November 29, 2021
Digital Literacy and Distance Education Trainings
Mark your Calendars!

If you’ve been looking for simple, easy-to-implement techniques to improve your digital teaching, the Digital Literacy and Distance Education project (DLDE) has three training opportunities for you. Whether you want a quick one-hour training or a more in-depth experience for Act 48 credit, be sure to mark your calendars for these three winter trainings:


Who is DLDE?

The Digital Literacy and Distance Education project (formerly D.E.T.A) offers digital literacy, technology, and distance learning support to instructors and administrators across Pennsylvania. Staff provide research-based technical assistance so that you can focus on building your distance education instructional and programmatic practices. In addition, they also provide technical assistance for using technology to improve system efficiencies and support the evaluation and improvement of new practices.

DLDE wants to hear from you! If you need technical assistance related to digital literacy and/or distance education, please contact Bethany Lezanic, Digital Literacy and Distance Education Coordinator at [email protected].
Teaching Tips and Resources
How to Open Class Participation to Everyone
This recent Edutopia article on classroom management encourages teachers to use a variety of tools to ensure the broadest possible student participation in class. Techniques discussed include a thumbs-up, partner discussions, and even cold calling. By incorporating these techniques into your classroom routine, you can identify disengaged students, control the flow of the discussion, and powerfully encourage students to pay attention to the class conversation.
Empowering and Encouraging Students
Two other recent Edutopia articles shared ideas for encouraging students to overcome emotional challenges. How to Counter Learned Helplessness discusses how improve optimism and empowerment in students who have internalized ideas of failure and helplessness. How Kids Can Overcome the Awkwardness of Asking for Help, while aimed at K-12 students, applies to the adult student who also is reluctant to ask for help in learning.
Professional Development Opportunities
Student Support Coordinator Professional Development
The first Student Support Coordinator (SSC) virtual networking event which focused on technology as both a barrier and support for adult learners had a great turnout and good conversation. New networking opportunities are happening every month and SSCs are encouraged to enroll in the Student Support Coordinator Professional Development Resources space in the PD Portal to get access to networking event links and materials. A short informal study circle will be offered to SSCs in January 2022 around helping learners improve decision-making skills and persisting longer in adult education programming. Participants will read material and have an opportunity to meet virtually four times to discuss the material they read. The days and times of the virtual meetings will be determined by responses to this survey. If you have any questions or need more information about the study circle or other SSC support, contact Chrissie Klinger from the Workforce Development System Liaison Project at [email protected].
National Training Opportunities on Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
Adult workforce professionals are invited to two research-based, field-tested, online Virginia professional development programs on using economics, personal finance, and entrepreneurship as real-world contexts for teaching literacy and core HSE academic subjects while simultaneously developing workforce skills. Online Economic Empowerment Curriculum & Training will run from December 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022, and offers 12 hours of asynchronous work. The second course, Online Entrepreneurship Institute for Adult Service Providers will run from February 1 to April 8, 2022, and will be up to 45 hours of asynchronous work with live Zoom classes. This institute is sponsored by COABE and will allow for cross-state/agency WIOA collaboration in live Zoom breakout groups around the country with the option to earn the COABE Certified Entrepreneurship Educator credential and badge.
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 whether the course meets your professional learning goals.
Webinar: "Future-Proofing Adult Learners with an Emphasis on Digital Literacy"
This webinar, presented by Burlington English, will be held on Monday, December 6, 2:00-3:00 p.m. The discussion will explore how distance learning practitioners can continue to leverage technology to create accessible, engaging, and meaningful learning opportunities for adult learners with an emphasis on how to help students and staff build new digital skills. Register online.
State and National Adult Education News
COABE Fall 2021 Journal
The Fall 2021 edition of the COABE Journal has been published with the title of "Technology and Adult Learning: Digital Literacy for All." The online version of the journal costs $29.99, and individual articles will be available in the coming weeks for $2.99. The hardcopy of the journal is $35 for COABE members and $65 for non-members.
LINCS Discussion: 12 Days of QR Codes
The LINCS Career Pathways and Integrating Technology Groups will be having a joint asynchronous discussion event called 12 Days of QR Codes from December 1-12, 2021. QR codes are being seen all over communities, workplaces, and even on food packages. The purpose of this discussion is to help adult education professionals have a better understanding of QR codes, learn how to use QR codes to enhance lessons, and identify how to prepare adult basic education learners to interact with QR codes in their community and workplaces. Chrissie Klinger (LINCS Career Pathways Group Moderator), Ashly Winkle (LINCS Integrating Technology Group Moderator), and Nell Eckersley (Director of the New York City Support and Technical Assistance Center-STAC) will be facilitating this online asynchronous discussion around QR Codes. You must log into your LINCS account to participate in the discussion.
PAACE Conference Call for Presentations
The 2022 Conference for the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) is asking for presentation proposals for the May 15-17, 2022, in-person conference. Presentations will be 75 minutes and should focus on innovative and effective tools that will enhance and enrich instruction and student support services in the field. Deadline for submission is March 1, 2022. Email [email protected] with any inquiries.
Job Posting
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].  

There are no current job postings.
PA Adult Education Resources
Visit www.paadultedresources.org for the latest PA adult education news and resources. Recent additions to the site include:

Upcoming State and National Conferences
State and National Newsletters
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. 

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

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

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

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

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. 

Penn State University Features newsletters from the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy and the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy, including Adult and Family Literacy Today.