For the first time, all of the AEAs are putting their online courses in one place. The result is AEA PD Online, and it is up and running, available for registration.
Educators across the state have taken advantage of online courses. Online courses fit better in busy schedules, as instructors can choose when during the day it works for them to log in. They provide a 21st century learning experience, embedded with digital resources and self-directed activity, mixed with digital collaboration with classmates. And it saves on the costs of gas!
Currently the AEAs are offering summer courses on Google Apps, project-based learning, integration of web 2.0 tools, and much more. To register for courses, check out our registration system at https://prodev.aeapdonline.org. For more information, check out our website at http://www.iowaaea.org, and click on the "AEA PD Online link."
AEA PD Online Needs Instructors
Have you been interested in delivering professional development courses and teaching online? The AEAs, through their joint initiative AEA PD Online, are looking for experienced online instructors or those that are interested in learning how. We are assisting current professional development provider with modifying their face-to-face courses for an online setting and helping new instructors develop an online course.
For more information on where to start, visit our website at http://www.iowaaea.org, click on "AEA PD Online" from the left, and then select the "Instructor Toolbox" link down below. Also, feel free to contact Evan Abbey at eabbey@aea11.k12.ia.us with your questions.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Google Apps Professional Development Online
AEA PD Online is offering summer courses in the Google Apps suite. Google Apps 101 is a course that helps teachers understand how to use Google Docs, Calendars, Mail and Sites in their classrooms. This 1-credit course is held online, and participants can log in when it fits in their schedule. To register for summer courses, please see the website at https://prodev.aeapdonline.org.
Superintendents: May HAA Agenda & Johnston Location
Download a Word Doc or PDF version of the May Heartland Administrators Association meeting agenda. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 3 from 9:00-11:50 a.m. Please remember that this month's meeting will take place in Room 13 at the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive). If you have time before or after the meeting, feel free to browse our newly relocated professional library and print center!
Curriculum Network: May Curriculum Network Meeting
May Curriculum Network Meeting will be held on Friday, May 6 at 8:30 a.m. in Rooms 13 A & B of the Johnston Regional Education Center. The featured topic for the day will be "Awareness of ebook platforms and content—it's not just Nook v. Kindle."
Breakout sessions will include IPTV Social Studies Resources, HEART Cracker Barrel Session, Crisis Plans and Dialogue: A Day in the Life of a Curriculum Coordinator. You can find the agenda by going to the following address: http://curriculumnet.pbworks.com/w/page/39524665/May-2011-Agenda
Breakout sessions will include IPTV Social Studies Resources, HEART Cracker Barrel Session, Crisis Plans and Dialogue: A Day in the Life of a Curriculum Coordinator. You can find the agenda by going to the following address: http://curriculumnet.pbworks.com/w/page/39524665/May-2011-Agenda
Curriculum Network Blog is Live!
Check out the Curriculum Network Blog at http://cnblog.aea11.k12.ia.us/. You will find updates, announcements and answers posted on the blog.
Reminder: Iowa Core Summer Institute Registration
Remember to secure your spot at the 2011 Iowa Core Summer Institute! Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog using activity numbers listed below.
Overview of Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction ($10)
June 13, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016399111201
Iowa Core Summer Institute: Teaching for Deep Understanding ($20)
June 14–15, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016299111201
Leadership Planning for Iowa Core ($10)
June 16, 2011 at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: IS016492111201
There are no credit options for these activities. A template for site-based credit will be available so that districts can customize the additional hours and assignments. Contact for Kim Thuente at kthuente@aea11.k12.ia.us for options and information.
Overview of Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction ($10)
June 13, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016399111201
Iowa Core Summer Institute: Teaching for Deep Understanding ($20)
June 14–15, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016299111201
Leadership Planning for Iowa Core ($10)
June 16, 2011 at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: IS016492111201
There are no credit options for these activities. A template for site-based credit will be available so that districts can customize the additional hours and assignments. Contact for Kim Thuente at kthuente@aea11.k12.ia.us for options and information.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Latest offerings showcased in new Professional Development blog
Remember to check out our new Professional Development blog available in the link below and on the front page of our website. The blog has the latest professional development offerings at Heartland, provides direct links to register online for featured courses and offers a chance for participants to provide feedback on courses. Please share with others!
http://pdblog.aea11.k12.ia.us/
http://pdblog.aea11.k12.ia.us/
May Edition of DE's Each and Every Child
Click here to download the second e-newsletter "Each and Every Child" brought to you by the Department of Education’s Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The e-newsletter is designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers. Please forward it to your parents, and use the stories as opportunities for discussion. If you know of someone who would like to receive this monthly e-newsletter, let the DE know by emailing Julie.carmer@iowa.gov.
