Hello, 

My name is Nathan Syverson.  I work for Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Basic Education on the tech team.  I support MPS ABE and consortium partners in the use of the state MABE database, which we use for NRS reporting.  I also do some tech support.

Here are some of the ways I use technology to communicate with and train staff:

1. An email listserv (http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3Alistserv):  Despite the miracle of blogs and wikis, and web 2.0, I find one of the most effective tools to communicate with a large group is good ol' fashion email.  he listserv I use comes as a part of Google Groups.
2. Video screencasts:  Many times I have to create instructions on how to do things.  I can create a long detailed email, or I can just show them with a "screencast"  -- A video of my screen with my voice.  These are simple to do using Jing.  The free version creates 5-minute flash movies.  The 14.95/year subscription version includes other features including removing the time limit.  Another more robust option that might be in your price range is Camtasia.  I have found the extra options of adding text, and recording my face worth the extra investment.
3. Google docs helps me collaborate on creating documents with other staff members.  I can then publish the document as a web page on the internet at the click of a button.  It's the perfect way to distribute instructions for an internet- or computer-based lesson. 

Other ways we use technology to aid and improve instruction:

1. Minneapolis ABE is perhaps the only ABE program that maintains network login accounts for students.  That way students can customize their desktops and save documents, and have access to those from any computer in our school.  It also helps with students who need additional accessibility aids.  You can set up high contrast low resolution screen settings and the voice-over screen reader for students with visual impairments, and flashing screen alerts for the hearing impaired, and those settings follow them from computer to computer.
2. Many teachers use digital cameras for story telling.
3. Document cameras, laptops and screen projectors have replaced overheads in some areas.
4. We have re-vamped our Online Activity List (which Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt helped create) in order to make links editable and searchable, so more staff con contribute activities they create or find.  This will help staff more easily find resources on line to aid in classroom instruction.