Course Name:  Blended Learning Institute: Transform Your Traditional Classroom with Blended Learning 

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  15              

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  Are you ready to use “disruptive innovation” to improve learning experiences for your students?  In this course, participants will be exposed to a positive, disruptive way of providing learning experiences to students through a blended learning format.  Blended learning includes a combination of face-to-face and an online learning that presents content, activities, interactive practice, projects, and assessments in this dual format.  The course will introduce the blended learning concept, how it can be implemented in a traditional classroom, facilitation strategies for a successful balance of both learning formats, and sample activities for increasing student interaction, communication, and collaboration.   In addition, teachers will be exposed to new digital tools for increasing student engagement in a blended learning environment. High school teachers will utilize Canvas Learning Management System.  Elementary and Middle School teachers will utilize Gooru Learning Platform.  Participants who successfully complete this blended learning institute will receive a $100 stipend, access to digital curriculum, and ongoing support and training to ensure successful implementation in the classroom. 

Course Registration Link:  Blended Learning Registration

Course Name:  Using the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment to Build Resilience in Pre School-Aged Children

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  2          

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  In this online course, you will learn how to assess preschool-aged children using the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment. In addition, you will explore a number of strategies for building resilience in the classroom and at home. The Devereux Early Childhood Assessment provides reliable and valid data to promote young children’s social and emotional development. The teacher resources and strategies for families are designed to ensure that screening and assessment data is incorporated into planning efforts for the home and school to strengthen children's protective factors.

Course Registration Link:  Devereux Early Childhood Assessment

Course Name:  Autism in the Classroom - Differentiating Instruction for Exceptional Learners

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units: 3            

Course Format:  Blended Learning (Face-to-Face with Online Elements)

Course Description: 

Parents and professionals agree that it takes planning and focused effort to help a child with autism get the most out of the classroom experience. It also takes significant structure and the understanding that every child with an autism spectrum disorder is unique. That means each child has different symptoms as well as styles of learning. In this course, you will get a brief overview of autism, its associated symptoms, and how they manifest in the classroom as well as strategies for differentiating for this exceptional student. 

Course Registration Link:   Autism in the Classroom

Course Name:  Digital Storytelling - Creating an Artful Narrative Using Digital Tools

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  18              

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  In this 18-hour course, participants will learn to use Digital Storytelling (DS) as a creative mechanism for connecting students to the curriculum in a personalized and intentional way.  Digital Storytelling builds 21st Century skills while capitalizing on student interests and creativity.  Digital Storytelling provides students with an opportunity to share personal stories using digital media (images, video, audio/music, text, narration, and animation).  Participants will learn about the benefits of using DS in the classroom, what makes a great digital story, and will create their own digital story using Adobe Spark specific to their content area.  As the culminating activity, teachers will develop a lesson plan intentionally implementing Digital Storytelling into their course content/discipline. 

Course Registration Link:  Digital Storytelling Registration

Course Name:  Engage Your Students in Real Time with Nearpod!  

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  6              

Course Format:  Blended Learning (Face-to-Face with Online Elements)

Course Description:  Bring your classroom to life and engage your students using interactive, multimedia presentations in Nearpod.  This amazing digital platform provides opportunities for teachers to create dynamic lessons, gauge student understanding of content in real time, and monitor and measure student learning (individual and class) to differentiate instruction.  Nearpod is multi-platform and can be used on any device (PC, Mac, iPad, tablets, mobile).  Come check out this digital tool that will revolutionize the way your students think and collaborate!  Participants who successfully complete this course will have an opportunity to win a Gold Nearpod membership for their classroom! 

Course Registration Link:   Nearpod Registration

Course Name:  Formative Assessment Series - Using Google Form Exit Tickets for Formative Assessment   

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  3              

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  There are numerous benefits to using Google Forms – surveys, data collection, invitations, etc. but this tool can also be an effective means for gauging student learning – in the form of exit tickets.  Students love the ability to use technology and to demonstrate their knowledge.  In this course, teachers will learn that using a Google Form is a quick and meaningful avenue for formative assessment that provides immediate data in the form of pre-populated charts and graphs.  Participants will have the opportunity to explore and develop a Google Form to use in their specific content area.  Get ready to wow and engage your students using this formative assessment tool!  

