Planning a Lesson (PAL) project: What’s involved in creating an LBS lesson that flows?
A Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) lesson is a narrow, yet revealing window into the complexities, challenges, and rich opportunities so much a part of teaching adult learners who also are aiming to strengthen their digital skills. Whether you are teaching fully online, delivering instruction through a hybrid model, or are fully back in a physical classroom, planning an engaging lesson where skills are honed, connections are made, and a meaningful use of digital technologies is applied, is likely what you aspire to.
During the session, we will share how we came together as the Planning a Lesson (PAL) working group and explored the intricacies of lesson planning by considering the on-the-ground realities of teaching LBS learners and integrating technology whenever possible. Learn how we met regularly to discuss and identify the common challenges practitioners face before a lesson begins, during the lesson itself, and after a lesson, and how the insights we shared and the tasks we reflected on became the foundation for co-developing resources aimed at bringing flow and deeper learning into lesson planning.
Some tips and lesson planning resources will be shared, and you will get a sneak peek into the Planning a Lesson website that will house the PAL resources.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Don’t delay! Register today!
The fall showcases have been scheduled:
Topics to be announced soon.
Check out the Past Sessions section of the website for presentations, recordings, additional tips and resources shared by guest presenters.
This timely training is designed to support educators in understanding and using AI applications (such as ChatGPT) to create effective learning experiences and manage student learning.
In 3 Zoom sessions (90 minutes each), you will:
See the training overview for more details about what we’ll cover, the format, timing and deadlines for registration.
The training series is three workshops:
If you’re interested, secure your spot. And don’t forget to invite tutors working in your programs.
This training is designed to support educators in understanding and using accessibility functions to create effective learning experiences for diverse cohorts.
There are three series of workshops on Wednesday afternoons:
Each series consists of 3 Zoom sessions (90 minutes each)
See the training overview for more details about what we’ll cover, the format, timing and deadlines for registration.
The training series is three workshops starting in the summer of 2024.
If you’re interested, secure your spot. And don’t forget to invite tutors working in your programs.
Community Gabfests are Zoom gatherings for literacy educators who want to connect with their peers in an informal setting. Connecting with other educators helps us see our work with fresh eyes, validates our experiences and is a powerful way to renew our energy, purpose, and excitement about our work. Join us as we chat, vent, brainstorm, etc., about this work that we love.
The next Gabfest is on February 8, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The conversation starter is
How do you create your own learning pathway?
Tracey and Guylaine are your hosts.
Contact tracey@alphaplus.ca or guylaine@alphaplus.ca if you would like more information.
Future Gabfests – save the dates:
Past Gabfests – see what happened:
Thanks for a wonderful year as we piloted this new program: Real talk as Community Gabfest pilot continues
Here is what participants say happens at a Community Gabfest:
And here are some of the ways participants describe the Community Gabfests:
Are you taking advantage of the many ways Microsoft tools can support and enhance your adult literacy program? Go beyond Word and PowerPoint to access a powerful suite of tools that will help you to:
About the Building digital skills with Microsoft 365 training series
This training is an in-depth look at the use of Microsoft 365 for teaching and learning. There will be eight 90-minute online sessions that look at the following topics:
See the training overview for more details about what we’ll cover, the format, timing and deadlines for registration.
We’re offering two cohorts of up to 20 participants (one afternoon and one evening option).
The training series is eight workshops starting January or March. We are offering afternoon and evening sessions.
This might be the only time we offer this training. So if you’re interested, secure your spot. And don’t forget to invite tutors working in your programs.
There is so much more to Microsoft 365 than documents and presentations, and we’d love to help you tap into the potential of these tools. We hope to see you at the training!
We recently added numerous ready-to-use instructional activities to our open educational resources library. You’ll find activities in various formats including interactive PDFs, digital activities, online modules and slide presentations. Nearly all resources can be reproduced and most can be modified. Modifiable resources allow you to adapt the content to meet your students’ needs and reflect their situations.
We’ve also made it easy for you to build your collection of instructional materials by setting up folders on Google Drive that contain many of the resources. You’re sure to find at least one new gem that you can add to your personal collection.
Check out the new topics!
We hope you find something useful. Also, if you have any questions about making modifications, organizing the materials in your own folders or anything else, get in touch (info@alphaplus.ca). We’re here to help.
If you are using a great resource that meets our inclusion criteria, please share it so we can add it to the collection.
We’ve started working on the final two topics: 1) learner empowerment and 2) resources for educators. We’ll let you know when they’re finished.
How proficient are you at using digital workspaces or office suites?
Are you fully leveraging these tools to work with learners?
Are you equipping your learners to use these tools in the future?
WHAT: Six weekly 90-minute digital workspace training sessions. We’ll use Google Workspace as a platform to explore and apply digital collaboration skills. Each session will be an opportunity for you to:
WHEN: Wednesdays, 2:30 pm to 4 pm on Oct 11, Oct 18, Oct 25, Nov 1, Nov 8, and Nov 15.
See the training outline for more details about what we’ll cover in these free training sessions, as well as the format, timing and deadlines for registration. And don’t forget to invite tutors working in your programs.
HOW TO SIGN UP >> Sessions start in October, so secure your spot now
Are you a teacher who enjoys exploring and experimenting with how digital technology can enhance learning in creative ways? Then the Alphaplus Educator Makerspace is for you.
A makerspace is a place where people come together to create or invent things, either using traditional crafts or technology. At the AlphaPlus Educator Makerspace, we combine the craft of teaching with newer technologies to make things that elevate teaching and learning.
Each year we choose a theme and a technology that matches that theme. This year our theme is Empowered Learning and our technology is H5P, an activity creation tool. We will create interactive activities from your favourite resources or you can choose a resource from our Open Education Resources library.
You will attend six 90-minute online workshops at a time that works for our group to
Learn more about makerspaces and our plans for the Fall here: The AlphaPlus Educator Makerspace.
Join us starting October 16 to exercise your creativity in a facilitated, collaborative environment.
Here is what participants said about Makerspace 2022:
Take advantage of our FREE, customized digital technology support
Are you looking for ideas, guidance or tips when it comes to using or implementing digital technology in your program?
Our coaching team can help you and your team quickly identify technologies and tools that suit your unique needs and can help programs improve administrative processes while keeping in touch with learners. We will work with you to identify your specific expectations and build a work/training plan that will work with your and your team’s schedule.
“The support we received from AlphaPlus has enabled our small organization to manage most of our own digital needs without needing to find money to pay outside organizations or contractors. From email migration, to website, to Google Classroom and Workspace, no ground has gone untouched, and we are forever grateful!
I highly recommend this coaching program to any organization who wants to be more efficient and have more control and confidence in their digital spaces!” – 2022/2023 coaching participant
No question is too big or too small! Our coaching engagements can be quick and short (one or two meetings or training sessions) or we can work with you throughout the entire fiscal year to help you explore tools and ideas that fit your specific needs.
Our coaching team can help you:
We look forward to hearing from you! Simply reach out to
to let us know how we might be able to help.
Learn moreThe Educator Network Applying the Google Toolbox program is a series reflective-practice workshops for people who participated in the Building Digital Skills with Google workshops. We take a deeper dive into the features and functions that you think are most relevant to your practice and support each other as we apply these new possibilities by co-creating activities and lessons.
Our first check in and planning sessions are on May 16 (2:30 – 4:00) and 17 (6:30-8:00). If you participated in one of the Winter 2023 Introduction to the Google Workspace and Google Applied Skills series, contact Tracey to find our more.
Here is what we have planned for our opening discussion: