Happy Thanksgiving!

We just wanted to take a minute this week to thank you for participating in AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online activities.


Thanks to you, we've grown so much this year!


We have

• Offered new online professional development courses
• Added to our catalog of online trainings
• Hosted a series of live and recorded events around current education topics
• Created communities of practice in the Agora

None of this would be possible without the help of connected educators like you.
Thank you for being a part of our community!

Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and happy holiday.

AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online

For more updates and new information about AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online services and products read our blog at aeapdonline.org or aeak12online.org or follow us on twitter @aeapdonline.

Moodle Updates: Introducing the "Awesome" Bar

On November 8, AEA PD Online updated the look of its Moodle Server by adding the “Awesome Bar”. Many of the menus that used to be found on the right side of a course page in Moodle are now located in the bar across the top. This new format allows more course content to be visible in the browser and lessens the need for users to scroll from right to left on a page. To learn more about the “Awesome Bar”, view the video below.

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Tool of the Month: Are you "Kahoot"-ing?

Kahoot is a free, online, game-based classroom response system that teachers can use to ask students questions and receive immediate responses from their students. Students love it because it is learner-centric, centered around game-based pedagogy, and social. Teachers love it because it allows them to formatively assess their students, quickly analyze the data, and adapt their instruction. 

To find out more view the video below.

 Here is how you can get started "Kahoot"-ing.

Upcoming Courses

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.

Introduction to Google Apps: Tools to Integrate

Learn ways to use Google Apps and and create a 21st century classroom environment.

Register at 22014599991401

Course Dates: Dec. 2, 2013-Jan. 7, 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 22015099991403

Course Dates: Dec. 4, 2013-Jan. 7, 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 22017999991402

Course Dates: Dec. 4, 2013-Jan. 7, 2014

Credit(s):  2

OLLIE: Online Facilitation

Learn about the differences between online and face-to-face instruction and online facilitation strategies that will increase student learning.

Register at 22009699991402

Course Dates: Dec. 4, 2014-Jan. 7, 2014

Credit(s):  2

Developing Student-Directed Learning

Design instruction that moves from teacher-directed to student directed learning.

Register at 22010499991402

Course Dates: Dec. 11, 2013-Jan. 21, 2014

Credit(s):  3 (Renewal Only)

Design Thinking for Creativity and Art

Engage in a five stage design thinking process to build units of study on creative thinking. (Blended Course)

Register at 22018999991401

Course Dates: Dec. 11, 2013-April 23, 2014

Credit(s):  1

Blueprint for Common Core Foundational Skills

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 22016699991403

Course Dates: Jan. 6-Mar. 2, 2014

Credit(s):  2

Using IPads in the Math Classroom

Discover ways to leverage the power of the iPad and math apps to increase communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity in the classroom.

Register at 22014199991401

Course Dates: Jan. 6-Feb. 3, 2014

Credit(s):  2

Moving Past the Textbook: Teaching U.S. History Thematically

Push past the boundaries of the history textbook and discover ways to make American history meaningful to students.

Register at 22017099991402

Course Dates: Jan. 7-Feb. 10, 2014

Credit(s):  2 (Renewal Only)

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 22015099991403

Course Dates: Jan. 8-Feb. 11, 2014

Credit(s):  2

OLLIE: Online Assessment, Feedback, and Evaluation

Online assessment, feedback, and evaluation is different than face-to-face. Learn methods to use with students in an online course.

Register at 22009899991402

Course Dates: Jan. 8-Feb. 11, 2014

Credit(s):  2

OLLIE: Technology for Online Instruction: Moodle

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

Register at 22005399991402

Course Dates: Jan. 8-Feb. 11, 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 22019399991401

Course Dates: Jan. 13-Feb. 7, 2014

Credit(s):  1

Inquiry through the School Library

Learn how to stimulate inquiry based learning by implementing the information problem solving model in your classroom.

Register at 22007799991401

Course Dates: Jan. 13-May 9, 2014

Credit(s):  1

AEA PD Online: LIVE!

Upcoming Events

Core Skills Mastery-Decision Makers and Teachers Leaders

November 19, 2013

2:00-3:00

To access this webinar go to www.webex.com, click "Attend a Meeting" , and enter  190 671 135

Core Skills Mastery-Classroom Teachers

December 3, 2013

2:30-3:30

To access this webinar go to www.webex.com, click "Attend a Meeting", and enter 190 578 557

Core Skills Mastery is online e-curriculum available for schools free of charge.  This webinar will help teachers and leaders understand how the program works and how to get started.

Unleash Technology with Atomic Learning

November 21, 2013

3:30-4:30

Reserve your seat at the webinar at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/463080010

Did you know that the state of Iowa provides access to Atomic Learning? Have you explored all of the resources yourself? This 20 minute session will help you learn more about the key features of Atomic Learning for professional development, how-to training, and classroom tech integration. This session will cover:

-  How to access just in time training

-  An overview of professional development tools

-  Resources to integrate today’s technology into your curriculum with one easy search

Learn how our resources can assist with all curriculum areas at each grade level, and share with you tools to enhance and build your classroom into a 21st century-rich learning environment.

