Heartland AEA is hosting virtual meetings with district tech directors on Fridays through this current pandemic situation. These meetings provide an opportunity for technology directors and coordinators to share challenges and experiences they are facing during these challenging times. The virtual check-ins include a wide range of topics brought up by the tech directors such as:
- How district tech teams are handling tech support for their staff and families
- How they are working with MiFi suppliers to provide hotspots to families and how they identify need
- Rumors regarding possible CARES Act funding
- Potential future COVID-19 legislation that could result in additional EdTech funding, and more
Typically, during the school year there are 5-6, day-long meetings for tech coordinators and directors in the Heartland AEA service area. We anticipate these shorter, less structured check-in meetings, to be weekly during the current situation. The next meeting is April 24 at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Heartland AEA Technology Director Jeff S. Weinberg.
As school districts are deciding if they will offer voluntary or required continuous learning options for students, you might be getting some questions related to online delivery for those options. The instructional technology team at Heartland AEA will continue to support schools on this journey. Please read their newsletter and learn about the large array of support and resources they are offering schools. Share this with your colleagues as they reach out to you.
Their newsletter references the Online Learning in Emergency Situations module created by AEA Learning Online. The outcomes of this 2-hour module are to:
- Understand the context of emergency learning, and how it intersects with online learning
- Analyze the key components of successfully implementing emergency learning, at grade-appropriate levels
- Identify the key components of online learning
- Connect to additional resources to go in-depth on those key components more
AEA Learning Online also publishes a Learning System Administrator Newsletter. They have been posting new information and resources several times a week. If you are interested, this would be another learning source for you in this area.
In an effort to support the well-being of districts, educators, students and families, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring you, "Wellness Weekly," a weekly series dedicated to all things wellness and well-being.
Check out the Wellness Weekly site every week for well-being resources, tips and fun!
This week features:
- Mental Health Resources: 9 ways to relax without spending a cent
- Remote Working Resources: How to stay focused and productive when working from home
- Funnies: Strut your pup challenge
- Apps & Other Stuff: 23 relatable tweets from parents about quarantine
The University of Northern Iowa understands that Iowa school districts are facing unprecedented challenges. UNI students in the Department of Communication Studies are also facing a crisis as their internship opportunities dwindle away. They would like to help you!
As UNI students are home until fall, they could be a valuable resource to K-12 schools as they get back to a new normal. These students are required to have internships prior to graduation and most are unpaid experiences. Organizations only have to sign-off on hours and fill out a midterm and final evaluation for their intern. They encompass majors in Public Relations, Digital Media, General Communication and Political Communication. The internship could include work in the following areas and more:
- Help districts navigate messages to audiences (faculty, staff and public)
- Develop and manage social media plans
- Develop and update content for websites, website design
- Help in design and dissemination of crisis and emergency communication
- Video and audio production and editing
- Write press releases
- Photography
- Update promotional materials
- Write for digital, magazines, newspapers or special event publications
To learn more, email UNI Director of Internships Nikki Zumbach Harken or call (319) 273-3707.
The Iowa Department of Education is looking to connect individuals and businesses to schools that need technology, materials and supplies in light of COVID-19’s impact on education delivery.
A new resource on the Iowa Department of Education's website makes it easier for school districts in need of technology, materials and supplies to connect with individuals and businesses who want to help. The information and map on the page is regularly updated as more schools report their needs.
As schools across Iowa identify and implement new continuous learning strategies with their students, many have pinpointed areas of need ranging from internet-access hotspots and devices to white boards and printer paper.
Please share this information with individuals, organizations and businesses who want to make a difference by supporting their local schools during this unprecedented crisis.
