GWAEA Digital Learning Update
to ensure success for all learners - January 2019
Episode 54: AEM for All
In the last episode of 2018, Mindy and Jonathan are joined by Maggie Pickett to talk about the importance of AEM for all students. There are some interesting news items and your usual helping of "fresh" nuggets too. Links for everything we talk about in the show can be found at dlgwaea.org/podcast/54
You can follow Jonathan (@jonathanwylie) and Mindy (@TeamCairney) on Twitter, and see all the tweets from the Grant Wood AEA Digital Learning Team at @DLGWAEA. You can also email us with questions or ideas, podcast@gwaea.org. If you enjoy the show please share it with your friends and colleagues and/or leave us a review on your podcast app of choice.
Maker-cabulary
Looking to weave making into the little moments of your classroom? An elementary class at Van Allen Elementary in the Iowa City Community School District created visual representations of classroom vocabulary words. Take it another step and create a game out of it by asking your classmates to guess your mystery vocabulary word from a predetermined list!
A BIG Thank You to Ms. Halverson for allowing us to be part of this Maker Moment!
There are so many different ways you could interpret this idea and we'd love to see your take on it! Join our Maker Community by sending us your photos or videos through social media and tag @dlgwaea or #havefunmaking OR send an email to makerspace@gwaea.org and we will post them on in our Online Maker Community on www.dlgwaea.org.
Lesson Plan
Check out our lesson plan for extension ideas and resources to help you get started with this maker moment.
Digital Learning Day & Month is Coming!
Computer Science Standards Workshop
Please plan to join us for our Computer Science Standards Workshop. We invite building or district teams including administrators, coaches, and teachers to learn more about Iowa’s Computer Science standards, identify current practice and potential gaps, share strategies for incorporating computer science and coding into core subject areas, and plan for next steps in your classroom, building, and district.
Feb. 12, 2019
8:30-11:30 a.m.
Supported work time also available for interested teams: 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Grant Wood AEA
4401 Sixth St.
Link to the flyer with more information.
Computer Science Standards and Endorsement
The Iowa State Board of Education adopted voluntary/optional statewide Computer Science standards in June 2018. The standards include five concept areas and seven practices. The standards progression chart and abridged standards document are both good resources for educators. #CSforGWAEA #CSforIA
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners offers a Computer Science endorsement. While not mandatory this endorsement can help ensure there are highly qualified teachers in computer science classrooms. The University of Northern Iowa has a Computer Science Teacher Pathway to obtain the endorsement.
Visit our DLGWAEA computer science page to get updates and for resources.
Summer Camp Details will be Announced on Digital Learning Day!
Building Bridges: Accessible and Assistive Technology Conference
“Making Learning Awesome for All”
The Building Bridges Accessible & Assistive Technology Conference will provide the opportunity to see firsthand the latest in accessible and assistive technologies (AT), practices, and services for school-age students. This conference event will serve as a unique opportunity for area education professionals, parents, administrators and service providers to exchange and gather information on the current status, consideration and use of a wide variety of accessible technology supports and tools. In addition, opportunities for district leaders to cast a vision for the provision of accessible instructional materials and supports will be shared. The sessions presented at the Building Bridges Accessible and Assistive Technology Conference are divided into five main focus areas which include: Accessible Embedded Technologies; Augmentative and Alternative Communication; Assistive Technology for Improved Access, Leadership and Instructional Design for All.
GWAEA is excited to welcome Chris Bugaj, author for the ISTE book The New Assistive Technology: Make Learning Awesome for All!
April 16, 2019 8am-4pm
GWAEA - 4401 6th Street
STEM Scale-Up Programs
The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is soon to release the menu for next year's STEM Scale-Up programs. Applications open for these programs on Monday, January 21, 2019 and close March 4, 2019. These programs range from PreK-12 grade formal and informal learning programs illustrating early physics and engineering concepts to computer science to biology and natural science. Selected teacher applicants will be notified of their award beginning in early April.
Iowa's Scale-Up programs are reinventing the educational experience and introducing students to fields in STEM that have never been taught this way. To learn more about the Scale-Up programs, visit https://iowastem.gov/Scale-Up.
Cyber Literacy workshop January 28-29 at NewBoCo!
NewBoCo will be hosting NICERC workshops in January! They will be running workshops on their Cyber Literacy curricula for upper middle and high school teachers at little to no cost. Final details are coming.
The eastern Iowa option will be January 28-29! If you are interested in more information please contact Samantha Dahlby (samantha@newbo.co), K-12 Education Coordinator, NewBoCo!
Strawbees: Unleash Creativity ...Ideas from Mindy Cairney
Strawbees might be the best kept secret of the Makerspace world. When I first was introduced to Strawbees, I was astounded. How can something so simple encourage so much creativity?
If you haven’t heard of Strawbees, let me break it down for you. It’s a kit of straws and plastic connectors. The connectors are the perfect size to slide right into the end of a straw and hold it tight. Connectors can be outfitted with one, two, three, four, or five pegs to connect straws, allowing for all types of creations and ideas continue reading...
Tool to Try: Money Pieces, by The Math Learning Center
Shout out to Heather Callihan @hcalihan and Tony Vincent @tonyvincent for sharing!
EdCamp Iowa
The premise of the day is that professional development is created by the people who attend that morning, with four sessions throughout the day. Go to a session that interests you, and, if you decide it's not for you, learn with your feet--go to a different session or create a new impromptu session and invite others to join you. There are no hurt feelings; the focus is on providing you with a learning experience that's meaningful for you.
Sessions do not have someone leading them; instead, the proposing person facilitates the session, with everyone participating, learning, and sharing together.
While you're here, you'll meet some very innovative educators. Conversations with everyone are encouraged, as well as growing your PLN on Twitter by following the great people you meet.
EdCamp Iowa
Saturday, Feb 23, 2019, 08:30 AM
Liberty High School, Dubuque Street Northeast, North Liberty, IA, USA
Save the Dates for 2018-2019
Iowa 1:1 Institute - April 3, 2019
Ed Camp Iowa - February 23, 2019
Digital Learning Day - February 28, 2019
Building Bridges AT Conference - April 16, 2019
About Us
Email: digitallearning@gwaea.org
Website: http://www.dlgwaea.org
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Phone: 319-399-6700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dlgwaea
Twitter: @DLGWAEA