Everyone needs certain digital skills and familiarity with internet-connected technology and devices to be able to fully participate in work, social life, and education. There are many organizations across Pennsylvania that provide resources and classes that empower people to gain the digital skills they need to succeed.

Now there is a PA Digital Skills map that can help adult students find low-cost or free classes and trainings to improve their digital skills. Adult education providers can also use the map to determine where there is a need to offer more classes or a wider variety of digital skills class offerings.

The map is interactive and uses different icons for different types of organizations: public libraries, education entities, nonprofit or community-based organizations, career/workforce organizations, or health/social services organizations.

Some students want independence in their adult education and this map can show them where to go for trusted online information.

Below the map on the webpage, there are informative sections that outline other relevant information. There are links to other statewide digital skills learning opportunities not reflected on the map. Organizations that provide digital skills training will find a form in order to get on the map. There is also information about the background of the Pennsylvania Digital Skills Plan.

If you know an adult student seeking to improve their digital skills or want to connect with those who do, check out the map today.

Using Openers to Immediately Engage Students

A strong start to any lesson is important. Using an opener activity the moment students enter the classroom shows students you value their time and gets the learning started immediately. A recent Edutopia article, "How to Engage Students the Moment They Enter the Classroom," explains the importance of opener activities and gives several strategy and activity types to get you started in their use.

Digital Literacy Skills Checklists Available

The Digital Literacy Skills checklist was recently released! Designed by the Digital Literacy and Distance Education (DLDE) Project, the Digital Literacy Skills help adult educators to identify digital skills relevant to their learners, develop lesson plans, and guide instruction. Download a copy of the Digital Literacy Skills checklist.

DLDE staff is also available to help you with your digital literacy and distance education needs, including: 

• Using technology in instruction
• Improving students’ and staff’s digital literacy skills
• Offering approved forms of distance learning
• Requesting curriculum to be added to the distance learning curriculum list

Please contact Bethany Lezanic at [email protected] or submit this form if you would like to request assistance with any digital literacy or distance education-related activities.

Professional Learning for Adult Education and Family Literacy Staff

Staff at PDE-funded adult education and family literacy agencies can view a list of upcoming courses now available for enrollment in the PD Portal. For more information about any of these courses, please visit the PD Portal, open the course catalog, and review the syllabus. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, please consult with your in-house professional development specialist (IHPDS) to determine if the course meets your professional learning goals.

Webinar: Lunch and Learn with LINCS

The LINCS online community offers a lot of professional development opportunities and more. On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Chrissie Klinger and Susan Finn Miller, LINCS Community Moderators, will provide an overview of the LINCS website. Adult education practitioners are encouraged to join this interactive session to better understand how to access resources, materials, and professional development through the LINCS website. Join the Zoom meeting directly.

Reentry Training Scheduled for April in Harrisburg

The Reentry Resources and Best Practices for Working with Offenders training will be held in person at PaTTAN in Harrisburg on April 6, 2023, from 8:30-3:30 p.m. This training is for adult education practitioners, and participants are highly encouraged to enroll with partners (parole, probation, workforce development partners, drug and alcohol, and other community programs). Team members will create an action plan to implement in their local area around reentry services. For more information and to enroll in the training, contact Chrissie Klinger at [email protected].

Webinar: Yes, WIOA Can! Building Strong Business Partnerships

WorkforceGPS will offer this webinar on Monday, January 30, 1:00-2:00 p.m., to provide information on how the workforce system can engage businesses by providing recruitment and retention strategies that focus on methods which can be used to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Learn more or register online.

Immigrant Parents and Early Childhood Programs

The Migration Policy Institute has compiled a report titled, "Immigrant Parents and Early Childhood Programs: Addressing Barriers of Literacy, Culture, and Systems Knowledge." An accompanying article explains how "this report identifies the unique needs of newcomer parents across the range of expectations for parent skill, engagement, and leadership sought by early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs, and strategies undertaken to address these needs."

Early Learning Resource Center Request for Applications

The Early Learning Resource Center Request for Applications is now open on Pennsylvania's eMarketplace. The deadline for applications is February 17, 2023. Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) exist regionally to serve as a resource for families seeking services for children and to administer Pennsylvania's subsidized child care program, known as Child Care Works (CCW), and Pennsylvania's Early Learning Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS, also known as Keystone STARS).

PAACE Conference Registration

The early bird rate for registration to the April 23-25 Conference of the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) ends on January 31, 2023. Register now to receive the special rate.

PAACE Award Nominations

Nominations for the annual PAACE Awards are due before February 28. The Awards Luncheon will take place during the PAACE Conference on Monday, April 24. Award winners will be notified by March 15 and will win not only a prestigious award but a complimentary registration and lodging for the conference. Use the following links to submit nominations for the available award categories.

• Outstanding Student of the Year 
• Outstanding Leader of the Year
• Outstanding Practitioner of the Year
• Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
• Outstanding Partner of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

The job postings below are for adult basic education programs funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and, at least in part, by WIOA Title II funds. You can also find the postings on the paadultedresources.org website. To post a job, please email the job advertisement to [email protected].  

Director of Student Curriculum and Instruction – Delaware County Literacy Council

Community Education Supervisor – Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13

Program Associate II: Adult Education, Workforce, and Postsecondary Education – WestEd 

Visit www.paadultedresources.org for the latest PA adult education news and resources. Recent additions to the site include:

• Job posting: Director of Student Curriculum and Instruction
• 22-23 eData Access Template v1.8
• Job posting: Community Education Supervisor

• COABE National Conference - April 2-5, 2023, Atlanta, GA
• PAACE Conference - April 23-25, 2023, Lancaster, PA

State and national organizations' newsletters are listed below and may be of interest to you. To receive the most recent editions by email, please subscribe directly to the newsletter. 

Early Childhood Education Recap, PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning Features weekly and monthly news and information relating to early childhood education.

Jan. 23 Jan. 16 Jan. 9 Dec. 26

Families Learning: News of the Week, National Center for Families Learning

Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education.

Jan. 20 Jan. 6

WorkforceGPS, Workforce3 One Features career pathways and workforce development information.

Jan. 17 January Newsletter Jan. 10

COABE Connections, Digital Equity, Coalition On Adult Basic Education Features national information, resources, and initiatives for adult basic education.

Jan. 20 Jan. 13 Jan. 6 Dec. 30

World Education/U.S. Features resources and information from World Education projects including EdTech Center News, The Change Agent, College for Adults, E-Learning, LINCS Region 1 Professional Development Center, National College Transitional Network, and many others. 

Jan. 18 Jan. 15 Jan. 12

OCTAE Connection, US Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, & Adult Education Features news and resources for adult basic, career, and technical education.

Jan. 4