AEA Learning Online

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Big Update Coming this Friday for Teacher Training System

Our AEA PD Online Training System is getting a major overhaul this Friday, August 1. The site will be unavailable most of the day for the update.

There will be many changes involved, as our system moves away from being a "Training" system, towards being a complete "Learning" system for teachers. In addition to our self-paced courses, we will be adding more professional learning opportunities.

The New Features of Importance:

• Our system features new steps towards building a portfolio. In addition to records of completion when a participant takes a training module, they can now upload their own artifacts and align them to the Iowa Teaching Standards and Criteria. These can be displayed privately or publicly. In time, other features like attendance at workshops or participation in online communities will be able to be a part of this portfolio space.

• The workflow for local districts to create/upload their own trainings is much improved. Local districts will be able to upload PDFs, PPTs, or ePubs for their staff, and then track their completion of the trainings. If districts are interested in offering credit for their staff to complete a sequence of these trainings (a la a Self-Paced Course), we can help them get started.

• We will release two new Self-Paced Courses: 1) Google Apps 101 and 2) the Exceptional Learner. A 3rd self-paced course (Ethics for Educators) will be released later in August. This joins the Digital Citizenship and Using Iowa AEA Online Resources courses already on our system. A reminder that Self-Paced Courses can be started at any time and completed at any pace, and are available for 1 license renewal credit.

• In conjunction with the new Self-Paced Courses, we are offering several trainings that can be taken individually:
    - Google Apps: Intro & Organizational Tools
    - Google Apps: Drive & Productivity Tools
    - Google Apps: Sites & Website Building Tools
    - Introduction to Exceptional Learner
    - Talented and Gifted Students
    - Introduction to Students with Disabilities
    - Students with Physical Disabilities
    - Students with Intellectual Disabilities & Emotional Disabilities
    - Students with Specific Learning Disabilities
    - Students with Autism
    - Other Types of Exceptionality

• The layout of the website has changed to be more mobile friendly. We will have tutorials both on the site and on our YouTube channel.

• We will be introducing the concept of a Library. Similar to the Training Module area, this will be a separate area where Districts, AEAs, or the state can upload files for teachers to download. Unlike the training modules, when a user downloads a resource from the library, the system only tracks that it was downloaded… there isn’t a “record of completion”.

• There will be an enhanced set of admin functions and features, including reports, notifications, assigning modules, and more.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Blended Learning

Below is the slideshare for our Blended Learning presentation at Keystone TIC:

Blended Learning in Your Classroom from Evan Abbey

Keystone TIC Sessions

We are presenting at the Keystone TIC conference! Come check out our booth, or attend one of our sessions:

• Blended Learning - 10:15 Tuesday in Salon A
Description: Schools across Iowa are transforming their classroom by blending online and face-to-face learning. In this session we will give an overview of the basic features of blended learning and demonstrate several blended classes from Iowa teachers.

• Moodle in Your Classroom - 10:00 Wednesday in Meeting Room 6
Description: This session will demonstrate the AEA K-12 Online Moodle learning management system (LMS), which is available for free to all Iowa teachers. By the end of the session, participants will have their very own course-space, and access to the statewide e-curriculum. For experienced Moodle users, we will also demonstrate the new features on the Moodle system.

• Personalized Learning and the New Student Learning System - 1:15 Wednesday in Salon C
Description: AEA PD Online is debuting its first-of-its-kind student personalized learning system this fall. This system allows schools to create a variety of online, personalized learning opportunities for students, accessing the statewide catalog of content, assessments, and performance tasks. Participants attending this session will come away with access and the knowledge on how to set up their own personalized learning opportunities for students.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Examining Series of Courses Start June 11

One week from today, a large set of Candice Benjamin and Frank Ogden's "Examining" online courses start. There is still room in the courses, so be sure to check them out!

Those familiar with AEA PD Online will recognize Candice and Frank. They are pioneers in the area of online professional development in Iowa, having created online courses for over 7 years. They also have been offering courses through AEA PD Online since our inception in May of 2011.

The series of courses have a well-built pattern that makes them a favorite of teachers. Indeed, many teachers have liked their initial online learning experience so much that they then take the rest of the series!

Each course examines a hot topic in education, and supplements extensive participant discussion with a book from a leading researcher. Courses are typically 3 credit hours (though some are smaller).

