Last fall, Hollie Sisk, Assistant Coordinator of Instructional Technology at Effingham County School District, attended the Chicago Google Leadership Summit with education heads from all over the U.S. While she found it enlightening to learn where other districts were in their AI journey and how they were using Google tools, one piece of the experience struck her as something to bring back to her own Southeast Georgia district of 14,500 students.

“They took us into a room of three or four stations, with Chromebooks ready to go,” says Sisk. “We rotated through, learning the basics. I just sat there and thought our teachers really need this. ‘How can we implement this in our district?’ I marinated on that and when I came back, I pitched it to our tech director. From there, it blossomed into the ECSD Gemini School.”

In ECSD’s Gemini School, attendees rotate across four sessions through focused 20-minute labs on Gemini, NotebookLM, Gems, and Gemini in the Classroom, allowing them to quickly experience real classroom value without overload.

“It's not just a traditional ‘sit and get,’” says Sisk. “It’s more about creating an environment where it clicks for every educator because they have just enough exposure to spark their curiosity, but not overwhelm them with a lengthy PD session.”

Sisk tries to keep the PD engaging and moving. Instead of having the presenters going from room to room, attendees have to boogie to each round of learning, literally.

“We play disco music in between transitions. It helps them reset and refocus,” says Sisk. “They are going from absorbing a lot of information in 20 minutes from Notebook LM to custom Gems. They really need to turn their brain off and then get it ready for the next session.”

The impact has been immediate and measurable. Forty-five participant comments included consistent themes such as, “I didn’t want to go to another PLC, but this was amazing!” and “This is the first time AI makes sense to me.”

Most notably, a 31-year veteran teacher — who self-identifies as not tech-savvy — was so energized by the experience that she recorded a ten-minute video expressing gratitude and shared that it was the most excited she had felt about teaching in years. This kind of shift doesn’t come from tools, it comes from intentional, learner-centered leadership.

“I knew these tools could help them, but I didn’t want to pull them into a drawn out traditional PD to learn how,” says Sisk, who was recently recognized for this and other efforts with an Innovative Leader Award. “We really wanted to make it an immersive experience — a hands-on experience like I took away from the Chicago summit. Ultimately, my impact when building this was to give teachers back the gift of time.”

3 Tips for Creating An AI Gemini School in Your District

Sisk offers advice for others who are interested in creating such a PD program in their district:

• Create a relationship with the curriculum to ensure buy-in from the top down. “I needed our curriculum department's trust that we could make this work,” Sisk says. “Don't just try to push it out, really build those relationships and get them on board to support you.”
• Be consistent in the marketing. “I'm partial to branding–I try to focus on that not only for our social media account, but anything we're pushing out,” she says. “I stay very consistent which helps with recognition and so teachers feel they are part of something special.”
• Make PD fun and engaging. Training doesn't have to be a traditional “sit and get,” says Sisk. “You can have movement. You can have 25-minute round table discussions and then get up and move to a different table and a different topic.”

Fuel FOMO With a Marketing Moment

“I knew if we did a really good job marketing this, we'd have bought their trust,” says Sisk. “The next time we roll out a program, they will say, ‘Hey, the last thing they did was really fun. I want to come.”

Sisk embraces that marketing mindset for instructional technology—one that reframes tech not as “another initiative,” but as a value-adding experience educators want to engage with.

“My mindset wasn’t, ‘Let's promote another professional development,’ it was more like a product launch,” she says. “One special ed teacher shared how much time she saved writing IEPs as well as writing success criteria and learning targets. Excited teachers are calling a few days later, ‘Look at this song we created with the students after the session!’ Even our athletic coaches loved the training, which speaks volumes because they often hate having to come to PD.”

Sisk consistently highlights instructional technology successes through social media, reinforcing a culture that celebrates innovation and progress.

“One of the most powerful pieces of this is learning from other teachers,” she says. “It's not technology or curriculum presenting the material, it's teachers and media specialists. April Platt, Crystal Mealor, Jack Sinopoli, and Nick Exely are a few of our rockstar presenters.To me, face-to-face instruction is always more effective.”

One of the goals was to elevate the position of her media specialists and the value they bring to schools. Sisk asked each to earn their Google Gemini-certified educator designation to become the on-site expert at their school post-Gemini School.

Her leadership is shifting perception across ECSD. Instructional technology is no longer seen as optional or burdensome, but as practical, exciting, and directly connected to improved teaching and learning results for their students.

“One of the biggest rewards this year was the blossoming of that relationship between curriculum and tech departments, because they helped us reach out to leadership,” Sisk says. “They allowed us to interrupt their principal's PLC meeting and do a version of Gemini School just for principals. That sparked buy-in. Principals saw the value in their world as a principal and wanted their teachers to have that same experience.”

This PD experience has earned a 4.72 rating out of 5, based strictly on teacher feedback. The demand generated by Gemini School has exploded, prompting plans for expansion—clear evidence that Sisk’s work is not only effective but scalable.

“We are presenting at our board retreat in a few weeks because our board members are asking, ‘What is this Gemini School and why do we have it?’” Sisk says. “Everyone wants a little piece of it. That's exactly what we wanted to create.”

Tools They Use

• Gemini
• Creating custom Gems
• NotebookLM
• Gemini in Google Classroom

As artificial intelligence continues to expand its presence in schools, the need to educate educators and support staff also continues to grow. And although many edtech solutions provide training around their specific AI tools, having a basic AI education program can be even more useful.

“Tools have their place,” says Courtney Bock, AI Implementation and Library Media & Technology Specialist for Mead School District in Washington State. “But if we don't first understand the how and the why, the tools are not as powerful.”

To help support the teachers, Bock has implemented a four-part AI professional development series in her district, from which she graduated and currently serves about 10,500 students in North Spokane County.

“It can be pretty isolating sometimes as an educator when they’re thinking, ‘Am I the only one that is not getting this?’” says Bock, who was recently honored with a Tech & Learning Innovative Leader Award. “And then they go to the PD, see other teachers, and realize, ‘Oh, no, you're struggling, too. Okay, great. We can struggle together.’"

The good news is that Bock’s program has been turning that struggle into success.

Boosting AI Confidence and Literacy

Each session in Bock’s after-school program is 90 minutes and offers STEM clock hours for certificate maintenance in Washington State. Each cohort of the program has averaged 25 teachers.

