Connecting People, Practices, and Policies: Evaluation of the Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN).

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101

Sacramento County Office of Education, CA.

Access to Information; Adult Education; Adult Educators; Adult Learning; Computer Literacy; Computer Uses in Education; Cooperative Planning; Delivery Systems; Educational Technology; Financial Support; Information Dissemination; Information Networks; Linking Agents; Online Systems; Outreach Programs; Professional Development; Program Effectiveness; Program Evaluation; Questionnaires; Statewide Planning; Surveys; Systems Approach; Technical Assistance; Technological Advancement; Training; World Wide Web

By establishing its Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) in 1989, California became the first state to spend substantial funds on building a technological infrastructure for adult education. OTAN's goals are as follows: foster communication among state officials, researchers, and local administrators, instructors, and staff in adult education; facilitate access to library and other information about adult education policies and practices; and provide technical assistance in introducing the use of technology to adult educators. OTAN's history may be divided into the following periods: (1) building the foundation (1989-1994); (2) building a communication and information system (1994-1997); and (3) enhancing the system (1997-1999). OTAN's staff has provided training and technical assistance to enable its subscribers to feel comfortable using technology and to become facile in accessing OTAN's various services and materials. To reach a variety of adult education programs throughout California, OTAN's staff has provided on-site training in regional resource centers and local programs. Work is under way to enhance OTAN's roles as a platform for furthering the use of technology and as a gateway to adult education resources worldwide. Copies of the OTAN user and nonuser surveys and seven graphics depicting use of an OTAN Web site are appended.(Contains 12 tables/figures and 10 references.) (MN)

2003

ED467527