GWAEA Digital Learning Update
to ensure success for all learners - February 2018
EP37: Getting Jiggy with Gmail
In the first episode of 2018, Mindy and Jonathan try to get productive by breaking down their workflow for dealing with the influx of email they get every day. How do you deal with email? Join them as they dig into Gmail's myriad of settings and uncover some little-known features that are designed to make your life that little bit easier.
If you want to read about Jonathan's take on Inbox for Gmail here is a link to the blog post.
Find the Podcast on the Digital Learning website or download on our favorite podcast player.
Email the show, or send a voice memo to podcast@gwaea.org, and see show notes with all the links from this episode at www.dlgwaea.org/podcast.
Excited to have The EdTech Takeout listed as one of ISTE's Top 16 Podcasts! And some shout outs on a couple other blogs:
Think, Make, Innovate: Cardboard Robotics
In this episode of Think, Make, Innovate, we highlight Southeast Junior High Coding Club's exploration of animatronics. Students created their own cardboard "robot" creature and used a Hummingbird Duo Robotics Kit, and blockly coding to transform their static cardboard into a moveable creature!
A BIG thanks to their teacher, Diane Brown, for taking on a maker challenge during club time!! And we were super excited to have a student co-host, Southeast Junior High maker Saratou, introduce this challenge!
There are so many different ways you could interpret this challenge and we'd love to see your take on them! Join our Maker Community by sending us your photos or videos through social media and tag @dlgwaea or send an email to makerspace@gwaea.org and we will post them on our website, www.dlgwaea.org.
New to Coding?
We used a Hummingbird Robotics Kit, but you could use LittleBits or Makey Makey to create your own version of this challenge. Check out our lesson plan for more implementation ideas and getting started with coding.
We hope you enjoy the show & #HaveFunMaking!
Girls Go CyberStart
A new, innovative cybersecurity training program offered by the SANS Institute offers young women in high school the opportunity to learn basic cybersecurity skills through a no-cost online game of discovery called Girls Go CyberStart.
Participating students do not need prior cybersecurity knowledge or programming experience. All that is required is a computer and an internet connection.
Young women in high school in Iowa who excel in the Girls Go CyberStart game will have the opportunity to win computers and other prizes as well as a trip, with a parent, to the 2018 Women in CyberSecurity Conference.
Registration begins on January 29th and ends on February 16, 2018. The first 10,000 young women who have registered may play the game online from February 20th through 25th.
For information about Girls Go CyberStart visit: https://girlsgocyberstart.com/
Makey Makey- Invention Literacy Workshop for Educators
Get ready for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to teach Invention Literacy, Making, and Design Thinking using the award-winning Makey Makey invention kit used by educators in all 50 states and around the world and featured in TED talks.
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.
When
2/28/2018- 8:30 AM-3:00 PM -FULL
Registration:
Course Number: 19568-17-01
Registration Link: http://web1.gwaea.org/profdev/coursesdetail.cfm?class=31721
3/26/2018- 8:30 AM-3:00 PM - JUST ADDED
Course Number: 19568-17-02
Registration Link: http://web1.gwaea.org/profdev/coursesdetail.cfm?class=31763
Where
Face to Face sessions will be at Grant Wood AEA Northern Facility
4401 6th Street S.W.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Audience
Individual(s) responsible for integrating technology tools into their curriculum; PreK-12 Teachers, Teacher Librarians, Curriculum & Technolgy Directors, Administrators, Tech/Instructional Coaches
Meetups on Computer Science Education
NewBoCo is taking the opportunity to host four open meetups on computer science education in Iowa following our workshops for teachers this academic year, and we would like to gather as many stakeholders as we can to build a strong CS Ed community for teachers and decision makers. We will have some organized activities, such as the Iowa CSTA chapter meetings, but the goal of these events is to bring Iowans together around this topic and discuss what is already happening and where we need to go. More information can be found on the Eventbrite pages, and we would appreciate it if you would share these opportunities with others in your network.
If you have questions contact Samantha Dahlby, K-12 Education Coordinator, NewBoCo
Building Bridges Assistive Technology Conference
APRIL 19, 2018
Keynote & Featured Speaker
Kate Ahern, Intensive Special Needs Teacher and Assistive Technology Specialist, AACVoices.org
Featured Speaker
Mike Marotta, RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional, Inclusive Technology Solutions, LLC
Register Online:https://web1.gwaea.org/apps/ProfDev/user/signon.cfm
Download Form: http://web1.gwaea.org/profdev/pdf/registform.pdf
Course Number: 19018-17-01
Building Staff Efficacy through Multiplier Mindset
1. The Multiplier Effect (the research)
2. The 5 Disciplines of the Multiplier
3. The Accidental Diminisher
4. The Art of the Question
5. Becoming a Multiplier
Date/Time: 03/07/2018 1:00 PM-3:30 PM
Location:
Grant Wood AEA Northern Facility
4401 6th Street S.W.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Audience: K-12 Principals, Administrators, Teachers, Consultants, Instructional Coaches
Course Number: 19505-17-01
Registration Link: http://web1.gwaea.org/profdev/coursesdetail.cfm?class=31360
Registration Deadline:02/21/2018 06:00 AM
Fees:
- Educators in Grant Wood AEA area, Total for non-credit $ 40
- Outside of Grant Wood AEA area, Total for non-credit $ 65
The 2018 CS Professional Development grants now available. For a bit of context every year Google partners with school districts, faculty and other PD providers to inspire, equip and empower educators to integrate computer science and computational thinking into their classrooms.
This year Google is encouraging more districts to take advantage of these grants. They have created a 2 page resource for districts interested in applying for a PD grant for their educators.
Visit the website to learn more about eligibility and apply for the 2018 CS PD grants.
Deadline to apply: Friday, March 2, 2018 at 11:59 PM local time
If you have any questions, please visit our website or email the team at csedugrants@google.com
Have you tried Metaverse yet?
And as we always like to see with new technology, they have an amazing support group for teachers through their Facebook group, YouTube Tutorials, and on Twitter. I personally know that they are super responsive and helpful when questions arise!
We’ve had several area teachers exploring and experiencing this with their students and staff and have asked them to share their wisdom with us more about their work with Metaverse. We love hearing about AR’s impact in the classroom, so let’s learn more from their experiences.
Take a look the rest of Amber Bridge's blog post with examples of how educators in GWAEA are using this AR platform!
Save the Dates for 2017-2018
Iowa 1:1 Institute - April 3-4, 2018
Call for sessions is now open!
ITEC Eastern Student Tech Fair - May 4, 2018
Initial Sign Up is now open!
ITEC - October 14-16, 2018
ISTE is in Chicago!
Immerse yourself in powerful ideas and inspirational speakers, while connecting with innovative educators who share your passion for transformative learning. Save the date for ISTE 2018!
At the 2016 ISTE conference, the ISTE standards for students were updated and released. ISTE released their Standards for Educators at this year's conference. Go take a look at the new standards and indicators here. These are great to consider as you are thinking about your own professional growth or coaching conversations.
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