• Session 1 is "AI 101," providing foundational knowledge, vocabulary (such as "LLM"), how AI works, and its capabilities and limitations, remaining tool-agnostic.
• Session 2 focuses on cheating and AI, helping teachers to redesign assignments and integrate AI into assessments, acknowledging that students are using it regardless.
• Session 3 dives into using AI with students, featuring a more tool-specific approach.
• Session 4 concentrates on using AI to improve teacher workflow, increase efficiency, and save time.

In addition to the cohorts, Bock supports teachers through a monthly newsletter, regular in-person presentations across the district’s 10 buildings, and virtual weekly AI office hours.

So far, the program’s impact has been quantified by significant gains in educator readiness. Post-training data has revealed a 50% increase in teacher confidence regarding the use of AI tools directly with students, as well as a 48% boost in preparedness to teach AI ethics.

Advice For Other Educators

For other educators who are interested in creating a similar PD program in their district, Bock recommends first focusing on AI literacy as opposed to just tossing tools at teachers.

“When I first did a version of this a year ago beforehand, it was just AI tools because that's what people wanted, and I thought, ‘Yeah, I can show you how to use those tools. No problem,’” she says. “But because I'm in the space every day, I was using basic AI vocabulary, and they didn’t understand these basics. That was a real learning moment.”

Bock also tries to make sure that there's plenty of free additional resources available to spark those who want to pursue more learning or certification for a specific AI platform. She notes that Anthropic, Google, and AIEDU, among others, all have AI training for educators.

“Some are better than others,” she acknowledges. “But I think it's good to take it all in with a grain of salt and use what's best for you, and leave what's not.”

Bock also recommends keeping parents and families informed about AI use. “When we're going to be introducing things to their students, I think It's important to have parent and student voices as part of that conversation.” She stresses that students, in particular, should be included in creating district policies as they are already interacting with AI daily, often through platforms such as Snapchat.

She also suggests involving administrative and central office staff in PD efforts as many may be interested in using AI to boost efficiency or simplify basic tasks, if they aren’t already.

“A Whirlwind Of AI”

Bock, who spent two years away from education at a friend’s startup as a natural language model analyst before returning to a district, has been able to bring that experience into her current role, which focuses on supporting district-wide AI implementation in the mornings and being a K-5 specialist in the afternoons.

“In 2022 when ChatGPT became public, it was like my two worlds just came together, which was not on my bingo card at all,” she says. “And it's just been, as you can imagine, a whirlwind of AI ever since.“

Ultimately, Bock appreciates having a community of teachers to learn from and with.

“It's harder to learn things in isolation,” Bock says. “And I'm not saying you can't, you absolutely can. But when you have that community around you to support you, ask questions, look at what they're doing as different examples–that's really powerful.”

Tools They Use

Bock’s “AI Stack”

• Claude
• MagicSchool
• CanvaAI
• Wispr Flow
• Gemini/Studio
• NotebookLM
• Gamma

I used to set giant goals for summer only to be disappointed and stressed when late August rolled around and I had hardly accomplished any. I also noticed I wasn’t the only one doing this. In May, graduate students would tell me of their plan to write hundreds of pages on their book-length thesis projects. Come fall, they would sheepishly admit that they'd made virtually no progress on their thesis.

I’ve heard many similar stories from friends and colleagues in various roles within education. Because we tend to have less work in the summer, we think we will accomplish more, but it almost never seems to work out that way.

After seeing this pattern play out in both myself and others for a few years, I came to the realization that summer is fundamentally a terrible time to be productive for many of us. A lot of reasons are to blame for this: if you live in a climate with cold weather, it’s one of the few times of year when it’s nice to be outside; if we have kids, they are often off from school; our friends are more likely to want to do things; and we're more likely to plan vacations in the summer.

In addition, despite what we think, sometimes the structure of the semester and school year actually helps us stay focused on goals rather than hindering us. I, unfortunately, find that the less busy I am the less productive I am on long-term professional development goals and big-picture projects.

Realizing this over the past few years has helped me be simultaneously more forgiving about the extent of my summer accomplishments and more productive. Last summer I set specific, easily attainable goals and met most of them. Because it worked, I’m taking the same approach again this year.

Here are my modest teaching and professional development goals for the summer.

1. Read A Book That Helps Me As a Writing Instructor

One of the things I love about teaching at Western Connecticut State University’s MFA program is the opportunity I have to mentor students in a variety of writing genres. From my specialties in journalism and creative nonfiction to poetry, screenwriting, and science fiction and fantasy, I pride myself in having a genuine interest and decent knowledge.

Currently, however, I feel like my understanding of the current memoir marketplace could use an update. So, this summer, my goal is to read one recent memoir. This is a good goal because it helps me as a professor, is specific, doable, and perhaps most important, is fun. Plus, I like reading in the summer, and this is an excuse to dig into something new. I did this last year, and I’m looking forward to exploring the memoir genre again this year.

Obviously, for you, this can translate as tackling one book that you believe will help build your specific teaching skills.

2. Take A Free Online Course in A Subject Unrelated to My Teaching

I annoy myself when I say it, but I love learning new things! I also find that nothing helps me better empathize with the struggles of my students than trying to learn something that I am not well versed in.

To both those ends, this summer, I’d like to enroll in a course of some type. Ideally this would be in-person but that might be ambitious given my schedule, and cost could be prohibitive. Fortunately, there are a plethora of free or low-cost classes in a variety of topics from online sources such as Coursera and others.

A few years ago, I took a great course in health statistics that really increased my understanding of medical studies. All it took to complete was replacing my morning podcast or audiobook-listening sessions for a couple of weeks.

As positive as the experience was, for some reason, I haven’t taken many other courses since. This summer my goal is to get back on the course-taking bandwagon.

3. Learn More About Writer’s Block

This semester, several of my students talked to me about struggling with writer’s block. This is, of course, an old issue in the profession but one I’ve never looked at in a more systematic way. I’ve always shared what I do to overcome a lack of motivation and have provided advice in this regard that I have received from others, but I think I could do better for my students.

So this summer, I’m going to spend some time learning more about research into writer’s block, its causes, and any evidence-backed solutions. I’m also curious to learn if it is linked to other types of motivation issues students encounter. As is the case with most educators, sometimes the hardest part of the job is just getting students motivated to learn. Once they are motivated, in the majority of cases, the learning follows.

This is a bigger and more ambitious goal than some of my others, but I’m not planning on becoming a leading authority. I just want to know more about it from the science side than I do now, which should be pretty easy as I know almost nothing currently.

4. Prioritize Fun and Relaxation

It might be cliché, but there’s an old truism that people rarely look back on their life and wish they spent more time working. This summer I’m reminding myself of that and making sure to not stress about being productive and prioritizing doing things away from teaching and writing while the weather is nice.

