Refining Inquiry Practices

Dr. Kathy Swan, University of Kentucky, and Dr. John Lee, North Carolina State University, provide an overview of the Inquiry Design Model, which was developed by C3 Teachers in an effort to support the implementation of the Inquiry Arc, one of the pillars of the College, Career, and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies State Standards. Throughout the course, we see Arkansas students and educators as they work through inquiries. Students explain the ways in which the Inquiry Design Model is changing how they view social sciences and how it is building skills for success that even carry over into other subject areas. Panelists, comprised of experts, teachers, and students, address frequently asked questions and concerns commonly expressed by teachers considering using the Inquiry Design Model in their classrooms.

ATI Online: Intellectual Property and Copyright in the Field of Education

This course, ATI Online - Intellectual Property and Copyright in the Field of Education, is an educator's guide to traversing the surface of copyright and trademark law with "fair use."

ATI Online: Planning Video Production

This Arkansas Technology Institute (ATI) Online course showcases Stephanie Lewis, an Arkansas Education Television Network Producer, discussing the details of successfully planning a video production at the annual ATI Online Workshop. In this course, participants will learn questions to ask during the planning stages of production, the importance of scouting, and the meaning of persistence of vision. 

ATI Online: Techniques of Video Production

This course from Arkansas Technology Institute (ATI) Online teaches participants the basics of camera operation. It addresses beginning production and camera skills in three parts – Shot Composition, Basic Camera Setup and Operation, and Lighting. Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) Producer, Amy Waller demonstrates lighting techniques, how to use microphones, and various types of camera shots to be used for basic filming.

ATI Online: Editing Techniques - Things We've All Learned the Hard Way

This course provides the novice learner with basic video editing techniques and concepts. The lessons in this course will provide teachers with knowledge of how to prepare and to use video footage. The goal of this course is for teachers to be able to develop, and then implement, technology-based projects and lesson plans in the classroom.

This Editing Techniques course was previously taught and recorded during the week-long Arkansas Technology Institute in the Arkansas Educational Television Network laboratory and studios. Bruce Rodtnick, producer with the AETN Education Division, skillfully guides the novice teacher through this basic editing process. Former ATI graduates are encouraged to take this editing course as a refresher.

ATI Online: Introduction to PowerPoint

This course provides a basic overview of using Microsoft Office PowerPoint to bring technology into the classroom in order to engage students in daily lessons. Teachers will learn how to create a presentation with images and video clips.

Please note that this course was designed as a training for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007. If you are using an older or newer version, some of the buttons and commands may be different.

PBS KIDS ScratchJr: Coding for Early Childhood

PBS KIDS ScratchJr is a free app that introduces young students to principles of programming and gets kids excited about coding. Using PBS KIDS ScratchJr, students age five to eight use block coding along with familiar PBS KIDS cartoon characters to meet challenges and tell animated stories of their own. This course features a professional development seminar on the development, use, and classroom implementation of PBS KIDS ScratchJr. Presented by Aaron Morris (Senior Content Manager, PBS KIDS), the seminar also includes ideas about and materials for creating a "coder camp" for kids. This course also features Amy Routt (Early Childhood Education Specialist, AETN) and her demonstration PBS KIDS ScratchJr lesson to help illustrate the teaching techniques described in the seminar.

While it is not necessary to have access to PBS KIDS ScratchJr to complete this course, it would be helpful to download the app and follow along with the activities in the seminar and the sample lesson on your own device.

The seminar in this course was recorded at the Pine Bluff School District Central Office in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on May 25, 2016. The sample lesson in this course was recorded at AETN Studios in Conway, Arkansas on June 22, 2016.

Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): Social Media Guidelines

In this course, renowned author, attorney, computer forensic specialist, and social media expert Frederick S. Lane discusses several social media pitfalls, including the difficulties of merging the professional and personal lives of an educator and the dangers that students often face online. There are many obstacles present when navigating the often-ambiguous and ever-evolving social norms of online communications. Mr. Lane provides educators with practical tips for communicating professionally while simultaneously advocating for an adequate cyberethics policy in their schools. 

This course was recorded on July 8, 2014 in the AETN studies in Conway, Arkansas.

Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): Digital Citizenship Curricula K-12

This course is designed to discuss the use of technology in all grades beginning in pre-kindergarten and continuing until the end of high school. All students will be using technology from now until the end of their lifetime. Author, attorney, and educational consultant Frederick Lane explains how to instruct students to use technology in an appropriate way that will support their becoming valuable citizens. 

This course was recorded on July 8, 2014 at the AETN Studios.

The Status of Computer Science in Arkansas

Arkansas is one of the leading states when it comes to computer science education. Mr. Anthony Owen, Coordinator of Computer Science for the Arkansas Department of Education, presents an overview of developing K-12 computer science education standards and courses. He also discusses how teachers can best prepare themselves for teaching up-to-date computer science and promoting digital literacy.

This course was recorded at the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Education Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas on April 5, 2016.