As of April 1, school students and staff will have access to software discounts of up to 85% with the NEW! Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) Software Store powered by Journey Education. Partnerships with Microsoft, Adobe, NUANCE and Inspiration have been made which extends fantastic discounts to Iowa K-12 students, teachers and school staff. In addition, thousands of other software programs as well as computer hardware, books, bags and more are available at discounted prices!
Journey Education products can be ordered online at http://www.JourneyEd.com/Select or by calling (800) 874-9001. Any product ordered will be shipped directly to the customer’s home.
Pricing examples:
• Microsoft Office Standard 2007 - Retail $399, IEC Price $59.98
• Microsoft Office Professional 2007 - Retail $499, IEC Price $89.98
• Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Standard K-12 – Retail $1,399, IEC Price $219.98
• Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium - Retail $1,699, IEC Price $319.98
• Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred 10.0 Student/Teacher Edition - Retail $99, IEC Price $49.98
• Inspiration Kidspiration 3 Student Single - IEC Price $29.98
Friday, April 10, 2009
Buying Textbooks and NIMAS Guidelines
NIMAS guidelines for providing print-accessible textbooks are outlined at http://trueaim.iowa.gov. It is recommended that the following paragraph be inserted in all textbook purchasing contracts. It requires the publisher to send a NIMAS fileset to the NIMAC.
By agreeing to deliver the materials marked with "NIMAS" on this contract or purchase order, the publisher agrees to prepare and submit, on or before ___/___/_____ a NIMAS fileset to the NIMAC that complies with the terms and procedures set forth by the NIMAC. Should the vendor be a distributor of the materials and not the publisher, the distributor agrees to immediately notify the publisher of its obligation to submit NIMAS filesets of the purchased products to the NIMAC. The files will be used for the production of alternate formats as permitted under the law for students with print disabilities. Please note that the delivery of print versions should not be delayed in cases where the NIMAS fileset has yet to be validated and cataloged by the NIMAC.
Heartland AEA's World of Media
Make sure to take a look at Heartland AEA's April edition of the World of Media newsletter which included some technology and 21st century research and reports. You will find full articles of the below summaries and more at http://wom.aea11.k12.ia.us.
The annual SpeakUp survey from Project Tomorrow shows that students feel restricted using technology when they enter school and suggests that this signals weakness in U.S. global competition. Survey results are linked and highlights from the survey are summarized.
The Horizon Report 2009 was released in March. It identifies six emerging technologies that will have a huge impact on education in the next 1-5 years: collaborative environments, online communication tools, mobile devices, cloud computing, "smart" objects and the personal web.
Check out Web sites that explore how cell phones can be used in the classroom. Different areas of usage include simple text messaging voting, GoogleText, audio blogs, real-time sharing of audio and video, etc.
See demonstration and lecture videos posted online by an Urbandale High School chemistry and physics teacher.
YouTubeEDU includes special channels for university and college lectures and demonstrations--similar to what Urbandale High School is doing.
The annual SpeakUp survey from Project Tomorrow shows that students feel restricted using technology when they enter school and suggests that this signals weakness in U.S. global competition. Survey results are linked and highlights from the survey are summarized.
The Horizon Report 2009 was released in March. It identifies six emerging technologies that will have a huge impact on education in the next 1-5 years: collaborative environments, online communication tools, mobile devices, cloud computing, "smart" objects and the personal web.
Check out Web sites that explore how cell phones can be used in the classroom. Different areas of usage include simple text messaging voting, GoogleText, audio blogs, real-time sharing of audio and video, etc.
See demonstration and lecture videos posted online by an Urbandale High School chemistry and physics teacher.
YouTubeEDU includes special channels for university and college lectures and demonstrations--similar to what Urbandale High School is doing.
Perry Elementary Provides Healthier School Environment
Congratulations to Perry Elementary School for winning the Silver Award and being the fifth school in Iowa to receive a HealthierUS School Challenge award! The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) award is the highest nationally recognized award for making changes to school nutrition environments, providing physical activity opportunities, improving the quality of the foods served and providing students with more nutritious, healthy choices.