FIRST Grants for the Next Generation of Iowa Engineers and Innovators
Rockwell Collins recognizes the value of forming positive relationships with students who will become the next generation of engineers and innovators. That is why they are teaming with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to increase FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams throughout Iowa and across the nation.
FIRST is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that was founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989. FIRST gives students the opportunity to develop the "muscle between the ears" and to gain experiences that will affect their future. Students who participate in FIRST use and reflect Gracious Professionalism get real-world application of STEM concepts and participate in an atmosphere that encourages team building, entrepreneurship and sportsmanship.
Funding for a limited number of FLL and FTC teams in Iowa will be available through Rockwell Collins FIRST grants. The grants place a special emphasis on teams that have not participated in the past, teams that include minority students and females and teams from schools with a high percentage of students on free and reduced lunch programs. Funding levels will vary and may include amounts to cover the cost of the robot kit, registration, field setup kit or a combination of items.
FLL teams are comprised of students in grades 4-8 and FTC is designed for high school students. Teams typically include 10 students, a coach and an engineering mentor.
Information and Rockwell Collins grant application is available at:
http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Landing/First_Grants/First_Grants.aspx
Information about FIRST programs may be found at:
www.usfirst.org
FIRST is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that was founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989. FIRST gives students the opportunity to develop the "muscle between the ears" and to gain experiences that will affect their future. Students who participate in FIRST use and reflect Gracious Professionalism get real-world application of STEM concepts and participate in an atmosphere that encourages team building, entrepreneurship and sportsmanship.
Funding for a limited number of FLL and FTC teams in Iowa will be available through Rockwell Collins FIRST grants. The grants place a special emphasis on teams that have not participated in the past, teams that include minority students and females and teams from schools with a high percentage of students on free and reduced lunch programs. Funding levels will vary and may include amounts to cover the cost of the robot kit, registration, field setup kit or a combination of items.
FLL teams are comprised of students in grades 4-8 and FTC is designed for high school students. Teams typically include 10 students, a coach and an engineering mentor.
Information and Rockwell Collins grant application is available at:
http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Landing/First_Grants/First_Grants.aspx
Information about FIRST programs may be found at:
www.usfirst.org
See you at the shore! ISPRA Conference, April 28
The Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) is an organization of public relations professionals, superintendents, principals, teachers and others interested in fostering understanding and support for education. Their annual conference is themed “Communications Shore” this year and will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the West Des Moines Learning Center.
The conference includes a presentation by Lava Row, an experienced team of digital thinkers and doers based in Des Moines. The presentation will focus on crisis communication in the age of social media and managing your online reputation by joining conversations. You do not need to be an ISPRA member to attend the conference. The conference flyer is can be found by clicking here or is also available at www.ispra.org.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The conference includes a presentation by Lava Row, an experienced team of digital thinkers and doers based in Des Moines. The presentation will focus on crisis communication in the age of social media and managing your online reputation by joining conversations. You do not need to be an ISPRA member to attend the conference. The conference flyer is can be found by clicking here or is also available at www.ispra.org.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
St Luke’s Hospital Conference to focus on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
St Luke’s Hospital’s Witwer Children's Therapy is a family-centered therapy environment specifically created for children and will be holding an autism event on August 4 and 5 in Cedar Rapids. The conference will cover such areas as nutrition therapy for autism spectrum students and floortime activities for infants and young children. Click here for a flyer for the event and please share it with interested parents, teachers and students.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Save the Date: ISLHA Convention, Oct. 6-7, 2011
The Iowa Speech-Language Hearing Association (ISHA) is pleased to announce that their 2011 Convention, “Cure for the Common Communication” will be held October 6-7 at the West Des Moines Marriott. Additional information will be posted on their website at www.isha.org as it becomes available.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Requested Action: Return I-ELDA Testing Materials by April 30
The testing window for the I-ELDA will come to a close on April 30. All testing should be completed and materials returned to Northwest AEA by the end of the month.
