May 28, 2019 Creative Learning Educator Survey Open For Responses Are you an educator that encourages creative learning and expression? The Heinz Endowments and the University of Pittsburgh are looking to receive your input via the Creative Learning Educator Survey. About The Creative Learning Educator Survey was established to learn more about creative learning opportunities for youth in the Pittsburgh region. The survey will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete, with questions related to teaching artistry and creative learning. Results from this study will be utilized to better inform how to support our region’s creative learning programs and organizations. After completion, participants will be entered into a raffle to win an iPad. Participation is voluntary. Learn More To learn more and participate in the survey, visit their website. For questions, contact Principal Investigator, Tom Akiva at tomakiva@pitt.edu or Project Coordinator, Esohe Osai at ero19@pitt.edu.
April 3, 2019 PAsmart Announces Grant Awardees In February 2019, Governor Tom Wolf announced funding for PAsmart Apprenticeship and Next Generation Industry Partnerships grants which will connect Pennsylvanians with the information needed to succeed in our evolving economy. About PAsmart PAsmart is focused on ensuring Pennsylvania students and workers have the skills and abilities to meet the economic needs of the 21st century. This initiative aims to do this by expanding access to STEM education in Pennsylvania schools, embracing the Next Generation Industry Partnership model, and creating the Apprenticeship and Training Office to increase apprenticeship opportunities within a variety of industries. OCDEL’s Role The Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports the efforts of PA’s Department of Labor and Industry and is working with them to professionalize the early education field. Efforts include increasing access to a career pathway that results in stackable, portable credentials, and providing relevant, developmentally and culturally appropriate content to support educators working with young children to advance their individual career and education progression. Organization Grantees The following organizations will be supported through PAsmart funds: 1100c Training and Upgrading Fund: Will expand their apprenticeship model in Southeastern Pennsylvania Partner4Work: Will establish a regional hub for Early Childhood Education registered apprenticeships in the Pittsburgh Metro Area Keystone University: Will partner with Lackawanna Trail High School, Luzerne County Community College, and Wilkes University to build an Early Childhood Education (ECE) pipeline through a competency-based apprenticeship that leads to an entry-level ECE credential Shippensburg University: Will design curriculum and develop advanced competencies to expand the Philadelphia ECE apprenticeship to four-year programs Arcadia University: Will expand their RA program for ECE First Up and its partners: Will expand upon apprenticeship supports and program to provide career paths in ECE Learn More For more information, visit pasmart.gov. * Information provided by OCDEL’s PA Early Ed Newsletter
March 29, 2019 Lunch & Learn: Navigating the Future of Learning Join Remake Learning on April 25th to explore KnowledgeWork’s most recent forecast on the future of learning, “Navigating the Future of Learning.” Context Engaged citizens and civic organizations are seeking to rebalance power. Artificial intelligence and algorithms are automating many aspects of our lives. People have increasing access to tools and insights that are reshaping our brains in intended and unintended ways. Outdated and misaligned systems and metrics of success are contributing to chronic health issues. Communities are working to remake themselves in the face of deep transitions. How these forces combine and interact will present a new context for education and a new landscape of choices for transforming teaching and learning. About the Event As always, this is free, open gathering designed to forge and develop relationships between the educators, innovators, and change agents that make up the Remake Learning Network. Join to discuss your craft, address issues, share opportunities, and connect to resources. Learn more at remakelearning.org/meetups Lunch will be provided with a vegetarian option. Please help reduce food waste by letting them know if you need to cancel your registration. The cut-off date for special food requests is April 21. Registration To register, visit Remake Learning’s event page. Questions & Concerns For any questions or concerns, email Ani at ani@remakelearning.org.
December 20, 2018 PA Wins Brandon Hall Group Excellence Bronze Award In August 2018, the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and PA Key course, Assessment: Beyond the Basics of Observation and Data Utilization, won the prestigious Brandon Hall Group Excellence Bronze Award for best in Custom Content. The Excellence Awards The Excellence Awards recognize the best organizations that have successfully deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems, and tools that have achieved measurable results. Award entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives based upon the following criteria: Fit the need Design of the program Functionality Innovation Overall measurable benefits. See the full list awardees. About the Course The winning self-paced online course for early learning teachers provides an overview of classroom assessments of young children and how information from assessments can be used to inform instruction. The course was developed in collaboration with CyperhWorx, Inc. and was made possible through Pennsylvania’s Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant. Professional Development To register for the winning course (and others), visit the PA Professional Development Registry. *Information provided by the PA Early Ed News
