Technology
Recent Newsletter Articles
Mastering Google Tools: Top YouTube Picks for Educators
Navigating the vast array of Google tools can sometimes feel overwhelming. Thankfully, the Minnesota Adult Education Professional Development (MN ABE PD) YouTube channel offers a treasure trove of instructional videos tailored just for us. Read More
Google Sheets for Data Analysis – Part 2
Google Sheets is an incredibly powerful spreadsheet software that you can leverage to do data analysis for you. (Don't worry, if you're a Microsoft team, almost everything I'm explaining here can be done in Excel, too.) In this article, we look at Pivot Tables in Google Sheets. Read More
Google Sheets for Data Analysis – Part 1
Google Sheets is an incredibly powerful spreadsheet software that you can leverage to do data analysis for you. (Don't worry, if you're a Microsoft team, almost everything I'm explaining here can be done in Excel, too.) In this article, we look at Filters and Functions in Google Sheets. Read More
Don’t Throw Away Your Old Laptops! ChromeOS Flex Can Breathe New Life into Failing Devices
In 2022 Google released ChromeOS Flex, a light operating system free to install on older devices (PCs or Macs). Laptops that are extremely slow or too old to update can be converted to ChromeOS Flex to help them run smoothly again – an excellent way to create a no-cost loaner device for students while also creatively upcycling old devices. Read More
Overcoming Tech Barriers in Volunteer Training: A Creative Solution
Are technology requirements creating obstacles for some volunteers in your program? Valerie Britt, Volunteer Coordinator at Hawthorne Education Center in Rochester, found a solution: group asynchronous training! Read More
Playtime with AI – You’re Invited!
AI (artificial intelligence) playgroups for ABE teachers and staff give you a place to explore AI tools with support from your colleagues. So far, we've played with MagicSchool and Khanmigo. Join us for the next playgroup meeting on November 26! Read More
In a Jam Without Jamboard?
One of our favorite teaching tools, Jamboard, is going away on October 1. This leaves many educators struggling to find a suitable replacement. Hear what the Distance Learning Team has to say about Jamboard alternatives! Read More
CampGPT and AI Tools for Adult Educators
AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude can be powerful tools for busy adult educators. Although far from perfect, these tools can function as a sort of personal assistant who will help you prepare materials for the learners in your classes. Read More
U + Windows Key for Better Computer Accessibility
Windows has always had features built into it but for those who don’t use them, we often forget about them. Simply pressing the letter U and the Windows Key simultaneously automatically opens the Accessibility Menu, offering an array of helpful options. Read More
Teaching Essential Email Skills and Digital Resilience
We all agree that it's essential for adult learners to know the basics of how to send, read, and receive emails. But there are some other overlooked, yet essential digital skills we could also be teaching, including building learners' digital resilience and self-efficacy in digital spaces. Read More