Follow the below mentioned guidelines when returning materials:
Materials should be sent to the following:
Attn: Teresa Angerman
Northwest AEA
1520 Morningside Avenue
Sioux City, IA 51106
A PowerPoint is available on the Northwest AEA website that includes instructions about the process described above.
Follow the below mentioned guidelines when returning materials:
- Return Listening/Speaking CDs
- Return all BAS (tested and not tested)
- BAS must be returned with a completed 2011 Iowa-ELDA BAS Return Header Form (available on the Northwest AEA website)
- Do not bend or damage BAS in any way—damaged BAS will delay the receipt of district test results
- Destroy all other test materials according to your school’s policy for secured materials (You are allowed to keep the K-2 student books and/or the 4-page standard record sheet for the student’s cumulative file)
Materials should be sent to the following:
Attn: Teresa Angerman
Northwest AEA
1520 Morningside Avenue
Sioux City, IA 51106
A PowerPoint is available on the Northwest AEA website that includes instructions about the process described above.
New Security Features for Professional Development Registration Effective April 18
Beginning next Monday, April 18, 2011, educators registering for professional development activities on the Heartland AEA website will notice some new choices and several increased security features. You will still be able to browse the professional development catalog without making any changes to your account profile, but once an activity is added to the shopping cart, a new login screen will appear. This login screen is where you will begin to create a unique passcode (password) and establish security questions and answers.
In 2010, Heartland AEA processed 28,980 professional development registrations, and most of those registrations were completed online and included payment in the form of credit card numbers or district purchase orders. In an effort to protect educators’ personal information, these new security features have been programmed into Heartland AEA’s online professional development registration system.
Instructions for New Security Features
If you have previously registered for a Heartland AEA professional development activity, please enter your first and last name and the login method that you previously used, either your Social Security number or your driver’s license number. Then enter the set-up passcode, eduCation2010. Now click the LOG IN button. You will be taken to a screen where you will create your unique passcode and choose from several security questions. Once you have selected and answered the two security questions, click on CONTINUE. The new screen will allow you to update your account records. You will have the option of including three possible login identification numbers: Social Security number, driver’s license number or Iowa BOEE folder number. In the future, you will be able to log in with any of the numbers you have provided along with your unique passcode.
If you have never registered before for a Heartland AEA professional development activity, please enter your first and last name and the login method that you prefer to use. Then enter the set-up passcode, eduCation2010. Now click the CREATE NEW ACCOUNT button. You will be taken to a screen where you will create your unique passcode and choose from several security questions. Once you have selected and answered the two security questions, click on CONTINUE. The new screen will allow you to set up an account. You will have the option of including three possible login identification numbers: Social Security number, driver’s license number or Iowa BOEE folder number. In the future, you will be able to log in with any of the numbers you have provided along with your unique passcode.
If you forget your passcode, there is a button on the login page that you can click. An e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address on record with instruction on how to reset your passcode. Heartland’s Professional Development secretaries will not be able to tell you your passcode if you forget it; they will only be able to reset it to eduCation2010 after you provide them with the answers to your security questions. You will then be able to create a new passcode.
Transcript Changes
Another improvement that begins on April 18 focuses on transcripts that participants receive after successfully completing a course. Currently, 3 copies of a transcript, listing a single course, are sent to participants after grades are entered. Thus, if a participant takes 4 courses he or she will receive 12 pages of transcripts. The new system will send 1 transcript that lists all of the courses successfully completed in the prior 5 years. It is our hope that this will make recordkeeping and renewing educator licenses a much easier process. Course participants will still be able to request a transcript (2 copies) with their complete course history for $10.
If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the Professional Development Department at profdev@aea11.k12.ia.us (800) 255-0405 ext. 14701.
In 2010, Heartland AEA processed 28,980 professional development registrations, and most of those registrations were completed online and included payment in the form of credit card numbers or district purchase orders. In an effort to protect educators’ personal information, these new security features have been programmed into Heartland AEA’s online professional development registration system.
