AEA PD Online's Most Popular Trainings

Have you found yourself recently sitting in an office waiting for your appointment or in your car waiting for your son or daughter's practice to finish? 

If so, why not use that time to complete one of AEA PD Online's trainings. AEA PD Online has hundreds of statewide and district trainings that educators can access via their computer or mobile devices. 

Our most popular trainings include: 

• Blood borne Pathogens Training 
• Mandatory Reporter: Child and Dependent Abuse 
• Right to Know Training 
• Overview of State Requirements Regarding Seclusion and Restraint: Chapter 103 
• Asbestos Awareness Training 
• Lockout/Tagout Training 
• Medication Administration in Schools
•  Ethics for Iowa Educators 
• Bullying Prevention
• Child Abuse Reporting (Non-licensure)

To access our trainings, go to https://training.aeapdonline.org and login. Our most popular trainings will appear on the front page of the "Catalog" or you can search titles and descriptions for keywords.

Google Apps Training for Students in the Student Personalized Learning System

Recently added to the Student Personalized Learning System is content that students can explore dealing with Google Apps.  This content is similar to the Google 101 training for teachers in the Teacher Training System.  Teachers, administrators and technology teachers of school districts could assign any or all of the modules to their students and can check out the content by logging into the Student Personalized Learning system using the username and password that they use for the training system where they have taken mandatory trainings (we just recently updated our servers to be more secure with passwords so you will have to reset your password in the teacher training system to get in if you have not already done so).

Once logged into the Student Learning system, click on Modules then Technology Literacy.  If you wish to use these with students or have any questions please contact Denise Krefting (dkrefting@aeapdonline.org) or Melissa Wicklund (mwicklund@aeapdonline.org).

Here are the listings of different Google Apps modules:

Google: Calendar
Google: Documents
Google: Gmail
Google: Sheets and Forms
Google: Slides
Google: Sites     

Upcoming Courses: August 1-September 15, 2016

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, click here to go to the AEA PD Online catalog.

Energy & Agriculture Applied to Next Generation Science Standards-Clay Co.
Register at 22033699991701
Course Dates: Aug. 1-Oct. 1, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Elements: Collaboration
Register at 22016799991701
Course Dates: Aug. 3-Sept. 14, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Pinterest: Using Pins, Boards, and More in Your Classroom
Register at 22022299991703
Course Dates: Aug. 3-Aug. 30, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Physical Science for Elementary Teachers
Register at 22031499991702
Course Dates: Aug. 15-Oct. 7, 2016
Credit(s): 3

The Flipped Classroom
Register at 22032699991701
Course Dates: Aug. 15-Oct. 15, 2016
Credit(s): 3

iEvaluate 1.2
Register at 22017299991702
Course Dates: Aug. 22-Oct. 14, 2016
Credit(s): 2 (renewal only)

Examining: Fierce Teaching
Register at 22018799991701
Course Dates: Aug. 31-Nov. 4, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Examining: How the Brain Learns
Register at 22017399991701
Course Dates: Aug. 31-Nov. 4, 2016
Credit(s): 3

Examining: Teaching Math to 21st Century Students
Register at 22024999991701
Course Dates: Aug. 31-Nov. 4, 2016
Credit(s): 3

Examining: Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction
Register at 22004899991701
Course Dates: Aug. 31-Nov. 4, 2016
Credit(s): 3

"Write" On Ways to Meet the ICC K-5 Writing Standards
Register at 22020299991701
Course Dates: Sept. 5-Oct. 7, 2016
Credit(s): 2

MOLLIE: Blended Learning

Register at 22015099991703
Course Dates: Sept. 7-Oct. 11, 2016
Credit(s): 2

OLLIE: Introduction to the Online Learner
Register at 22001399991703
Course Dates: Sept. 7-Sept. 28, 2016
Credit(s): 1

OLLIE: Online Assessment, Feedback, and Evaluation
Register at 22001399991703
Course Dates: Sept. 7-Oct. 11, 2016
Credit(s): 2

OLLIE: Technology for Online Instruction: MOODLE
Register at 22005399991701
Course Dates: Sept. 7-Oct. 11, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Pinterest: Using Pins, Boards, and More in Your Classroom
Register at 22022299991705
Course Dates: Sept. 7-Oct. 4, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Using Blended Learning/Technology to Teach Comprehensive Musicianship
Register at 22033599991701
Course Dates: Sept. 7-Oct. 12, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Google Sites
Register at 22012899991702
Course Dates: Sept. 11-Nov. 6, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Intro to Google Apps: Tools to Integrate
Register at 22014599991702
Course Dates: Sept. 11-Nov. 6, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Five Time-Saving Strategies for the Flipped Classroom

From the article on Five Time-Saving Strategies for the Flipped Classroom

" Quoting Dr. Richard Swenson’s work, Hyatt defines a margin as “the space between our load and our limits. It is the amount allowed beyond that which is needed. . . . Margin is the gap between rest and exhaustion. . . . Margin is the opposite of overload...... the idea of creating margins also applies to the flipped classroom. I often hear comments like “The flipped classroom takes too much time,” “I don’t have time to devise so many new teaching strategies,” “It takes too much time to record and edit videos,” “I don’t have time to cover everything on the syllabus,” or “I don’t have time to redesign all of my courses.” I also hear “I tried to flip my class, but it was exhausting; so I quit.”
If these comments sound familiar, it might be helpful to create margins in your flipped classroom. Here are five recommendations for building margins into a flipped learning experience that will be successful for you and your students:"

Read the entire article here.

Training System Update

AEA PD Online finished its annual update to the training system last Friday.  We have several important updates in this email.

