It was an exciting AEFL week last week and here are some new resources that were shared last week that you may want to explore in more depth-
NEW! Universal Design in Learning (UDL) On-Demand LINCS Courses
Unlike the more standardized K-12 experience, there is no clear, agreed-upon best model for adult education. Adult learners are incredibly diverse and adult education instructors often come from a variety of other fields outside of education, sometimes with little formal training in teaching adults. All of these factors lead to an enormous variability in how, where, and when adult education happens. To address these challenges, the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education in partnership with CAST has developed seven online modules to help adult education instructors, administrators and programs create an educational environment where all of their students can thrive. Based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the modules feature engaging video case studies, key ideas in adult ed, pro tips, and activities that educators can use in their classrooms right away. These free modules were designed with the help of current adult education instructors and administrators with the idea that they can be widely shared within adult education programs.
To improve access, these learning modules follow a predictable format that uses consistent terms, structure, and categories, all easily identified with recognizable icons. Each module is filled with interactive resources and hands-on strategies that support adult educators in meeting the needs of adult learners such as embedded video case studies, downloadable transcripts and captions, information about adult education learner types, and tips and activities that provide adult educators tangible strategies to implement in classrooms and programs immediately.
Future Finder Challenge
Five finalists for the Future Finder Challenge participated in a Demo Day in Washington, D.C. All five teams recognize the scope of the barriers that adult learners face through the career navigation process, the urgency of meeting those challenges with bold digital solutions, and the value of mentorship and collaboration as they make the most of the accelerator. A judging panel will review the submissions against the Stage 2 criteria and recommend a slate of winners to the Department in the coming weeks. One grand-prize winner will receive $500,000, and up to two runners-up will receive a share of at least $250,000. Winners will be announced in fall 2023. Beyond Stage 2, the challenge will support winners into 2024 as they deploy their solutions.
Resources from September's Live Event
The Career Pathways and Postsecondary Transitions group live event was focused on the PA Foundation Skills. The PA Foundation Skills provide a common language and understanding of the skills adult learners need for success in the workplace, postsecondary education and training, and community. When preparing for the workplace and postsecondary education and training, the digital literacy and transferable skills are critical workforce preparation skills. Adult educators can use the PA Foundation Skills to guide instruction and develop lesson plans. The Transferable Skills and Digital Literacy Skills can also be used for planning and developing the Workforce Preparation Skills component of Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs. The Transferable Skills and Digital Literacy Skills checklists can support adult education instructors, tutors, student support staff, and partner staff in planning activities that help adult learners improve their workplace preparation skills.