Business, Marketing and Information Technology Update: May 2020

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Business, Marketing and Information Technology Update: May 2020


Important Dates

  • May 15 and 16: Free Virtual Summit: "Transcending Learning: Going Beyond the Walls" sponsored by eDynamicLearning. Schedule features both 30 and 60-minute sessions showcasing benefits of online curriculum. Visit the Virtual Summit Schedule for registration information.
  • July 13-15 and July 27-29:  BestPrep's Minnesota Business Venture online, or eMBV. Enrollment cost is $50 and financial aid is available. Applications are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Times:  9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • July 27-29: BestPrep's Technology Integration Workshop (TIW), offered completely online. Cost is $150 for one educator or $100 each for two or more educators from the same district. Includes optional workday and office hours on July 30.

Thank You for Distance Learning Efforts!

Girl working on school work in classroom

Thank you for your continuing efforts through this unprecedented time in education! The COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home distance learning requirements have presented numerous challenges related to the educational, technological, and social-emotional needs of our students. I have been fortunate to participate in numerous regional and statewide calls and webinars with teachers who have been sharing how they are facing these challenges. Our students have never needed you more--thank you and congratulations for stepping up to the challenges so you can continue to serve your students, their parents, and your community!

COVID-19 Resources

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) website has added a variety of new pages with links to information and resources for addressing various educational needs related to distance learning. Visit the COVID-19 Updates page for information including:

  • Student Instruction COVID-19 Resources
  • Food and Nutrition COVID-19 Resources
  • Special Education COVID-19 Resources
  • Supporting Students and Families COVID-19 Resources
  • Distance Learning Webinars for Educators

Visit the Student Instruction resources page for guidance on numerous topics, including:

  • Equity
  • Title IV
  • Gifted Education
  • Multilingual Learners
  • Academic Standards (by subject area)
  • Career and Technical Education (by program area)

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has also created a useful resource page with COVID-19 information. Resources are organized by program area, as well as a section on multidisciplinary resources. Visit the ACTE COVID-19 resource page.

 

New Frameworks Coming Fall 2020

Business and marketing teachers from around the state will again be participating this summer on teams to develop the next set of Business, Marketing, and Information Technology Frameworks. These frameworks are to be used to align new and existing courses to national standards, technical skill assessment (TSA) competencies, and programs of study (POS).

New frameworks to be developed this summer will be in the Marketing and Information Technology clusters. These courses will include:

  • Marketing II and Marketing Research (Marketing III)
  • Advertising and Sales
  • Retail & Fashion Merchandising
  • Social Media Marketing
  • International Marketing
  • Yearbook I and II
  • School Store Operations I and II
  • Introduction to Information Technology
  • Photography and Photojournalism
  • Multimedia & Video I and II (NOTE: this is NOT broadcast journalism)
  • Digital Game Design I and II
  • Graphic Design II and Web Development II

Over the past two summers, new frameworks have been developed in: Accounting, Computer Applications, Hospitality and Tourism, and Marketing cluster courses. New frameworks will be added to the existing frameworks documents posted on the Business section of the Minnesota Department of Education website. View the Minnesota Business, Marketing, and Information Technology Frameworks.

 

MBITE Membership and Resources

The Minnesota Marketing, Business, and Information Technology Educators (MBITE) professional organization has continued to be a voice for teachers during legislative sessions and the current distance learning period. One of the key benefits to membership is access to the members-only Lesson/Instructional Resources repository. Teachers from across the state have shared resources used successfully in their classrooms that may help you in adapting your curriculum to new distance learning needs.

Currently, membership registration will cost $30.00 for the remainder of 2019-20 as well as the 2020-21 school year, and provide current-year access to the resource database through June 30, 2021. Registration between July 1 to August 31 will cost $25.00, then return to the $30.00 rate for registrations received after September 1.

Visit the MBITE web page to learn more about the organization's Four Pillars, and visit the MBITE membership-registration page to become a member.

 

News from BestPrep

Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) will be completely online this summer in a new format called eMBV. It's a three-day business and career development summer camp that brings together students in grades 9-12 in an online format to learn business, entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial literacy skills. Students work in small teams or "companies" to create a product and business plan. Other activities include guest keynote speakers, scavenger hunts, team-building exercises, breakout sessions, mock interviews, and celebrity drop-ins!

Learn more about Minnesota Business Venture.

Student registration link for Minnesota Business Venture

Contact Janae Olinger for more information about Minnesota Business Venture.

 

The teacher Technology Integration Workshop (TIW) will be completely online this summer to provide a safe and professional development experience, offered in partnership with the Opus College of Business with the University of St. Thomas. TIW will be held Monday, July 27 through Wednesday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with 1-2 hours of individual work time each day. Educators of all grade levels and subject areas are invited to attend. Participation includes breakout sessions on emerging technologies, a virtual job shadow experience with a leading Twin Cities business volunteer, and coaching to integrate technology into a unit plan. Scholarships to attend are also available.

Learn more about the Teacher Integration Workshop.

Teacher registration link for the Technology Integration Workshop

Contact Stephanie Musgrove for more information about TIW.

 

News from Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement (JA) offers programs for students learn and develop entrepreneurship mindsets and skills:

  • JA Entrepreneurial Mindset course: This is a one-semester teacher-led course that introduces high school students to the basics of starting a business. Students learn how to identify core problems, do market research, and find potential customers. Learn more about the JA Entrepreneurial Mindset course.
  • JA LaunchU! Cohort:  This seven-month (October to May) incubator program is dedicated to helping grade 10-12 students launch and grow a business. Participation is free and offers one-on-one coaching from a JA Entrepreneur in Residence. Sessions will take place at the JA headquarters in St. Paul. Upon successful completion of the program, participating students will be eligible for a $500 stipend to help launch their business venture. Learn more about the JA LaunchU! Cohort.

Teacher registration link for Junior Achievement programs

Contact program manager William Totimeh for entrepreneurship pathway information

 

Minnesota Council on Economic Education

The Minnesota Council on Economic Education (MCEE) has posted a list of summer professional development workshops that will be conducted as webinars. Length of workshops vary--some are single day, some multiple-day, and others run over multiple weeks. Workshop topics include economics, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. There are registration fees, and continuing education credits (CEUs) are available. Visit the MCEE high school workshops website to learn more and register.

 

Helpful Links

Qualifying K-12 Education and Subtraction Tax Credits: Reminder that for additional expenditures families may be making related to educational expenses caused by distance learning, the Minnesota Department of Revenue has information on a variety of expenses that may qualify for the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. This is good information to share with families.

Business and Marketing Education in a Time of Uncertainty: ACTE webinar focused on the current state of CTE, promising practices during COVID-19 pandemic, and engaging conversations from experts in the field.

Using SEL Strategies to Navigate in Times of Crisis: In this recorded webinar, learn what you can do as an educator to help yourself cope and then in turn help your students.

Free Hospitality Books available for Business Programs: The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) is providing FREE Hospitality and Tourism Management e-books to hospitality Business students through June 30, 2020. Forward these directions to your students: (1) Access the VitalSource web site and click Get Started to create an account. (2) Enter Key: 2127588294. (3) Activate the ebook for your course.

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Career Technical Education @ MDE

Career and Technical Education (CTE), as part of the Career and College Success Division (CCSD), promotes the vision that "Every learner is prepared for post-high school education, training and careers."

Our mission is to partner with educational stakeholders to provide leadership and assistance to achieve that vision. 

[If you have questions about this newsletter or ideas for future content, please forward your ideas to MDE Business and Marketing Specialist Dean Breuer.]