The EdVenture Group has an extensive history of developing a wide variety of programs which focus on
- helping K-12 educators utilize the latest technology tools and concepts in their schools;
- updating classroom practices to inspire 21st Century students;
- connecting businesses and schools; and
- providing quality professional development for businesses and community members.
ATEC | EdPace | eTrek | GLOBE | AP Academy | iRULE | LEAD | Phase 9 | STTS | Biometrics | Tech Standards | Tech Transition
The Appalachian Technology in Education Consortium (ATEC) is a group of public and non-profit private organizations that provide research-based assistance and practical solutions to educators striving to integrate technology into the classroom. The ATEC was one of ten Regional Technology in Education Consortiums (RTEC) funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Each RTEC served a different area of the country but all shared the same goal:to help educators select the best technology for their school and use that technology in practical and creative ways. ATEC partners (The EdVenture Group, CNA Corporation, the University of Memphis and the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative) served Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. top
The Educational Development for Planning and Conducting Evaluations (EDPace) project was one of ten evaluation projects funded by the US Department of Education aimed at increasing the ability of states to design, conduct, and procure high-quality evaluations of educational technology. The EdVenture Group’s major role was to enable classroom teachers to conduct evaluations, create assessment instruments, and understand the elements of scientifically based research. EdPace partners include the West Virginia Department of Education, ROCKMAN ET AL, The EdVenture Group, WVEIS, West Virginia Virtual School and SETDA.top
Visit Valley Worlds of Fun for a hands-on learning experience that will engage students in various academic areas such as math, science, health, and physics.top
GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide, hands-on, primary and secondary school-based education and science program. This project was a cooperative effort by NASA, NSF, EPA and the U.S. Department of State, in partnership with over 140 colleges and universities, state and local school systems, and non-government organizations such as The EdVenture Group. GLOBE improves student understanding of science by involving them in real-life science applications: taking measurements, analyzing data, and collaborating in research with scientists. Over one million primary and secondary students in more than 12,000 schools have taken part in the program since its creation in 1995 and there are more than 20,000 GLOBE-trained teachers. top
This professional development session for Advanced Placement teachers supports 21st Century thinking and utilizes 21st Century tools. During the four day academy, participants engage in interactive learning activities which incorporate higher order thinking skills. The AP teachers also learn about and practice using selected technology tools (e.g., wikis, blogs, podcasting, interactive whiteboards, and social networking/bookmarking). Additional time is devoted to the creation of curriculum units based on the information that is covered during the academy.
AP Academy attendees will:
~Increase their understanding of today’s students— their world views and use of technology tools--in order to close the gap that exists between their real-world and educational experiences;
~Increase expertise with 21st Century technology tools;
~Design units that incorporate
- 21st Century Skills, technology tools, digital communications, and assessments;
- essential questions; and
- higher order thinking skills; and
~Create, publish, teach, and assess an instructional unit that encompasses 21st Century teaching and learning strategies.top
Internet Safety Rules was developed in July 1999 in partnership with the National White Collar Crime Center and the National Cyber Crime Training Partnership. Partners provided $25,000 to develop an Internet curriculum which addressed computer crime issues and consequences. A subject matter expert panel and select West Virginia classroom teachers designed and developed the curriculum. The result was iRule: Internet Safety Rules, a 204-page manual that covers internet crime, history and on line dangers.top
Learning Education Administration from a Distance (LEAD), funded by a $1.2 million State Challenge Grant for Leadership Development by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2001, provided West Virginia superintendents and principals access to quality leadership professional development focused on whole systems change and technology integration. Throughout the 2003-2004 school year, West Virginia administrators who successfully completed the requirements of the LEAD project attended a two-day training session, with instruction focused on increasing personal technology productivity skills, implementing data-based decision making for accountability, and utilizing handheld computers as an observation and evaluation tool for West Virginia professional teacher evaluations. The West Virginia Department of Education Office of Technology and The EdVenture Group partnered in the administration and implementation of this grant.top
Phase 9, a rigorous and effective professional development program, included two five-day workshops for teachers focusing on the development of technology integrated units and the classroom application of the ISTE standards. The project focused on hands-on training and the use of a teacher created web site, The Solution Site http://www.thesolutionsite.com, for technology integration projects and lesson plans. Used since 1998 in classrooms across West Virginia and Pennsylvania, Phase 9 has impacted more than 10,000 teachers and has been proven to positively impact teacher technology integration as well as student test scores. The partners of this initiative included the Marion County Board of Education, the WV Board of Education, the WV Department of Education, 55 local education agencies, The EdVenture Group, five institutions of higher education, profit and non-profit organizations.top
School Technology Team Seminars (STTS) provided hands-on professional development to school technology teams, consisting of an administrator and teacher, to aid in the revision of their five-year strategic plans and transition from the OPTimal format to the State of West Virginia’s new technology plan format. During the 2005-2006 school year, The EdVenture Group and the WVDE introduced schools to the new online plan adopted by the state of West Virginia. STTS were offered throughout the state covering topics related to technology planning as determined by state and national guidelines, Ed Tech and E-Rate requirements, and strategies for alignment within the school’s five-year strategic plan. A comprehensive and thorough evaluation process was conducted for each school by the trainers utilizing the compliance checklist mandated by WV Board policy. top
Teachers and guidance counselors are introduced to the field of biometrics, its benefits to society, and the increasing career opportunities in the biometrics industry for students through interaction with industry leaders in the field of biometrics, participation in field trips to area biometric businesses, creation of lesson plans integrating biometrics, and involvement in real world activities utilizing biometrics. Students develop a general awareness of biometrics and its career opportunities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, while business leaders and educators work collaboratively to promote 21st Century Skills and improve STEM literacy among students, parents and community members in the region.top
The Technology Standards for Teachers courses were designed to provide West Virginia teachers with the opportunity to develop proficiency and critical judgment in computer-based applications in curriculum, teaching-learning activities and student assessment. The primary attention was to provide the participant the opportunity to develop an awareness of how technology can be used in the classroom. The course addressed each of the technology standards set forth by WV State Board Policy 5100 and prepared participants to train other teachers in these standards and focused on word processing, spreadsheets, Internet-based applications, multimedia, hardware, web development, troubleshooting and the use of peripherals.top
The Tech Transition project targeted displaced workers in West Virginia communities. In 1998, this program was designed in response to high unemployment in the region, growing interest in the Technology Opportunity Centers, and the need for more specialized training. In cooperation with West Virginia University and Fairmont State College, Introduction to Computers, Microsoft Skills Certificate Program, and LAN courses were developed to meet the local demand for much-needed information technology skills and were offered for free college credit.top
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info@edvgroup.org or 304-296-9021
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