Coming to a Computer Near You: Distance Learning Webinar Series!

This fall and winter the Distance Learning (DL) Support Service Team is offering a series of webinars aimed at helping ABE teachers get started with DL. The series includes training on a variety of distance learning platforms as well as an introductory session about the basics of DL.

The series launched in October with a session featuring David Disko from Edmentum, who joined us to work with current Edmentum Courseware teachers to introduce new content and explore some lesser-used features of the system. 40 ABE teachers attended and more have watched the recording on the MN ABE Professional Development YouTube channel. If you are an Edmentum Courseware user and you were not able to join us on October 22, the recording is still available at https://youtu.be/-KOE97AGCTY. Please note that this is not a new user training! This training is for experienced users who want to get more out of Courseware. If you need new user training for Edmentum Courseware, please contact the DL Support Team at [email protected].

Upcoming webinars

Coming next is an Introduction to Khan Academy for Distance Learning on Thursday, November 21 from 2:00-3:30 pm. In this session, we explore the free website Khan Academy. We will learn how to set up classes, enroll learners, assign content, pull distance learning hours, and more! Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt from the Minnesota Literacy Council will lead the training. This session is designed for new users of Khan Academy, but experienced users are welcome to attend. Registration is now open here!

On December 19, Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt will be back to lead a session on Introduction to Distance and Blended Learning for ABE. This session will focus on the basics of setting up and running an effective distance or blended learning program for adult learners – policies, procedures, and best practices that will set you and your learners up for success. Managers and ABE support staff are welcome to join. Watch the ABE Connect and ATLAS calendar for registration information.

Finally, in early 2020 we will offer two more introductory platform webinars. On February 6, Adam Kieffer from the Hubbs Center in St. Paul will lead a session on the free reading comprehension app, Read Theory, and on March 5 Heather Turngren from Minneapolis ABE will lead a session on the basic skills website MobyMax. Registration information will be available in 2020 through the ABE Connect and ATLAS calendar.

We hope to see you at one of the upcoming sessions. All webinars in the DL series will be recorded and posted to the MN ABE Professional Development YouTube channel for those who are unable to attend in person. For other information about distance learning in MN ABE, visit us online at http://mnabe-distancelearning.org/ or send us a message at [email protected].