Technology
Recent Newsletter Articles
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
Using AI in Adult Ed
Imagine a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is writing the MN ABE Connect news articles.... Newsflash: we’re already here. Read on for an article about using AI in Adult Education... written by AI itself. Read More
Texting with Talking Points: Supporting Communication and Retention for Multilingual Learners
From reminders about assignments to checking in on a student who’s been out sick, finding the right text messaging tool has not only saved me precious time but has also strengthened my relationships with my students. I’ve tried a number of different tools, especially during the pandemic, but Talking Points is my favorite so far. Read More
IDEAL 103: Building an EdTech Strategy
While platforms such as Khan Academy or LinkedIn Learning host vast repositories of educational content, it can be a challenge incorporating them into the classroom. If you’ve struggled to digest and master a platform’s content, or how to meaningfully include such tools in the classroom, then the IDEAL 103 course is for you! Read More
What is Pear Deck and How Can I Use it in My Classroom?
Pear Deck is a digital tool that allows teachers to create interactive activities for students in online and in-person classes. It is accessible as an add-on when using Google Slides and works seamlessly with Google Suites, allowing teachers to use it as an asynchronous or synchronous teaching tool. Pear Deck offers a paid version and a free version; this article focuses on the free version and using Pear Deck as an online teaching tool, even though it is perfectly adaptable to in-person teaching as well. Read More
Using Nearpod in the ABE Classroom
Nearpod is a great tool that makes any lesson interactive, whether in the classroom, virtual, or a combination of the two. In this article, ABE Teacher Polina Huffman shares how and why to use Nearpod in the ABE classroom. Read More
HyFlex in Minnesota ABE: What Is It, Who Needs It, and How Does It Work? – Part 2
One of the many conundrums facing Minnesota ABE is how to meet both the needs of adult learners who prefer to learn at a distance and those who want to learn in-person – and all at a time when ABE resources are stretched thin, and public health recommendations change rapidly. HyFlex offers an educational model that can meet the needs and preferences of learners in a flexible, effective manner. Read More
HyFlex in Minnesota ABE: What Is It, Who Needs It, and How Does It Work? – Part 1
One of the many conundrums facing Minnesota ABE is how to meet both the needs of adult learners who prefer to learn at a distance and those who want to learn in-person – and all at a time when ABE resources are stretched thin, and public health recommendations change rapidly. HyFlex offers an educational model that can meet the needs and preferences of learners in a flexible, effective manner. Read More