NEW! Media Library Catalog
Northwest AEA provides a variety of free digital resources to support teaching and learning. These videos, images, books, activities, and more are provided to our accredited public and non-public Pre-K – 12 schools and can be accessed by students and educators at home or school via our new Insignia Library System. Insignia provides a modern interface, enhanced searching capabilities, and includes a single sign-on option (SSO) using Google.
Access the Insignia Library System
Insignia instructions on how to book an item
Northwest AEA media and technology provides an extensive range of services to support educators and students. We provide instructional materials to support K-12 classroom instruction. Our lending library provides content in an assortment of mediums, ranging from K-12 books, audio books, professional books and materials, journals, videos and DVDs. Materials can be reserved through our online catalog and materials are delivered to each school building twice a week. Our catalog is not available at this time.
Under the aegis of AEA Digital Resources, we also provide 16 online resources for students and teachers. Accessible from both school and home, these online resources support curriculum content standards, student achievement, professional development and information literacy. In addition to the core resources found in Iowa AEA Online, Northwest AEA provides additional resources which include eBooks.
Finally, media and technology consultants also work with schools in selecting and integrating emerging technologies into the curriculum.
Media and Technology Resources
AEA Digital Resources
AEA Digital Resources is a virtual library that provides no-cost access to 16 high-quality, web-based resources.
- AEA Digital Library – Digital curriculum resources from leading producers of PreK-12 content.
- American History in Videos – Features 2,000 total hours of streaming videos that bring history alive for students.
- BookFlix – An online literacy resource that pairs fictional video storybooks with related nonfiction books. Includes a read-aloud feature.
- Britannica Online – Suite of products designed to support student research and classroom instruction.
- CultureGrams – Perspective on daily life and culture, including the history, customs, and lifestyles of the world’s people.
- FreedomFLIX – Offers students a behind-the-scenes look at the people, places, and events that shaped our world.
- GALE – Content from magazines, newspapers, and reference materials. Ten different resources are designed for age-appropriate access.
- iClipart – A collection of more than 7.8 million royalty-free photos, clipart, fonts, animations, and sounds.
- Learn360 – Library of educational videos, video clips, images, and other teacher resources
- MackinVIA – Complete eResource management system providing easy access to eBooks, audiobooks and educational databases.
- ScienceFLIX – Transforms the way students access science topics, acquire scientific knowledge, and build a lasting interest in science, technology, and engineering.
- SIRS Issues Researcher – Exploration of the origins, perspectives, and essential questions under debate on over 300 pro/con social issues.
- soundzabound – Licensed audio that can be used without copyright infringement in videos, podcasts, and other forms of multimedia.
- TeachingBooks.net – Collections of author video interviews, book readings, teaching resources, and lesson plans to support student reading skills and interests
- Teen Health and Wellness – Nonjudgmental, straightforward information on today’s teen health and wellness issues.
- TrueFlix – Combines Scholastic True Books content with related videos, Web links, and text. Includes a read-aloud feature.
AEA Purchasing
AEA Cooperative Purchasing is formed under the Code of Iowa as a 28E entity and is an initiative of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies. The goal of AEA Purchasing is to combine the purchasing power of Iowa school districts to offer aggressive pricing on materials, goods, and services. In 2014 participating Iowa schools and AEA’s saved over $7 million on their purchases through the program. Participation in AEA Purchasing is without cost to Iowa’s schools in that it is funded by small fees paid by the vendors.
AEA Scout
AEA Scout is an online portal that houses many of the digital resources provided by Iowa’s AEAs. Students benefit from a one-stop-shop for their research needs, and teachers can rest easy knowing their students are searching the quality, curated content they’ve come to know and trust. Scout can be found at https://scout.iowaaea.org/ Educators will use the same username and password they use to access the AEA Learning System (Mandatory Reporter, AEA Professional Learning Registration System).
