Security Concerns

With all of the concern about the "Heartbleed" Internet security bug, we wanted to assure you that your information at AEA PD Online has not been affected by this bug and is secure.

In order to ensure your continued security, we recommend that you follow these simple steps and change your password(s) associated with your AEA PD Online or AEA K12 Online Moodle accounts.

1. Log in to your Moodle Account
2. Locate and scroll over “My Profile Settings”
3. Select “Change Password”
4. Enter in your current password and then type your new password in twice

Preparations for the 2014 Back-to-School Online Trainings

AEA PD Online is excited to provided educators across the state with online trainings.

A catalog that contains a description of our trainings can be found here.

Here are some tips and tricks for districts to consider when planning their online trainings for their employees in 2014-2015.

1. Encourage employees to take trainings earlier. If your district sends out a welcome-back letter in July to employees, encourage them to take the trainings at that time. 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.

Upcoming Courses: May 1-June 15, 2014

See below for a list of upcoming online professional learning opportunities. To register, click on the activity number listed with each course. To conduct your own search for professional development classes, download the AEA PD Online app at myapp.is/aeapdonline or click here to go to the AEA PD Online catalog.

iPods and iPads for the Classroom

Incorporate iPods and iPads into classroom instruction.

Register at 22004199991410

Course Dates: May 5-June 1, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Pinterest in the Classroom

Leverage Pinterest to improve classroom practice and ultimately student learning.

Register at 22019999991401

Course Dates: May 5-June 1, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Using the iPad in the Social Studies Classroom

Unleash the power of mobile learning in your social studies classroom by exploring how to use it to engage students in collaboration, critical thinking, and creative learning opportunities

Register at 22014899991402

Course Dates: May 5-June 9, 2014

Credit(s): 2

MOLLIE: Blended Learning

Discover how to blend classroom instruction so that students have the flexibility of online learning and the benefits of face-to-face instruction.

Register at 22015099991406

Course Dates: May 7-June 10, 2014

Credit(s): 2

OLLIE: Technology for Online Learning

This course will help teachers become “Moodle-savvy.”

Register at 22005399991403

Course Dates: May 7-June 10, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Improving Instrumental Instruction: IBA Conference 2014

A blended learning class that combines the face-to-face Iowa Bandmasters Conference with online reflection, reading, and research around classroom practice.

Register at 22019599991401

Course Dates: May 14-June 7, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Coaching Authorization

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to coach any sport at the middle school and high school level.

Register at 22020499991401

Course Dates: May 19-July 18, 2014

Credit(s): 4 (relicensure only)

Examining: 7 Keys to Comprehension

Improve students' reading comprehension.

Register at 22007099991405

Course Dates: May 28-July 25, 2014

Credit(s): 3

Examining: How the Brain Learns

Examine the latest brain research, how the student’s brain works, and how we can best teach to that brain.

Register at 22017399991403

Course Dates: May 28-July 25, 2014

Credit(s): 3

Examining: How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed Ability Classes

Discover how to meet the needs of all students.

Register at 22003499991403

Course Dates: May 28-July 25, 2014

Credit(s): 3

Examining: Managing Noncompliance and Defiance in the Classroom

Address misbehavior and disruptive classroom conduct.

Register at 22002999991403

Course Dates: May 28-July 25, 2014

Credit(s): 3

The Gifted Student: Fact, Fiction & Current Research

Leverage the current research on gifted and talented students to develop classrooms that reach the multifaceted needs of gifted learners.

Register at 22020799991401

Course Dates: May 28-July 25, 2014

Credit(s): 3

Differentiating through Drama (the Good Kind You Can Use in the Classroom)

Incorporate drama into your classroom and get students on their feet, working together, practicing their speaking skills, and gaining confidence.

Register at 22019899991501

Course Dates: June 2-June 27, 2014

Credit(s): 1

Google Sites

Learn to use Google Sites in the classroom to enhance collaboration, creativity, and student communication.

Register at 22012899991501

Course Dates: June 2-July 27, 2014

Credit(s): 2

How Do You Teach Reading-Speaking the Language of The Book Whisperer

Add to your toolbox of resources and ideas that will “awaken the inner reader in every child.”

Register at 22019399991501

Course Dates: June 2-June 27, 2014

Credit(s): 1

Pinterest in the Classroom

Leverage Pinterest to improve classroom practice and ultimately student learning.

Register at 22019999991501

Course Dates: June 2-June 29, 2014

Credit(s): 2

What Great Teachers Do Differently

Want to go from good to great? Study the beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes that can take your teaching to the next level.

Register at 22020399991501

Course Dates: June 2-July 11, 2014

Credit(s): 3

OLLIE: Introduction to the Online Learner

Discover what online learning is like from the student perspective.

Register at 22001399991501

Course Dates: June 4-June 24, 2014

Credit(s): 1

Building Common Core Foundational Skills - The Voweletics Method

Dig into the literacy Iowa Core Foundational Skills and find out how understanding the phonetic basis of English can help students be successful.

