Guidelines for Showing Videos in the Classroom

As we head into the holiday season, this is a good time to review practices regarding showing videos, both from the teaching and learning perspective as well as legal practice.

We know that making interpretations from visual media is an important skill for students.  Standard 5 from the reading strand indicates that students should be able to:

"Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words."

From the teaching and learning perspective, we believe this may be done effectively using short video clips and snippets.  Given that instructional time is a precious commodity, we believe that full-length movies should be used sparingly and must be tied directly to the curriculum unit or standard.  Commercial videos and/or full-length movies, or clips from the same should not be shown during regular school time for entertainment or reward purposes, but only for direct classroom instructional needs.  

When using video clips or a movie for instructional purposes, please consider the level of sensitivity for the audience who will be viewing the clip.  If the movie or clip has a rating suggesting parental guidance or other restriction, please obtain parental consent prior to its presentation.  

From a legal perspective, there are laws that regulate the showing of videos in school.  Videos may be shown as a part of face-to-face teaching activities as long as the copy of the movie is lawful and it is shown in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction.  The showing of full-length videos for entertainment purposes without securing permission and/or royalties violates both copyright laws as well as our teaching and learning policies. 

In summary, below are ideas to remember when using videos in the classroom:

• We believe that video clips and the occasional movie may have positive instructional potential for students.  
• These are only to be used if they are tied directly to the unit of study or lesson goals. 
• Involve parents when you are sharing a movie or clip that has a rating beyond G or PG.  
• Please do not use videos and full-length movies as reward or entertainment during the regular school day.   
• If you have any questions about video use, please work with your building principal and district office to help make sure they match both teaching and learning expectations as well as legal guidelines. 

Thank you for your work in providing learning opportunities for our students in a variety of formats.

Hour of Code 2015

Next week, December 7-13 is the 3rd annual Hour of Code week!

What is the Hour of Code?

The Hour of Code is movement to demystify coding and expose all students to computer programming.  We live in a world surrounded by technology. And we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly hinge on understanding how technology works. But only a tiny fraction of us are learning computer science, and less students are studying it than a decade ago.  Did you know that the number of computer science jobs is rising three times faster than the number of computer science graduates (code.org)?

Learn more about the 2015 Hour of Code

To participate in Hour of Code 2015, visit hourofcode.org for over 20 self paced tasks related to computer programming.  You could also download the apps Kodable, Hopscotch or CargoBot, Tynker or Daisy the Dinosaur.  Want even more resources?  Check here for a breakdown on recommended apps for grades K-8.  You can also email your teacher librarian, Jamie Fath or Jim Pifer for more support or resources related to coding and Hour of Code.

If you participate, don't forget to register at hourofcode.com/us and let us know.  We’d love to showcase what you’re doing in your classroom

November 11--Veteran's Day Resources and Elementary Grade Level Collaboration

Veteran's Day Resources

Veteran’s Day is November 11^th.  See below for resources related to teaching about Veteran’s Day.

History of Veteran’s Day

http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp 

Take a Vet to School Day

http://www.history.com/shows/mission-to-honor/articles/take-a-veteran-to-school 

Classroom Resources

·         Teaching History http://teachinghistory.org/spotlight/veterans-day 

·         Veteran’s History Project http://www.loc.gov/vets/ 

·         Iowa Gold Star Museum  http://www.iowanationalguardcom/History/Museum/Pages/home.aspx 

November 11th  Elementary Grade Level Collaboration

Time: 2:30*-4:00

Most teachers will either attend learning support for the new math materials, training on our new reading intervention (Lexia Core), or STEM.

Grade K-2 teachers: Altoona, Centennial, Delaware, Mitchellville, Willowbrook--Lexia Core training (includes Title I reading teachers, reading specialists, and ELL teachers)

Location: Altoona Elementary Cafeteria

*Those attending the Lexia Core training--please arrive at Altoona Elementary by 2:20.  There is a critical technology component for this training that will start promptly at 2:30.

Grade K-2 teachers: Clay, Four Mile, Runnells--STEM training (includes reading specialists)

Location: Four Mile Elementary Media Center

Grade 3-5 teachers: Including Title I math teachers and special education teachers--GoMath! support (Personal Math trainer, access to reports, adapted learning) 

Location: Centennial Elementary Gymnasium

Job-Alike Sessions

PK Teachers--IQPPS Portfolio

Location: Clay Elementary

TAG Teachers--Attend either Math or STEM 

Art Teachers-Willowbrook Elementary

PE Teachers-Willowbrook Elementary

Music Teachers-Willowbrook Elementary

Teacher Librarians-TLRC Conference Room

Counselors-Centennial Elementary

Nurses-High School

Resources for September 11th

This week's blog features resources for teaching as we approach the anniversary of the September 11th attacks. These resources are courtesy of the Iowa Department of Education.  You are invited to post additional resources in the comments section of the blog.

