Upcoming Courses: June 1-July 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.

Advancing Minds: Collaborative Teaching - Making it Work
Register at 22031699991701
Course Dates: June 1-Aug. 5, 2016 Credit(s): 3

Advancing Minds: Helping Our Students with Behavioral Challenges
Register at 22029799991701
Course Dates: June 1-Aug. 5, 2016
Credit(s): 3

Agriculture and Technology take STEM & NGSS Beyond the Classroom - Creston
Register at 22035099991701
Course Dates: June 1-Aug. 10, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Agriculture helps meet Next Generation Science Standards - Fremont Co.
Register at 22033899991701
Course Dates: June 1-Aug. 1, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Pinterest: Using Pins, Boards, and More in Your Classroom
Register at 22022299991701
Course Dates: June 1-June 28, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Presentation Zen: Moving Beyond Power Point
Register at 22031399991701
Course Dates: June 1-June 28, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Methods of Teaching Elementary Fine Arts
Register at 22027899991701
Course Dates: June 5-June 26, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Building ELA Foundational Skills - The Voweletics Method
Register at 22016699991701
Course Dates: June 6-July 31, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Creatively Thinking with MinecraftEdu
Register at 22026399991701
Course Dates: June 6-Aug. 12, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Google Sites for the Classroom
Register at 22025199991701
Course Dates: June 6-June 30, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Integrating the Chromebook and Apps in the Content Area
Register at 22032399991701
Course Dates: June 6-July 11, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Physical Science for Elementary Teachers
Register at 22031499991701
Course Dates: June 6-July 29, 2016
Credit(s): 3

Reading in the Content Areas
Register at 22022499991701
Course Dates: June 6-July 15, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Teaching in a 1 to 1 Environment
Register at 22035299991701
Course Dates: June 6-July 8, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Teaching Music Today: The 21st Century Music Educator
Register at 22033499991701
Course Dates: June 6-July 15, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Advancing STEM learning with the LaunchPAD Children's Museum & Ag - Siouxland  
Register at 22034499991701
Course Dates: June 8-Aug. 15, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Creating Self-Motivated Learners
Register at 22034999991701
Course Dates: June 8-June 30, 2016
Credit(s): 1

MOLLIE: Blended Learning
Register at 22015099991701
Course Dates: June 8-July 12, 2016 
Credit(s): 2

MOLLIE: Designing Online Lessons, Including SoftChalk
Register at 22017999991701
Course Dates: June 8-July 12, 2016
Credit(s): 2

OLLIE: Introduction to the Online Learner
Register at 22001399991701
Course Dates: June 8-June 28, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Doing More with Google Drive - Classroom Application
Register at 22029499991701
Course Dates: June 12-Aug. 7, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Google Sites
Register at 22012899991701
Course Dates: June 12-Aug. 7, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Integrate Technology with 8 simple tools
Register at 22021899991701
Course Dates: June 12-July 10, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Intro to Google Apps: Tools to Integrate
Register at 22014599991701
Course Dates: June 12-Aug. 7, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Introduction to Google Apps
Register at 22007899991701
Course Dates: June 13-July 17, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Supporting Technology Literacy in Elementary Classrooms with Scratch Programming
Register at 22024299991701
Course Dates: June 13-July 18, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Build a Strong STEM Classroom Using Agriculture - Jasper Co.
Register at 22034399991701
Course Dates: June 14-Aug. 14, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Glogster: Project-Based Learning with Multimedia
Register at 22009099991701
Course Dates: June 20-July 31, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Google in the Classroom
Register at 22028899991701
Course Dates: June 20-July 31, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Intro to Google Classroom
Register at 22033399991702
Course Dates: June 20-July 10, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Photoshop Elements: Digital Imaging in the Classroom
Register at 22000499991701
Course Dates: June 20-July 10, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Developing Student-Directed Learning
Register at 22010499991701
Course Dates: June 22-July 22, 2016
Credit(s): 3 (License Renewal Only)

World Languages on the Go
Register at 22015399991701
Course Dates: June 23-July 21, 2016
Credit(s): 1 (License Renewal Only)

Effective Formative Assessment Using Tech Tools
Register at 22030699991701
Course Dates: June 26-July 23, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Total Participation Techniques
Register at 22020199991701
Course Dates: June 27-July 28, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Applying Next Generation Science Standards through Agriculture - Mahaska Co.
Register at 22033299991701
Course Dates: June 29-Aug. 31, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Learning Central Asia: Beyond the Headlines
Register at 22010199991701
Course Dates: June 29-July 27, 2016
Credit(s): 1 (License Renewal Only)

