VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

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Good News From AIM-VA: Eligibility is Easier Than Ever

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AIM VA logoThere are big and exciting changes coming to Virginia’s K-12 students who struggle to effectively read printed text.  AIM-VA, Virginia’s accessible materials producer, just announced updated eligibility requirements that will make it easier for school divisions to access alternate print materials and allow more students greater access to alternate formats.

AIM-VA, through a grant from the Virginia Department of Education, provides accessible materials to eligible Virginia K-12 students with an Individualized Education Program. Accessible instructional materials or AIM are alternative print materials converted into specialized formats like ePub, accessible PDF, or braille. Research shows that these materials can positively impact a wide variety students by improving grades, increasing motivation, or building reading independence. Got a text-to-speech reader or app that allows students to customize text? Great, all you need is an accessible format to read! That’s where AIM-VA comes in.

There are two requirements that must be met to assure a student is eligible for AIM-VA materials.

  1. The student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that indicates the student may benefit from using alternative print materials for reading.
  2. The student has a print disability due to one of the following:
    • Low Vision/Blindness
    • Physical Disabilities
    • Other Disabilities

This is where we start to get excited about the new changes to AIM-VA eligibility requirements!  A student is considered to have a print disability if they cannot effectively read print because of a visual, physical, perceptual, developmental, cognitive, or learning disability.  While AIM-VA previously required a medical doctor as the competent authority, the new eligibility update allows school divisions to self-identify ‘competent authorities’ within in their division to confirm a print disability, such a special education teacher, school psychologist or occupational therapist. While this update necessitates division preparation and commitment, it will also allow LEAs to provide AIM for students in the classroom more efficiently and effectively.

TL;DR?* For those who have used AIM-VA in the past, students no longer need a doctor’s note to receive AIM-VA materials!

The AIM-VA team is incredibly happy to be able to make this announcement and hope these changes make it easier to access AIM-VA materials.  If you have any questions please contact call or email at: 866-926-1789 or AIMVA@gmu.edu

Note: AIM-VA is accessed by using an official Virginia public school email address.  School personnel are able to create an account and order AIM for eligible students by visiting the AIM-VA Ordering Portal.

*too long, didn't read

CETL Study Groups for Spring 2018

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For K-12 education technology leaders, earning theCETL® certification will demonstrate to your staff, superintendent, and other stakeholders that you have mastered the knowledge and skills needed to define the vision for and successfully build 21st century learning environments in your school district.

The VSTE CoSN Council has scheduled two sets of CETL® study groups in Northern Virginia. They will be led by Dr. Barbara Gruber from Loudoun County, and Dr. Tim Tillman, both CETL certified educators.

Northern Virginia:
This study group will be held at the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA 20151 and led by Barbara Gruber. You must register by February 26 in order to be added to the parking list.

March 3, 2018, 10 AM - 1 PM
March 17, 2018, 10 AM - 1 PM
April 7, 2018, 10 AM - 1 PM

Central Virginia:
This study group will be held at theColonial Heights Technical Center.  3451 Conduit Rd, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.

March 10, 2018, 10 AM - 1 PM
March 24, 2018, 10 AM - 1 PM
April 14, 2018, 10 AM - 1 PM

If you wish to attend the Northern Virginia study group, you must register by

Register now. 

 

Digital Native Does Not Mean Instant Digital Learner

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I am sure most of you have heard of the terms “digital immigrants” and “digital natives.”  All of us born before technology infiltrated our lives are “immigrants” and the ones born into this technology world are “natives.”  There is a misconception by many educators that the “digital natives” in our classrooms are very tech savvy and know so much more than we could ever learn when it comes to using technology.  Some educators are a bit intimidated by their students because handling technology seems to come naturally to them. Most students do not fear the technology since they have always been around it their entire lives.  In reality, it all comes down to attitude.  Even us “digital immigrants” can adapt and become as comfortable as the “natives” and I am proud to say that many have!  Another reality we educators must come to understand is that just because a student is comfortable with technology does not mean they know how to maximize its use for learning!

I have had the privilege of teaching many instructional technology graduate-level courses for a local university for many years now.  It has been very rewarding to work with current educators as we learn and share effective ways to utilize technology to help students learn.  This semester I have the special opportunity to teach an undergraduate course on instructional technology for the first time at a local university.  I have twenty students in my class which consists of mostly Juniors, but there a couple of Sophomores and a few Seniors.  They are all digital natives!  They cannot imagine life without the Internet, cell phones and social media. It did not take me long to figure out that even though they were natural texters, Snapchatters and Instagramers, (not sure if these are actual terms!)  they had much to learn on how technology could impact not only their learning but their teaching! You should have seen their faces when they saw how the Explore option in Google Sheets could automagically generate numerous charts to represent their data.   None of them had ever heard of Padlet and after using several in class to provide feedback on various articles I assigned them they enjoyed creating their own which allowed for audio, video and drawing feedback.  They experienced a backchannel for the first time using TodaysMeet.  Finally, they were able to use EdPuzzle to take video viewing to a new level. You could feel the energy and hear the ideas of how these tools could make a difference in their instruction. The learning has been a two-way street!  It has been exciting when they share ideas and tips on various digital tools. Teaching is a great way to learn!

So, when any of you “digital immigrants” stand before a confident, “I know it all,” bunch of “digital natives,” just remember they have much to learn when it comes to the effective use of technology. Don’t worry, they will not have any fear of using it, so show them how powerful instructional technology can be!

Tim Taylor
timtaylor@vste.org
Shenandoah County Public Schools
Director

Big Deal Book, February 1, 2018

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Blue rectangle with words Maximizing Technology in the the 21st Century Classroom bright graphic on left side of rectangle displays words Big Deal MediaVSTE partners with Big Deal Media to bring you the "best of the best" of web-based resources, classroom competitions and teacher grant programs. The February 1, 2018, newsletter offers resources that Integrate Engineering with Literacy, Connect Geometry and Art & More.

Here are a few of our favorites. Be sure to check out the complete newsletter using the link below. The archives have some great stuff, too!

Program Integrating Engineering and Literacy

Researchers at Tufts University’s Center for Engineering Education and Outreach partnered with teachers to design a program they call Novel Engineering, which plays on the literary strengths of elementary and middle school teachers to help them explore hands-on, science-oriented activities in their classrooms.

Competition Bringing Poetry to Life

Poetry Out Loud encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. The program’s National Recitation Contest, sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, begins at the classroom level.

Grants to Fund Special Projects

The Association of American Educators (AAE) Foundation offers classroom grants of up to $500 that can be used for a variety of projects and materials, including but not limited to books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audiovisual equipment, and lab materials.

Big Deal Book, February 1, 2018

Archives

Please Vote Now: Three Virginia Educators Nominated for NEXTGeneration Awards

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Each year, CoSN and edscoop recognize NEXTGeneration leaders who are making a difference in K-12 educational technology. To qualify for the program, candidates had to be employed by a K-12 school, district or education service agency; have worked five or fewer years as an education technology professional; and have demonstrated leadership in the schools and districts they serve.

Three Virginia educators have been nominated for this prestigious award. The final selections are made based on vote tallies. You do not have to be a member of CoSN to vote so please consider taking the time to review the candidates and vote.

http://edscoop.com/nextgeneration/2018/