OneClick
Northwest AEA OneClick is a launchpad that provides district teachers and students single sign-on access to digital resources. Teachers can end the painful process and save valuable instruction time with single sign-on access. Students can access their accounts using Google, Microsoft, or QR codes, and they will see information based on the student’s credentials. For example, a third-grade student would view different resources than an eleventh-grade student. Once in the OneClick dashboard, students may access all of their resources without having to log in again. To sign your school up for this service, contact Jeff Stokes, computer technician, at jstokes@nwaea.org. If you have questions about how to use OneClick, please contact Polly Meissner media technology consultant. To learn how to implement strategies, contact an instructional coach: Amanda Beyer, Erin Chute, or Tyler Youngers.
See a video overview of OneClick.
Creative Services Capabilities
Northwest AEA’s Creative Services Department can provide resources for schools and classrooms. Please see the capabilities brochure. To order materials, go to the Iowa AEA Creative Services ordering system.
Media Catalog
Northwest AEA provides instructional materials to support K-12 classroom instruction. The lending library provides content in an assortment of mediums, ranging from K-12 books, audio books, professional books and materials, journals, videos and DVDs. Materials can be reserved through our online catalog and materials are delivered to each school building twice a week.
Van Delivery
Northwest AEA will deliver items to educators at schools served by the agency. Please see the Van Delivery Route schedule. Contact Ann Derochie with questions.
3D Printers
Northwest AEA has invested in four 3D printers for schools to loan out. The purpose of the 3D printers is for a school and/or teacher to determine whether or not 3D printing would be of value to their school. Northwest AEA has provided structure and support with consultants to help schools in the process of implementing a 3D printer.
If you would like to check out a printer, please fill out this form and one of our consultants will get in touch with you: 3D Printer Check Out Form
The Stratasys Mojo is the newest printer at the Northwest AEA and comes new technology and advancements compared to the MakerBot Replicator. The Mojo comes from the professional line of 3D printing and provides professional quality prints. The Mojo printer and wash bay provides anyone with everything they need to start 3D printing.
The MakerBot Replicator is a simple and fast way to get a 3D model to a 3D print. It has easy-to-use technology and is a great path to start in on 3D printing. The Replicator has an easy to access build plate which allows for spectators to take in the process of a 3D printer creating a print from start to finish. It is an easy and affordable 3D printer to implement and allow 3D printed models to become a reality.
Additional Resources Provided by Northwest AEA
A collection of five interactive eBooks for elementary students. Cybersmarts is designed to teach students about staying safe online. These interactive eBooks can be projected on a whiteboard or viewed on individual student computers. Lesson plans, reproducibles and research prompts are included.
Northwest AEA purchased the I Want to Read program along with additional digital titles students can access in their MackinVia accounts. Right now the program is for elementary students in grades K-5, but any student can access and use the program. You will need to know your username and password for MackinVia to access the eBooks. The I Want to Read program, includes anytime reading on any device, a downloadable reading journal, and activity sheets that students, families or teachers can utilize for instruction or extension activities.
A collection of five interactive eBooks for teens. Teen Cybersmarts was designed to give teens hands-on experience in safely navigating the online environment. These interactive eBooks can be projected on a whiteboard or viewed on individual student computers. Lesson plans, reproducibles and research prompts are included.
DefinedLearning provides teachers with the educational and assessment tools needed to implement high-quality project-based learning. Our hands-on projects are based on situations in STEM careers to help learners discover their passions and choose a pathway to a promising future. To access DefinedLearning, you can login with Google, Clever or ClassLink. If you have questions or need more information, contact Jordan Menning.
Educators’ Resources:
Bridges is a cooperative project between libraries in Iowa. Bridges is powered by OverDrive and provides access to eBooks and audiobooks. Bridges is only available to teachers served by Northwest AEA. To access resources from Bridges, teachers will need an access code. Contact Ann Derochie for that information.
New in Media
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