Instructions for New Security Features
If you have previously registered for a Heartland AEA professional development activity, please enter your first and last name and the login method that you previously used, either your Social Security number or your driver’s license number. Then enter the set-up passcode, eduCation2010. Now click the LOG IN button. You will be taken to a screen where you will create your unique passcode and choose from several security questions. Once you have selected and answered the two security questions, click on CONTINUE. The new screen will allow you to update your account records. You will have the option of including three possible login identification numbers: Social Security number, driver’s license number or Iowa BOEE folder number. In the future, you will be able to log in with any of the numbers you have provided along with your unique passcode.
If you have never registered before for a Heartland AEA professional development activity, please enter your first and last name and the login method that you prefer to use. Then enter the set-up passcode, eduCation2010. Now click the CREATE NEW ACCOUNT button. You will be taken to a screen where you will create your unique passcode and choose from several security questions. Once you have selected and answered the two security questions, click on CONTINUE. The new screen will allow you to set up an account. You will have the option of including three possible login identification numbers: Social Security number, driver’s license number or Iowa BOEE folder number. In the future, you will be able to log in with any of the numbers you have provided along with your unique passcode.
If you forget your passcode, there is a button on the login page that you can click. An e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address on record with instruction on how to reset your passcode. Heartland’s Professional Development secretaries will not be able to tell you your passcode if you forget it; they will only be able to reset it to eduCation2010 after you provide them with the answers to your security questions. You will then be able to create a new passcode.
Transcript Changes
Another improvement that begins on April 18 focuses on transcripts that participants receive after successfully completing a course. Currently, 3 copies of a transcript, listing a single course, are sent to participants after grades are entered. Thus, if a participant takes 4 courses he or she will receive 12 pages of transcripts. The new system will send 1 transcript that lists all of the courses successfully completed in the prior 5 years. It is our hope that this will make recordkeeping and renewing educator licenses a much easier process. Course participants will still be able to request a transcript (2 copies) with their complete course history for $10.
If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the Professional Development Department at profdev@aea11.k12.ia.us (800) 255-0405 ext. 14701.
Changes to Earning Graduate Credit through Drake University
Due to recently updated federal guidelines, some requirements for Drake credit will change effective July 1, 2011. Heartland AEA 11 will continue to offer license renewal credit (LR) as before and Drake graduate credit for courses meeting the guidelines. However, if a participant seeks to use the graduate credit towards a master’s degree program, they must earn EDMA credit (new opportunity). As always, educators are encouraged to check with their university to determine what (if any) courses can be applied to a master’s program. Click here to download a grid that highlights the guidelines.
Also effective July 1, 2011, Drake University will no longer offer graduate credit for conferences, workshops or clinics. License renewal credits may still be earned if the conference, workshop or clinic meets the requirements.
If you have questions about these changes and new guidelines, please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14379.
Also effective July 1, 2011, Drake University will no longer offer graduate credit for conferences, workshops or clinics. License renewal credits may still be earned if the conference, workshop or clinic meets the requirements.
If you have questions about these changes and new guidelines, please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14379.
Additional Spring HEART Training
We have scheduled several additional HEART classes specifically to help with schools that will have a change in leadership, schools that are in need to train a backup HEART administrator and those that would like a refresher. The class will cover using the HEART achievement and behavior reports, as well as all of the tools and tricks needed to manage security, cleanup and entering data into HEART.
Space is limited, so if interested please register for the class that fits your schedule:
April 21 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111107
https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/AS003792111107INV*
May 9 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111108
https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/AS003792111108INV*
May 12 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111109
https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/AS003792111109INV*
Each class covers the same content as previous HEART Overview for Administrators classes. All classes will be held in the Computer Lab at the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive).
If you have questions about HEART, contact Connor Hood at chood@aea11.k12.ia.us or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14506.
Space is limited, so if interested please register for the class that fits your schedule:
April 21 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111107
https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/AS003792111107INV*
May 9 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111108
https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/AS003792111108INV*
May 12 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111109
https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/AS003792111109INV*
Each class covers the same content as previous HEART Overview for Administrators classes. All classes will be held in the Computer Lab at the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive).
