New Media Reservation System Coming Fall 2024

Keystone AEA Media and IT staff have been working diligently to transition to a new Media Reservation System for all our area Media patrons. This new reservation system is called Insignia.

We are anticipating a full launch date for our Keystone AEA area schools to be August 2024. Insignia Library System offers some great features to educators in order for them to search and locate the Keystone library resources they need to serve student outcomes. 

 

Some features of Insignia include:

• User-Friendly Interface: The OPAC Insignia Library System provides patrons with a visual and intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it simple for our patrons to search for and access our library resources.

• Advanced Search Options: Patrons can use the embedded advanced search options to refine their searches based on various criteria such as author, title, subject, keyword, publication year, and more, ensuring educators can find exactly what they're looking for.

• Browsable Catalog: The system offers a browsable catalog feature, allowing patrons to explore the library's collection in a visually appealing and organized manner.

• Personalized Accounts: Patrons can create personalized accounts within the OPAC system, enabling them to view and manage their borrowing history, save searches, create reading lists, and receive notifications about due dates and holds.

• Availability Status: Patrons can easily check the availability status of library materials, including whether items are currently on loan, on hold, or available for immediate check

Stay tuned as more communications will be forthcoming. We think our patrons are going to LOVE it! #groundedinservice

An Easier Way to Register for AEA Courses is on the Horizon!

Iowa’s AEAs are collaborating to move to a new registration system for our professional learning courses. We’ve heard your feedback — you need an easier way to find, register and pay for courses. Stay tuned as we work to bring you a new system!

What does this mean for me? 

A new and improved interface and experience! It will be easier to navigate and locate learning opportunities. 

What about my course history and transcripts? 

We are working with our current vendor to import each person’s course history into the new system. There’s nothing you need to do at this time! 

In the coming months, there will be ongoing communication about the new system. If you have any questions, contact Michelle Gregerson at (563) 241-5397.

What does this mean for courses ending by July 31, 2024?

Tentatively, courses that end by July 31 will continue to be housed on our current registration system. 

What does this mean for courses going into the new professional learning system?

Participants will still be able to easily access our catalog/registration system from our agency website. Training and support will be provided for instructors.

For Instructors:

What does this mean for courses an instructor has created in the past?

We are working to identify a process to export course data so you can easily access and re-enter course information as you teach them. 

What about my instructor credentials (vita)?

Instructors’ credentials (vita) will need to be re-entered into the new system. There will be an opportunity to copy/paste and download/upload data into the new system. More information for instructors will be coming soon.

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An Easier Way to Register for AEA Courses is on the Horizon!

Iowa’s AEAs are collaborating to move to a new registration system for our professional learning courses. We’ve heard your feedback — you need an easier way to find, register and pay for courses. Stay tuned as we work to bring you a new system!

What does this mean for me? 

A new and improved interface and experience! It will be easier to navigate and locate learning opportunities. 

What about my course history and transcripts? 

We are working with our current vendor to import each person’s course history into the new system. There’s nothing you need to do at this time! 

In the coming months, there will be ongoing communication about the new system. If you have any questions, contact Michelle Gregerson at (563) 241-5397.

What does this mean for courses ending by July 31, 2024?

Tentatively, courses that end by July 31 will continue to be housed on our current registration system. 

What does this mean for courses going into the new professional learning system?

Participants will still be able to easily access our catalog/registration system from our agency website. Training and support will be provided for instructors.

For Instructors:

What does this mean for courses an instructor has created in the past?

We are working to identify a process to export course data so you can easily access and re-enter course information as you teach them. 

What about my instructor credentials (vita)?

Instructors’ credentials (vita) will need to be re-entered into the new system. There will be an opportunity to copy/paste and download/upload data into the new system. More information for instructors will be coming soon.

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Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEAs)

AEAs offer ALL of Iowa's schools the opportunity to access specialists, equipment, and resources, ensuring fairness among large and small schools in urban and rural areas. #EveryDayatAEA   

Learn more about Iowa's AEAs
www.iowaaea.org

Reminder: if a public employee chooses to contact/engage with legislators they must do so on a personal device using a personal email address during non-work hours.

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Have you explored our Micro-credentials? Licensure Renewal Credit is available.

Micro-credentials are just in time, asynchronous, small chunks of professional learning experiences that will demonstrate proficiency in a specific skill. Select the learning that is important to you. If you're in need of licensure renewal credit sign up for the Spring Cohort - registration opens February 19. 
 

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School Safety Training March 26 at Keystone AEA, Elkader

The Keystone AEA School Safety Team, Clayton County Emergency Management, and Clayton County Sheriff's Office are partnering together to provide school safety training to local school districts.

This training is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to implement high-quality emergency operation plans.

More information is included on the flier and participants can register at https://forms.gle/uTR6wLYPevzvNU7p6

 

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Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEAs)

AEAs offer ALL of Iowa's schools the opportunity to access specialists, equipment, and resources, ensuring fairness among large and small schools in urban and rural areas. #EveryDayatAEA   New Article: Ensuring Student Success: The Vital Role of AEAs in Mental Health Support

Learn more about Iowa's AEAs
www.iowaaea.org

Reminder: if a public employee chooses to contact/engage with legislators they must do so on a personal device using a personal email address during non-work hours.

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Job Shadowing for High School Students

Keystone AEA offers job shadowing for high school and college students. Information for high school students can be found on our website. Students should work through their School Counselor, Work-Based Learning Supervisor (MOC), or Work Experience Coordinator (WEC). For more information contact Teresa Bushman or call at 563-241-3036.

 

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New! Get your Computer Science Endorsement!
The full cost of this program is covered by a CS-ForAll:RPP scale-up grant by the National Science Foundation. Iowa's AEAs are partnering with UNI to grow computer science education program in Iowa. This opportunity allows any teacher in Grades 5-12 to complete the coursework to earn the CS endorsement.  Approximately 25 teachers from Keystone AEA will be awarded scholarships for free tuition for the entire program while additional teachers may participate for significantly reduced tuition of less than $250 per graduate course. Cohort starts in June 2024

Complete the interest form at bit.ly/CSED_UNI_NSF23.
Additional information and an application will be sent to those who apply between December 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024.
View Frequently Asked Questions at chas.uni.edu/cs/csed/aea

Learn more
Contact Sherri Imoehl at simoehl@keystoneaea.org or  800-632-5918. 

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Minimal Facts Interviewing Training
January 12, 2024
12:30-3:30 PM
Keystone AEA Elkader

Minimal facts interviewing training teaches professionals likely to receive a report of child abuse how to appropriately gain information from the child without compromising the investigation. Participants will learn to do's and don'ts associated with interviewing children, how their information is applied to the investigation, information about child protection centers, and risk factors and warning signs for abuse. The training is taught by trained forensic interviewers and is based on knowledge of child development and participation in child abuse investigations.

Register