Spring 2025 WNYRIC Online Academy Courses
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These session are open to teachers from participating WNYRIC Online Academy districts. Click on the title links below to register for upcoming sessions.
| Start Date | End Date | Instructor Name | Course Title | Course Description | Credit Hours |
| 1/12 | 2/16 | Darlynda Miktuk | Engaging Students in Every Classroom | This 3-hour online-only course will explore the Quick Reference Guide Engaging Students in Every Classroom, written by Susan Hentz and Michelle Vacchio. A Quick Reference Guide is a 6-page laminated pamphlet covering one topic. Participants are responsible for purchasing the guide for this online course. Here is a link to the required guide. The guide may be purchased from any source, but it only exists as a hard copy. | 3 |
| 1/12 | 2/16 | Darlynda Miktuk | Using AI for Differentiating Instruction | This 3 hour online only course will explore ways to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to differentiate instruction. | 3 |
| 1/12 | 2/16 | Darlynda Miktuk | Soft Skills: What Are They and Why Do They Matter | This 3 hour online-only course will facilitate participants' discovery of soft skills, why they matter, and how to elevate them for students in their educational settings. | 3 |
| 1/12 | 2/16 | Darlynda Miktuk | School AI - Let's Explore the Possibilities | School AI (Artificial Intelligence) is an all-in-one AI-powered educational platform designed for K-12 students. Teachers may use tools within the platform to create learning resources and safe student spaces. This 3 hour online-only course will facilitate participants' exploring the different possibilities for using School AI with students in their educational settings. NOTE: Before taking this course, check with your school to ensure you can use School AI in your educational setting. | 3 |
| 1/15 | 6/30 | Mary Kovach | Webinar: Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards - Network and Systems Design | This webinar will explore the New York State Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards, specifically in the area of Network and Systems Design. Topics will include student knowledge and use of Hardware and Software as well as of Networks and the Internet. This webinar can be viewed live on 1/15/25 or as a recording after the fact. Participants will receive credit upon successful completion of the webinar quiz and discussion by 6/30/25. | 2 |
| 1/23 | 2/13 | Mary Kovach | Google Resources for English Language Learners | This course will cover a variety of Google apps, extensions, and add-ons to support literacy for English language learners and all students. Topics in literacy will include vocabulary building, close reading, writing, speaking and listening. This session is designed for educators with Google Workspace for Education accounts through their school district. | 3 |
| 1/23 | 2/13 | Mary Kovach | Microsoft 365 Resources for English Language Learners | This course will cover a variety of Microsoft 365 apps, tools and add-ins to support literacy for English language learners and all students. Topics in literacy will include vocabulary building, close reading, writing, speaking and listening. This session is designed for educators with Microsoft 365 educational accounts through their school district. | 3 |
| 2/12 | 6/30 | Mary Kovach | Webinar: MakeCode Arcade | Microsoft's MakeCode Arcade offers students the opportunity to create "8-bit”-style video games that can be played either online or on Raspberry Pi-based gaming systems/other emulators. Students can start with block-based coding or move into more advanced programming languages. Newer features of the platform include two-player games, adding songs written in music notation, creating customized color schemes, and the ability to incorporate peripherals such as Makey Makey through Extensions. This webinar can be viewed live on 2/12/25 or as a recording after the fact. Participants will receive credit upon successful completion of the webinar quiz and discussion by 6/30/25. | 2 |
| 2/27 | 3/20 | Mary Kovach | Accessibility Tools in Google | As educators, we are always striving to meet the needs of all learners. Learn about resources within Google that will increase the accessibility of your documents and videos, as well as resources that will support a number of student needs. | 3 |
| 2/27 | 3/20 | Mary Kovach | Accessibility Tools in Microsoft 365 | The Microsoft Office and 365 suites offer many tools for ensuring that your documents are accessible for those with disabilities. In this course, we look at these tools within Microsoft Word and explain what strategies can be incorporated to make documents more accessible. We will then look at how the accessibility tools translate to the Microsoft 365 online environment. | 3 |
| 3/9 | 4/13 | Darlynda Miktuk | Using AI to Increase Teacher Efficiency | AI (artificial intelligence) has many benefits for teachers in the classroom. This 3 hour online only course will look at how teachers may use AI to increase their efficiency in their educational setting. | 3 |
| 3/9 | 4/13 | Darlynda Miktuk | Exploring the Benefits of AI: Teaching Students to Use AI for Learning | The education world is concerned that students may only use AI (artificial intelligence) for cheating. This 3 hour online only course will explore strategies for helping students understand how to learn with AI and not just cheat with it. | 3 |
| 3/9 | 4/13 | Darlynda Miktuk | Designing Units for Maximum Engagement for Students | This 3-hour online-only course will explore the Quick Reference Guide Designing Units for Maximum Engagement by Lauren Porosoff. A Quick Reference Guide is a 6-page laminated pamphlet covering one topic. Participants are responsible for purchasing the guide for this online course. Here is a link to the required guide. The guide may be purchased from any source, but it only exists as a hard copy. | 3 |