If you have questions about HEART, contact Connor Hood at chood@aea11.k12.ia.us or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14506.
Iowa Culture and Language Conference, Nov. 8-9
As you schedule next year’s professional development activities, consider the Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC) on November 8-9, 2011, as an excellent way of providing all teachers with timely, research-based information on serving ELLs in your districts.
Janette Klingner is scheduled to do an all day pre-conference session November 7, on IDM (RTI) and ESL. Other pre-conference (full-day) presenters include Margarita Calderon, Jane Hill & Anne Lundquist, and Soccoro Herrera. More information will be available soon.
The main conference on November 8-9 will provide an opportunity to attend sessions with an abundance of well-known experts in the ESL field. Margo Gottlieb, an expert in assessment who co-authored the TESOL standards, will be presenting on assessment, standards and core curriculum. Catherine Collier, a well-known and referenced expert in the SPED/ESL arena will also be presenting.
Many other experts are scheduled to present at ICLC; the complete list will be posted on the Northwest AEA website soon.
Janette Klingner is scheduled to do an all day pre-conference session November 7, on IDM (RTI) and ESL. Other pre-conference (full-day) presenters include Margarita Calderon, Jane Hill & Anne Lundquist, and Soccoro Herrera. More information will be available soon.
The main conference on November 8-9 will provide an opportunity to attend sessions with an abundance of well-known experts in the ESL field. Margo Gottlieb, an expert in assessment who co-authored the TESOL standards, will be presenting on assessment, standards and core curriculum. Catherine Collier, a well-known and referenced expert in the SPED/ESL arena will also be presenting.
Many other experts are scheduled to present at ICLC; the complete list will be posted on the Northwest AEA website soon.
Our Kids Summer Institute for working with ELL students
The 2011 Our Kids Summer Institute will be held June 23 and 24 and will provide participants with the opportunity to network with other educational professionals and to discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa.
Cadre 2 Power Up administrators and teachers teams will receive a stipend from William Penn University and all other participants will receive a $125 stipend from the Iowa Department of Education. In order to receive a stipend, you must attend both full days and sign-in.
Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog using activity number ES006232311201.
Cadre 2 Power Up administrators and teachers teams will receive a stipend from William Penn University and all other participants will receive a $125 stipend from the Iowa Department of Education. In order to receive a stipend, you must attend both full days and sign-in.
Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog using activity number ES006232311201.
Superintendents: April HAA Minutes
Click here to download the minutes from the April HAA meeting. The handouts are posted on Heartland’s website under the Heartland Networks link which is located under the Leaders tab on the front page of the website. You can also bookmark this address: http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/leaders/ldr/admin.html
Please be reminded that next month’s HAA meeting will take place at the Heartland Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) in Room 13.
Please be reminded that next month’s HAA meeting will take place at the Heartland Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) in Room 13.
AEA Customer Survey: Thank you for participating!
We sincerely thank the 3,449 individuals who took the time to complete the annual AEA Customer Satisfaction survey. The data collected from the survey will be used to make important program decisions that benefit all schools in the Heartland region. Please be sure to extend our sincere gratitude to your school staff who contributed their thoughts and input!
Earn a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Iowa
The University of Iowa was awarded a grant from the Office of Special Education Programs in the U. S. Department of Education to fund students wishing to acquire a Ph.D. in special education. The grant requires full-time study and the program can be completed in 3-4 years—which would be fully funded by the grant. It is designed to support strong candidates who are interested in leadership positions, particularly in colleges and universities as teacher trainers and/or educational researchers.
For more information, click here to download an informational flyer or contact John Hosp (john-hosp@uiowa.edu) or Bill Therrien (bill-therrien@uiowa.edu) Co-Directors, Special Education Leaders for Iowa (SELIA), Associate Professors, Department of Teaching and Learning.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
For more information, click here to download an informational flyer or contact John Hosp (john-hosp@uiowa.edu) or Bill Therrien (bill-therrien@uiowa.edu) Co-Directors, Special Education Leaders for Iowa (SELIA), Associate Professors, Department of Teaching and Learning.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Tuition Scholarships for Summer Global Education Course
With a three-day, two-credit summer institute sponsored by The Stanley Foundation and UI International Programs, plus a tuition scholarship which covers the cost, teachers will be ready to take on the world!