For more information on Candice and Frank, check out their website. To register for the courses, click on the links below (all start June 11th!):

• Examining: Bullying from Both Sides
• Examining: Engaging Troubling Students -- A Constructivist Approach
• Examining: Fierce Teaching
• Examining: How the Special Needs Brain Learns
• Examining: Overcoming Dyslexia
• Examining: Secrets of the Teenage Brain
• Examining: Words to Life -- Robust Vocabulary Instruction

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Self-Paced Courses are here!

Today is the day! AEA PD Online introduces its first two Self-Paced Courses: Digital Citizenship and Using Iowa AEA Online's Resources.

You can start these courses any time you would like. There is no need to wait for the next section.

And you can proceed at any pace you would like as well. Want to finish it all right away in a weekend? You can! Or want to come back to it as you have time throughout your summer? You can do that as well.

Each course has several self-paced modules on different topics, as well as different cumulative activities to explore your learning. And each course is available for one license renewal credit for a low price of $60.

See our online training system for details on how to register!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Learn How to Give Better Presentations with Presentation Zen

Does this seem familiar?

Both teachers in the classroom and administrators during faculty or parent meetings have used Power Point increasingly over the past decade. Even with new tools like Presi at our disposal, you probably are finding yourself either sitting through or giving yourself some pretty lousy presentations.

It's not the tool that is the issue, however. It is how you are using it.

AEA PD Online is offering our online course in Presentation Zen, the guidelines put forth by Garr Reynolds on what makes an effective presentation. The 1-credit course helps participants look at the planning, design, and delivery phases of a presentation, and is available for license renewal or graduate credit.

We have three sections of the course available this summer for teachers. Click on the links below to go to the appropriate registration page:

• June 11 - July 1
• July 9 - July 29
• July 30 - Aug 19

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Learn How To Flip Your Classroom!

AEA PD Online instructor & Grundy Center teacher/tech coordinator Bob Munson is at it again! He is offering an online course for teachers on the cutting edge of instruction.

Have you heard about Flipped Learning, the instructional model that blends online instruction into your face-to-face classroom? What's more, have you thought it sounds promising, but seemed to hard for you to learn? This course is for you.

Flipped Learning shifts direct instruction outside of the classroom to the online environment, opening up time in-class to be better utilized. Check out the video below from science teacher Aaron Sams as he showcases how it works in his classroom.

The course is coming up quick, but it isn't too late to sign up. It starts May 26 and goes through June 30, available for 2 license renewal or graduate credits. To register for the class, click here.

Looking for another option? Check out our popular MOLLIE: Blended Learning course! The MOLLIE (More Online Learning for Iowa Educators) series helps teachers with the process of blending your classroom instruction, and flipped learning is one of the focal points. There is a section that starts June 11.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

AEA PD Online Launches Self-Paced Courses in June

AEA PD Online’s self-paced courses are designed for educators who want to start and complete a course on their own schedule. Self-paced courses are available for license renewal, sub authorization, and paraeducator renewal at $60/credit.

Digital Citizenship

1 credit

Available June 1

A six module series focused on instructing teachers how to build responsible digital technology use with students

• Overview to Digital Citizenship

• Cyberbullying & Online Safety

• Digital Literacy

• Netiquette

• Copyright and Fair Use

• Digital Security

Using Iowa AEA Online’s Resources

1 credit

Available June 1

An overview to integrating multimedia resources into your classroom

• Introduction to Iowa AEA Online

• Using Video in the Classroom

• Using Audio and Images in the Classroom

• Using Resources for Student Research

• Copyright and Fair use

Additional Self-Paced Courses Coming in July and August

Exceptional Learner

Google Apps 101

Ethics for Educators

Upcoming Courses June 15-July 31, 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.

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.

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.

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.”

Course Dates: June 2-June 27, 2014

Credit(s): 1

Pinterest in the Classroom

Leverage Pinterest to improve classroom practice and ultimately student learning.

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.

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.

Course Dates: June 4-June 24, 2014

Credit(s): 1

Intro to Google Apps (Hybrid-includes a one-day face-to-face session)

Examine how to use Google Apps in the 21st century classroom to enhance collaboration, creativity, and communication.

Course Dates: June 5-Aug. 3, 2014

Credits: 2

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.

Course Dates: June 9-August 2, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Intro to Google Apps

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

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.

Course Dates: June 9-August 3, 2014

Credit(s): 2

iPods & iPads for the Classroom

Incorporate iPods and iPads into classroom instruction.

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.

Course Dates: June 9-July 25, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Elements: Collaboration in the Digital Classroom

Find and use online collaborative tools to use with students.

Dates: June 11-Aug. 8, 2014

Credit(s): 2

Examining: Bullying From Both Sides

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