• Click here for an update instruction sheet (.docx) for staff taking trainings.
• Click here for the updated System Admin tutorial, which includes updated features listed in this e-mail.

Password Resets

The most important change of note is that we are adding a layer of encryption for extra security.  This means that you will be unable to look up employee passwords (though you can still change them).  And, it also means that staff will need to reset their passwords the first time they log in.

There are 3 options to do this:

1. An employee can click on "forgot your password?" and ask the system to reset it.  This will send an email to the employee with a link back to the site, where she can reset the password.  She can use the same password she has always used.
2. If an employee doesn't receive the email (Hotmail and AOL accounts are notorious for this), she can contact the district contact or the AEA to reset a password manually.
3. A district contact can reset everyone's password within a district to the same one.  This is a temporary password, and employees can then change it once they log in.  This does not reset system admin passwords.  If you feel this option would be best for your district employees, please contact support@aeapdonline.org for details on how to reset the passwords.

New Catalog Display

Because our catalog is growing rapidly (over 150 trainings as of this date), we are updating our catalog.  Now, the catalog displays our most popular trainings, our self-paced courses, and any district/favorited trainings.

Employees can search our catalog for additional trainings.  After the initial search, they can filter their results by topic area, intended audience, or training type.

Additional Features

There are several other new features for developers.  This includes a streamlined ability to make modules and upload files, as well as the ability to make credentials for employees that can display within the new onsite portfolio.  Our Developers Tutorial will be found here once we are finished updating it.

In addition, we are working with some piloting districts on the new portfolio.  Users will have the ability to upload artifacts, add in text, and identify credentials from the site they want to display, and connect each to an Iowa Teaching Standard.  This portfolio is only visible to the individual user and those with administrative privileges.  We will be adding more in later newsletters.

And finally, we will be launching our help-ticket system.  This will allow users to ask for assistance by submitting a ticket, thus allowing multiple support people (including the district support personnel) the opportunity to assist.  We will showcase this in the next update.

Reminder: Whitelist Your Email Server

With the password encryption, it is more important than ever that your district is allowing email from our system through.  There are still a handful of districts blocking email from our server.

Make sure that you are receiving emails from the system.  If you are not receiving emails from the password recovery, talk to your district technology staff to see if they are blocking email from our site.  If so, they will need to "whitelist" the following: 

• aea11.org
• keriomail.aea11.org (should be covered by above)
• aeapdonline.org
• heartlandaea.org

Additionally, they need to “whitelist” email coming from _www@swtrainingprod.localas an email address.  If they are unsure of the process or want to check with us to see if the email is making it through, please contact support@aeapdonline.org

Blended Learning Cohort

AEA PD Online in conjunction with several AEAs  are offering Blending/Flipping cohorts.  These cohorts consist of 4 courses that teachers and administrators can take through out a 1 1/2 year period.  The first course is a three day face-to-face training on "Blending/Flipping your classroom 1" for one license renewal credit.  The second course is a fully online course "Blending/Flipping 2- Blended Instruction" as well as an elementary option for two credits (license renewal and graduate) which is available to those who have completed the first course.  The third in the series is "Blending/Flipping Your Classroom 3: Designing Online Lessons" which will take place as a blended model with two days face-to-face and the rest online for those who have completed the first two courses. This course is also two credits (license renewal and graduate).  Finally the fourth in this series is "Blending/Flipping 4: Assessment "which will take place as a blended model with two days face-to-face and the rest online and is also 2 credits (license renewal and graduate) for those who have taken the three other courses.  The last three courses in the series (six credits) can also be applied to the Drake Online Teacher certification for those that are interested.

Below is the listing of the courses currently being offered at different places. If you are interested in signing up for the first course (3 days) you can click on the provided links or contact the Instructional Technology Consultants at those AEAs:

Great Prairie AEA July 12-14 Please contact Lisa Jacobs for more information
Great Prairie AEA Sept 8, Sept 29 and Oct 27 Please contact Lisa Jacobs for more information
Heartland AEA Sept 27, Oct 6 and Nov 8 please contact Lynn McCartney or Deb Vail for more information
Mississippi Bend AEA August 2-4 please contact Robert Reppert for more information
Keystone AEA August- please contact Jarod Borman or Melissa Wicklund for more information

The 3 R's of Summer-Part 3

 

 

Relax, Refresh, Rejuvenate!

Rejuvenate verb:

1. 

   make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.

   
   

   "a bid to rejuvenate the town center"

   
   

   synonyms:

   revive, revitalize, regenerate, breathe new life into, revivify, re-energize, reanimate, resuscitate, refresh, reawaken, put new life into; More informalgive a shot in the arm to, pep up, buck up "the short nap rejuvenated me"

   • restore (a river or stream) to a condition characteristic of a younger landscape.

Rejuvenate--what do you do that makes you feel younger, fresher, or more lively?

During the school year there is a long list of stressors. Summer is the time to take that stress away.

What can you do for yourself everyday? For some it may be sleeping an extra hour or reading 30 minutes a day--whatever it is, find time and make yourself do it.

What can you do for yourself once a week?  Perhaps it is as simple as going for coffee with a friend. Whatever it is, find time and make yourself do it.

What is one thing can you do for for a complete retreat or respite? Try not to let your summer fill up with too many volunteer jobs or other duties for others. Make time for yourself, even away from family, it you need to do to get some respite.

As the saying goes, just do it.
Small steps for a big reward--the feeling that you and your body have been rejuvenated.

What is on your rejuvenation to-do list? Go!

Peggy Steinbronn, Ed.D.