This year's all-new Global Education Summer Institute for Teachers at The University of Iowa will help teachers incorporate global learning into the classroom, regardless of discipline -- writing, science, social studies and everything in between -- to meet Iowa's Core Curriculum requirements.
The Institute is taught by University of Iowa Professor Greg Hamot with a variety of guest lecturers, including nationally-known Ohio State University professor of social studies and global education, Merry Merryfield.
To learn more about this incredible opportunity, including registration information, deadlines and course details, visit the website below.
http://international.uiowa.edu/outreach/k12/summer-institute.asp
Only 20 middle, junior, and high school teachers will be selected to attend this year's institute and will receive a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition and housing.
Questions can be directed to Karen Wachsmuth, International Programs Outreach Coordinator, at karen-wachsmuth@uiowa.edu or (319) 335-0345.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
This year's all-new Global Education Summer Institute for Teachers at The University of Iowa will help teachers incorporate global learning into the classroom, regardless of discipline -- writing, science, social studies and everything in between -- to meet Iowa's Core Curriculum requirements.
The Institute is taught by University of Iowa Professor Greg Hamot with a variety of guest lecturers, including nationally-known Ohio State University professor of social studies and global education, Merry Merryfield.
To learn more about this incredible opportunity, including registration information, deadlines and course details, visit the website below.
http://international.uiowa.edu/outreach/k12/summer-institute.asp
Only 20 middle, junior, and high school teachers will be selected to attend this year's institute and will receive a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition and housing.
Questions can be directed to Karen Wachsmuth, International Programs Outreach Coordinator, at karen-wachsmuth@uiowa.edu or (319) 335-0345.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Sign up now for the Iowa Core Summer Institute
Activity numbers are now ready for the 3 offerings in the Iowa Core Summer Institute. Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog using activity numbers listed below.
Overview of Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction ($10)
June 13, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016399111201
Iowa Core Summer Institute: Teaching for Deep Understanding ($20)
June 14–15, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016299111201
Leadership Planning for Iowa Core ($10)
June 16, 2011 at the Heartland Regional Education Center in Johnston (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: IS016492111201
There are not credit options for these activities. A template for site-based credit will be available so that district can customize the additional hours and assignments. Contact Kim Thuente at kthuente@aea11.k12.ia.us for options and information.
Overview of Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction ($10)
June 13, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016399111201
Iowa Core Summer Institute: Teaching for Deep Understanding ($20)
June 14–15, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center on DMACC campus
Activity Number: IS016299111201
Leadership Planning for Iowa Core ($10)
June 16, 2011 at the Heartland Regional Education Center in Johnston (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: IS016492111201
There are not credit options for these activities. A template for site-based credit will be available so that district can customize the additional hours and assignments. Contact Kim Thuente at kthuente@aea11.k12.ia.us for options and information.
Exciting Professional Development Opportunities to Come!
Professional Development Registration Changes
A more secure registration system for Professional Development classes is almost ready to go live! Details about the new features will appear next week in the Administrator Connection and on the Heartland AEA home page.
AEA PD Online
We are excited to announce that the statewide system for online professional development, AEA PD Online, will debut on April 18. AEA PD Online is a one stop shop for online courses and trainings offered throughout the state. Details about the new registration system and summer offerings will appear next week.
A more secure registration system for Professional Development classes is almost ready to go live! Details about the new features will appear next week in the Administrator Connection and on the Heartland AEA home page.
AEA PD Online
We are excited to announce that the statewide system for online professional development, AEA PD Online, will debut on April 18. AEA PD Online is a one stop shop for online courses and trainings offered throughout the state. Details about the new registration system and summer offerings will appear next week.
IDA-IA Conference tomorrow April 9
The Iowa Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) will be holding their conference tomorrow, Saturday, April at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids. For additional details about the conference, please check http://www.ida-ia.org/index.php?id=5.
Informational IAEP Meetings…See what you can save!