Okay, I know this goal could use some more specifics, and I thought about adding something such as spending two hours outside a day when it's nice, or swimming twice per week. But, for me at least, those types of activities come very naturally when work isn't getting in the way. So thinking of this as making an effort not to let work overtake summer is all I need.

The other goals stated previously would be nice to accomplish, but are not 100 percent required. On the other hand, this goal is a must. There will be plenty of time to handle those work projects, teaching improvement goals, etc., when the semester kicks off again in the fall, but there won't be any summer left to enjoy.

So I'm making sure to soak as much of summer in as I can. You should, too!

• Best Summer Learning Apps & Sites
• 4 Learning Tips From A Cognitive Scientist Turned TikTok Star

Video provides a great way to capture attention and convey information, but for many educators, the time, tools, and tech skills required to make a video have made it feel out of reach.

Enter Google Vids: A game-changing tool that puts AI-powered video creation into your hands, no filmmaking experience required.

Google Vids is part of the ever-expanding Google Workspace, and it's designed to help you transform written content into compelling video narratives. Whether you're flipping your classroom, promoting PD, or providing a visual version of text, Google Vids makes it simple.

Google Vids: From Article to Video

Let’s start with a real-world example of a Vid that I created after writing Navigate AI with New Risk Assessments from Common Sense Media for Tech & Learning. I wanted to share that piece in a way that was accessible and visually engaging for busy educators who may prefer video over text.

Using Google Vids, I created this short 2-minute video version of the article that highlights the key points with narration, visuals, and music. No need for complicated software or video editing skills. It took minutes, not hours. This is what the future of educational communication looks like. Wondering how you can use it in your practice? Here are some ideas.

7 Ways to Use Google Vids in Education

Here are some ways educators can start using Google Vids:

1. Create A Template For Student Videos
   Build a Google Vids template that students can copy and customize. The Google Vids interface looks just like Slides, so adapting to the interface should be easy and students will love seeing their work as polished videos.
2. Promote Workshops And Professional Learning Opportunities
   Instead of sending a static flyer or email, create a short promo video highlighting what educators will learn, who it’s for, and how to register. This adds excitement, increases engagement, and makes your PD stand out.
3. Communicate With Families
   Turn text-heavy newsletters into videos that walk families through updates, field trips, or tech tutorials.
4. Blended And Flipped Learning Made Easy
   Create explainer videos for key concepts that students can access anytime, anywhere, perfect for asynchronous learning.
5. Turn A Student's Writing Assignment Into A Google Vid
   Bring written work to life by helping students transform their essays, narratives, or opinion pieces into visual presentations. This deepens their understanding of audience and purpose and enhances their communication skills and pride in authorship.
6. Showcase Portfolios
   Students or educators can create videos of digital portfolios or capstone projects, making reflections and achievements more powerful. A QR code can be added to the portfolio or project that links to the video.
7. Repurpose Existing Content
   Already have a blog post, article, or newsletter? Turn it into a video to expand its reach and make it more accessible to different audiences.

Get Started with Google Vids Today

You don’t need to figure this all out on your own. Here are three easy ways to learn how to use Google Vids like a pro:

• Easy Video Creation for Teaching and Learning (Google Skillshop): Provides an educator-focused training designed to help you bring lessons to life with video.
• Google Cloud Skills Boost: Offers a self-paced course to walk you through the ins and outs of Google Vids with hands-on practice.
• Google Help Center for Vids: Access detailed articles and how-tos for specific tasks or troubleshooting.

Currently, Google Vids is now generally available on all Business and Enterprise Workspace plans; see plans and pricing for organizations. Vids is not currently available to consumers.

Videos have a maximum of 10 minutes, and currently can only be created and edited via desktop, although finished videos can be viewed on any device.

Google Vids empowers educators to communicate ideas with clarity, creativity, and confidence. Whether teaching, leading professional learning, or driving education transformation, this intuitive, collaborative platform makes it easy to turn your writing into compelling visual stories.

• Navigate AI with New Risk Assessments from Common Sense Media
• Google’s NotebookLM: An Innovative Educator’s New Best Friend (and Podcasting Powerhouse!)

It was 2020 and a raging pandemic was well underway, shuttering teachers and families into online learning. As a school leader, I remember spending years before the pandemic urging teachers to embrace technology to support their instruction. A few tech geeks like me did. Most eventually accepted it, and the rest…well, they resisted.

Suddenly, edtech was thrust into the teaching spotlight. Teachers felt the urgency and stepped into it. I offered targeted learning opportunities on the fly that provided timely support, something I call “pop up PD.” Teachers learned because they had to.

Even now, PD continues to be evasive. Commonly, the teachers seeking it need it less than those avoiding it. Yet, there is a new approach that could encourage many, even the most resistant, to embrace opportunities to leverage PD to refine their craft.

Introducing AI tools to support educators offers spectacular access to resources and engagement not previously realized. With so many platforms available, it can be overwhelming. Drilling down to manageable learning opportunities and tools is a worthy pursuit through which all school leaders should guide teachers.

Getting Stared With AI PD

So where to begin? Consider that among the vast range of AI tools and resources to help teachers, the best are not necessarily the well-branded or cost-heavy options. Some schools have adopted AI tools such as Diffit or MagicSchool, both paid resources.

I do not contest AI investments. Rather, if there is a parallel source that is free or low-cost, teachers should be provided support to use these, especially in districts with fewer resources.

Khanmigo is an example of a decent free AI tool. It has many features that MagicSchool and Diffit offer, and the company is respected, so I suggest it as one educators and schools might explore. Gemini is another powerful AI, with Google Classroom and Drive integration, plus NotebookLM. The pioneer of AI, ChatGPT, continues to stay relevant, as does Meta from Facebook, and there are other freemium models, such as Perplexity and Claude.

I could write an article on every one of these AI tools; how and why each is beneficial. Teachers don’t have time to dissect the many AI tools, however, so our focus will be on Google’s NotebookLM because it has profound use for PD, and offers a wide array of teaching and learning benefits.

Opening Up NotebookLM

Someone tapping into NotebookLM can go in many directions. I thought describing how I used it to create a PD for a colleague would provide a seeable way.

To begin with, my colleague, an educational attorney, asked me to gather resources relevant to AI ethics and law in education, and then generate PD around these topics. Factors included bias, hallucinations, deep fakes, confidentiality, grading bias, underage access, and even the ethical implications of AI companionship.

