Administrators and Teachers
Professional
Development
Overview
The Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center is dedicated to providing Adult Education and Literacy practitioners with the most comprehensive slate of professional training, workshops, courses and seminars available anywhere. Each year over 500 Adult Education and Literacy Professionals arrive at the AALRC to expand their expertise in areas such as Learning Disabilities, English as a Second Language, Distance Education and technology access. The Resource Center is also utilized by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, Adult Education Section, for meetings and professional development.
Our facility boasts a state-of-the-art networked computer lab, which accommodates up to twenty learners at a time. Our large training room can handle up to 100 attendees, utilizing a variety of multi-media tools for instructional delivery. The Center also addresses the need for breakout sessions and multiple, simultaneous events with two additional conference rooms and two smaller meeting rooms.
The AALRC library, staffed by a full-time media coordinator, boasts an extensive inventory of books, videos, and other materials loaned to Adult Education Centers and Literacy Councils upon request. Video duplication equipment is available, and the library resources are automated for your convenience.
Utilizing the AALRC web site, practitioners can view event calendar, register online for training courses, request media materials, and receive instructional tools from across the United States. As a partner with LINCS Literacy Information and Communication System, the AALRC links our state’s professionals with access to free instructional tools, learner activities, software and more.
Our goal in Professional Development at the Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center is to be an integral part in the development of our state’s Adult Education and Literacy providers.
For more information contact the Professional Development Coordinator:
Dr. Shelia Wilkerson
Professional Development Coordinator
shelia@aalrc.org
Catalog
PD Forms
Register for Workshops
ESC Web
Workshops
SNAP Employment & Training (E & T) New Coordinator Training (AALRC)
March 12, 2025
Session ID: 533623
The SNAP E & T New Provider training will provide new SNAP E & T Coordinators with the tools needed
to be successful in their role. Coordinators will learn the importance of building a rapport with clients,
strategies for effective case management, and how to cultivate partnerships with community-based
organizations. Additionally, the training will provide practical applications of the SNAP Works database
system, monthly data reporting, and scenario-based simulations that will assist with client interaction.
Close Reading Strategies: Diving in Deep (AALRC)
February 20, 2025
Session ID: 543062
This training is tailored for instructors teaching the Reasoning through Language Arts portion of the GED exam. It focuses on equipping instructors with effective close reading strategies to help their students succeed. Participants will learn how to guide students through analyzing complex texts, identifying central ideas, making inferences, and understanding author’s purpose and tone – skills that are crucial for reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Understanding the high impact skills which cross over into Social Studies and Science portions will also be covered in the training.
Aztec - New and Advanced
Aztec for New Users (AALRC)
Aztec classes moved to March 7th
February 19, 2025
Session ID: 535047
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Aztec for Advanced Users (AALRC)
Aztec classes moved to March 7th
February 19, 2025
Session ID: 535048
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
When content is relevant and impacts students’ lives in ways that go beyond learning basic skills, students are more engaged. Their interest in the content becomes the scaffolding that lifts them to higher levels of complexity. Come and learn about The Change Agent, an online source of multi-level, multi-format, student-written stories that provides powerful, inspiring content, along with standards-aligned activities that supports instructors in teaching reading, writing, and speaking and listening. Participants will also have a chance to explore the Call and adapt it for their students, as well as get ideas about how to support their students in writing, editing, and submitting their work.
A Source of Engaging, Relevant, & Free Online Content
for Teaching Basic Skills (Zoom)
February 25, 2025
Session ID: 548305
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
When content is relevant and impacts students’ lives in ways that go beyond learning basic skills, students are more engaged. Their interest in the content becomes the scaffolding that lifts them to higher levels of complexity. Come and learn about The Change Agent, an online source of multi-level, multi-format, student-written stories that provides powerful, inspiring content, along with standards-aligned activities that supports instructors in teaching reading, writing, and speaking and listening. Participants will also have a chance to explore the Call and adapt it for their students, as well as get ideas about how to support their students in writing, editing, and submitting their work.
Career service provider (CSP)
As part of the 2024 – 2027 Request for Proposal (RFP), each adult education and literacy council provider must have a Career Coach or a Career Service Provider (CSP) on staff to assist students in transitioning into the workplace and post-secondary education or training. LaTasha Dale Warren, Career Coach for the Division of Workforce Services, Adult Education Section, will be the presenter for the course. The Spring 2025 training is scheduled for February 05, 2025 – May 07, 2025. There are required face-to-face meetings on February 05 – 06, March 18 -19, and April 22, 2025.
