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Leading adult education through support for and the effective application of technology.

Teacher Digest

Digest #115
December 2019

News

Registration for OTAN’s Technology and Distance Learning Symposium is Now Open!

OTAN’s annual Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS) will take place March 6 and 7, 2020 at the Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center in Sacramento, and registration for TDLS is now open!

Use a Backchannel Tool to Increase Student Participation

How can you get more students in your class, not just the most vocal or the students who are always raising their hands, to participate in classroom discussions?

Evaluating Technology Use with the Triple E Framework

As you integrate more technology into your instruction, it becomes important to evaluate the effectiveness of technology use in the classroom and whether it skims the surface of effectiveness or makes an impact in a deep and meaningful way.

Learning More About Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are an important component of WIOA, but many adult educators are not familiar with this valuable option for our students.

OTAN Curriculum Offers to Consider for Your Instruction

For many years, OTAN has worked to negotiate the best free or reduced-cost special offers for online curriculum licenses and professional development resources suggested by our OTAN Advisory Committee and adult educators in the field. We have a number of current offers that may be of interest to you and your colleagues.

Teaching With Technology banner

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

December

Job Success ePortfolio and Job Preparation Skills
by Debbie Jensen

In our CTE programs and with our adult students generally, we prepare students with the necessary skills to get a job. In addition to the job skill set, we also need to consider the process for getting the job itself.

November (in case you missed it!)

CK-12: Online Digital Textbooks With Built-In Assessments and Much More
by Debbie Jensen

Today with the help of technology, we can individualize assignments and offer them in more than one modality. Now there are customizable digital textbooks with interactive content including adaptive practice, simulations, interactives, and study guides. It is CK-12 and it is free, Open Educational Resources (OERs).

Spotlight On...

OTAN YouTube Channel

OTAN has long utilized video to provide information and training and highlight important events in adult education. Moving forward, we hope to provide even more timely information for the field through video posted on our OTAN YouTube Channel @ otanservesadulteducation. Please consider subscribing to our channel to stay connected to the latest OTAN developments. You can also connect to our channel (and all our social media sites) from the OTAN website at OTAN.us. Click on the Stay Connected Menu on the top of the OTAN.us website and select Social Media, or look for the social media icons on the bottom footer of the homepage.

Current highlights on our YouTube channel include:

  • Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC) - Midterm reports by each of the seven teams in the current Digital Leadership Academy cohort, and the final reports by each of the eight teams who participated in the 2016-2018 cohort.

  • OTAN Tech Talks - Recordings of our monthly OTAN Tech Talks - recent webinar topics include Quizlet, free adult education apps, blended learning, and LinkedIn for adult educators.

  • Technology and Distance Learning Symposium (TDLS) - Presentations from our annual Technology and Distance Learning Symposium, including digital citizenship for adult ed, techfor 243 EL Civics COAPPs, using video for skills integration, and Chromebooks for beginning ESL students.

  • Projects and Topics - Spotlight on our Teaching with Technology tool and other tech integration topics, such as using ePortfolios.

  • Special Online Workshops that we produce and information on setting SMART goals.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and stay connected to OTAN! We will also let you know about new content on our channel via Twitter and Facebook. We look forward to providing you exciting ed tech content throughout the school year!

And please contact OTAN for your technology training needs at any time this year! Email us at support@otan.us or call us at 916-228-2580.

OTAN DECEMBER AND JANUARY EVENTS

Date/Time Event Location
Tue, Dec 3
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Using Tech Tools to Present To and Assess All Learners West Contra Costa Adult School
Alvarado Campus
Tue, Dec 10
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Google Classroom for Adult Education Online - Zoom
Fri, Dec 13
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
OTAN Tech Talks - Kahoot! in the Adult Education Classroom Online - Zoom
Wed, Jan 8
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Tech Troubleshooting for Teachers Hacienda La Puente
Dibble Campus
Wed, Jan 8
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Tech Troubleshooting for Teachers Hacienda La Puente
Dibble Campus
Wed, Jan 8
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Google Tools, Apps, and Drive West Contra Costa Adult School
Alvarado Campus
Fri, Jan 10
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
OTAN Tech Talks - Hyperdocs Online - Zoom
Sat, Jan 25
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Google Classroom for Adult Education Burbank Adult School

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 related to technology for Adult Educators?

Think about scheduling Professional Development for this 2019-2020 school year. With a wide-variety of technology topics in their arsenal, OTAN training staff will go to any WIOA-funded adult education program in CA that has a computer lab or devices connected to the Internet.

All of OTAN's workshops are provided at no-cost!
Each three-hour 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 of OTAN's face-to-face workshops can be tailored to fit the needs of the requesting program. Select the link to see a list of the current face-to-face workshops and, remember, if you don't see a workshop that "floats your boat" contact OTAN - we'll create what you and your staff need!

OTAN's Face-to-Face Workshops

OTAN also offers short, online workshops to meet the demands of busy adult educators. Click on the link to see our list of online workshops and webinars: Online Workshops & Webinars

All of OTAN workshops are free! Read more about OTAN Training and select Face-to-Face or Online workshops options to view complete workshop lists including descriptions and prerequisites.

Need more information? Contact OTAN training staff anytime by phone or email at 916-228-2580 and 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 any!

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OTAN activities are funded by contract CN220124 from the Adult Education Office, in the Career & College Transition Division, California Department of Education, with funds provided through Federal P.L., 105-220, Section 223. However, OTAN content does not necessarily reflect the position of that department or the U.S. Department of Education.