I gathered numerous materials to upload to NotebookLM, which is as simple as attaching files and inserting links. Next, NotebookLM coordinated all of these references, and provided a relevant title: Artificial Intelligence, Schools and the Law.

The buzz everyone talks about with NotebookLM is the podcast feature, which allows you to create an audio file summarizing the sources into a cohesive format.

You start by selecting “Click to load the conversation” on the right:

The result is incredible and what’s even more fabulous is the ability to interact with the podcasters, who sound like real people, riffing with one another. You can ask them a question that’s deep in your sources and it will locate content, and use it to respond, often with intuitive appeal. This alone has many already excited about the PD potential.

It’s understandable this would create buzz for teaching, learning and PD. Yet there’s so much more to NotebookLM that can aid PD! For instance, there is a chatbox right in the center where it says, Start typing. Think of this just like any AI chatbot, yet it's searching deliberate information from your sources, indexed on the left.

And There's More…

In NotebookLM there are a series of options below the audio feature on the right that allow a user to generate a study guide, briefing doc, FAQ, and even a timeline. Once generated, these are robust and deliberately linked to the source documents. A spot is available to add your own notes manually. If you are starting from scratch, click the Discover tool on the upper left and ask what to find.

Still wondering if this is a worthwhile PD tool? How about the Mind Map below the Start typing prompt?

A linear illustration with clickable maps that delve into each subtopic is unveiled. You can scroll out or in to focus on various subtopics. Select the topic of interest, which feeds into the chatbot section, where you can engage the content directly and interactively.

Here is a great NotebookLM teacher-friendly instructional.

And even more good news: Since this article was prepared, Google has rolled out NotebookLM for iPhone and android. In initial testing, this new mobile version demonstrates the same robust options described here!

NotebookLM is not the only AI tool that will upgrade your PD. The reason I like it is because in my experience teaching AI to educators, it has been THE game-changer. Every teacher who discovers its usefulness is ecstatic. Why? Because it’s one robust tool, wrapped neatly together and works under the umbrella of Google.

Other AI PD Options

For now, I’m using NotebookLM for teaching, learning, and PD, but here are other platforms to consider.

• Khanmigo is a free teaching assistant from Khan Academy that helps teachers with tasks such as lesson planning, generating activities, creating rubrics, and differentiating instruction, ultimately aiming to save time and enhance teaching effectiveness.
• Brisk is a Chrome extension that acts as an AI-powered teaching assistant, helping educators streamline tasks such as generating lesson plans, providing feedback, differentiating content, and creating resources directly within their existing workflows to save time and enhance teaching effectiveness.
• SchoolAI offers tools such as personalized learning experiences for students and AI assistants for teachers to streamline tasks including lesson planning and feedback, aiming to enhance teaching and learning.
• Canva Magic Studio empowers teachers to generate designs, rewrite text, edit images, and create engaging content such as presentations and videos, streamlining creative tasks, and enhancing visual learning materials.
• Eduaide is a workspace created by teachers for teachers, designed to simplify tasks such as lesson planning, resource creation, and feedback, ultimately aiming to free up educators' time to focus on student growth.

Dozens more tools are available, and my goal was to give you a starting point. Feel free to contribute your own ideas, right here on my Bluesky feed!

• 9 Ways School Leaders Can Use AI
• AI Resources for District Leaders

The AI conversation in regard to education normally revolves around two pillars: the classroom and school processes. AI tools are generally thought of as helpers to get tasks done faster or more efficiently. However, we rarely hear about AI tools helping the decision-makers in education.

The benefits of continued coaching for educational executives run deep, and implementing a program in your school or district can help to keep educational decision-makers at their occupational peak.

“The whole thing about executive coaching is being able to help leaders realize their potential, not only for their schools, but for themselves, so that they can build up themselves, their schools, their departments, or whatever they’re working toward,” says Greg Bagby, Coordinator of Instructional Technology and edtech coach at Hamilton County Department of Education in Tennessee. “Whether it’s LeBron [James] or [another athlete], they always have coaches. The folks at the top, they have coaches, and we should do the same thing inside of the educational space. We have academic coaches that work with teachers, but we should also have coaches working with the folks that are leading.”

Bagby describes how AI can be used to create ongoing executive coaching opportunities, how the human element can keep AI honest and useful, and the tools you can use to create a similar situation in your school or district.

AI, The Executive Coaching Answer?

Coaching on the executive level can help keep education leaders on top of their professions, train them on processes and tools they might not know, and prepare them for whatever situations they might run into, making them capable of helping teachers in innovative and meaningful ways. But how does AI fit into the equation?

“When you implement something like coaching with AI, you get the ability to not only ask questions, [you can also] collect data from that person and then use AI to analyze it in real time,” says Bagby. “They can use platforms like Chat GPT or [Microsoft] CoPilot to do immediate data analysis. Then you can think about how to help that person grow.”

You can also build and train an AI chatbot on educational leadership data to help personalize guidance and recommend specific learning resources. Of course, human oversight is necessary with any AI tools used to assist in executive coaching.

“I try to explain that the AI is not actually doing the coaching,” says Bagby. “I’m doing the thinking, and I don’t say that I’m just using AI to generate all of this. We talk about how we’re using the AI tools to gather some more ideas and even set some of the [coaching] up.”

But what if someone has an issue with coaching that has an AI element?

“You have to build trust,” says Bagby. “Trust is a must. You have to build trust with the folks that you’re going to work with. By building that trust, you have to make sure you’re a confidant.”

Coaching can evoke some feelings of insecurity in a professional, and AI might only exasperate those feelings. Reinforcing the human aspect of trust can help to circumvent some of those negative feelings and keep the coaching system on the right track.

How to Implement AI Based Coaching In Your Educational Space

Creating an AI chatbot and feeding it information might not sound difficult, but when it comes to implementing such a system and making sure it works, there are some best practices to ensure success.

“First, familiarizing themselves with coaching in general [is important],” says Bagby. “If you know someone who’s doing it, you can talk to them. Reach out to folks just to make sure it’s something that you really want to do.”

Next, vet and choose a coaching program.

“I would say find a coaching program that they can go through,” says Bagby. “Be it the free Apple coach, and there’s some coaching things on Microsoft that you can go through for free. Find a free program that you can go through.

Finally, having a background in administration can help.

“I would suggest that if you’re going to do it, make sure that you have had administrative experience as well,” says Bagby. “Principals are more likely to talk to, understand, and listen to other folks that have either been in their positions, or that are above their positions, or that have worked with folks consistently in those positions.”

Building trust, familiarizing yourself with the coaching process, and finding the right coaching program can all help in positioning an AI-based coaching program to maximize coaching effectiveness within an educational space.