Agriculture to Teach NGSS in an Engaging Way - Siouxland (July)
Register at 22035199991701
Course Dates: July 1-Sept. 15, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Increasing Student Collaboration By Going Paperless
Register at 22033799991701
Course Dates: July 1-Sept. 1, 2016
Credit(s): 3

iPods & iPads for the Classroom
Register at 22004199991701
Course Dates: July 4-July 31, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Spanish for Educators Online
Register at 22000799991701
Course Dates: July 5-Aug. 16, 2016
Credit(s): 3

App Smashing: Using Universal Constructs to Benefit the 21st Century Learner
Register at 22035499991701
Course Dates: July 6-Aug. 17, 2016
Credit(s): 2

OLLIE: Introduction to the Online Learner
Register at 22001399991702
Course Dates: July 6-Aug. 2, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Personalized Learning: Helping Your Students Take Charge of their Learning
Register at 22027099991701
Course Dates: July 6-July 26, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Pinterest: Using Pins, Boards, and More in Your Classroom
Register at 22022299991702
Course Dates: July 6-Aug. 2, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Using Blended Learning/Technology to Teach Comprehensive Musicianship
Register at 22033599991701
Course Dates: July 6-Aug. 3, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Advancing Minds: How to Thrive as Teacher Leader
Register at 22035399991701
Course Dates: July 7-Sept. 5, 2016
Credit(s): 3

Google in the Classroom
Register at 22028899991702
Course Dates: July 8-Aug. 18, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Integrate Technology with 8 simple tools
Register at 22021899991702
Course Dates: July 10-Aug. 7, 2016
Credit(s): 2

How Do You Teach Reading-Speaking the Language of The Book Whisperer
Register at 22019399991702
Course Dates: July 11-Aug. 5, 2016
Credit(s): 1

iMovie: Digital Video in the Classroom
Register at 22000399991701
Course Dates: July 11-July 31, 2016
Credit(s): 1

MovieMaker: Digital Video in the Classroom
Register at 22000699991701
Course Dates: July 11-July 31, 2016
Credit(s): 1

Reverse Instruction - Flip Your Classroom
Register at 22014699991701
Course Dates: July 11-Aug. 12, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Using Iowa AEA Online Databases in the Science Classroom
Register at 22009299991701
Course Dates: July 12-Aug. 29, 2016
Credit(s): 3

Building Social Studies Literacy
Register at 22017199991701
Course Dates: July 12-Aug. 15, 2016
Credit(s): 2 (License Renewal Only)

MOLLIE: Blended Learning in the Elementary
Register at 22031899991701
Course Dates: July 13-Aug. 16, 2016
Credit(s): 2

OLLIE: Online Facilitation
Register at 22009699991701
Course Dates: July 13-Aug. 16, 2016
Credit(s): 2

Mesoamerica: Visions and Voices Part I: Mexico: A Land of Contrasts
Register at 22006299991701
Course Dates: July 14-Aug. 11, 2016
Credit(s):1 (License Renewal Only)

Iowa Core Fraction Domain for Grades 3-5
Register at 22023299991701
Course Dates: July 15-Sept. 5, 2016
Credit(s): 2

New Frontiers in Blended Learning

You may be interested in reading more about Blended Learning.  Here is the beginning excerpt:

The definition of blended learning continues to shift as technology opens up new possibilities and teachers embrace new instructional models. Lauren Quient, innovation manager for KIPP LA, says, “Teachers have always wanted students to have a personalized learning experience, and now technology has evolved to the point where that’s possible.” In districts large and small, the growing consensus seems to be that we’re at the frontier of a new age for teachers and learners. Here are some of their stories....

Read More and check out the author's additional tips http://www.techlearning.com/resources/0003/new-frontiers-in-blended-learning/69928

What’s in your stash (book stash, that is)?

The stash of books I want to read keeps growing and growing. In fact, I probably have enough in my pile to last several months past summer—which is a good thing.

Some of the books I want to read are just for my own pleasure-reading. They help me “rest” and escape from the flurry of everyday work. The others are to develop my own personal skills in being a better educator. So which do I start with—professional or personal? Maybe mix it up a bit.

Why read at all? What does reading do for you? What are the benefits of reading everyday?