Going Mobile in the Classroom

December 18, 2013

3:30-4:00

Reserve your seat at the webinar at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/199440370

Do you have a BYOD or 1-1 initiative that has begun or is already in full swing?  Are you looking for resources for energizing the classroom in using mobile devices?  Attend this 20 minute webinar to see how the resources in Atomic Learning can help you effectively use mobile devices in your classroom!

Archived Events

Introduction to Standards Based Grading

Adam Vorrie, a social studies teacher at Northeast Hamilton Schools, shares his work with applying Standards Based Grading to his social studies curricula.

Part I

Part II

Veterans Day Assembly

At Dallas Center-Grimes High School, Veteran Skip Boysen shares his experiences coming home from both the Vietnam and Gulf wars.

External Partners

From Concept to Scale: Growing Blended Learning in a Large High School

Tuesday, November 19

4:00 – 5:00 PM ET

Webinar Room: http://go.edc.org/nov19webinar

Presenters: Jim Hardman, Crown Point (IN) Schools, Chris Rapp, Evergreen Education Group, and Kirsten Peterson, EdTech Leaders Online

Are you challenged with scaling a blended learning program in a large high school or across your entire district? After a period of planning, Crown Point High School (Indiana) now has all freshman (600+) and a pilot group of sophomores engaged in blended learning across all their core courses. Join in a discussion with school leaders about all aspects of this growing blended program including strategic planning, content acquisition, teacher professional development, technology, and evaluation.

Core Skills Mastery Webinar

Join us for a webinar introducing Core Skills Mastery (CSM), a new free web-based course for college and career readiness.  CSM digs deep into math and literacy skills while also building strong problem-solving and thinking skills and fostering independent learning strategies and academic habits of mind such as persistence, carefulness, self-reliance, and confidence. CSM uses formative assessment to provide highly differentiated instruction and provides teachers with new kinds of data to allow them to be more strategic in their classrooms.  CSM adapts to each student, and can be used in grades 8-12 as a stand-alone college prep or problem-solving class, a math elective, or as a supplement in other classes such as algebra.  Participate in the webinar to learn more about CSM’s innovative curriculum, instruction, and Teacher Toolkit, and how you can use CSM in your school.

Dates and Times

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2-3 p.m.
To access this webinar go to www.webex.com, click "Attend a Meeting" , and enter  190 671 135
Intended Audience: District decision makers & teacher leaders

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

To access this webinar go to www.webex.com, click "Attend a Meeting", and enter 190 578 557
Intended Audience: Classroom teachers

Thursday, Dec. 12, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
To access this webinar go to www.webex.com, click "Attend a Meeting", and enter191 085 728 or call (415)655-0001 and enter 191 085 728.


If you experience technical problems please call (303)862-7233.

More information can be found at: https://www.csmlearn.com/CSM/CSM.php?requestID=b2c065d33d4384f944665239d9cf387f91a49358.

AEA PD Online Updates to Moodle 2.5

In early September AEA PD Online updated its server to Moodle 2.5. With the update came some delightful improvements. The video below highlights the image “Drag and Drop” feature.

Want to be highlighted in an upcoming blog post? Create a screencast of your favorite Moodle 2.5 update, post it on youtube, and post the link in the comments.

AEA PD Online is looking forward to featuring your favorite Moodle 2.5 update in a future post.

AEA PD Online Training System

Level One Investigator Training

Level One Investigator training has a new home.  It has been moved from the Moodle server to the online training system (http://training.aeapdonline.org). This new system will be more efficient at producing records of completion and certificates.  

Training Description: Level One Investigator training provides educators with guidance about the differences between a school employee's mandatory reporting responsibilities and the procedures for investigating allegations of abuse of students by school employees. It includes detailed explanations and examples about the roles and responsibilities of school authorities and level one investigators. This training also provides participants with sample policies that school boards are encouraged to review when determining their own policies regarding the handling of allegations of abuse of students by school employees.

Intended Audience:  This training is intended for school employees who serve as the level one investigator for their district.

Upcoming Courses

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 AEAPD Online app at myapp.is/aeapdonline or click here to go to the AEA PD Online catalog.

Blueprint for Common Core Foundational Skills

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 22016699991403

Course Dates: Nov. 3-Jan. 5, 2014

Credit(s):  2

Glogster: Project-based Learning with Multimedia

Discover how help students create and use interactive posters (glogs) that combine text, images, sound, video clips, graphics, and hyperlinks.

Register at 22009099991402

Course Dates: Nov. 4-Nov. 24, 2013

Credit(s):  1

Introduction to Preparing and Teaching in a 1:1 Environment

Gain insight and ideas on how to transition to a 1:1 environment.

Register at 22018499991401

Course Dates: Nov. 4-Dec.8, 2013

Credit(s):  2

Photoshop Elements: Digital Imaging in the Classroom

Find practical ideas about how to use digital cameras, scanners, and images from the web to enhance student learning.

Register at 22000499991402

Course Dates: Nov. 4-Nov. 24, 2013

Credit(s):  1

Introduction to Google Apps

Harness the power of Google Apps and create learning environments that support collaboration.