Perry Elementary is offering legumes, whole grain products and dark green and orange fruits and vegetables more often in school lunches. A special, congratulatory school award ceremony involving various dignitaries and fun for the students will take place in Perry in the near future.
Go to http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=373&Itemid=1332 for additional HealthierUS School Challenge information.
Perry Elementary is offering legumes, whole grain products and dark green and orange fruits and vegetables more often in school lunches. A special, congratulatory school award ceremony involving various dignitaries and fun for the students will take place in Perry in the near future.
Go to http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=373&Itemid=1332 for additional HealthierUS School Challenge information.
Need Classroom Space or Storage? FEMA Trailers May Be Available Soon
IASB has learned that many of the mobile homes that were used to house displaced families after the natural disasters of 2008 are in the process of being transitioned to other uses.
According to the Rebuild Iowa Office, it is quite possible the trailers will be made available to local governments within a few days or weeks. If you are interested in obtaining one of the units, your district should fill out the application and submit it to Clint Schmidt at Iowa Prison Industries for approval. You will then be positioned for consideration if and when the trailers become available. The only costs to acquire a trailer would be payment to Prison Industries (approximately $500) and moving expenses. FEMA will likely want the trailers moved within 10 working days of notification that a sale is approved. The trailers are currently located in Black Hawk County.
You can download the application, approximate timeline and instructions at http://members.ia-sb.org/fileshare/IASB04022009102222.zip.
If you have questions, please contact Clint Schmidt from the Iowa Prison Industries at clint.schmidt@iowa.gov or (515) 281-0426.
Note: This e-mail was sent to K-12 superintendents and business managers, and the administrators and business managers at AEAs and community colleges.
According to the Rebuild Iowa Office, it is quite possible the trailers will be made available to local governments within a few days or weeks. If you are interested in obtaining one of the units, your district should fill out the application and submit it to Clint Schmidt at Iowa Prison Industries for approval. You will then be positioned for consideration if and when the trailers become available. The only costs to acquire a trailer would be payment to Prison Industries (approximately $500) and moving expenses. FEMA will likely want the trailers moved within 10 working days of notification that a sale is approved. The trailers are currently located in Black Hawk County.
You can download the application, approximate timeline and instructions at http://members.ia-sb.org/fileshare/IASB04022009102222.zip.
If you have questions, please contact Clint Schmidt from the Iowa Prison Industries at clint.schmidt@iowa.gov or (515) 281-0426.
Note: This e-mail was sent to K-12 superintendents and business managers, and the administrators and business managers at AEAs and community colleges.
Superintendents: April 7th HAA Minutes and Presentation
Click here to view minutes from the April 7th Heartland Administrators Association meeting. Also available is the America’s Reinvestment and Recovery Act presentation given by Heartland AEA Chief Administrator, Maxine Kilcrease. Click here for the presentation.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Counselor Connections: Career Pathways
This session is open to administrators, counselors and teachers who are interested in post-high school options for students. Focus will be on the career pathways and opportunities through the Central Iowa Works consortium.
The session is scheduled for April 7, 2009 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Heartland AEA Johnston office. Register through the Heartland Professional Development Catalog at https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/CN004092110901INV*.
Questions or concerns can be addressed to Susen Schirmer, Heartland AEA 11 Professional Learning and Leadership Consultant, at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14379.
The session is scheduled for April 7, 2009 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Heartland AEA Johnston office. Register through the Heartland Professional Development Catalog at https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/CN004092110901INV*.
Questions or concerns can be addressed to Susen Schirmer, Heartland AEA 11 Professional Learning and Leadership Consultant, at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14379.
Improving Transition Results Workshop to Be Offered in May
The Improving Transition Results Workshop will provide an understanding and clarification of transition assessments and how to gather assessments needed for students age 14 and up. Staff, teachers and AEA staff will learn how to access and use the matrix designed by the Iowa Department of Education. Participants will review IEP design and the six critical elements required to meet the State Performance Plan (i.e., special education indicators 13 and 14). This training is appropriate for middle and high school special education teachers.
