November 21, 2018
Learning Styles Inventory
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Your students are unique and have unique learning abilities. When you conduct a Learning Styles Inventory (LSI), your students can discover their unique way of learning best. You can also improve your own instruction by knowing more about the best ways that your students can absorb information in your class. Research shows that when you are able to adapt teaching methods to student learning styles and preferences, student motivation and performance will improve.

A Learning Styles Inventory centers on three styles of learning: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, sometimes called tactile. (A slight variation of this is VARK : Visual, Aural, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic.) Many YouTube videos fully explain the learning styles theory. Several LSI questionnaires and tools can be found online with a simple search. Educationplanner.org has a high quality online quiz, and there are many printable PDF options online. Whatever you use, it can be very helpful for students to reflect on a list of questions that ask them about their own learning experiences, what works for them and what does not work for them. It is a wonderful way to stimulate class discussion and self-advocacy among your students.

By learning that your students are mostly visual learners, for instance, you can begin to craft your lessons in a certain way to emphasize those strengths. Many lists also incorporate study suggestions for students or instruction suggestions for teachers. When we use an LSI with our students, we show that we value their uniqueness and are willing to work as a team to equip them with what they need to succeed.
Teaching Tips and Resources
Google's Applied Digital Skills lessons for adult education
We all know that it can seem rare that mainstream educational tools are built especially for adult students. But when Google created their Applied Digital Skills lessons , they created two specific tracks of lessons: one for middle school and high school students, and one custom-designed for adult learners. Google says that each lesson "teaches the skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow" and includes self-paced video lessons with real life application. You can preview the first three topics for adult learners: Digital Tools for Everyday Tasks, Research and Writing, and Manage a Project.
Restorative Justice, an alternative type of discipline
Adult education classrooms are not the same as in a high school. Certain things, however, are true across all classrooms: People should be respected; it is not helpful for people to view themselves as a "bad person;" once a relationship is broken, it is hard to mend. An article titled How Restorative Justice Helps Students Learn focuses on a strategy that emphasizes building trusting connections with students and increasing their self-awareness and compassion. If you have a hard-to-reach student or one that you worry about, the restorative justice model might be a helpful option.
Dos and Don'ts of Classroom Decoration
A new article from Edutopia titled Dos and Don'ts of Classroom Decoration gives research-based tips on the types of decorations in a classroom that help you create a strong learning environment for your students. The bottom line: Leave 20 to 50 percent of your wall space empty and follow your instincts to use images of inspiring people or thoughts, educational aids like posters or graphics, and don't forget to display student work.
Professional Development Opportunities
Developing and Supporting Instructional Leaders
A new Collaborative Learning Group (CLG) will be starting soon from the LINCS PD Center. This new group is devoted to Developing and Supporting Instructional Leaders . Participants will discuss the role, skills, and characteristics of an instructional leader, examine relevant research, and grow their ability to develop and support instructional leaders around them. The first session will kick off on December 13th at 3pm EST and meet every 4-6 weeks for six online, 75-minute sessions. This CLG will be facilitated by Professor Alisa Belzer and Dr. Susan Finn Miller. Learn more online. This group is now full, but if you are interested in joinin g, please notify the LINCS Professional Development Center ( [email protected] ) to be added to the CLG waitlist.
Administrators' webinars in December
Three upcoming webinars are specifically aimed at administrators of local programs through COABE's Manager Mondays program. On December 3, at 3:00-4:00pm, Integrated Education & Training/Career Pathways will be presented. On December 10, at 3:00-4:00pm, Reporting Adult Education Data will be presented. And on December 17, at 3:00-4:00pm, Lecester Johnson will discuss Leveraging WIOA II Funds with Other Resources . Use these links to explore the topics and the opportunities to learn more.
Scholarships for Penn State certificate programs
In the upcoming Spring 2019 semester, Penn State's World Campus will offer courses of interest to adult educators. Students in these courses earn credit toward one of two Penn State certificates: a   Family Literacy Certificate  and an Adult Basic Education Certificate . Scholarships are available to those enrolled in the Family Literacy Certificate program. Click the above links to learn more about these programs and how to enroll.
Prison Literacy Edition of COABE Journal needs articles
The next edition of the Coalition On Adult Basic Education (COABE) Journal will come out in March and will be devoted to the topic of prison literacy. COABE is looking for additional articles to include in the new edition, and you are invited to contribute if you have experience with prison literacy or prison education. Learn how to submit an article online.
State and National Adult Education News
Nominations accepted for COABE Board of Directors
If you feel that you have more to offer the field of Adult Basic Education, you might consider serving in the leadership of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE). Pennsylvania is within COABE's Region 2 and there is an upcoming need for a Region 2 Representative, as well as a President-Elect and Vice President for Membership. If you are interested, nominations are due by December 13th. Learn more about the positions and the application process online .
PAACE Conference registration now open
Registration is now open for the upcoming conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Adult Continuing Education (PAACE). This includes both registering to attend and registering as an exhibitor or sponsor . The theme this year of the PAACE annual conference is "Focus on the Future," and it will be held on March 11-12, 2019, at the Penn Stater in State College, PA.
National COABE committee forming for prison education
Research shows that receiving training while in prison and after release can greatly reduce the risk of recidivism for incarcerated individuals. If you have a passion for this type of education, consider joining a new COABE national committee that is forming called the Education Behind and Beyond the Walls Committee. This national committee will meet quarterly via web conference and work to extend adult education to those behind our prison walls and beyond. If interested, please apply online .
Grants and Scholarships
COABE accepting nominations for national awards
The Coalition On Adult Basic Education (COABE), with funding from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, is accepting nominations for several national awards for adult education. Categories of Teacher, Adult Learner, and Administrator of the Year all will include a $10,000 stipend, and a $2,000 stipend will go to the State Innovation of the Year and Workplace of the Year. Incentive grants of $2,500 and scholarships of $2,000 are also being offered.  More information  is available and the application deadline is December 15, 2018.
Job Posting
The job postings below are for adult basic education programs that are funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and, at least in part, by WIOA Title II funds. They can also be found on the paadultedresources.org website. To post a job, please email the job advertisement to  [email protected] . 
PA Adult Education Resources
Upcoming State and National Conferences
State and National Newsletters
Listed below are state and national organizations' newsletters that may be of interest to you. To receive the most recent editions by email, please subscribe directly to the newsletter. 

COABE Journal, Coalition on Adult Basic Education. Features national information, resources, and initiatives for adult basic education.

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

Families Learning: News of the Week, National Center for Families Learning.
Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education.  

GED® In Session, GED Testing Service®. Features news and information related to the GED® test.

Workforce GPS, Workforce3 One. Features career pathways and workforce development information.

Rural Perspectives, The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. Features data and research findings related to a variety of topics relevant to rural PA