• Lifelong Learning: Modeling for Students and Faculty
• AI’s Remarkably Imperfect Productivity Tricks Us Into Mistakes. Here’s How You Can Avoid These

Whether we like it or not, AI has become a mainstay technology in society and within the field of education. While machine learning has been used in computer-mediated settings for decades, the arrival of ChatGPT in November 2022 has opened the use of AI technologies to teachers and students from all areas. This also means that the teacher preparation we went through, likely did not include specific training on AI.

The good news is that there are many options for growing our awareness, knowledge, dispositions, and skills related to AI. This ranges from full graduate degrees in AI to professional development workshops. In this article, we focus on ten no cost AI training options that may be relevant to educators. Many of the options are connected to well-known and -used edtech tools, providing practical training when using.

Note: This list is in alphabetical order instead of rating these against one another.

1. Adobe

Generative AI for Creativity and Innovation offers an introductory generative AI course that’s been developed for using Adobe projects to innovate classrooms. The main topics covered include AI terminology, the power of prompt engineering, and ideas for using Adobe's AI-powered tools for creative classroom experiences. Within the course, real-world cases are presented for generative AI, which may help contextualize the content.

2. AI for Education

In approximately two hours, the Essential Guide to AI for Educators course provides training on using ChatGPT. The major topics that are covered include prompt engineering, ethics, and using ChatGPT in practice. A certificate of completion is provided at the end of the training.

3. Canva

Canva offers a 60-minute self-paced AI in the Classroom course for teachers. In it, content is presented with the aim of building confidence in Canva's AI-powered tools within teaching practices. This Canva AI training offers hands-on activities. Upon completion, a professional certification through Canva is provided. You can try integrating Canva's AI-powered tools with this Canva Lesson Plan.

4. Code Academy

The Intro to Generative AI 60-minute course provides introductory content on generative AI, so there are no prerequisite skills required. Three main areas that are focused on in the course include understanding what generative AI is, the different types, and the ethics of using it.

5. Code.org

Presented by Code.org, ETS, ISTE, and Khan Academy, AI 101 for Teachers offers a comprehensive online learning that focuses on teaching with and about AI. services. Companion Guides for Educators are provided to accompany the video training, which makes it more seamless to use the content learned in classrooms.

6. Common Sense Education

The Training Course: AI Basics for K-12 Teachers is a free foundational course focused on understanding the basics of generative AI while developing AI literacy. It also explores the impacts generative AI has had on education. As part of the course, reflecting on the connections between AI and teaching practices will be established.

7. Coursera

The four-module AI for Everyone is a six-hour beginner's level course. Modules include: "What is AI?" "Building AI Projects," "Building AI in Your Company," and "AI in Society." A shareable certificate that can be added to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or social media platforms is provided upon completion of the course.

8. Curipod

The AI-certified Curipod Educator goes beyond offering an introductory overview of AI by providing an opportunity for educators to become an AI-certified Curipod educator with a digital badge upon completion. Cuirpod specifically lists teachers, instructional technologists, curriculum content creators, and PD coaches as those for whom the training was designed. Using this Curipod Lesson Plan may be helpful in making connections to the Curipod AI-powered tools.

9. Google

Google has created Generative AI for Educators, which focuses on preparing educators to use generative AI for conversational prompting with tools such as Gemini and ChatGPT. The training should take approximately two hours, with exercises geared both toward writing prompts using AI tools as well as evaluating outputs.

10. Microsoft

The AI for Educators is a four-hour, four-module training offered by Microsoft for educators at the K-12 and higher education levels. In addition to providing content on the history of AI, the training includes preparing educators to use AI-powered tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Edge browser, Minecraft, PowerPoint, and others. The training is aligned with the ISTE Standards for Educators and the UNESCO Standards for Educators.

The opportunities listed here are just a glimpse of options for free AI training, and certainly not exhaustive. Recently, one of our Tech & Learning contributors shared their experience with the Open AI and Common Sense Education's AI training as well as more detailed overviews of AI Literacy courses from Google and Adobe.

Try out one or more of the free AI training listed above. These opportunities to build professional learning can improve our approach in using AI for our instruction and assessment practices.

• 6 Top Free Edtech Credentials
• AI Starter Kit for Teachers

A new year brings excitement and plans for improving teaching and learning. And this fresh start can be a great time to learn new or nurture emerging skills. With the influx of new technology, and AI being infused in many of the edtech tools we have come to enjoy in our work as educators, it may be helpful to engage in self-directed professional learning opportunities.

Many of the widely available edtech tools offer free training. Some are specific to a function of a larger tool, while others provide general guidance on key features and uses. Additionally, upon completion and depending on the tool, you may earn a certificate of completion, certification, badge, microcredential, or some other recognition of your earned competency to your resume or CV.

Here I share six of the top free edtech credentials (in alphabetical order) available:

1. Adobe Creative Educator (ACE) Level 1

The Adobe Creative Educator (ACE) Level 1 training is focused on understanding creativity and how to nurture creativity in students. To register, you must join the Adobe Education Exchange, which is free and provides additional curated resources to use. You can sign-up using your personal or school email address. And, if you use a verified K-12 school email address, you can get access to Adobe Express for Education free. After completion, you earn a digital badge and certificate.

2. Apple Teacher

The Apple Teacher program builds foundational skills using iPad and Mac devices and Apple applications within the integration of academic lessons. Twelve badges in total are available to earn; 6 for iPad and 6 for Mac. Apple applications, including Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, and GarageBand, are covered. If your school uses Apple devices, it may be worthwhile to dig into some of the lesser used Apple applications. You can continue on and develop an Apple Teacher Portfolio, showing your ability to build lessons that allow your students to activate, explore, and apply learning.

3. Book Creator Certified Author

The Book Creator Certified Author training provides educators with instruction on the various features of Book Creator, preparing them to use it in their own classrooms. Teachers, librarians, and media specialists alike may be interested in pursuing the training. The process involves 18 short videos in total, and a certificate and digital badge are earned upon completion. Book Creator has a wide variety of uses in teaching across academic content areas and grade levels.

4. Canva Graphic Design Essentials

Canva Graphic Design Essentials is focused on building overall visual communication skills. Included in the training are design principles and color theory. You will need to be logged into a free or paid Canva account to complete the training and corresponding test. Don’t worry, you can complete the test as many times as it takes, and once you pass, Canva will email you a digital certificate. You may want to use your graphic design skills to enhance your Canva Lesson Plan. Since many of our students use Canva, it may be helpful to brush up on our own design skills and fluency with Canva!