Course Registration Link:  Using Google Form Exit Tickets

Course Name:  Formative Assessment Series - Using Padlet and Lino for Formative Assessment

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  3              

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  Formative assessment is a process, not an assessment tool or instrument, which includes collecting information on student progress toward a learning goal. The information is then used to adjust instruction and increase student learning. The assessment for learning process is not an add-on to instruction, but an integral part of instruction necessary to identify and to close the learning gap for each student.  In this three (3) hour course, you will explore two digital tools, Lino and Padlet, that can be used to gauge student learning in a dynamic and engaging way. You will have an opportunity to create your own assessment instruments that can be immediately incorporated into your classroom environment.  In addition to these tools, participants will learn about other effective strategies for assessing student learning and providing personalized learning experiences for their students.

Course Registration Link:  Using Padlet and Lino Registration

Course Name:  Google Educator Certification, Level 1

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  15              

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  This course provides an introduction to the Google Certification system and Level 1 Educator Certificate.  If you regularly use Google tools in your classroom, this Level 1 Certification validates your proficiency.  This Google Fundamentals training touches upon topics such as Engaging in Professional Growth and Leadership, Increasing Efficiency and Saving Time, and Facilitating and Inspiring Student Learning and Creativity.  This course will walk you through the certification process, in conjunction with the Google training, and will provide practice opportunities to prepare you for the certification examination.  After you complete this course, ASU Prep will pay for participants to take the certification exam (up to one time).  Take your classroom and career to the next level by getting Google Level 1 Certified!  Future courses at ASU Prep will be provided for Level 2 Certified Educator, Certified Trainer, and Certified Innovator.  Get your Google on!

Course Registration Link:  Google Educator Level 1 Registration

Course Name:  Teacher Technology Playground –Digital Tools to Integrate Technology into the Classroom in a Meaningful Way   

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  6              

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  

This course provides an introduction to digital tools that can be used to increase teacher efficiency in the classroom while engaging students and bringing content to life.  The tools that course participants will explore and reflect upon include:

• Seesaw - is a student-driven digital portfolio that empowers students to independently document what they are learning at school.  This digital tool allows students to easily capture their learning in any format using photos, videos, drawings, text notes, and links.

• Crash Course - Crash Course is a YouTube channel that offers deeply-researched, information-packed video courses in episodic format on topics such as world history and astronomy.

• Study Blue - StudyBlue is an online studying platform to prepare students for assessments. It houses a comprehensive library of user-created flashcards and study guides.

• iTunes U – This digital tool is a library of free educational resources for teachers and students. It offers lectures, videos, books, and other educational materials to supplement classroom content.

• Quizizz – A fun, interactive way for students to test their knowledge of content in a healthy, competitive way using this digital platform.  The tool can also be used to collect student data and conduct classroom surveys, too!  

• Google Explore  -  After clicking the "Explore" icon in your Google Doc, Sheets, or Slides, you have  a wealth of information at your fingertips!  Complete a quick manual search for information without leaving your document!  A much appreciated tool for regular Google Users!

Participants of this course will equip themselves with a toolbox of new digital assets to increase student outcomes and engagement.

Course Registration Link:  Teacher Technology Playground Registration

Course Name:  High Yield Behaviors (HYBs)

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  Approximately  5 Hours Per HYB

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  

Would you like the opportunity to enhance your teacher evaluation while increasing student engagement and collaboration in your classroom?  If so, you will want to explore the seventeen High Yield Behavior modules.  Participants can choose to explore from the following topics:  

• Teacher Content and Pedagogy Knowledge

• Standards, Objectives, and Language Objectives

• Knowledge and Grouping of Students

• Creating a Respectful Culture and Managing Student Behavior

• Students Demonstrate Use of Cognitive Strategies

• Students Use Academic Language and Vocabulary

• Students Engage and Participate Through Socratic-Type Discource

• Assessment for Learning and Academic Feedback

• Technology Promotes Deeper Learning

• Students are Engaged Academically

• Students Explore Real World Phenomena, Make Estimations, Predictions, and Hypothesize

• Students Use a Variety of Means to Demonstrate Learning

• Students Engage in Thought-Provoking Activities

• Students Reflect on Their Learning Related to the Learning Target

• Students Engage in Rigorous Tasks, Constructive Criticism, and Challenging Ideas

• Students Communicate Their Ideas to Others

• Students are Part of a Learning Community

These courses are a great way to increase your pedagogical knowledge and practice while making an impactful difference in your classroom.