For one, it keeps your brain active. It provides mental stimulation. Studies have shown that staying mentally active can slow the progress of Alzheimer’s and Dementia—and it may possibly help prevent them. The brain, just like any other muscle in your body, needs regular exercise to keep it strong and healthy.

Reading also provides some stress relief and may even lower your blood pressure.  A novel can transport you to a different “world”, distract you from the present, and allow you to relax. Reading also gives you new knowledge and that is always handy. The more you read the more you will expand your vocabulary. Reading to stay current with local and global issues will help you to be a better communicator when talking with colleagues and friends–.

In the last Friday Feature(April 29) I started a list of books on my “To read in the summer”. 

Here are five more I have added to that list:

Visible Learning for Teachers: maximizing impact on learning by John Hattie

“Recognizing what makes a difference enables reflection on how to do more that makes a positive difference. Reading this book should make obvious the swathes of time-consuming tasks that make no (or worse, negative) impact, making them easy to remove. It is fabulously well-researched.”

               

        Mary Bousted, general secretary, Association of Teachers and Lecturers

The Smartest Kids in the World: and how they got that way by Amanda Ripley

“Amanda Ripley follows three American teenagers who each chose to spend one school year living and learning in a different country: Finland, South Korea and Poland. Through their adventures, Ripley discovers startling truths about how attitudes, parenting and rigorous teaching have revolutionized these countries’ education results. Ripley’s astonishing insights reveal how kids learn to think for themselves, and that persistence and resilience matter more to our children’s life chances than self-esteem or sports.”

Andreas Schleicher, director for the Directorate of Education and Skills, OECD

Outliers: the story of success by Malcolm Gladwell

“This is a must-read for teaching staff. Gladwell explores why some people achieve so much more than others, and puts forward the theory that none of us is naturally talented. Rather, we become good at things by working away, for 10,000 hours, at whatever it is we want to excel in.”

Helen Fraser, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST)

Reading Without Nonsense by Frank Smith

“As a literacy teacher for 40 years, Frank Smith continues to be the theorist who most informs my work with children. In this refreshing book, Smith rightly characterizes much reading instruction as ‘ritual and nonsense’, starting with an overreliance on systematic phonics in both the UK and US. Instead, he urges teachers to understand what skilled readers actually do and what the beginning reader is trying to do.”

Nancie Atwell, author, teacher, winner of the inaugural Global Teacher Prize and founder of the Center for Teaching and Learning

I Am Malala: the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb

“I suggest keeping a copy to hand and letting it inspire you on the days when the disadvantage that follows some children to school seems impossible to overcome, and when it all seems too hard. A book to remind us that education is precious, sought-after and fought for.”

Julia Gillard, chair of the board of directors, Global Partnership for Education

 Here is a link to another list of books for professional development that you may want to consider putting on your own summer reading list: Summer Reading List for Educators

Try this for fun:  

Go to the website: What should I read next 

Type in the title or author of a book you like.
The site will analyze their huge database of real readers' favorite books to provide book recommendations and suggestions for what to read next.

You may find some great choices to add to your own reading list.

 

Have fun composing your own summer reading list--and reading from it.

Now--back to one of my books.

Peggy Steinbronn, Ed.D.

Assessment in Online Learning

EdTech Leaders Online (ETLO) provides an ongoing series of webinars on strategies for online teaching. 

Join ETLO on Tuesday, May 3 from 2 p.m. -3 p.m. Central Time for an interactive webinar led by ETLO's Lesley Reilly. This webinar will focus on the role of assessment in the design and delivery of online learning experiences.
To access ETLO's Webinar Room for the May 3 webinar:

•   Visit: http://edc.adobeconnect.com/etlo at the scheduled time.

•   Type your name in the text box and select "Enter Room". 

Pre-registration is not required for this webinar and the webinar will be recorded and posted on the ETLO Webinar Series website. 

You can review any previous ETLO webinar recordings at the ETLO Webinar Series website.

Looking Forward...

The spring flowers and trees are in full bloom—Spring is here (unless you look at the temperature). I love this time of year when all things feel new and fresh again after the dullness of winter. It also makes me look forward—to summer. Summer is supposed to be relaxing, full of outside activities, family reunions…

For some of us educators it means a break from the routines of the classroom, but not a break from learning. I always have a list of books I intend to read over the summer. Some are “professional” and some are just for pure fun and enjoyment. I think we need both types—to help rejuvenate our spirit and find ways to rejuvenate our teaching practices.

