Technology in the Classroom

January 2023

Scale-Up Program Applications Now Open for Iowa Educators to Access World-Class STEM Programs

The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council announces applications have opened for the STEM Scale-Up Program which provides educators and students throughout the state with access to exemplary STEM educational opportunities. These programs are some of the top in the nation and offer a diverse range of STEM activities to nearly 100,000 students each year. The application period for the STEM Scale-Up Program closes on February 28, 2023, at 6 p.m.

A team of trained reviewers considers evidence of effect, stability, diverse impact, cost-benefit ratio, sustainability, Iowa Core alignment and more when selecting final educators across Iowa for the 2023-2024 academic year: 

• Codelicious
• Daily Math Fluency Centers
• Discover Drones
• Innovate-IT
• Ioponics
• Iowa Leadership in Engineering Design
• Positive Physics and Chemistry 
• Python for the BBC micro:bit
• STEM Cart: K-12+ Schoolwide STEM Solution
• STEM Innovator 
• Storytime STEM-packs: STEM + Computer Science
• Tiny Techies
• WaterWorks: Engineering and Investigating the Properties of Water

The selected educator recipients will be announced in April. Visit https://www.iowastem.org/scale-up/menu for more information on the 2023-2024 STEM Scale-Up Programs. 

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Dubuque Area Family STEM Festival 

Thursday, April 20
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Clarke University, Dubuque 

Click here to learn more

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Mote→ The Multi-tool of Audio Awesomeness

 

Mote is the audio toolkit for educators and learners across the world - integrated into the products you know and love. From recording audio comments in Google Docs/Slides and layering in audio scaffolds within Google Forms, to voice notes in email and audio directions in Google Classroom, Mote is a dynamic tool that levels up your skills with audio feedback. 

Here are just a few creative ways you can leverage Mote:

• Transform greeting cards

• Audio newsletters

• Micro-podcasting

• Audio Hyperdocs and much more

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🍐 Adding Audio to Pear Decks to Support Students

Want to continue to make Pear Deck even more engaging and empowering? Using the “Add Audio” feature within Pear Deck is an amazing option! 

Teachers can leverage audio added to Pear Deck to scaffold and support students by:

• Adding helpful hints, suggestions, or reminders to help students make connections and activate thinking

• Providing visual descriptions of images or graphics on the slides to provide access to those who might need it (for example, a student with additional visual needs) and providing meaning-making context for all students

• Providing additional contextual information above and beyond the information on the slides in a mode different than text

This month’s tip about adding audio is one elementary and special education teachers love. Take a look! 

Know someone who wants to learn more about Pear Deck?

If you’re interested in learning more about this tool the AEAs and Pear Deck team will be hosting a Pear Deck Training on February 9, 2023 3:30-4:30pm (register if you want the recording). This webinar is great for those that are just learning about Pear Deck and those that need a refresher. In this training we’ll cover:

• Accessing the Pear Deck add-on

• Accessing premade interactive templates with high quality content

• Adding interactivity in your own slides

• What you can do after launching a Pear Deck

RSVP Here to attend or to get the recording!  Access this S’More for more information. 

Each month, be on the lookout for a variety of tips, tricks and testimonials shared via our newsletter, the statewide Iowa AEA website and via social media (@iowa_aea, #iowaaea, @KeystoneAEA #groundedinservice 

For more information or to share your favorite Pear Deck features and ideas, check out the AEA website!

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Elementary Blended and Flipped Learning Newsletter

 

Melissa Wicklund from AEA Learning Online would like to invite you to check out the Elementary Blended Resources Newsletter for your classroom. These newsletters offer options for blended learning, integrating technology, offering choice, and engaging your learners on and off devices! Subscribe today to get in your inbox twice a month! 

Check out the most recent newsletter here!

New AEA Digital Resources for Science Educators
 

Learn With Us: Power Knowledge and Core Concept flyer

Power Knowledge Science Suite (3rd-6th grade) 

• Jan. 24, 2023
• 3:15 – 4:00 p.m.

 

REGISTER NOW!

Core Concepts Science Suite (7-12th grade)

• Jan. 26, 2023
• 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.

 

REGISTER NOW

Seesaw December Updates + Featured Collections

Click here to learn more

Seesaw Library webinar

Registration Link

 

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