Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Security Concerns

Security.jpg
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


Screen Shot 2014-04-14 at 4.32.44 PM.png

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.