Here are some ideas for books that you may have not read yet:

The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity by George Couros ©2015

In this book teachers and administrators are encouraged to empower students “to wonder, to explore—and to become forward-thinking leaders.”

You can read more about this book (on Matt Miller’s Ditch That Textbook blog) here.

How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, by Paul Tough ©2012.

This book challenges the ideas we may have about success—that it comes to those who score highest on tests. He “argues for a very different understanding of what makes a successful child. Drawing on groundbreaking research in neuroscience, economics, and psychology, Tough shows that the qualities that matter most have less to do with IQ and more to do with character: skills like grit, curiosity, conscientiousness, and optimism.”

from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13435889-how-children-succeed

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, ©2003

“The plot, characters, themes and perspectives that are so beautifully and movingly articulated have powerful messages for all involved in education. Importantly, Haddon has said: ‘[It is] not a book about Asperger’s…if anything it’s a novel about difference, about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way.’ The novel should give all who read it important insights into their students’ perspectives on the world.”  Samanthan Twiselton, director of Sheffield Institute of Education.

The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager by Andy Cope, ©2014

“Don't you want to achieve something? Get started now. The Art of Being A Brilliant Teenager helps you figure out where you want to go, and how to get there. So, whether you're an ambitious teenager, a parent or teacher desperate to turn a down-beat teenager into a ray of positivity and delight, How to Be a Brilliant Teenager is here to help.”

from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22260683-the-art-of-being-a-brilliant-teenager

Why Do I Need a Teacher When I’ve Got Google? The essential guide to the big issues for every 21^st century teacher by Ian Gilbert, © 2014

“As wide-ranging and exhaustively-researched as it is entertaining and accessible, this book is designed to challenge teachers and inform them as well as encourage them as they strive to design a twenty-first century learning experience that really does bring the best out of all young people. After all, the future of the world may just depend on it.”

from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22640484-why-do-i-need-a-teacher-when-i-ve-got-google?from_search=true&search_version=service

That should get you started—let me know if you read any of the above books and lets get a discussion started. I will have more to add to this list in the next Friday Feature.

Peggy Steinbronn, Ed.D.

Learn and Apply: Teacher Training System and Student Personalized Learning System

There are many learning opportunities in the Teacher Training System that once you complete the learning you can find paired content to assign to students.  For example in the Teacher Training System you will see a non-credit learning opportunity as well as a credit self paced course on Digital Citizenship.  As you learn about Digital Citizenship and want to apply your knowledge with your students you could assign them content in the Student Personalized Learning System on Digital Citizenship (there are k-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 modules).  The work is already done for you!

Additional pairings between the Teacher Training System and the Student Personalized Learning system are:

• Financial Literacy
• Mathematics: Information Processing
  
• Mathematics: Networks (vertex edge graphs) Cluster (
• Mathematics: Mathematics of Voting Cluster
• Digital Citizenship

Look for more to come on STEM, Agriculture and other curricula.

Video Game Design Self-paced Modules - An Interview with Dr. Marv Howard

Good things continue to come your way on the Student Personalized Learning System!

Dr. Marv Howard, the Advanced Learning Technologist for AEA PD Online, is currently working on a mini-course for secondary students in the area of video game design.  This mini-course will consist of 5 modules instructing students on programming, game design, graphics, and storytelling.  In addition, the modules give students a brief history in the early stages of video game design from the 70s and 80s.

The student learning experience consists of students re-creating the different games.  The modules help start students with some basic code and explain how to customize and construct their own additions.

While the modules are still in development, they will be available this summer on the Personalized Learning System, free for Iowa schools to use.  The modules help illustrate the nature of the system, which focuses personalized learning on deeper, inquiry- or project-based learning where students interact both with the content and an instructor.

Below is an interview with Dr. Howard, who gives us a sneak peak of the modules:

7 Second Coach

AEA PD Online is proud to announce its partnership with 7 Second Coach.  Their quality professional development for athletic coaching is now available on our training system.  This includes a self-paced license renewal course for teachers who are athletic coaches.

For details on how to access the self-paced course, check out the video below.

Blended Learning Cohorts

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).  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. 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).  The last three courses in the series (six credits) can also be applied to the Drake Online Teacher certification for those that are interested.