5. EdPuzzle Certification

Using EdPuzzle in lesson plans offers many exciting pathways for learning, and EdPuzzle provides online certification opportunities for educators. The offerings for EdPuzzle certification is quite comprehensive, and 20 badges can be earned. Some of the badges include gamification in class, LMS integrations including Schoology, Google Classroom, and Canvas integrations, and project-based learning. All courses are offered in Spanish, too.

6. Screencastify Master Screencaster

The Screencastify Master Screencaster is a certification course that reviews and builds knowledge on the basics of screencasting and using video in education settings. This certification has a focus on multiple stakeholders including students and parents, and will guide you to create videos for students and parents, supporting students in creating content, and to connect with your colleagues. Upon completion, you will earn both a certification of completion and a digital badge.

As you see, there are many options for earning an edtech credential that will come at no financial cost to you! Hopefully there is at least one credential mentioned that you are interested in obtaining, and using to enhance teaching and learning.

• Leveraging Technology to Better Engage Learners in Lessons
• 3 Tips for Veteran Teachers To Get Comfortable with Classroom Technology

In late November, OpenAI and Common Sense Media launched a free AI course for K-12 educators designed to help educators utilize AI tools in their classrooms effectively. After trying it, I was impressed with the course from the makers of AI and the nonprofit.

The course, which takes less than an hour to complete, incorporates short videos and readings, quizzes, and interactive activities utilizing AI. Overall, it offers a strong overview of teaching with AI, with particular emphasis paid toward generating effective prompts in an education setting. Though some lessons may seem a bit basic for those already familiar with ChatGPT or another generative AI tool, the course does a thorough job of providing an overview of AI, including protecting student data and ensuring that a human instructor is always in the driver’s seat.

Here is a closer look at OpenAI and Common Sense Media’s AI course for teachers.

OpenAI and Common Sense Media’s AI Course For Teachers: Creating Effective Prompts

One of the focuses of the course is how to write effective AI prompts in various settings. This portion is particularly helpful. I imagine it will help many users get more out of ChatGPT and other tools.

A key portion of this segment of the course is a detailed discussion of the CRE Framework for writing AI prompts:

C for Context. Users should provide context for each prompt. For example, the course text recommends a line such as “Imagine you teach in a high school that has the following demographics.”

R for Role. The course advises us to provide ChatGPT with info on the role it should play while generating text. For example: “You are a high school biologist.”

E for Expectations. ChatGPT works best when users create prompts that detail specific expectations. For instance, the course recommends language such as “Write a 15-minute biology lesson plan.”

For me, I intuitively write prompts that have clear expectations but have begun learning I often fall short with the “role” and “context” portions of the prompt.

Effective Prompt Examples

Beyond providing an introduction to the CRE Framework, the course offers a PDF file filled with prompt templates. These can be used by educators to create their own context-specific prompts, which is helpful. Equally as important, I felt that by reading these I got a better sense of what goes into an effective prompt.

For me, reading some of these as well as high-quality prompt examples provided in the session helped me get a better understanding of how I can improve my own prompt writing. For example, here is one template included in the prompt library:

Prompt: Prepare a brief survey that contains 10 questions for students on how they feel about (insert topic)

Context: You want to understand students' opinions about (topic)

Role: An education survey designer

Expectation: Develop a concise survey that gathers meaningful feedback to share with parents.

Other Highlights From The Course

Given that this course is co-created by OpenAI, it’s no surprise that it is pro-AI use in education. However, the course does make a point of addressing potential problems with bias and privacy. Teachers are advised that some versions of ChatGPT inputted data for future training, and that personally identifiable information regarding a student should never be shared with ChatGPT. Most of us know this already, but it’s a good and important point to stress in any discussion of AI use.

The course also covers the Human-In-The-Loop framework, which places AI use in education firmly within the control and direction of a human. This highlights the vital role teachers play in education regardless of how technology is integrated, which is another important point, and I was glad to see it included.

I might only change two aspects of the course. The first module is very basic and it would be nice to have the option of testing out of it. Second, I wanted slightly more feedback when it comes to prompt writing, as I was left slightly confused by the CRE Framework. Should you write the prompt and then make sure it covers context, role, and expectation? Or should you literally use language such as, “for context, I am teaching a master's level workshop on X subject…” I will experiment and find the answer on my own, but some additional guidance there could be helpful.

Despite these nitpicking complaints, overall I found this course to be really helpful and efficient. It’s a great way to improve one’s AI use and learn the basics of prompt-writing best practices—all in less than an hour.

• 4 Studies About AI Tutors Every Teacher Should Know
• AI’s Remarkably Imperfect Productivity Tricks Us Into Mistakes. Here’s How You Can Avoid These

The ubiquitous nature of technology means that it’s always around us. In our work as educators, we use technology to support efficiency with rudimentary tasks, for organizing our calendars and agendas, and to store our lessons, textbooks, and student information.

A key idea in Dr. Ruben Puentedura’s SAMR model is being purposeful in how technology is used within teaching and learning. With so much edtech available, it is sometimes challenging to choose when, where, why, and what should be used to advance learning outcomes.

One strategy is to break down the purpose of technology use, honing in on using it to complete specific teaching and learning activities.

As part of a three-article series, in this first one I will discuss using technology to support lesson creation and instruction. Subsequent articles will focus on using technology to support engaging students in learning and assessing learning.

Technology for Lesson Creation

Many components have to be put together before any lesson can be facilitated. Even if your school district requires you to use a certain curriculum with associated content, how you approach your plans for teaching those lessons may vary.

First, decide where you will house all of your learning materials. Google Drive is a good option and has apps included for word processing-type documents (Google Docs), Surveys and Questionnaires (Google Forms), and Slideshows (Google Slides), among additional add-ons and extensions such as Slido. Other robust options for curating content are also available, such as Wakelet or Padlet.

While storyboarding is popular when creating movies, it can be a helpful instructional design tool in planning lessons, particularly when including technology. These elearning storyboard templates may be useful.

As you gather content to either build or supplement your lesson, the use of open educational resources (OER) will ensure that you appropriately use copyrighted materials and provide attribution to the author. These are digital citizen skills that can be modeled for students as well. The Open Educational Resources Commons offers free and open resources across all subjects and discipline areas that you can pull from and add to your lessons. Similarly, Creative Commons may be a helpful resource as you plan your lessons.

Technology for Lesson Instruction

Once you have used technology tools to plan, organize, and curate your lesson materials, you can try additional digital platforms to facilitate instruction.

