Educational Technology at IU13

What does Hybrid Learning mean to you? In Education today, the word hybrid is being used in many different contexts usually referring to mixing or blending models/strategies/practices together in some way.  Just like when we think about a hybrid vehicle, we think about a car that has a gasoline engine and an electric motor, both which can be utilized to make the car run. In Education, we may use the term hybrid or blended classes to refer to some classes via brick and mortar (traditional classes on site in a building) and some classes entirely online (cyber education).  In this case, a student may experience a hybrid of traditional courses and cyber courses (fully online) Students may attend school for some traditional classes and then go online to attend virtual courses.  These are all the things I thought of when I was first introduced to Hybrid Learning in 2012. Since then, Hybrid Learning has taken on a whole new meaning!

How is it that I feel like I was just sitting down to blog about getting ready for this year's Elementary and Secondary Technology Conferences and they are already over?  What an amazing two days we experienced at Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13! Both Conferences we an amazing success due to outstanding presenters and very hard working committee members.  

Tonight feels a little like Christmas Eve, full of anticipation and excitement for what tomorrow brings.  In my case, tomorrow brings the Elementary Technology Conference and the following day, the Secondary Technology Conference.  As I am writing this blog post, my phone is lighting up with registered participants tweeting their excitement for what's coming the next two days with thoughts of learning, growing, and collaborating.

We are very pleased to announce our Fall 2015 STARLAB training at Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 on Oct. 22, 2015.  All Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 districts and all Instructional Media Services (IMS) schools are invited to register for this next training session.  In order to reserve one of the 4 STARLAB Portable Planetariums, each participant must attend a half day workshop to learn how to set up, operate, and take down the STARLAB.  

As you may know, Google Edu Certification Exams were closed last Spring 2015 to undergo a major update and revamp of the current system and exams.  As of mid July 2015, the new exams were opened as well as new certification system and training center. There are now 2 certifications titled Google Educator Level 1 and Google Educator Level 2. Level 1 is for those who have learned the fundamentals of Google Apps for Education and Level 2 is for advanced users of Google Apps for Education.  Users do not have to attain Level 1 certification prior to Level 2 certification.