult School in beautiful San Diego County in March!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
For Administrators
Stop Talking Tech: 3 Tips For Pedagogy Based Coaching
OTAN’s Backbone: The Web Development Team
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
February
Introduction to OERs
by Diana Vera-Alba
Open Educational Resources, or OERs, are openly licensed teaching and learning materials.
January
5 Tech Tools to Try With Adult Learners
by Yescenia Delgado Lorenzo
Try these five tech tools and notice adult learner engagement increase.
December
5 Tips for Engaging All Learners with Digital Literacy
by Elisia Doonan
Many educators are exploring new ways to engage learners online. Engagement for Adults with Disabilities can be especially challenging due to a lack of professional support for educators.
Spotlight On...
OTAN's Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC)
The current DLAC teams met on January 19th and 20th at the Sacramento County Office of Education for two full days of teambuilding with Dr. Paul Porter, check-in with Ideal’s Destiny Simpson, and learning more about Accessibility with Penny Pearson. Facilitated by OTAN’s Neda Anasseri, the event brought teams together to collaborate and learn more about team strengths. DLAC serves to transform the adult learning experience.
To learn more: Digital Leadership Academy
OTAN February and March 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 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!
Need more information? Contact OTAN training staff anytime by phone at (916) 228-2580 External Link Icon opens in new window or tab, or by email at support@otan.us External Link Icon opens in new window or tab.
To view workshops already scheduled, visit the California Adult Education Professional Development Calendar External Link Icon opens in new window or tab and search for workshops sponsored by OTAN. Don't miss out!