In a past Administrator Connection, we provided information about the AEA’s newly formed organization, the Iowa Association for Educational Purchasing (IAEP), to support and bid food and related items in a cooperative purchasing process for the school year of 2011-2012. If you were unable to go to the meeting in our area this week, please feel free to attend one of the other sessions later this spring. Click here for an informational flyer and schedule.
New Services offered through the IEC
You will find three flyers below that focus on three purchasing categories in which the IEC has recently awarded new contracts and vendors. While the categories themselves are not new, some of the vendors and services recently awarded are. If you have any questions, contact Joni Puffett, Purchasing Assistant, at jpuffett@iec-ia.org or (319) 268-9008.
Janitorial Flyer
Media Tech Flyer
Office Supply Flyer
Janitorial Flyer
Media Tech Flyer
Office Supply Flyer
Promoting Iowa’s Future
Recently the Heartland Grading & Reporting Learning Team’s article (which had previously been featured in the Administrator Connection) was a featured story on Iowa Future. Iowa Future is a website that promotes the need for innovation in education, sharing ideas from across Iowa and nation, and highlighting the work underway to prepare for the future. Visit the site at http://www.iowafuture.org/.
Several Iowa education groups, including Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, have joined together to help Iowans understand the importance of preparing students for tomorrow’s global market. Through this understanding, it is hoped that Iowans will fully support the efforts of educators who are helping to shape the next workforce.
The Iowa Future website is an effort to explain the need for educational innovation and provide videos, discussion guides, presentation templates, testimonials, links to other great resources and more. If you have a story idea, please contact the Heartland Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Several Iowa education groups, including Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, have joined together to help Iowans understand the importance of preparing students for tomorrow’s global market. Through this understanding, it is hoped that Iowans will fully support the efforts of educators who are helping to shape the next workforce.
The Iowa Future website is an effort to explain the need for educational innovation and provide videos, discussion guides, presentation templates, testimonials, links to other great resources and more. If you have a story idea, please contact the Heartland Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Additional HEART Training Opportunity
Is one of the below situations true for your school/district?
- Needs to have someone trained to manage HEART?
- Is losing a key staff person who is currently running HEART?
- Has a key staff person in need of a refresher?
- Needs a backup person trained? (We always recommend you have a backup.)
Superintendents: April HAA Agenda
Online Resources: Discovery Education Streaming Update
Discovery Education (DE) was not awarded the 2011-2013 Iowa AEA Online video-streaming contract. The statewide bid for DE Streaming was a 500% increase in cost. (This is separate from the DE Science K-8 product.) DE changed their marketing strategy and will target individual schools and districts, rather than work with AEAs or state consortiums. We share the schools’ disappointment in the loss of this resource statewide.
In response, the AEAs
DE Streaming Terms of Service After June 30, 2011
According to the DE Streaming terms of service, after June 30, 2011 users will no longer be authorized to view, save, store, display or use in any manner, any of the Discovery Education content. As agreed upon in the Iowa statewide contract for the subscription, once the subscription expires, schools may not access or view any of the content thereafter, wherever it may be located, and have committed to make sure that any and all copies or materials that you, or any students, teachers or administrators, have downloaded or saved from Discovery Education are completely erased, deleted or destroyed from all school computers, servers, flash drives, DVDs and other portable storage devices. This includes downloaded videos, images, audio files, lesson plans or presentations from the Discovery Educator Network Resource library.
In response, the AEAs
- have identified the most-used video titles/series in DE Streaming and are in the process of purchasing digital rights to the same or similar content. The target, of course, is to support the Iowa Core.
- will continue to add new content to the other online video streaming service available to schools—Learn 360, http://www.learn360.com. For example all the new science titles from Visual Learning and eBioMedia will be available through Learn 360.
DE Streaming Terms of Service After June 30, 2011
According to the DE Streaming terms of service, after June 30, 2011 users will no longer be authorized to view, save, store, display or use in any manner, any of the Discovery Education content. As agreed upon in the Iowa statewide contract for the subscription, once the subscription expires, schools may not access or view any of the content thereafter, wherever it may be located, and have committed to make sure that any and all copies or materials that you, or any students, teachers or administrators, have downloaded or saved from Discovery Education are completely erased, deleted or destroyed from all school computers, servers, flash drives, DVDs and other portable storage devices. This includes downloaded videos, images, audio files, lesson plans or presentations from the Discovery Educator Network Resource library.