·         C-SPAN (http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/Lesson/1449/September+11+2001.aspx) 

o   Includes 8 video clips related to news coverage of September 11^th.  They are:

• WUSA News Coverage from the morning of September 11, 2001 (5 mins)
• Presidential Statement from the morning of September 11, 2001 (2 mins)
• President Bush, September 11, and Critical Decisions (3 mins)
• Photographer Doug Mills on Traveling with the President on September 11 (4 mins)
• Vice President Dick Cheney on September 11 (2 mins)
• New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on September 11 (4 mins)
• New York City Resident's Witness Account (8 mins)
• President Obama's Remarks at the 2013 Pentagon Remembrance Ceremony (7 mins)

·         Newseum

o   Archive of Front Pages on September 11^th (http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?tfp_display=archive-date&tfp_archive_id=091201) 

o   Lesson Plan: Running Toward Danger (http://www.newseumdigitalclassroom.org/digital-classroom/video/running-toward-danger/default.aspx) 

·         Library of Congress September 11^th Documentary Project  (http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/911_archive/) 

·         9/11 Commission Report (http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/07/22/9.11.full.report/)  

·         Teaching History (http://teachinghistory.org/spotlight/september11) 

·         9/11 Memorial Teaching Guides

o   Teaching Guides (http://www.911memorial.org/teaching-911) 

o   Primary Sources (http://www.911memorial.org/911-primary-sources) 

·         New York Times (http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/02/resources-teaching-and-learning-about-911-with-the-new-york-times/) 

·         9/11 Tribute Center (http://tributewtc.org/education/resources) 

Summer Learning and Payroll Documents

Happy first day of summer break, and congratulations on another successful school year! Below are a few notes related to summer work and professional learning.

Join Our Hashtag

So many people have commented to me over the years how lucky teachers are to have the 'summer off.'  We as educators know that the work continues.  I hope everyone has time to relax and recharge over these summer months--you have certainly earned it.  I also know that many of you will be engaged in professional learning and work over the next few months. (Southeast Polk Summer Professional Development Calendar)  If you are on Twitter, you are invited to join our hashtag #whatteachersdointhesummer.  (Be sure to also include the #sepolk hashtag).  We look forward to hearing about your experiences!

Curriculum Work Payroll

We are piloting a new group payroll document this summer for curriculum work.  The coordinator facilitating your session will work with you to access and complete this information.

Teacher Quality and Individual Payroll

We have over 220 teachers taking courses as a part of our Teacher Quality plan (and we have extended the deadline to Friday).  This is outstanding!  When you complete your TQ course, please download an individual payroll form.  This may be found on the MySEP page under Human Resources/Payroll.  I have also included a link below:

2014-2015 Payroll Sheet

Please download this form, and you may either print a copy, or complete electronically. Once completed, please print, sign, and submit to the appropriate supervisor for approval signatures. 

For TQ courses, include a copy of your transcript and submit to Nikki Christianson in the curriculum office.  There is no need to have your instructor sign your payroll form.  

Teacher Quality funds will pay for up to 15 hours of course time.  Many courses include more than 15 hours.  Please just list the 15 hours payable on your payroll form.  For those of you taking online courses, you may list up to 15 hours of time that you worked on the course.

Enjoy your summer of learning and fun!

A Programming Change for Licensure Classes

Programming Change for Licensure Classes

There are new licensure procedures  that will impact how professional development is offered and how teachers earn credits to renew their licenses.  These new procedures will take effect on July 1, 2015.  ALL COURSES <both staff development (license renewal) and graduate> will require 30 hours of outside work for each credit offered in the course.  

As guidelines are established, we are confident that we will be able to offer job-embedded professional development that meets these new standards.  In the meantime, if you are up for renewal, you may want to consider taking a course that begins prior to the July 1 change. 

All Drake University Continuing Education and Professional Development courses offered after July 1, 2015, must be offered for EDMA credit. Drake EDMA courses must have 30 hours of outside work for each credit offered in the course. This applies to both staff development and graduate credit options. *(Please note--if an instructor decides to offer a class for license renewal ONLY, it will not require the 30 additional hours. However, if it is offered for both license renewal AND graduate credit, the requirements for both are the same). For example, if you offer a one-credit course (15 contact hours), there must be an additional 30 hours of work the participants are required to do outside of class. There must also be a way to assess that work. Courses that start before July 1, 2015, can be offered for EDEX credit even if the course ends after July 1. The Heartland AEA Professional Development Advisory Council will be drafting procedures for this change moving forward.