Please Note: This is the same course offered in October 2008. Heartland is offering this course for those who were unable to participate in October. If available, please bring your computer to the training. We will be accessing the Iowa Assessment Matrix.
The workshop will be offered May 8, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Heartland AEA Johnston Office, Rooms 3 & 4.
Teachers may register for this activity through Heartland Professional Development. Please go to the Heartland Web Site and click Classes, Workshops and Trainings. Then go to Professional Development Catalog, the activity is titled Improving Transition Results, and the Activity Number is DL002092110909.
If you have questions or concerns, contact Sue Severson at sseverson@aea11.k12.ia.us or at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14661.
Please Note: This is the same course offered in October 2008. Heartland is offering this course for those who were unable to participate in October. If available, please bring your computer to the training. We will be accessing the Iowa Assessment Matrix.
The workshop will be offered May 8, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Heartland AEA Johnston Office, Rooms 3 & 4.
Teachers may register for this activity through Heartland Professional Development. Please go to the Heartland Web Site and click Classes, Workshops and Trainings. Then go to Professional Development Catalog, the activity is titled Improving Transition Results, and the Activity Number is DL002092110909.
If you have questions or concerns, contact Sue Severson at sseverson@aea11.k12.ia.us or at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14661.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Let's Have the Highest Response Rate in the State!
Yesterday a letter was sent from our chief administrator, Maxine Kilcrease, urging schools in our area to complete the Iowa AEA Customer Satisfaction Survey. The window for completing the survey will close on Thursday, April 9, 2009. Please go to the following link and take a few minutes to share your thoughts about Heartland's services. Remember to remind all of your staff to participate as well.
You can reach the survey by clicking the following link: http://survey.aea267.k12.ia.us/survey/5520/1706/
Thank you very much for all those who have already participated!
You can reach the survey by clicking the following link: http://survey.aea267.k12.ia.us/survey/5520/1706/
Thank you very much for all those who have already participated!
Superintendents: Agenda for April's Heartland Administrators Association Meeting
Click here for the agenda of the April 7th Heartland Administrators Association meeting.
Heartland AEA to Co-Host 1 to 1 Learning Seminar with Apple
Heartland will be co-hosting a 1 to 1 Learning Seminar with Apple on April 17, 2009. This seminar is your opportunity to hear how schools are achieving academic excellence by putting technology in their students' hands. Heartland will be sharing current 1 to 1 research and resources for districts. Apple will presenting on their partnerships with Iowa schools and the planning process that goes into implementing a 1 to 1 program.
Click here for an informational invitation flyer with directions for registration. It is recommended (but not required) that interested districts send a team composed of representatives from IT, administration, teaching and integration.
What You’ll Learn
The agenda focuses on the key success factors for 1 to 1 learning: visionary leadership, curriculum design, professional development, infrastructure, assessment, community involvement and funding. We’ll discuss these success factors with educators who are currently implementing successful 1 to 1 learning programs. We’ll also demonstrate resources available for teachers and digital tools today's students use to create knowledge-learning skills.
When and where
Friday, April 17, 2009
Breakfast and registration – 8:00 a.m.
Seminar – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Room 3 & 4
There is no cost for this seminar.
Click here for an informational invitation flyer with directions for registration. It is recommended (but not required) that interested districts send a team composed of representatives from IT, administration, teaching and integration.
What You’ll Learn
The agenda focuses on the key success factors for 1 to 1 learning: visionary leadership, curriculum design, professional development, infrastructure, assessment, community involvement and funding. We’ll discuss these success factors with educators who are currently implementing successful 1 to 1 learning programs. We’ll also demonstrate resources available for teachers and digital tools today's students use to create knowledge-learning skills.
When and where
Friday, April 17, 2009
Breakfast and registration – 8:00 a.m.
Seminar – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Room 3 & 4
There is no cost for this seminar.
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