Career Service Provider Application
LACES 101: Understanding the NRS Accountability Measures and
Its Impact on Performance and Funding (AALRC)
Session ID: 533704 September 17, 2024
Session ID: 533706 February 12, 2025
The National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS) is the accountability system for the federally funded Adult Education Program, authorized by Section 212 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This training will provide an overview of the state’s data management system, LACES, along with the WIOA primary indicators of performance: measures that describe adult education students and their program participation, methodologies for collecting performance data, and program reporting procedures. This training will focus on the NRS Tables, Arkansas Assessment Policy and Distance Education Guidelines, and the program’s responsibility for data collecting and reporting.
Confidentiality Compliance (Self-Paced Online)
Session ID: 539593 September 11, 2024*
Session ID: 539594 October 23, 2024*
Session ID: 539596 November 19, 2024*
Session ID: 539598 December 19, 2024*
Session ID: 539600 January 16, 2025*
Session ID: 539602 February 5, 2025*
Session ID: 539603 March 19, 2025*
Session ID: 539606 April 16, 2025*
(*Please note: Registration is open now, but participants will not be able to begin the course until opening date.)
These self-paced online courses are offered through CANVAS. Participants MUST register through escWorks in order to receive credit. Registration will close on opening day.
This course will cover confidentiality requirements under FERPA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as appropriate confidentiality practices in a variety of settings. A certificate will be provided upon course completion, which will be verified through individual login information.
Financial Wellness/Literacy Series (WebEx):
Banking Basics for Students – September 4, 2024 – Session ID: 534006
Simplify Your Banking with Digital Tools – March 5, 2025 – Session ID: 534014
Energize Yourself Financially – September 18, 2024 – Session ID: 534008
Maximizing Your Personal Wealth – March 11, 2025 – Session ID: 534020
Building Financial Know-how? – September 19, 2024 – Session ID: 534009
Wise Use of Credit – March 19, 2025 – Session ID: 534022
Each of these workshops will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. via WebEx.
These trainings are being provided by Regions Bank.
Learn practical, day-to-day financial fundamentals designed to help the user embrace their future.
Effectively Navigating Your escWeb Shoebox
February 21, 2025
Session ID: 533912 (Zoom)
This workshop is designed for employees who have no knowledge of how to use their Shoebox (escWorks) or just for those who may need a refresher on how to cancel a registration or how to consolidate Shoebox accounts from past employers. Learn why it is important to modify an existing Shoebox account, rather than create a new one and why Shoebox accounts should ALWAYS list your work email address as the primary email. Information on these topics, as well as hands-on demonstrations on how to register for training sessions, how and when to cancel a registration, how to retrieve a record of trainings attended, how to locate relevant training information (i.e., description, trainers, and zoom link), and how to update your escWeb Shoebox account settings, will be covered.
SNAP Employment & Training (E & T) Program Coordinators’ Training
Session ID: 533621
April 9, 2025
SNAP E & T Coordinators are required to attend this refresher training to obtain updates on the SNAP E
& T program’s policies and procedures. During this training, coordinators will have an opportunity to
share and learn best practices on recruitment and retention, case management, building relationships
with community-based organizations, and other helpful tips and guidance that will help coordinators be
more successful in their role. Additionally, coordinators will be able to address concerns with DHS
regarding issues with scholarships, reimbursements, and the SNAP Works data management system.
Using (and Navigating the Pitfalls of) Digital Tools (Zoom)
February 26, 2025
Session ID: 548319
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Digital literacy means knowing how to use the available tools and navigating the pitfalls as well. Join us to learn some hands-on strategies for using digital tools to improve reading fluency and to write collaboratively online. Also, find out how adult learners think critically about what’s in their news feeds, protect their children from too much screen time, and deploy apps for health, for learning, and at work. Teachers will leave with ready-to-use materials from The Change Agent that support standards-aligned reading and writing skills (e.g., citing evidence from the text, reading from multiple sources, and using digital tools to present content). In addition, teachers will see how these strategies align with key elements of the BRIDGES Digital Resilience Toolkit. Students will be engaged by peer-written articles – supporting them to see themselves as agents of their own learning and as writers and critical thinkers.
Mastering Your PD Path: Reviewing the Canvas Course Registration Process
February 14, 2025
9:00 am – 10:00 a.m. Session ID: 548008 (Zoom)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Session ID: 548009 (Zoom)
This informative webinar is designed to guide new and current adult education teachers through the registration process for three essential professional development online courses: Canvas Basics, Growing with Canvas, and Distance Learning Certification. Participants will receive a step-by-step overview of how to enroll in these courses through escWorks and how to access the courses in the Canvas Learning Management System. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for a refresher, this session will provide all the information you need to navigate the registration process and make the most of these professional development opportunities. Join us to streamline your journey toward mastering Canvas and distance learning techniques!