Several AEAs have already scheduled these sessions: Heartland AEA, Keystone AEA, Mississippi Bend AEA, Great Prairie AEA and Green Hills AEA.   If you are interested in participating or learning more contact Denise Krefting or Melissa Wicklund at AEA PD Online or the technology consultants in those AEAs.

Thinking about Blended Learning in your Classroom?

Are you thinking about creating or enhancing the blended learning opportunities in your classroom? Learn how Clark County School District did this in the upcoming webinar from SoftChalk.  Mixing Bowl: The best ingredients for blended learning will be presented on April 19, 2016 at 11:00 am.

The Clark County School District (CCSD) set a goal of having one third of their 320,000 students in an online or blended learning environment by the 2015 year. SoftChalk was a major tool in the proverbial tech tool box that allowed us to not only meet, but exceed that goal.

Utilizing SoftChalk as a foundation, along with the Canvas Learning Management System, CCSD’s Innovative Learning Environments division has been curating a full catalog of middle school and high school courses. Schools and teachers can use this curriculum at no cost to them, in essence saving the district millions of dollars when it comes to paying outside vendors for a product that may not directly aligned directly with CCSD and Nevada State Content Standards.
Integrated components that have made this endeavor successful are SoftChalk templates based on components of an effective lesson, use of Google docs for assignments, embedded Google Slide presentation inside SoftChalk, and utilizing Subject Matter Experts as lesson idea generators and peer reviewers.  

Click this link to register. Contact AEA PD Online if you are interested in learning more about how you could use SoftChalk as a part of your blended learning efforts.

Iowa 1:1 Conference Presentation: Blending Your Professional Development

This Wednesday, the annual Iowa 1:1 conference is being held at the Iowa Events Center.  AEA PD Online will be there!  Be sure to stop by our booth to check out the new features on the Personalized Learning System and new e-curriculum offerings.  Also, if you haven't done so already, stop by and get access to your SoftChalk Cloud account (a savings of $500).

We are also leading two sessions.  At 10:15 in room 303, come find out how you can blend your professional development.  Districts across the state are looking at ways of supplementing and replacing current professional development efforts with online ones that are flexibly paced and available on that staff's terms.  This includes:

• Locally created trainings
• Human resource trainings
• Front-loaded professional development for PLC work
• Credit-bearing opportunities
• Professional development for para-educators and other support staff
• Reporting and data collection for compliance
• Train-the-trainer facilitated course options
• Online educator communities

Our slides for the presentation can be seen below (subject to updates).  Keep in mind, the slides don't tell the story of the districts who are blending their professional development for the staff.  Be sure to have someone from your team there to hear those stories first-hand!

Moving Your District's Professional Development Online from Evan Abbey

Branching Out

I can’t believe it is April already! It seems like we are moving into the “crazy” time of the school year—too much to do, too little time left. How do teachers keep on an even keel and move learning forward for students? In the world of online learning, it seems to be “crazy town” all the time. Online students think/expect their work to be evaluated instantly, the moment they submit it; think the instructor is “online” all the time and can claim “technological difficulties” as an excuse for not doing the required assignments on time. But, as an online instructor, it is still a very rewarding way to teach. Teaching online provides flexibility of when and where you teach.

So, what characteristics do online instructors need to possess in order to be successful? In my opinion, passion for what they are doing online is essential. If you like what you do, then you will do your best for the students. It does mean being online a lot—more than you ever imagined. Online teachers need a combination of technical skills, facilitation skills, and managerial skills.  It is a 24/7 learning environment and keeping up with the technology can become frustrating.

Before you decide to become an online teacher, ask yourself the following questions:

• Will I miss having face-to-face interaction with my students?
•  Do I have the computer skills necessary to teach an online course?
• Am I willing to learn new teaching strategies?
• Do I have excellent time management skills?
• Do I have a quiet place where there is a computer to work on my class work?
• Am I a good group facilitator?
• Am I willing to give prompt feedback to students who are in a 24/7 class?
• Am I willing to invest the extra time that it takes to teach an online course?

From http://marylandonline.org/coat/documents/Are_you_a_good_candidate.pdf, retrieved on March 31, 2016.

So, if you are thinking teaching online may be a good fit for you, then check out how to become an instructor for AEA PD Online. Go to our website at www.aeapdonline.org and click on the Instructor Toolbox tab. Read the AEA PD Online Instructor Handbook first. It outlines the policies and procedures for our online instructors.  And, send me an email or give me a call. I would be happy to talk with you and get you started.

   

Peggy Steinbronn, Ed.D.