The Digital Learning team at Grant Wood AEA is always looking at new ways to augment the professional development and work we do with educators. With that in mind, we have recently launched a brand new way for educators to stay current with the latest technology tools and trends for the classroom - The EdTech Take Out podcast. It can be accessed on smartphones, tablets, Macs, PCs and Chromebooks so teachers can listen to it anywhere, and at any time. More information about the show, as well as how to subscribe, can be found here: http://www.dlgwaea.org/blog/the-edtech-take-out-a-brand-new-podcast-for-teachers

We think that this could be a great opportunity for you and would be grateful if you could pass this along. If you have any questions, let us know.

On July 6, 7 and 8, 2016, Grant Wood AEA will be hosting a conference to celebrate and expand upon innovative classroom integration strategies for the iPad. Join us for three days of learning that will include exciting, hands-on experiences that you can use to enhance teaching and learning in a K-12 classroom. This year, the theme of our conference is "Show What You Know".

Learn more about iPadU at the GWAEA Digital Learning site. Where you can get links to register and to submit a session if you would like to share!

Here is a flyer if you would like to share!

Episode 7: LittleBits Celebration Machine

This challenge invites students to create an original circuit using LittleBits and other common items to create a celebration machine to use when your team scores a basket or wins the game! In this episode, we are able to feature Washington Elementary in Mount Vernon. Check out how these students collaborate to bring their creativity to life with LittleBits. We thank their librarian, Mary Priske, for having us be a part of their maker time!

New to making?

Feel free to reference our lesson plan for tips on implementation, extension ideas.

Our goal is to create a community of makers. We hope you will consider sharing student work to post to our Community Inspiration Board. Sharing is easy - send us your stop motion videos through social media and tag @dlgwaea or send an email to makerspace@gwaea.org or share links with us using this form.

We hope you enjoy the show - Have Fun Making!

Date: May 2, 2016
Location: Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa, Coralville, IA

Registration is OPEN!

Learn more about the student technology fairs.

Why This Matters

Digital simulations and games can provide “insights into the nuances and complexities of how students solve problems” (Bushweller, 2014).

One of the ways you can have students create animations, demonstrations, models or simulations is through code. Coding has gotten more student friendly to learn the basics and then can be taken to advanced levels to cover the skills of a wide range of students. There are Code.org and Scratch workshops to attend if you want to learn more about how coding can support your curriculum and students. If you want to learn more, don't hesitate to contact your GWAEA technology consultant.

The course will run April 4 – May 9, 2016. The course is offered through AEA PD Online and can be taken for 2 hours of recertification or graduate credit. Check out the following link for more information. 22024299991604

Here is a brief overview of the course:

Scratch 2.0 is an excellent, free, web-based, graphical programming tool developed by MIT that supports digital age learning, the National Educational Technology Standards for Students, and 21st Century Skills (Common Core – Technology Literacy). Course participants will learn and reflect on how Scratch supports Technology Literacy, learn the basics of using Scratch 2.0, explore the tutorials and resources available, and see examples of how students in elementary grades can use Scratch 2.0 across the curriculum, creating and sharing interactive stories, games, and animations. Participants will create a plan and resources for introducing Scratch to students.

Come for a hands-on day of learning about Code.org's free K-5 curriculum and learn how coding can be integrated into your school. This one day workshop will introduce teachers to an elementary computer science curriculum. Even with no prior knowledge of computer programming, this training will empower teachers to teach the concepts of programming in their classrooms. The curriculum introduced featuring three tiers of coursework. These three courses blend online, self-guided and self-paced tutorials with "unplugged" activities - lessons that teach computing concepts without a computer. Each level consists of about 20 lessons that may be implemented as one contiguous unit or one lesson a week for a semester. Each lesson may be implemented within a standard 45-50 minute class period.

The courses have been designed for students of all ages, but they reinforce math, science, and English education standards for elementary school students. The Computational Thinking Practices of: creativity, collaboration, communication, persistence and problem solving will be emphasized throughout. The workshop itself will be a mix of curriculum overview, introduction to the teacher/learner/observer (TLO) process, practice lessons, and discussions on implementation.

When: Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 - 8 am - 4 pm

Where: Grant Wood AEA, 4401 6th Street S.W., Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Sign Up Here

Aaron Maurer - www.coffeeforthebrain.com

This session is designed to help educators and anyone involved in the field of education understand what this makerspace movement is all about and how to find a way to make it work in the school setting. Through a variety of hands on learning, lively discussions, activities, and planning, participants will walk away with a sense of how to implement the ideas back at their school and classroom. Key ideas to be discussed will be learning spaces, PBL integration, how to manage the makerspace, easy activities to start, and how to blueprint change for your current space.

May 4, 2016

1:00-3:30 p.m.,

Cedar Rapids Educational Learning and Support Center

Course Number: 19368-15-01

Fees: $40 within AEA10 boundaries, $65 outside of AEA10

Registration Deadline: 1/27/16 at 6:00 a.m.

Registration information can be found here.

The GWAEA Digital Learning Team has some resources to get you started if you are considering a Makerspace! Contact your technology consultant if you want to stop by for a visit or have questions.