To learn more, watch the video at the link below:

Changes for Licensure Classes

FAQ's

Why is this change happening?

This change is taking place because of two factors:

1. As it applies to Drake University courses, the Title IV Federal Financial Aid Guidelines now require 15 instructor-led hours with an additional 30 hours of outside work. This connects to Federal Student Loan requirements for degree completion.
2. As it applies to license renewal courses, the statewide AEA system is working together to develop common programs, procedures and policies across the state for AEA license renewal programs. With the change to the Drake requirements, and the statewide license renewal programming connections, this change is coming about at this time.

Will graduate credit still work for salary advancement?

As with all personnel questions, it is best to contact your district/school’s Human Resources Department. As far as we know, these credits will still work for advancement on the salary schedule. You may, however, want to double check as to what grade is required (A, B, C, D).

With these added requirements, can I use this credit toward a master’s degree?

If the course is taken for graduate credit, and if you secure advisor approval, these courses can be used as electives in a Drake master’s program. Other universities may also allow these courses. We encourage educators to check with their institution to be certain.

Why are the requirements for licensure renewal credit the same as Drake University credit?

The statewide AEA system, with input from school administrators and university leaders, determined that the focus of a course should be on the learning, not on the number of hours spent on the course. If the rigor of the course meets that of a master’s level, the learning should also be at that level for the license renewal course. This way all participants in a course have the same level of learning, which will lead to more robust conversations and greater learning all around.

Why wouldn’t I just take a course at Drake?

The costs for Drake credit through Heartland AEA are a bargain! If you were to take a course at Drake University, you would pay $450 per credit plus a $60 technology fee. The cost of a one-credit Drake course through Heartland AEA is either $100 or $160 depending on the type of course.

Summer Professional Learning Opportunities--2015

This summer, many teachers will be working with leadership from the curriculum coordinators, instructional coaches, and model teachers to articulate curriculum and design assessments to align with the Iowa Core.  

In addition, Teacher Quality funding (up to $375 per course) will be available for you to expand your professional learning during these summer months. Coursework that supports your current teaching assignment will be eligible for TQ funding.  Soon after you submit the form (found at the link below) you will receive an approval email for your application.

If you are taking a course outside of your current teaching area, please be as complete as possible in your description. A small group from the Teacher Quality Committee will review applications outside of teaching areas to determine funding eligibility. You will be notified shortly after this group meets.

Below are some recommendations of coursework to consider.  (You may also pursue courses outside of these recommendations). These course listings will be updated regularly between now and the end of the school year.  *See TQ "frequently asked questions" at the bottom of the blog.

Teacher Quality Course Application

*When you have completed your course, please submit a course transcript and a payroll sheet to Nikki Christianson for payment.

All Teacher Quality Course applications are due by May 29th.

Course Considerations

***NEW LISTINGS!

Beyond the Basics of Using Moodle - June 22 and 23

Google in the Classroom - online June 25-August 6

Special Education: Helping Students Learn While Meeting Procedural Requirements - June 16 and July 13

Language Arts:

Visual Phonics- June 25 and June 26

Building a Literacy Foundation PK-2 - June 15 and 16

Building a Literacy Foundation PK-2- June 17 and 18

Examining: Overcoming Dyslexia- online May 20-July 15, 2015

Learning from the Reading Experts- June 22 and 23

Universal Core Instruction: Literacy for ALL- July 9, 10, 23 & 24, 2015

Writing Teachers- Work Smarter Not Harder- June 24 and June 25

"Write" On Ways to Meet the ICC K-5 Writing Standards- online June 1-July 3, 2015

Universal Core Instruction: Literacy for All - July 9, 10, 23, 24

Best Practices in Early Literacy Instruction - June 25 and June 26

Universal Core Instruction: Literacy for ALL - July 13, 14, 20, 21 (Additional section added)

Assessment:

OLLIE: Online Assessment, Feedback, and Evaluation online June 10-July 14

Using Formative Assessments to Drive Instruction and Design Interventions online June 15-July 16

Understanding and Developing Multi-tiered System of Supports (MtSS/RtI) I online June 18-July 19

Early Childhood

Building a Literacy Foundation PK-2 - June 15 & 16

Building a Literacy Foundation Pk-2 - June 17 & 18

Visual Phonics - June 25 & 26

Leap Into Life Science - June 10 & 11

Transition Activities - June 22 & 23

Transition Activities 2 - June 29 & 30

Projects of Study: A Projects-based Approach to Early Childhood Curriculum - June 15 & 16

