Iowa Dept. of Education transitions from EdInfo System to EdPortal after Dec. 31

As was stated in the Iowa Department of Education's December School Leader Update, all applications currently available at www.edinfo.state.ia.us will be available only though the new Iowa Department of Education Portal after December 31, 2012. EdInfo users with an A&A (Authentication and Authorization) account will be migrated to the portal and will retain access to the same applications as currently available to them. In order to migrate users, the e-mail address on the A&A account must match the email address on a user's EdInfo account. For more information about creating an A&A account or verifying email addresses on the two systems, click here.

Preparations for the August 2013 Online Training

Here are some tips and tricks for districts to consider when planning their online trainings for their employees in 2013-2014.

1. Encourage employees to take trainings earlier. If your district sends out a welcome-back to school letter in July to employees, encourage them then to take the trainings. July is a down time for usage of the server.

2. If you are having staff complete the training in August, avoid the heavy usage dates. To the right, you can see our projected usage chart for next August, the darker the color, the heavier the usage.

3. Avoid having your entire staff take the training at once. While this practice might be very convenient for the planning of pre-service days, it also greatly enhances your chances of hitting the cap, meaning some will be logged into the site and some will not. Plus, all the individuals from your school accessing the same training could impact your own district bandwidth, slowing down the experience as well.

4. Target district inservice days. Waiting until your first early-out can save a lot of frustration for your teachers.

SoftChalk: A Tool Brought to you by AEA PD Online

What is SoftChalk?
SoftChalk is an instructor tool provided free to educators through Iowa’s AEAs. It is teaching software that allows users to create engaging, interactive lessons for online instruction.

See a SoftChalk Example!

All about Hurricanes

How to I get started?
1. Go to http://moodle.aeapdonline.org/course/view.php?id=167
2. Log into the Moodle server. If you do not have a Moodle account, create one.
3. Enter the enrollment key: lbscsfsc1.
4. When you are in the Moodle course, click on the first link, “To begin, click here for download and installation” and read the instructions to download.
5. When prompted, enter the license name and license key. The license name and key are located with the download and installation instructions.

Find helpful “SoftChalk in Minutes” tutorials at the link below.
SoftChalk Video Tutorials

Upcoming Online Course Offerings (January 1-February 15, 2013)

Check out the list of online professional learning opportunities below. To register, click on the activity numbers listed with each course. To conduct your own search for professional development classes, click here to go to the AEA PD Online catalog.

Presentation Zen: Improving Your Approach to Presentations
Want to deliver better presentations? Take Presentation Zen.
Register at 22012399991301
Course Dates: Jan. 6-27, 2013
Credit(s): 1

Collaborative Online Writing in Math (Free Tools)
Use blogs, wikis, google docs and more to enhance student learning in the math classroom.
Register at 22012299991301
Course Dates: Jan. 7-Feb. 18, 2013
Credit(s): 3

iEvaluate: Administrators
Learn about the critical elements of the administrator evaluation system in Iowa.
Register at 22000199991302
Course Dates: Jan. 7-Mar. 1, 2013
Credit(s): 2 (Renewal only)

OLLIE: Online Assessment, Feedback, and Evaluation
Online assessment, feedback, and evaluation is different than face-to-face. Learn methods to use with students in an online course.
Register at 22009899991303
Course Dates: Jan. 9-Feb. 12, 2013
Credit(s): 2

OLLIE: Technology for Online Instruction
This course will help teachers become “Moodle-savvy ”.
Register at 22005399991303
Course Dates: Jan. 9-Feb. 12, 2013
Credit(s): 2

iEvaluate: Teachers
Learn the critical elements of the teacher evaluation system in Iowa.
Register at 22000299991307
Course Dates: Jan. 14-Feb. 22, 2013
Credit(s): 2 (Renewal only)

iPods & iPads for the Classroom
Discover how to implement Apple's iPods & iPads into your classroom.
Register at 22004199991306
Course Dates: Jan. 14-Feb. 10, 2013
Credit(s): 2


Leading Authentic Place-Based Student Investigations: Water
Develop a place-based water investigation.
Register at 22012699991301
Course Dates: Jan. 14-Apr. 20, 2013
Credit(s): 2 (Renewal only)

Using Iowa AEA Online Databases in Our Face to Face, Blended, and Online
Find ways to integrate Iowa AEA’s Online Databases into instruction.
Register at 22012199991301
Course Dates: Jan. 14-Feb. 28, 2013
Credit(s): 2