Leveraging AI in Adult Education (AALRC)
Session ID: 544748
February 27, 2025
This full-day professional development session will equip educators with tools to integrate generative AI into teaching. This training is split into two parts. Part 1 introduces AI fundamentals, ethical considerations, and hands-on activities for designing AI-assisted learning assessments. Part 2 focuses on applying instructional strategies with AI, covering prompt writing, lesson design, and using AI to enhance feedback. By the end, participants will have a toolbox of AI-enhanced instructional strategies and a personalized action plan for implementation in their educational settings.
Applying TSTM Principles in all Levels of Learning from ESL to ABE (AALRC)
March 6, 2025
Session ID: 542546
This Teaching Skills that Matter (TSTM) training will be an introduction for some and a continuation for others. The purpose is to support adult education teachers in all classrooms using standard principles relevant to all levels of adult education. The TSTM in Adult Education project trains teachers to integrate the skills that matter to adult students using approaches that work across critical topics. Using the project’s tools and resources (Toolkit Index – divides the resources into appropriate NRS levels), adult education teachers will learn techniques on how to teach the transferable skills students need in these critical contexts.
Career Pathways for Adult Learners (AALRC)
October 2, 2024 Session ID: 533805
March 5, 2025 Session ID: 533806
This training will explore career pathways to facilitate adult learners’ transition from adult education to post-secondary education or employment. Through interactive activities, career coaches and instructors will be equipped with knowledge on tools, resources, and supportive services available to assist adult learners in taking sequential steps towards entering or advancing within a specific career cluster. Additionally, participants will learn about industry-recognized credentials, essential workplace readiness skills, and valuable soft skills adult learners need, to successfully transition into different career pathways.
*Learning Disabilities: Foundations (Self-Paced/Online):
*Learning Disabilities: Foundations (Self-Paced/Online):
Session ID: 532444 September 12, 2024
Session ID: 532450 October 15, 2024
Session ID: 532451 November 20, 2024
Session ID: 532452 December 20, 2024
Session ID: 533626 January 22, 2025
Session ID: 533628 February 12, 2025
Session ID: 533630 April 9, 2025
[*Please note: Registration is open now, but participants will not be able to begin the course until the start (opening) date.]
This course will cover the basics of learning disabilities as it relates to the adult education population. It will also cover researched based practices. Participants will be required to complete modules online and submit evidence through a provided Google document. The course must be completed by the closing deadline or participants will have to register for the next available course.
Canvas Basics and Growing with Canvas (Online / self-paced)
Canvas Basics 525897
Growing with Canvas 524097
These self-paced/online workshops have been offered quarterly since July 1, 2023. Participants may contact Ashan Hampton (Ashan.Hampton@arkansas.gov), state Distance Learning Liaison, if you have questions or issues logging into the Canvas courses.
Career Services Provider (CSP) Course
CSP Application link
As part of the 2024 – 2027 Request for Proposal (RFP), each adult education and literacy council provider must have a Career Coach or a Career Service Provider (CSP) on staff to assist students in transitioning into the workplace and post-secondary education or training.
Online Learning
Advance Iet
|
The ADVANCE IET project provides new training opportunities and resources to assist state adult education offices, professional development providers, and local program staff in enhancing and expanding IET programs for adult education participants. |
Growing with Canvas
Self-Paced/Online –
524097
The course emphasizes how to use a combination of the Canvas Guides, including the Video Guides, and Adult Education content; to familiarize users with the nine modules of content.
Canvas Basics
Self-Paced/Online –
525897
The course focuses on teaching the fundamentals of using Canvas; the state’s official Learning Management System (LMS) for Adult Education.
Learning Disability (LD): Applications
In this LD: Applications course, Ms. Wendy Bryant, the Disabilities and Online Learning Coordinator for the Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center, discusses disabilities that adult educators may meet and the legal requirements that adult education centers are required to meet concerning adult learners with disabilities. Ms. Bryant also shares applications, websites, and other resources for adult educators to use when providing accommodations for their adult learners.
Providing WOW Customer Service in Adult Education
According to Ms. LaTasha Dale-Warren, College and Career Coach for the state Adult Education Division, providing the best opportunities for adult learners begins with making connections and treating those adult learners with respect and professionalism. In this course, Ms. Dale-Warren discusses approaches and things to consider when helping adult learners from the smallest gestures to the big moves that could make all the difference.
