Making Adult Ed Data More Meaningful and Actionable

Session 1: 10:30am-12:00pm (Friday March 06, 2026)

 

Description

Have you ever wished you could do more with Excel, merge data from multiple sources, create conditional columns, or build formulas that actually answer your questions, but weren’t sure where to start? Many educators and program leaders know what they want their data to do, but not how to get there efficiently or sustainably. This presentation explores how Excel’s built-in Power Query tool, paired with intentional use of AI tools like ChatGPT, can support practical, just-in-time learning for real workplace problems. Participants will see how to use targeted prompts to turn ChatGPT into a “teacher” that helps explain concepts, troubleshoot errors, and scaffold skills based on specific goals. Using real examples from Twin Rivers Adult School, this session will demonstrate how Power Query has been used to merge data from multiple systems, clean and standardize information, and automate reports that previously required time-consuming manual work.

Presenters

Lead Presenter Bio Photo

Crystal James

Twin Rivers Adult School

Crystal James is an adult education leader at Twin Rivers Adult School, where she serves as the ESL Department Chair and EL Civics Coordinator. She teaches Digital Literacy and ESL and enjoys taking on projects that streamline processes and make data more accessible. Crystal is passionate about practical systems and techniques that help educators learn as they go and work smarter, not harder.

Type of Presentation

Demonstration (90 minute)

Audience

  • Teachers
  • Administrators
  • Support Staff (Transition Specialists, Counselors, Librarians, etc.)

Program Strands

  • Adult Basic Education
  • Adult Secondary Education
  • Adults with Disabilities
  • English as a Second Language
  • Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship
  • Short-term Career Technical Education
  • Workforce Preparation

Category Strands

  • Digital Learning Models
  • Online Engagement and Assessment
  • Program Administration and Coordination