Register at 22007899991406

Course Dates: Nov. 11-Dec. 15, 2013

Credit(s):  2

Latino Lit

Discover how Latino literature can give you and your students some inside perspectives on the world of Latino culture in the United States.

Register at 22006399991401

Course Dates: Nov. 13-Dec. 29, 2013

Credit(s): 1 (Renewal Only)

iPods and iPads for the Classroom

Learn to implement Apple's iPods & iPads into your classroom.

Register at 22004199991405

Course Dates: Nov. 18-Dec. 15, 2013

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 22015099991403

Course Dates: Dec. 4-Jan. 7, 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 22017999991402

Course Dates: Dec. 4-Jan. 7, 2014

Credit(s):  2

OLLIE: Online Facilitation

Learn about the differences between online and face-to-face instruction and online facilitation strategies that will increase student learning.

Register at 22009699991402

Course Dates: Dec. 4-Jan. 7, 2014

Credit(s):  2

iEvaluate

Learn the critical elements of the teacher evaluation system in Iowa.

Register at 22017299991404

Course Dates: Dec. 6-Jan. 31, 2014

Credit(s):  2 (Relicensure)

Developing Student-Directed Learning

Design instruction that moves from teacher-directed to student directed learning.

Register at 22010499991402

Course Dates: Dec. 10-Jan. 21, 2014

Credit(s):  2 

External Partners

Making Learning Connected (#clmooc) Tweet Chat

October 17, 2013

7:00-8:00 p.m.

More information here.

The 1:1 Connected Classroom Webinar

October 22, 2013

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Brought to you by: EdTechTeacher

More information here.

How do you bring together best practices with effective technology? Where do you begin? How do you move forward and what is the final destination? Come join the conversation.

Creative Classroom Activities: eLearning Webinar

October 22, 2013

4:00-4:30 p.m.

Brought to you by: Adobe

More information here.

This week's guided tour of the Adobe Education Exchange highlights two projects that utilize eLearning tools to extend the classroom beyond the school walls. About the Series: Creative Classroom Activities: Highlights from the Adobe Education Exchange. Adobe Education is pleased to announce a new e-seminar series for teachers who want to re-create their classrooms. Join us weekly for a guided tour of some of the very best activities, lesson plans, and resources on the Adobe Education Exchange. Each week, you’ll meet two of the world’s most creative educators and learn how they use Adobe tools to unleash student creativity. Each thirty-minute session will equip you with new ideas you can use immediately in your teaching practice.

Creating Communities of Online Learners and Enhancing Online Course Content with Social Media

October 23, 2013

2:00-3:00 p.m.

Brought to you by EdTech Leaders Online

More information here.

During this interactive webinar, Dr. Alexiou-Ray will discuss strategies to help infuse online courses with social media tools such as Twitter, blogging, Facebook, and Edmodo. She will also explore what laws govern people of all ages and their use of social media and how learning the legalities behind the use of social media with students can create opportunities for teachers to discuss netiquette and other important “digital life lessons” with students.

Middle East in Transition: Peace and Conflict Video Conference

October 24, 2013

10:00-11:30 p.m.

Brought to you by: TakingITGlobal and The Centre for Global Education

More information here.

This two part event on October 24th and 31st will explore how we think about the choice between violence and non-violence, both in terms of how we remember the history of these movements and in the current context of transition in the Middle East. Students will explore their personal and moral responses to violence, and how they view the difference between terrorism and self-defense, or between appropriate and inappropriate violence. Students will explore the balance of violence and nonviolence involved in key historical transitions in order to better understand current resistance movements across the Middle East

Connected Administrators Webinar

October 29, 2013

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Brought to you by EdTechTeacher

More information here.

Come join Tom Daccord, Carl Hooker, and Patrick Larkin as they address strategies for administrators to build connected learning environments in their schools and districts.

#gamemooc tweetchat

October 30, 2013

8:00-9:00 p.m.

Brought to you by Games MOOC

More information here.

This a 60 minute tweetchat using the hashtag #gamemooc. The topic of this week's tweetchat is Makers, Hackers and Gamers: Learners and 21st Century Pedagogy. We'll be looking at the online learning trends and even pedagogy coming out the Maker, Hacker and Gamer communities. BYOD and actively engage in a lively discussion of trends from the Maker Movement, Hack-a-thons as learning projects and the Gamer Disposition. Our tweetchat format is the following: We start by asking you to introduce yourself and your associations and affiliations. We do a quick vocabulary quiz over twitter to make sure everyone is familiar with the terms we are using. Then we do 4-5 questions on the topic. If this is your first time doing a tweetchat, you may want to use a tweet aggregater like twubs at www.twubs.com.

AEA PD Online Training System

Did you know that AEA PD Online offers online trainings to school districts across the state? As of the summer 2013 AEA PD Online:

• Offers over 30 mobile-friendly, training courses (with 10 more planned for the 2013-2014 school year)
• Has served over half a million completed training courses
• Has over 100,000 individual users from across Iowa

These trainings are completely asynchronous with self-assessing quizzes. Upon completing a training users can print a certificate of completion.

A complete catalog of online trainings can be found here.