Course Registration Link:  High Yield Behaviors Registration

Course Name:  How Personalized Learning Can Transform Your Classroom

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  3            

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  The new buzzword for 2017 is ‘Personalized Learning.’ The “one-size-fits-all” approach used in the past to teach does not addresses the unique learning needs of each student in the 21st Century classroom.  Personalized learning means providing a diverse array of learning experiences, instructional approaches, and supports to meet the individual and specific needs, interests, learning styles, and goals of each student in your classroom.   It sounds like a monumental task, but it can be successfully accomplished!  This three (3)-hour course will provide participants with strategies, techniques, and tools that can be used immediately to personalize learning experiences and create a learner-centered classroom.  

Course Registration Link:  Personalized Learning Registration

Course Name:  How to 'STEM' Your Classroom - For Any Academic Discipline - Not Just for Science and Math Teachers!

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  4             

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  The topic of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is often overlooked by teachers not associated with these disciplines, but it is easy to incorporate STEM principles and activities into any content area.  In this three (3) hour course, participants will be introduced to STEM principles, why they should ‘STEM’ their classroom, and how they can successfully infuse STEM into their curriculum and effectively assess student learning.  STEM isn’t just for Math and Science anymore! 

Course Registration Link:  How to STEM Your Classroom Registration

How to Teach Hour of CodeTM in Your Classroom, Grades 1-5 

Would you like to integrate technology meaningfully and intentionally into your classroom?  Code.org provides an introductory one-hour program known as “Hour of Code” for students in grades 1-5 to learn about coding.  According to the website, “The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.”  In this three (3) hour course, participants will learn how to implement the Hour of Code program in their classroom.  This is a great way to introduce students to basic coding skills and to teach them about career opportunities in this high-demand field.  

Course Registration Link:  How to Teach Hour of Code

Course Name:  Kung Fu Canvas

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  12        

Targeted for Teachers Grades 7 - 12     

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  Canvas is a Learning Management System that houses online course content, activities, assignments, discussion boards, and assessments.  It is a terrific tool that teachers can use in the classroom to blend learning (e.g. include a combination of face-to-face and online content) and to build student engagement and interest in the content.  In this uniquely designed course that includes Kung Fu belt achievement levels, teachers will learn about the basics of creating a course in Canvas while identifying tools and strategies they can use to increase student engagement and learning outcomes.  After completing the hands-on practice activities, participants should have a strong grasp of how to design a course in Canvas including content and activities.   If you are considering a blended learning approach in your classroom, this is the class for you!

Course Registration Link:  Kung Fu Canvas Registration

Course Name:  Mindtools for Building Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Course Hours/Continuing Education Units:  18             

Course Format:  Online (Self-Paced)

Course Description:  

Welcome to Mindtools for Building Critical Thinking and Problem Solving! In this eighteen (18) hour course, you will have the opportunity to explore several digital tools that can be used in your classroom to promote critical thinking and problem solving.  Mindtools are technological tools that are used to facilitate critical thinking in learners by having them analyze content, connect new information with prior knowledge, and develop their own mental models of concepts, data, and phenomenon.  These digital tools include concept maps, hypermedia, databases, spreadsheets, intentional searches, and visualization tools.  While these tools have been around for many years and may not seem “revolutionary,” it is the way in which they are intentionally incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate deep thinking and metacognition that makes them innovative and pioneering.  In this course, participants will learn about the benefits of using Mindtools and Constructivist theory to create and support thought-provoking learning experiences for their students.  Participants will have an opportunity to explore five (5) digital Mindtools and practice using each in structured activities.  Mindtools will help teachers to revolutionize the way their students think in the classroom! 

Course Registration Link:  Mindtools Registration