Upcoming PD Sessions
All upcoming Professional Development sessions are listed below.
Google Applied Digital Skills On-Demand Course | Register
This on-demand training aims to introduce you to Google’s Digital Skills Curriculum, as well as provide integration strategies and best practices for Adult Learners at your own pace.
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Digital Design Basics On-Demand Course | Register
This on-demand training aims to introduce you to getting started using Canva, an online digital design and publishing tool. Throughout this course, you will also work on creating your digital design project.
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Digital Defense Basics: Cyber Security 101 On-Demand Course | Register
This on-demand training aims to introduce you to the fundamentals of cybersecurity. You will learn how to assess your practices in creating a more secure account, identify common red flags for potentially malicious content, evaluate for potential threats, and develop a plan to improve your overall cybersecurity.
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This training will guide you through the process of setting up Northstar in your agency, from understanding the distinction between proctored and unproctored assessments to selecting resources that scaffold digital literacy learning before, during, and after using Northstar. Start strong on the digital literacy front by creating a solid foundation for your learners with the Northstar platform!
Past PD Sessions - Previous School Year
Previous Professional Development session recordings, handouts, and resources for the 2023-2024 school year can be accessed below.
Knowledge Bytes Series: AI Powered Teaching: Educate, Elevate, Differentiate Series
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This series of five (5) interactive workshops is designed to equip educators, administrators, and lifelong learners with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of AI in adult education. Each workshop combines expert insights, hands-on activities, and open discussions to foster a dynamic learning environment. By the end of the series, participants will be well-equipped to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of AI in adult education and harness its potential to create meaningful, personalized learning experiences. This workshop series will empower you to embrace AI's role in shaping the future of learning. Don't miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of educational innovation! Flyer
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Please note that the AI Tools used in these sessions were free or had a free version as of the time of the session. We invite you to schedule a tech implementation and support session for assistance on replicating any of these strategies across updated or additional AI tools.
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Session 5 | AI Tools for Personalized Learning
03/4/24 & 04/29/24 | CAACE & Online Session
Presenter: Briana Patriarca & Jose Adorno
Audience: All Staff
AI Tools used in this session: Curipod
Uncover the secrets of personalized learning through AI-driven systems. Get hands-on experience with adaptive learning platforms and discover how AI can tailor education to individual needs. Join our Q&A and ask questions regarding the use of AI in personalized learning.
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02/5/24 | Session 4 | AI for Student Engagement and Assessment
Presenter: Briana Patriarca & Jose Adorno
Audience: All Staff
AI Tools used in this session: Diffit & Twee
Engage and assess adult learners more effectively using AI. Learn how to engage with the chatbots, and create and adapt automated assessment tools that can enhance the learning experience. Join our Q&A and ask questions regarding the use of AI in student engagement and assessments. We will close with 30 minutes of hands-on time with the AI tools highlighted in this session!
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01/8/24 | Session 3 | AI in Curriculum Development and Content Creation
​Presenter: Briana Patriarca & Jose Adorno
Audience: All Staff
Video | Presentation
AI Tools used in this session: MagicSchool.AI & Canva
Explore how AI can assist in content creation, curriculum design, and lesson planning. Discover the latest tools and strategies to create engaging and accessible educational materials. Join our Q&A and ask questions regarding the use of AI in curriculum development and content creation. We will close with 30 minutes of hands-on time with the AI tools highlighted in this session!
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12/4/2023 | Session 2 | AI Basics: From Beginner to Pro with Prompt Engineering
Presenters: Briana Patriarca & Jose Adorno
Audience: All Staff
Video | Presentation
Participants will learn the considerations of designing prompts that create insightful, relevant, and engaging responses from tools such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing. Discover effective techniques for fine-tuning prompts to align with specific educational goals, adapt to various learning styles, and provide tailored support to adult learners. Join our Q&A and ask questions regarding prompt engineering and the use of AI in an Adult Education setting. We will close with 30 minutes of hands-on time with the AI tools highlighted in this session
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11/30/2023 | Session 1 | AI-Powered Teaching: What Teachers Need to Know in the Age of AI
Presenter: Rachel Riggs, Technical Advisor at World Education
Audience: Administrators, Program Facilitators, Teachers
Join us for an exciting kick-off to the Knowledge Bytes - AI-Powered Teaching series. In this kick-off session, Rachel Riggs of World Education will share insights and considerations to set adult educators on a path to thoughtfully use AI for teaching and learning with adults. In the follow-up Knowledge Bytes, ATDN will provide a demo of various AI-enabled tools that have the potential to support your practice. Bring your thoughts and questions for a lively Q&A!
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12/6/2023 | Google Applied Digital Skills Implementation for Educators and Students
Presenter: MaryKate Haverly
Audience: Teachers
Video | Presentation
This training equips adult education professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize Google's Applied Digital Skills program. Over four sections, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the program's objectives and classroom applications, experiencing it from both student and teacher perspectives. We'll also introduce its relevance and discuss practical integration strategies. This session aims to fuel curiosity, encourage exploration, and inspire meaningful reflection. Join us and empower yourself with a profound appreciation for this invaluable, no-cost digital skills curriculum library.
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11/30/2023 | Digital Learning Day
Presenter: Multiple Presenters
Audience: All Staff
Video | Presentation
Digital Learning Day celebrates and promotes the integration of digital technology in Adult Education. Participants have the opportunity to explore a wide range of digital resources, software, and platforms, each tailored to enhance and support various aspects of learning. Digital Learning Day sessions are a celebration of the ongoing commitment to advancing education through technology, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring that learners of all ages have access to the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in today's digital world.