Using the iPad in the Science Classroom
Explore resources to support the use of iPads in the science classroom.
Register at 22013199991301
Course Dates: Jan. 14-Feb. 18, 2013
Credit(s): 2

Read and Learn Spanish
Increase your ability to understand, read, and speak Spanish.
Register at 22007199991301
Course Dates: Jan. 15-Feb. 26, 2013
Credit(s): 2

The Chinese American Experience
Explore Chinese American culture, roles in US history, and contributions to the United States.
Register at 22003899991301
Course Dates: Jan. 16-Feb. 27, 2013
Credit(s): 1

Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources
Weave Iowa Core concepts into lessons about local natural resources.
Register at 22007499991302
Course Dates: Jan. 21-May 5, 2013
Credit(s): 3 (Renewal only)

Examining: 7 Keys to Comprehension
Improve students' reading comprehension.
Register at 22007099991302
Course Dates: Jan. 25-May 3, 2013
Credit(s): 3

Examining Bullying From Both Sides
Learn about the emotional needs of bullied children and the one who bullies.
Register at 22002099991302
Course Dates: Jan. 25-May 3, 2013
Credit(s): 3

Examining: How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed Ability Classes
Discover how to meet the needs of all students.
Register at 22003499991302
Course Dates: Jan. 25-May 3, 2013
Credit(s): 3

Examining: It Takes a Village: Building School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Investigate different types of parent involvement in schools and discuss their benefits and challenges.
Register at 22013299991301
Course Dates: Jan. 25-May 3, 2013
Credit(s): 3

Examining: Literacy & Learning in the Content Areas
Support content area literacy at the middle/high school level.
Register at 22012999991301
Course Dates: Jan. 25-May 3, 2013
Credit(s): 3

Examining: Managing Noncompliance and Defiance in the Classroom
Address misbehavior and disruptive classroom conduct.
Register at 22002999991302
Course Dates: Jan. 25-May 3, 2013
Credit(s): 3

Examining: Overcoming Dyslexia
Find out how to help students with dyslexia.
Register at 22003399991302
Course Dates: Jan. 25- May 3, 2013
Credit(s): 3

Examining: Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction
Help students improve their vocabulary by using practical strategies that are research-based.
Register at 22004899991302
Course Dates: Jan. 25-May 3, 2013
Credit(s): 3

iEvaluate: Teachers
Learn the critical elements of the teacher evaluation system in Iowa.
Register at 22000299991308
Course Dates: Jan. 27-Mar. 8, 2013
Credit(s): 2 (Renewal Credit Only)

Introduction to Google Apps
Transform classroom experiences with Google Apps.
Register at 22007899991308
Course Dates: Jan. 28-Mar. 3, 2013
Credit(s): 2

iEvaluate Teachers
Learn the critical elements of the teacher evaluation system in Iowa.
Register at 22000299991309
Course Dates: Feb. 4-Mar. 15, 2013
Credit(s): 2 (Renewal Credit Only)

iPods & iPads for the Classroom
Learn to implement Apple's iPods & iPads into your classroom.
Register at 22004199991307
Course Dates: Feb. 11-Mar. 10, 2013
Credit(s): 2

Using Iowa AEA Online Databases in the Language Arts Classroom
Integrate Iowa AEA’s Online Databases into language arts instruction.
Register at 22006599991301
Course Dates: Feb. 11-Mar. 25, 2012
Credit(s): 2

Google Sites
Learn to use Google Sites in the classroom to enhance collaboration, creativity, and student communication.
Register at 22012899991301
Course Dates: Feb. 14-April 14, 2013
Credit(s): 2

External Partner Webinars

Upcoming Webinar:
Improving Student Learning One Teacher at a Time: Updating a Lesson Plan: Part 1 of 4
ASCD
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Register Here!
Madeline Hunter transformed teaching with the lesson plan schema she created to make every teacher a Master Teacher.  Using new research on learning, Jane E. Pollock, co-author of ASCD best seller, Classroom Instruction that Works, updated the schema with the nine high yield strategies, calling it GANAG.  Learn to update your schema to create lessons to improve student achievement and growth.  If you are a principal, learn to use GANAG for walk-throughs and observations.

On-Demand Past Event
In case you missed it, check out this informative webinar.

What Works in Flipped Classrooms
Education Week
Watch it here!

The dissemination of information from external organizations by AEA PD Online does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.