| 3/12 | 6/30 | Mary Kovach | Webinar: Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards - Cybersecurity | This webinar will explore the New York State Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards, specifically in the area of Cybersecurity. Topics will include student knowledge of the Risks as well as appropriate Safeguards and Responses for Cybersecurity. This webinar can be viewed live on 3/12/25 or as a recording after the fact. Participants will receive credit upon successful completion of the webinar quiz and discussion by 6/30/25. | 2 |
| 3/27 | 4/16 | Mary Kovach | Digital Media in Canva | If you have only used Canva to create graphic designs … you are just scratching the surface of what it can do! In this session, we will discuss how you and your students can get the most out of the FREE resources of Canva. This includes creating and conducting presentations, designing and editing video projects, creating webpages and easily converting project types for a variety of formats. | 3 |
| 3/27 | 4/16 | Mary Kovach | AI for Teacher Productivity | Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline the processes of curriculum planning and assessment, freeing up valuable time for educators to focus on what matters most: their students. This session will explore various AI-powered solutions and strategies tailored to enhance teacher productivity across different aspects of their work, keeping in mind ethical and privacy considerations. | 3 |
| 4/9 | 6/30 | Mary Kovach | Webinar: Coding with Scratch | Scratch is a free coding platform designed by MIT to make coding more accessible for students and other beginners. Students can use block-based programming of "Sprites” to create games and other interactive applications that can be extended beyond the computer by connecting a variety of Extensions. These include micro:bit, LEGO robotics and Makey Makey. Students can also "look inside” the code of any user-created games posted to the site and remix them to make their own project. This webinar can be viewed live on 4/9/25 or as a recording after the fact. Participants will receive credit upon successful completion of the webinar quiz and discussion by 6/30/25. | 2 |
| 5/1 | 5/22 | Mary Kovach | Digital Portfolios in Google Workspace for Education | Both now and in the future, showcasing their work accomplishments and skills in an engaging and accessible format will be essential for students' career advancement and personal branding. This course delves into the principles, strategies and best practices of crafting effective digital portfolios that leave a lasting impression. We will look at Google tools to help students showcase their achievements, highlight their expertise or display their creative work in a meaningful way. | 3 |
| 5/1 | 5/22 | Mary Kovach | Digital Portfolios in Microsoft 365 for Education | Both now and in the future, showcasing their work accomplishments and skills in an engaging and accessible format will be essential for students' career advancement and personal branding. This course delves into the principles, strategies and best practices of crafting effective digital portfolios that leave a lasting impression. We will look at Microsoft tools to help students showcase their achievements, highlight their expertise or display their creative work in a meaningful way. | 3 |
| 5/11 | 6/15 | Darlynda Miktuk | Canva Magic Design: Using AI Features for Creating | This 3 hour online only course will explore how to use the built in AI (artificial intelligence) design generator known as Magic Design in Canva in an educational setting. This is not a beginner course for Canva; it would be helpful to have some knowledge of Canva. | 3 |
| 5/11 | 6/15 | Darlynda Miktuk | AI and SEL - Separate or Connected? | AI (artificial intelligence) and SEL (social emotional learning) are viewed as separate entities, but are they? This 3 hour online only course will facilitate participants discovering how AI and SEL are connected. | 3 |
| 5/11 | 6/15 | Darlynda Miktuk | Self-Care is Not Optional | This 3 hour online only course will facilitate participants with exploring the idea that self-care is not optional, and how to incorporate self-care into their everyday lives. | 3 |
| 5/11 | 6/15 | Darlynda Miktuk | Teacher Engagement - How it Promotes Positive Outcomes for All | This 3 hour online only course will explore what teacher engagement is and how it promotes positive outcomes for all. NOTE - This is not a course about student engagement. | 3 |
| 5/14 | 6/30 | Mary Kovach | Webinar: Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards - Digital Literacy | This webinar will explore the New York State Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards, specifically in the area of Digital Literacy. Topics will include student Use of Digital Technologies as well as Digital Citizenship. This webinar can be viewed live on 5/14/25 or as a recording after the fact. Participants will receive credit upon successful completion of the webinar quiz and discussion by 6/30/25. | 2 |
| 5/29 | 6/19 | Mary Kovach | AI for Visual Arts and Literacy | This professional development workshop is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to harness the power of AI in the realm of visual arts and visual literacy. From understanding the fundamentals of AI-driven image generation to exploring innovative applications of AI in art analysis and interpretation, this workshop offers an overview of AI's role in shaping the future of these content areas and skills. | 3 |
| 5/29 | 6/19 | Mary Kovach | Tools and Forums for Creating and Sharing 3D Designs | During this immersive session, participants will delve into a diverse array of tools and platforms specifically tailored to educators, allowing them to incorporate 3D designing and printing into their teaching practices. From beginner-friendly software to more advanced modeling applications, attendees will learn about a variety of tools suitable for different skill levels and subject areas. In addition to 3D printing, other venues for sharing student work will be discussed. | 3 |