Register at 22016699991501

Course Dates: June 9-August 2, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Intro to Google Apps

Discover how Google Apps can improve students’ 21st century skills.

Register at 22001099991501

Course Dates: June 9-July 7, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Intro to Google Apps: Tools to Integrate

Find new ways to integrate Google Apps into your instruction.

Register at 22014599991501

Course Dates: June 9-August 3, 2014

Credit(s): 2

iPods & iPads for the Classroom

Incorporate iPods and iPads into classroom instruction.

Register at 22004199991501

Course Dates: June 9-July 6, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Strategies for Champion Teachers! Easy Tips and Tricks You Can Use Tomorrow

Load up your teacher toolbox with 49 practical, research-based instructional strategies that will set you and your students up for success.

Register at 22019299991501

Course Dates: June 9-July 25, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Examining: Bullying From Both Sides

Learn about the emotional needs of bullied children and the one who bullies.

Register at 22002099991501

Course Dates: June 11-August 8, 2014

Credit(s): 3

Examining: Engaging Troubling Students: A Constructivist Approach

Discover how to engage problematic students in the learning process and build strong, meaningful relationships with them.

Register at 22003299991501

Course Dates: June 11-August 8, 2014

Credit(s): 3

Examining: Fierce Teaching

Examine seven brain-based, core principles necessary for achieving consistent, positive learning outcomes.

Register at 22018799991501

Course Dates: June 11-August 8, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Examining: How the Special Needs Brain Learns

Help special needs students be more successful by learning specific strategies that address the functions of their brains.

Register at 22017599991501

Course Dates: June 11-August 8, 2014

Credit(s): 3

Examining: Overcoming Dyslexia

Find out how to help students with dyslexia.

Register at 22003399991501

Course Dates: June 11-August 8, 2014

Credit(s): 3

Examining: Secrets of the Teenage Brain

Examine strategies and approaches for teaching and reaching teenagers.

Register at 22019199991501

Course Dates: June 11-August 8, 2014

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 22004899991501

Course Dates: June 11-August 8, 2014

Credit(s): 3

MOLLIE: Blended Learning

Discover how to blend classroom instruction so that students have the flexibility of online learning and the benefits of face-to-face instruction.

Register at 22015099991501

Course Dates: June 11-July 15, 2014

Credit(s): 2

MOLLIE: Designing Online Lessons, Including SoftChalk

Dig deep into how to design and build text-based and spoken lessons for an online environment.

Register at 22017999991501

Course Dates: June 11-July 15, 2014

Credit(s): 2

OLLIE: Online Learning Instructional Design

Create student outcomes, assessments, and lessons that can be used in an online asynchronous format.

Register at 22002799991501

Course Dates: June 11-July 15, 2014

Credit(s): 2

External Partners

New Teacher Tool Kit: Using Web 2.0 Tools to Support Your Practice

Date: April 18, 2014

Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Register here!

Description: The first years of practice for teachers can be filled with great hope and exhilaration, as well as fatigue and anxiety. Without adequate support, new teachers often struggle through their early days, months, and years in the classroom. Beginning teachers need access to support so that they can be empowered to use strategies to help them not just survive, but also thrive in the classroom.

As school and district professional development budgets continue to be reduced, the need to provide this important support to new hires becomes more critical. With the emergence of online resources, it’s entirely possible to offer comprehensive support to new educators who are eager to learn and grow, without taxing finances. By providing free, Web 2.0 tools to new teachers, we can guide them to be more successful as they begin work to create quality 21st century learner-centered classrooms.

This webinar will present five tools that new teachers can easily use as they begin their first years of instructional focus in the classroom. We will pay particular attention to the emerging role that social media groups and global connections can play in supporting new teachers.

Whether you are a new teacher, coach, or mentor to new teachers, this webinar has something for you.

Developing Next Generation Networks to Support Personalized Learning

Date: April 22, 2014

Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Register here!

Description: New advances in technology, including mobile devices, are making it possible for students to learn anytime, anywhere and to experience personalized learning. These advances can only happen if school systems have networks in place that support the new and dynamic context of learning. CoSN’s new initiative, Smart Education Networks by Design, is designed to address the challenges facing school systems by providing school system leaders the knowledge to wisely invest in educational networks for today and tomorrow. Learn about the resources that can help district leaders develop the next generation network infrastructure necessary to support multiple mobile devices on and off campus, the delivery of digital content, and administration of online assessments.

Choosing the Right Learning Management System for Your School

Date: April 22, 2014

Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Register here!

Description: In case you didn’t know, your school needs to utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to truly be considered a 21st Century learning environment. Join Shannon Holden as he shows educators how to save time and effort by putting coursework online for students and parents to access. He also will reveal an LMS that used to be expensive that is now FREE for teachers and administrators to use!

Best of mLearnCon: Designing for Mobile Learning: A Crash Course
Date: April 23, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Register here!

During this session, experiment with online tools that can help you practice better mLearning design. Not only will you explore (conceptually) how to approach mLearning design, but you will also learn about a variety of tools that can support you in each step of an mLearning-design workflow.