Presenter: Lauren Osowski, Senior Project Manager, ProLiteracy
​Audience: All Teachers
ProLiteracy offers a number of free online career assessments, courses, and resources for adult education students. These materials were created for adult learners with appropriate literacy levels and interests in mind. During this session, participants will learn about the valuable tools and explore how to use them with their own students. This workshop is useful for counselors, instructors, tutors, and support staff members who want to help students learn valuable workforce skills and navigate career pathway exploration.
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Presenter: MaryKate Haverly, Technology Specialist, Digital ATDN
Audience: Administrators, Program Facilitators and Teachers
Are you an educator looking to save valuable time while creating engaging and visually appealing educational materials? Join us for an exciting professional development session tailored for educators who are new to Canva, the user-friendly design tool that can transform your teaching experience. In this session, we'll share 10 time-saving tips and tricks that will revolutionize the way you create presentations, worksheets, and learning materials for your adult learners. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching toolkit and make your educational content stand out!
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Presenter: Rachel Riggs, Technical Advisor at World Education
Audience: Administrators, Program Facilitators, Teachers
Join us for an exciting kick-off to the Knowledge Bytes - AI-Powered Teaching series. In this kick-off session, Rachel Riggs of World Education will share insights and considerations to set adult educators on a path to thoughtfully use AI for teaching and learning with adults. In the follow-up Knowledge Bytes, ATDN will provide a demo of various AI-enabled tools that have the potential to support your practice. Bring your thoughts and questions for a lively Q&A!
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Presenter: Leecy Wise, Educational Consultant, Evaluator, and Trainer at Reconnection Company
Audience: ESL Teachers
This one-hour dialogue will provide fun incentives for adult students and teachers to integrate technology into English-language learning and instruction. In this session, participants will experience digital tools and resources that will engage language learners of all levels in developing three language-related skill areas. Also discussed will be strategies for effectively using digital resources to appeal to learners in equitable, differentiated, and culturally sensitive ways.
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Presenter: Briana Patriarca, Technology Specialist, Digital ATDN
Audience: All Teachers
In today's digital age, being a responsible and informed digital citizen is essential for everyone, including adult learners. This training is designed to equip adult educators with the knowledge, strategies, and resources needed to effectively teach digital citizenship to their adult students. Participants will explore best practices and real-world examples to engage and empower adult learners in the digital realm.
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11/13/2023 | Google Applied Digital Skills Implementation for Agencies
Presenters: MaryKate Haverly
Audience: Administrators
Video | Presentation
This training equips Adult Education agency leaders with the knowledge and skills to effectively leverage Google's Applied Digital Skills program. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Applied Digital Skills’ objectives, practical implementation strategies, and relevance to adult education. In addition, we will discuss actionable integration strategies that support your agency's digital equity and inclusion goals. The session is designed to ignite curiosity, encourage exploration, and inspire meaningful reflection. Join us and empower yourself with a profound appreciation for this invaluable, no-cost digital skills curriculum library.
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10/3/2023 | Northstar Implementation for Educators and Students
Presenters: Jose Adorno
Audience: Northstar Teachers
Video | Presentation | Northstar Scope and Sequence Activity
A statewide Northstar Digital Literacy license was purchased for Adult Education agencies in CT. Your agency has given you access to Northstar and now it's time add Northstar to your tech tools and implement the program to your lessons... but, how does this align to the units you already prepared?
This implementation session will curate key resources, like the curriculum and the scope and sequence, so you can use for your class to get the most out of Northstar. We will also be talking about how you can adapt Northstar to fit the needs of your students.
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Please note: It is recommended that agencies watch the Getting Started with Northstar webinar from Northstar before attending.
9/28/2023 | Northstar Implementation for Agencies
Presenters: Jose Adorno
Audience: Administrators, Program Facilitators, Northstar Admins
Video | Presentation | Northstar Implementation Plan
A statewide Northstar Digital Literacy license was purchased for Adult Education agencies in CT. Northstar admins were assigned, and given access, and staff accounts have been given to teachers to use in the classroom... but, what now?
This implementation session will discuss how to set up Northstar in your agency, from learning the difference between proctored and unproctored assessments to selecting resources that scaffold learning in digital literacy before, during, and after using Northstar. Let's start strong on the digital literacy front!
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Please note: It is recommended that agencies watch the Getting Started with Northstar webinar from Northstar before attending.
Past PD Sessions - Previous Years
Professional Development session recordings, handouts, and resources prior to th 2023-2024 school year are located in CANVAS. Click on the links below to access the recordings for the desired sessions.
Please note: once directed to Canvas, you will be required to fill out a brief form to gain access to the session materials.
Click HERE for a "How-To" Video Tutorial on registering for a course in ProTraxx course and accessing the resources in CANVAS
2022-2023 | Digital ATDN PD Sessions
Presenter: Multiple Presenters
Audience: All Staff
Access all the PDs offered in the 2022-2023 school year in one place in Canvas. You can access the sessions by registering using ProTraxx. Each session includes the recordings, handouts, and resources shared at the session.
Click here to register and access the recordings
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10/24/22-11/21/22 | Northstar Training and BYOQ ("Bring Your Own Questions") Sessions
Presenter: Rob Podlasek
Audience: Northstar Admins, Directors, Program Facilitators, Teachers
Northstar is a digital literacy program that agencies can use to build and assess digital literacy skills with students. Click on the link below to access three Northstar training sessions, a Bring Your Own Questions session with strategies from CT agencies that use Northstar, and information on getting started to implement Northstar in your agency.
Click here to access the Northstar Toolkit​
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2021-2022 | Digital ATDN PD Sessions
Presenter: Multiple Presenters
Audience: All Staff
PDs offered in the 2021-2022 school year are available through Canvas. You can access the sessions by registering using ProTraxx. All sessions are grouped by program and include recordings, handouts, and discussion boards.