Counseling/At-Risk

The Explosive Child - June 9 & 10

Building College and Career Readiness K-12 - June 8 & 9

Science & Outdoor Learning (Science/Math)

The Outdoor Science Classroom for ALL educators - June 24 & 25 (optional Iowater workshop June 26)

Energy Systems of the Prairie - June 16-18, April 16 (2016)

An IMPACT workshop   http://www.uni.edu/ietti/impact/about_impact/  June 17/18 or July 12-24

Watershed Science (MS/HS) July 28-30 & July 2016

Leap into Life Science (pre K) June 10/11

Water Rocks! Summit  or Water Rocks Summit 2  June 10/11 or June 24/25

Environmental Education Workshop for Teachers: Aligning with Core Standards - July 6-10 (Held at the Environmental Learning Center)

Mathematics

Instructional Modeling of Algebra Topics - June 8 - 9 site based (Grades 6-12)

AEA Best Practices of Mathematics - July 14-16 site based (Grades K-8)

Various math opportunities posted on the AEA Professional Development site

Social Studies

Best Practices in Social Studies Institute.  June 29th & 30th.

(At-a-glance schedule)

“Teaching the Holocaust Today: Why and How” - June 15^th

Teaching Iowa History with Local Resources - July 20 & 21

Building Literacy in Social Studies - June 8th & 9th

Technology

Create and Collaborate with Google in the Elementary Classroom - June 8th and 9th

Google Sites - online June 22-August 16, 2015

Intro to Google Apps: Tools to Integrate - online June 8-August 2, 2015

OLLIE: Introduction to the Online Learner - online June 3-June 23, 2015

OLLIE: Introduction to the Online Learner - online July 8-July 28, 2015

The 4 C's of Teaching = Engagement Through Technology - June 15, 16 & 17 (in Carroll)

Beyond the Basics of Using Moodle - June 22 and 23

Google in the Classroom - online June 25-August 6

Cultural Competency/ ELL/ Diversity

Practical Applications for Celebrating Diversity in the Classroom July 20 & 21

Our Kids Summer Institute June 16 & 17

Bullying Prevention and Intervention- The Why, The What, The How  June 9 & 10

Identifying Your Cultural Identity July 15 & 16

Historical Perspectives of Diversity July 6 & 7

Celebrating Diversity: Gender Issues in the Classroom July 14 & 15

Celebrating Diversity: African American Arts July 6 & 7

Celebrating Diversity: African Cultures June 18 & 19

Celebrating Diversity: African Americans in Iowa June 22 & 23

Celebrating Diversity: Native American Culture June 15 & 16

Celebrating Diversity: Middle Eastern Culture July 9 & 10

Celebrating Diversity: Latino Culture July 27, 28, 29, 30, & 31

Celebrating Diversity: Bosnian Culture July 1 & 2

Celebrating Diversity: Asian American Culture June 25 & 26

Cultural Proficiency in K-12 Schools - June 29 & 30

Advanced Learners/Enrichment/ TAG

The Math of Architecture June 17 & 19

Salisbury House: An Interdisciplinary Exploration June 8 & 9

Project Based Meets Standards Based August 6 & 7

Powerful Project Based Learning Online June 3- July 10

Powerful Project Based Learning Online July 15-August 21

Personalized Learning: Helping Your Students Take Charge of their Learning Online July 8- August 4

Incorporating Quality Questioning for Student Engagement and Learning Online July 23- August 17

Incorporating Bloom's Revised Taxonomy to Increase Learning Online July 28-August 24

Examining The Gifted Brain: Science, Secrets & Synapses Online May 20-Jul 15

Health

 Awkward to Awesome aka Sex Ed Boot Camp - June 16 & 17

 HIV/AIDS/STDs and Puberty/Reproductive Anatomy/Contraception - June 4 & 5

Teaching Sexual Health Education to Students with Special Needs - June 23 

Other Courses to Consider

Assessing and Aligning Academic Rigor in the Classroom June 8 & 9

Working With Your Paraeducator - June 24 & 26

Incorporating Quality Questioning for Student Engagement and Learning - June 23 to August 17

Teacher Quality Frequently Asked Questions

• A TQ application should be completed for any course work--even those courses listed on the blog.

• TQ funds may be used to support taking 1 class over the summer.  Please submit only 1 TQ form.

• TQ funds are eligible for 15 hours of course time (up to $375).  If the course has more hours of contact time, only the first 15 are eligible for TQ funding. 

• Please indicate on your payroll sheet the hours of contact time.  If you are taking an online class, indicate the hours you worked on the course (up to 15) on your payroll sheet.