Animation is an exciting option to use to present concepts and content, especially new content that may be difficult to understand. Using animation tools that can break down your instruction in easily understandable chucks may keep students’ interest. Powtoon and Animaker have free options with which you can tinker. Animated videos could be used to open the lesson, as icebreakers, and/or embedded into a larger instructional presentation. Students even may be impressed to see that their teacher has created a multimedia animated video!

You can also present content within a learning instruction platform such as Nearpod or Seesaw, or create interactive slides to show in-class or virtual. Many multimedia slide options are available, such as Google Slides or Canva, that are easy to use, have free options, and templates to get started. To make the presentation of the content attractive and interesting, include a variety of images, videos, and text. These presentation slideshows can be used in live lessons and/or in recorded full or mini-lessons.

Intentional use of technology is important to ensure that we do not get lost in the options and lose focus on why we are incorporating it in the first place in our classrooms. As you use technology to plan, create, and facilitate amazing lessons, consider how it functions and how using those tools can contribute to you meeting your instructional goals and students meeting learning outcomes.

• 3 Tips for Veteran Teachers To Get Comfortable with Classroom Technology
• 5 Ways for New Teachers to Mentally Prepare for Teaching

Education technology tools are everywhere, and the expectations to use these for teaching and learning is steadily increasing. Moreover, as new edtech is developed and as AI continues to be embedded into existing teaching tools, the requirement to learn how to use these may impede on instructional time. In addition, as school district administration changes and new building level leaders are put in place, different tools are introduced for all teachers, including veterans who are experts at our pedagogical practices but may not be as experienced or flexible in teaching with technology.

Novice teachers have likely completed courses in their teacher education programs that have prepared them to use technology for planning, instruction, engagement and assessment, as well as had time to experiment with edtech tools. Unfortunately, some veteran teachers may not have been given similar opportunities as they likely completed their teacher training before edtech integration was included or a requirement in the teacher preparation programs.

What follows are three ways veteran teachers can develop their fluency and understanding of how to use new technology tools introduced to them without formal instruction or PD.

1. Getting Comfortable With Classroom Tech: Learn with Your Students

While it is not a given that your students (digital natives) will automatically have strong digital literacy skills without prior instruction and development of those skills, they are likely to have been comfortable with tinkering with new tools and figuring out how to use these.

Instead of struggling alone or deciding to forfeit the use of new and exciting technology platforms, create a collaborative space for your students to contribute to your learning. You can turn your own training into an opportunity for students to build their agency, get hands-on experience, and to continue their own learning. Students will also see you are a human who makes mistakes, takes risks, and is not afraid to utilize their community for support.

By learning with your students and letting them lead in this way, they may feel more valued, and will be encouraged to reach out to you as well when they are stuck, instead of not saying anything.

2. Watch YouTube Videos

YouTube has millions of videos for everything from music and webinars to television shows and movies, and even people opening packages! It offers something for everyone, which means that there are also hundreds of thousands of tutorial videos on almost every technology tool available.

While many of the videos may be overviews of edtech tools, such as on Tech & Learning’s YouTube channel, there are many videos that provide nuanced specificity for almost every component of using the tool. For example, imagine that your school district has a Quizizz license and encourages you to use it for your instruction. You could go to YouTube and type, “How to use Quizizz,” and a variety of videos will be available, such as “How do teachers use Quizizz?” “How to use Quizizz: Full tutorial for teachers!” and “How to use Quizizz to make quizzes and share?” It may be helpful to play the video on a separate screen or alternative device such as a tablet, so you can work on your computer as you set-up the Quizizz.

And remember, with YouTube videos, you can pause, rewind, slow down, or speed up the rate of the speaker’s voice, all as needed.

3. Seek Out Community Spaces

Edtech tool developers have often included community spaces on their websites or within the platform so users can connect and share resources.

Not all community spaces are the same, however, although you may typically find these under the resources tab. Within these pages, there may be a forum for posting and receiving messages from other users, blogs sharing how the technology tool can be used, and even some challenges, sample lesson plans, tutorial videos focused on different components of the tool, and feedback surveys.

As you try out different tools, go to their websites and locate the community space, if applicable, and resources available to you. This may prove helpful to you and support your fluency.

Beyond the community spaces provided on the websites of the technology tool you are learning, you can also connect with your own networks, other teachers, and technology coaches.

New technology tools can be daunting to use, but hopefully the ideas shared above can be helpful to you as you will undoubtedly be introduced to new technology tools as you continue your teaching careers.

Related:

• 3 New Tricks for Veteran Teachers
• 4 Ways to Nurture Innovation in the Classroom

Crafting full curriculums and lesson plans can be a time-consuming process for many teachers, especially those who teach multiple classes with different subjects. Educators at Dickinson ISD in Texas have come up with an elegant solution to this challenge by creating “bundles,” or self-contained online teaching templates that can be altered to fit any lesson plan, curriculum, or educational environment as a teacher sees fit.

“The bundles will give the teachers everything they need through days one to five,” says Deanna Williams, Coordinator of Digital Learning & Instructional Material for the district. “They can use the course as is or that can select pieces of what is available a la carte.”

To start the bundle process, teachers first upload and assign their documents into Schoology, through which these are turned into digital materials so then can be assigned. The now-bundled curriculum is divided over days that a teacher can use to map what they want to teach in a manner that best suits their classroom environment.

“I’ve been working mainly with the reading ELA curriculum specialist. She would give me the materials that go into a planning document,” says Williams. “Now it’s streamlined to where she can submit a Google Doc and I basically know what she needs. I will take her information and create a slide deck from it.”

Bundles are customizable. “When teachers use the templates I create, they can alter the text, the colors, the wording, to better suit the lesson plan they have in mind,” says Williams.

Making Teaching More Straightforward 

The bundles show how a curriculum can be condensed and simplified for teachers. While this has obvious benefits for teachers well into their tenures, it can also be beneficial for those who are just starting out to make the teaching experience more palatable.

“One teacher went from her original slide deck, which I think was 41 slides that she assigned to over 100 students, to just 14 slides,” says Williams. “And so it made it a lot easier for her. She was so excited to have [her curriculum] honed down.”

While it may appear that these bundles take away some of the agency teachers enjoy when creating lesson plans, Williams explains that after adjusting to the system, many teachers find that the support they have and the time they save are invaluable.

“Teachers were apprehensive at first,” recalls Williams. “We presented [the system] as ‘Enjoy your Christmas break, and when you come back, here’s your bundle.’ So when they came back, everything was done for them. They assign it and during a curriculum preview day, we gave them the material and let them dig into it. I also provide support and tell them that if they are leery about technology or if they are not comfortable with it, I will come and support you.”

