Educational Technology & Innovative Practices

  • BrightBytes – Data Interpretation and Action Planning

    The AIU has a research partnership agreement with BrightBytes.net that allows every AIU district to use the data collection tool to gain insight on the impact of instructional technology on student achievement. As part of the support services, the AIU will provide a review of the data collection results for administrative groups and other stakeholders.  In addition, the AIU will assist in the development of action plans related to areas targeted for growth that directly tie to district goals and initiatives.

    Educational Community Partners

    The AIU’s Teaching and Learning staff are available to facilitate and organize professional development sessions offered by educational community partners including, but not limited to: Microsoft, Google and Apple. Offerings include: Office 365, GSuite for Education and various Apple educational workshops.

    Emerging Instructional Technologies

    The AIU’s Teaching and Learning staff can assist school districts with a variety of emerging instructional technologies.  Services include: consultation during the exploration and planning phase as well as training during the implementation phase.  Focus areas are: tablet integration including iPad and Kindle, one-to-one and bring your own device (BYOD), interactive response systems and web-based formative assessment tools including Nearpod, Pear Deck and Poll Everywhere.  

    GSuite for Education

    Become a Certified Google Educator (Level 1 or Level 2)

    The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is offering 3-day Google Educator Certification Coaching Sessions with in-depth training on Google topics including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Documents, Sheets, Forms, Slides, Drawings, Classroom, Sites, Chrome, Blogger, Maps, YouTube, and more.

    The content of these 3-day trainings is designed to prepare participants for the official Google exams to earn a Google Educator Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.  Please note that participants are responsible for passing the Google exams. We cannot guarantee a passing score. We will walk you through the application process.

    For more information and to register, visit https://sites.google.com/aiu3.net/gcoaching/home.

    Google Tools for (Digital) School Leaders

    A One-Day Workshop for school leaders who want to take advantage of Google’s GSuite for Education tools to:

    • Promote collaboration
    • Increase communication with school community without increasing workload
    • Provide meaningful feedback on teacher lesson plans
    • Build consensus and community for school initiatives
    • Model use of the GSuite for Education for your staff
    • Manage your personal productivity and efficiency

    Google Kickstart For Absolute Beginners

    Do you hear your friends talking about "Google this" and "Google that" and you've never tried it yourself, or you haven't gotten very far with it? Well, then this is the session for you! We'll take it slow and give you a good feel for how Google's tools can help you as a teacher. BRING A LAPTOP with you so you can do everything in this hands-on, exploratory session, you will be guiding you through the various applications, allowing time for you to understand how they work. After this session, you'll be able to join in the conversation about the great things you can do with Google in the classroom!

    Applied Digital Skills Training

    According to the International Society for Technology in Education, The Applied Digital Skills curriculum is a free technology curriculum developed by Google that uses video-based instruction and creative projects to teach seventh-12th grade students how to use and apply G Suite applications like Docs, Sheets and Slides.

    Be Internet Awesome

    To make the most of the Internet, kids need to be prepared to make smart decisions. Be Internet Awesome teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence.

    Southwestern PA  Open Educational Resources Network

     The AIU provides professional development and support to districts exploring/using open educational resources (OER) that educators can integrate into their curriculum.  Periodic workshops are held to familiarize those new to OER, share strategies and successes among those already using them, and highlight resources that assist districts or individual educators, such as the PAIU OER Hub on the OER Commons

    Integrating Technology into the Curriculum

    The AIU provides individualized support for districts in effectively and appropriately integrating technology into curricula and classroom instruction.  This can be a team approach when appropriate, involving curriculum specialists, or other educational technology professionals with specific expertise to share. Services include: consultation during the exploration and planning phase as well as training during the implementation phase.  Focus areas are: device integration (eg, iPad, Chromebook, Windows notebooks) in one-to-one and bring your own device (BYOD) implementations, and web-based instructional tools including apps, websites and resources.

    Media Coordinator Role-Alike Meetings

    The AIU holds quarterly media coordinator role-alike trainings for district media specialists/librarians.   Information on technology integration in schools is presented and discussed.

    Online Learning Professional Development

    The AIU’s Teaching and Learning staff provides training focused on the creation of courses using a learning management system, such as Blackboard, Canvas, or Schoology. The focus will be either an asynchronous or a blended environment.

     

    The Allegheny Intermediate Unit offers many professional development opportunities for technology integration and educational technology services. For more information on any of the above listings, please contact Jana Baxter or Kevin Conner.