Premiere of DE E-Newsletter, “Each and Every Child”
Click here for the new monthly e-newsletter from the Iowa DE’s Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The goal of the e-newsletter is to better enhance the engagement of the parents with whom you work. It is designed to be a springboard for conversation between you and the parents, while working to maximize the teamwork that’s so very necessary to achieve best results for the students. Please forward this to the parents you serve, as well as other educators. You can point out specific articles or points of interest as a means of continuing the conversation with the parents over the school year, rather than just when you meet to discuss specifics of an IEP. Education, as you know, is a year-round proposition. Your comments are most welcome and can be sent to Jim Flansburg at Jim.flansburg@iowa.gov.
2011 Real World Externships for Secondary Math Teachers
Iowa in the 21st Century must be a place where schools, businesses and universities work together to educate our citizenry in mathematics and science education. The Iowa Mathematics & Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) has a program for doing just that: externships for secondary teachers of mathematics and science.
The benefits to teachers include the chance to modernize the curriculum and build in real-world lessons, build relationships with in-town partners, inspire students into mathematics and science fields, enjoy doing something different in the summer and earn two graduate credits. Please distribute the information below to your math teachers.
Description
Project Title: Daily Raw Lumber Grade Mix Optimization Tool
Project Background: The Pella Lumber Plant is the manufacturing facility that processes all of Pella’s inbound Raw Lumber. The goal of the plant is to maximize the fiber recovery of inbound material while meeting all internal customer orders in a timely manner. The plant also attempts to do this with the lowest inbound material cost and lowest labor cost to achieve the highest profit margin.
Pella also purchases lumber from 10-15 sawmills. Each of these sawmills operates differently and has a different log they process; hence each supplier’s raw lumber will yield differently. Each grade of lumber processes at different speeds and outputs through the plant.
Project Scope: Develop a tool that the plant can use daily to determine the optimal grade mix of lumber by supplier to run to match a given set of orders at the lowest possible cost. This tool could be created in excel or with other software. The tool would likely have to use some type of Linear Programming or Goal Programming function. How the data we have collected is utilized would also have to be determined, but at this point we envision the need to use some type of regression analysis to get the most of the data and the tool. Although we have developed some possible constraints – we will have to add some more constraints to make it more realistic.
Six weeks, $150 per day = $4,500. Two graduate credits.
Visit: http://www.iowamathscience.org/externships/
Questions: Jeff Weld, director: jeff.weld@uni.edu
Apply: http://www.iowamathscience.org/externships/Teacher_App.pdf
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The benefits to teachers include the chance to modernize the curriculum and build in real-world lessons, build relationships with in-town partners, inspire students into mathematics and science fields, enjoy doing something different in the summer and earn two graduate credits. Please distribute the information below to your math teachers.
Description
Project Title: Daily Raw Lumber Grade Mix Optimization Tool
Project Background: The Pella Lumber Plant is the manufacturing facility that processes all of Pella’s inbound Raw Lumber. The goal of the plant is to maximize the fiber recovery of inbound material while meeting all internal customer orders in a timely manner. The plant also attempts to do this with the lowest inbound material cost and lowest labor cost to achieve the highest profit margin.
Pella also purchases lumber from 10-15 sawmills. Each of these sawmills operates differently and has a different log they process; hence each supplier’s raw lumber will yield differently. Each grade of lumber processes at different speeds and outputs through the plant.
Project Scope: Develop a tool that the plant can use daily to determine the optimal grade mix of lumber by supplier to run to match a given set of orders at the lowest possible cost. This tool could be created in excel or with other software. The tool would likely have to use some type of Linear Programming or Goal Programming function. How the data we have collected is utilized would also have to be determined, but at this point we envision the need to use some type of regression analysis to get the most of the data and the tool. Although we have developed some possible constraints – we will have to add some more constraints to make it more realistic.
Six weeks, $150 per day = $4,500. Two graduate credits.
Visit: http://www.iowamathscience.org/externships/
Questions: Jeff Weld, director: jeff.weld@uni.edu
Apply: http://www.iowamathscience.org/externships/Teacher_App.pdf
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not infer sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)