GWAEA Digital Learning Update
to ensure success for all learners - February 2019
Episode 55: Research Roundup
In the first episode of 2019, Mindy and Jonathan look back at some of the biggest educational research from 2018 and discuss how it might affect classrooms in 2019. They have lots of Google updates to share, and have a handful of new tech nuggets that are hot and ready to eat. Links for everything we talk about in the show can be found at: dlgwaea.org/podcast/55
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.
THANK YOU for listening. We really couldn't (or wouldn't) do this without the support of listeners like you!
Delivering Joy: Maker Edition
This challenge focuses on Valentine creation! This can be low or high-tech. Consider using LED lights and batteries, littleBits, or just paper pop-outs! Please help us fill our empty mailbox. We can't wait to see what you make!
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.
Resources
Check out our resources for extension ideas and resources to help you get started with this maker idea.
February is Digital Learning Day & Month
Obviously, the members of Grant Wood AEA’s Digital Learning Team believe in the value of technology in today’s learning environment and work to celebrate the power and potential of digital resources all year long. So we thought: "Why limit that celebration to just one day?!"
Throughout the month of February, the Digital Learning Team has something special in store! Beginning on February 4, each week the team will focus on one of the 4 Cs (communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity). Throughout the week new ideas will be shared via the Digital Learning Team blogand the @DLGWAEA Twitter account:
- Mondays-- Introductory blog post (via the blog)
- Tuesdays-- Sharing resources (websites, blogs, videos, etc.) (via Twitter)
- Wednesday-- Sharing upcoming learning opportunities (via Twitter)
- Thursdays-- Sharing lesson/project ideas (via Twitter)
- Fridays-- Sharing people to follow (via Twitter)
We encourage you to not only follow along, but to share your digital learning stories as well!
Be sure to follow along with the fun! Follow the @DLGWAEA and @OfficialDLDay Twitter accounts and share your story using the hashtags #DLDay & #dlgwaea!
Considering celebrating Digital Learning Day in your district or at your school? We encourage you to register your event on the Digital Learning Day website.
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.
Makey Makey Invention Literacy Workshop for Educators
You will need to bring your own laptop to this workshop. The only cost of the workshop is a $20 fee which will cover the cost of a Makey Makey that you can take home with you.
Monday, April 8th 2019 at 8:30am-3:30pm
4401 6th Street Southwest, Cedar Rapids, IA
DLGWAEA 4Cs Summer Camp
Join us on June 11-13 for our DLGWAEA 4Cs Summer Camp. It's designed for educators who want to redefine their classrooms with a meaningful integration of collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
Come and learn how digital learning can leverage the 4Cs to evolve your classroom practices. Participants will engage in hands-on learning and application, while also reflecting and setting goals for implementation. Space is limited, so sign up today to reserve your place!
Grant Wood AEA is excited to welcome back Craig Badura as our closing keynote. The session will focus on the importance of fostering creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking to help give students the skills they need to thrive. Craig Badura is the K-12 technology coach at Aurora Public Schools in Nebraska. He is passionate about making technology ubiquitous in the classroom. He loves his family, coaching golf, teaching and technology! Follow Craig on Twitter @mrbadura and on Instagram @mrbadura.
The cost for the 4Cs Summer Camp is $100 for 2.5 days of learning & lunch is included. Participants taking this class can opt for one hour of recertification credit (for an additional cost).
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
Easy Graphic Design for the Creative Classroom
Easy Graphic Design for the Creative Classroom can be taken as a 1-credit hour class for license renewal in the state of Iowa.
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.
Getting Started With MERGE Cubes
If you are looking for a way to add a new dimension to teaching and learning in your school, the MERGE Cube might be an option worth considering. This versatile foam cube offers a variety of virtual learning experiences for students, and if you already have mobile devices in your classroom, it can also be very affordable. Here's what you need to know.
What is the MERGE Cube?
It's a foam cube that has some unusual patterns on each of the six sides. When you scan one of those sides with a compatible app, the cube turns into an interactive augmented reality experience! You can move and rotate the cube in your hand to see your AR object from every possible angle. The MERGE Cube needs apps for either iOS and Android devices and can be used with or without a set of VR Goggles, depending on how many free hands you need.
How to Use the MERGE Cube
Using a MERGE Cube requires a mobile device that runs iOS or Android. This can be a cell phone or a tablet like an iPad, and a stand for a mobile device is included with your MERGE Cube, so don't throw away all the packaging in case you need that mobile device stand!
Next, install a MERGE Cube app from the App Store or Google Play Store. A good one to start with is the TH!NGS app. It's not really an educational app, but it has a variety of different mini experiences that will give you a flavor for everything that the cube is capable of. Another great app for 1st-time users to try is the 3D Museum Viewer. Continue reading...
#BlackHistoryMonth
Black History Month has been celebrated yearly since 1976 after President Ford declared it a month-long tribute. Prior to that it had been celebrated for one week per year since 1926, and it was created to honor, celebrate, and recognize significant contributions African Americans have made to the United States.
During February each year Black History Month is celebrated, but we should not limit ourselves to celebrating African Americans and their contribution to our country to just February.
The following links take you to a few quality collections, resources and inspirations to use with students:
Would you like some books to use in your classroom or library?
Why not let the Grant Wood AEA Media Center help you out by delivering materials right to your school?
Here are a few resources we suggest:
Historical Fiction book sets: Upper elementary - middle school
E-Books by Kwame Alexander (available immediately through MackinVIA
Check out the full blog post on the GWAEA blog!
Need something else? Have questions? Try searching the Media Center Catalog at http://media3.aea10.k12.ia.us/media/wwhome.htx, send us an email at reservations@gwaea.org, or call at 319-399-6754 or 800-642-4107.
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