Download and read the handbook here.

Build a better distance learning program with the following courses:

• Get to Know Google Classroom is a self-paced, asynchronous course for adult education teachers who are new to using Google Classroom, a learning management system commonly used in Minnesota schools. This course introduces teachers to the platform and walks through the steps of setting up a class, inviting learners to join the class, creating assignments, and sharing and collaborating with other teachers. The Distance Learning Team extends our sincere thanks to adult education teacher Kris Klas of the Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning for sharing their original class and materials with us so that we can make them available to all adult educators in Minnesota. To join the course, go to Google Classroom, login with your Google Account, and enter class code: td3vjxb, or use the link above.
• Distance and Blended Learning Basics for Minnesota Adult Education has replaced DL Basics. This course was designed for education providers and practitioners teaching adult basic academic skills, ESOL, and literacy at a distance and/or through blended learning; it provides strategies and resources that are essential for both setting up and implementing distance education or teaching with a blended approach. The course includes six modules: Getting Started With Distance And Blended Learning; Outreach, Screening, & Orientation: Supporting Distance Learners From The Start;  Effective Distance & Blended Learning Instruction; Assessment; MN ABE Distance Education Policy and Procedures; and Teacher Verification Model (TVM) in Practice."  
• Northstar Digital Literacy Foundations provides an introduction to the Northstar Digital Literacy standards and how they can be integrated into any adult education course.  The Northstar standards are one of three required sets of content standards for adult education in Minnesota (along with the College and Career Readiness Standards and the ACES-TIF standards).  This course is intended for Minnesota Adult Education teachers, managers, program coordinators, and anyone in a role supporting learners or staff with digital literacy instruction (e.g., curriculum specialists, distance learning coordinators, technology integration specialists, digital navigators, volunteer tutors, etc.).  Participants will earn 5 CEUs upon completion
• DL 101: Designed for teachers and administrators new to distance education. This intensive 8 month course combining face-to-face, online learning, and webinars allows you to build and implement a Distance Learning plan for your ABE site/program with support from experienced DL instructors and a cohort of your peers. Approximately 25 CEUs. Highly recommended.
• DL 102: This is open to all distance or blended/hybrid learning teachers who have some experience teaching online or working in their DL program. The cohort spends several weeks focusing on how to best support their blended and distance learners. Each participant writes a case study describing a current instructional or programmatic challenge. Together the cohort discusses each of the case studies, suggests solutions, and builds an online "community of practice" that remains available as a resource after the course is done. Through the discussion, each participant arrives at a few ideas to pilot and implement. After a month (or more) of piloting, each participant reports on their success/challenges in a final webinar. This cohort is an amazing opportunity to give and receive valuable advice, resources, and feedback on their current instructional challenges from ABE colleagues from around the state. If you're interested, please click on the application link. Deadline to apply is Friday, October 15th. Cohort kickoff is Friday, October 29, 9:30am-12:00pm. 
• Teacher Verification Model (TVM) Certification process:
  • 1) Complete two modules: TVM in Practice and MN ABE Distance Education Policy and Procedures (in the new Distance and Blended Learning Basics for Minnesota Adult Education online course). Upload practice TVM lesson and materials and pass the quiz. 
  • 2) Completing the 90 minute Certification webinar allows participants to receive TVM Certification & CEUs; and add TVM Certification to your Staff History in SID. The webinar helps participants deepen their understanding of the TVM process and requirements. They will share and receive peer feedback on their practice lesson in order to prepare them to use the TVM process. NOTE: Participants must complete Modules 5 and 6 of the Distance and Blended Learning Basics for Adult Education online course, complete the quizzes in both modules, and submit their practice TVM lesson and materials PRIOR to attending the TVM Certification Webinar.  

World-Ed offers a series of three free online self-paced courses related to distance learning: Introduction to Blended Learning; Introduction to Mobile Learning, and Open Educational Resources. Go here to get started, and here to learn how to self-enroll in any of these courses:

• MN Introduction to Blended Learning: This mini course introduces participants to essential and foundational information about blended learning. It includes key definitions, strategies, examples, and reflective activities primarily presented in multimedia format. The goal of the course is for teachers tunderstand the different forms of blended learning and how they might integrate them into their coursework.
• MN Introduction to Mobile Learning: Welcome to the Introduction to Mobile Learning course. This multi-media mini course introduces participants to the basics of integrating mobile devices into their classroom, distance, or blended instruction. It includes key definitions, suggested strategies, examples, and reflective activities to help teachers incorporate what they have learned into their practice. The goal of the course is for teachers to understand the different ways adult learners and their teachers can use flip-phones, smartphones and tablets to enhance learning both in and out of the classroom.
• MN Open Educational Resources: This mini course introduces participants to essential information about Open Educational Resources (OERs). It includes key definitions, examples and reflective activities presented primarily in multimedia format. The goal of the course is for teachers to understand the benefits of using OERs, know where to find them, and how to evaluate their effectiveness.