How Bundles Get Students Excited to Learn 

Bundles help teachers organize their lessons how they see fit, but what about the benefit for students? So far, bundles have kept students engaged in what they are learning, says Williams.

“The students were so excited,” she says. “Teachers and coaches tell me that their kids come in and ask what tomorrow will be like. They get so excited.”

Having the same curriculums and lesson plans repeated over and over can become monotonous for both teachers and students. These bundles allow teachers to add more personality to their lessons, giving students more to look forward to every day.

 Some of the Tools Williams Uses: 

• Schoology
• Canva
• Quizizz
• Google Suite
• Edgenuity
• iReady

Related articles:

• Best Practices for Launching a Digital Curriculum at Scale
• Defining A Digital Curriculum

Cybersecurity is no game, unless you visit the district of Tech & Learning Innovative Leadership Award winner Eva Mendoza.

Chief Information Technology Officer at San Antonio ISD, serving 45,000 students in 70 schools, Mendoza is known for creative attempts to teach cybersecurity, such as her popular “Phish Market” poster and PSA-video contest with winner’s artwork appearing as the lock screen on the district’s chromebooks and school monitors. She also offers a PD version of a popular television game show.

“It’s standard ‘Family Feud’ with a cybersecurity theme,” says Mendoza, who was honored for her efforts during a Tech & Learning regional leadership summit. “We follow the basic rules of the game, where a hundred people are surveyed and participant teams guess the most common responses. We just happen to have a hundred people on our IT staff, so it worked out great.”

Surveys are created with simple Google docs or Microsoft forms, free options that any district budget can handle.

“We send out a survey, asking questions such as, ‘What is the most commonly used password?’” Mendoza says. “Then we take the game around to different targeted departments because of the data they handle, and get some volunteers to make up two teams. We usually try to gamify anything within HR and finance. It’s just really engaging when you add in competition.”

Mendoza finds this style of engagement helps important info sink in, both for participating game contestants and the audience.

“So we might say, ‘We asked one hundred people, what are the most commonly used passwords? And the responses come — ‘1234’ or ‘pet’s name,’ ‘year of birth,’ all of these things that people do, but are super easy to guess or find,” she says. “There will be some funny responses and then ‘Survey says— ‘ and the results can be eye-opening. We want to hit them with that real-world shock. ‘Oh, wow — we all do that or know someone who does.’”

Some of the answers are entertaining, such as during the real show, which keeps the audience attentive rather than the dynamic of zoning out, too often seen in PD sessions. Mendoza then has the principal or a tech director give a short one liner of actual information, enough to drive home the lesson without ruining the fun and engagement of the activity.

“We created it within PowerPoint, using the graphics and theme song. It took a little bit of tweaking, but now that it's established, we can take it around to our different departments to take part in the game,” she says. “I personally think cybersecurity's super cool and fun, but you know, not all my colleagues across the district may feel that way. Sometimes people think it's a little intimidating or they think ‘It isn’t part of my work.’ Cyber safety is a shared responsibility. We all play a part in it and we want them to learn and understand the important role they play in cybersecurity.”

Gamification Isn’t Just For Students

Most school districts in Texas are required to have cybersecurity training approved by the state.

“These were often formal, traditional, sometimes boring videos that we were required to watch,” says Mendoza. “If you can reach beyond that traditional training, however, you can make a serious impact.”

It doesn’t matter how secure and advanced your system is if it is made vulnerable by those using it. This can be a real problem when human error leads to leaks of sensitive student data such as social security numbers, grades, health matters, personal phone numbers and addresses, and other family information.

“With cybersecurity, the No. 1 way people hack into systems is to hack the person, not the technology,” says Mendoza. “They go after those without cyber awareness, capitalizing on human error and carelessness. We need to ensure educators and staff realize the threats that are out there and that they are one of the most important parts of the strategy to keep our environment safe for our students.”

This sort of fun exploration of cybersecurity can even be a unique way to engage students in assemblies, cheering on teacher teams while learning.

“Hackers don't care if a target is a six-year-old, it is just an account to get in,” says Mendoza. “Kids need to learn just as much as our staff. Our students are growing up in a digital age from day one. Even if you're itty bitty, you have a digital footprint, and you need to learn to stay safe and how to protect your data. We did a little lesson with all K through 12. Some of the feedback we got from the teachers were stories of ‘My Roblox account was hacked and they took all my points.’ They are in their own world, but that could be so much bigger if they're not taught early and are ready for the future.”

Tips When Creating Your Own Cybersecurity Training Games

Create real-life activities. Mendoza says, “We did a tabletop exercise to take staff through a full-day scenario of what it’s like when you go through a ransomware attack. For example, 9:13 a.m., teachers complaining ‘I can’t log in or get to my email.’ How are you going to get through the day without no system? What happens if somebody picks up their kid early, what happens at dismissal? Now extrapolate that into a system down for three to five days. It was meant to be an exercise for staff, but it turned into a great resource for us to document and make a plan of everything schools would need from us and the central office to get by. Suddenly, it comes full circle and we have staff saying, ‘I couldn't make that connection, that my clicking a phishing link could lead to the whole district being down for five days.’ We were able to make it real for them.

Share the why. “A lot of the time we have processes for the vetting process on technology or digital tools,” says Mendoza. “Sometimes applications or softwares are denied. Educators see something on social media, a blog or a seemingly helpful app, and don't really understand why— ‘It’s free! I don't see why!’ It comes down to data privacy and protection. We have to read all the terms and conditions. At the end of the day, the ‘No’ is for the students and for our staff so we can be into a good digital environment.

Focus on the people. “Having the people part of your strategy is so important,” says Mendoza. “You have your processes, you have your technology, all your cybersecurity systems and solutions. But you need that people piece to make sure that your cybersecurity posture is strong.”

• Innovative Leader Awards
• How Gamifying Education Brings Out the Best In Students

The rapid growth of AI in schools has caused both excitement and concern from school district communities. In Part 2 of this two-part series, Tech & Learning, in partnership with PowerSchool, brought together school district experts to share advice about how they trained their staff to be comfortable with the integration of AI tools, as well as support students with using the AI tools that can help with their success.

Hosted by Christine Weiser, the discussion featured: Alana Winnick, Educational Technology Director and Data Protection Officer, Pocantico Hills Central School District; Greg Bagby,

Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Hamilton County Schools; and Joel Lathrop,

Director, Education Strategy, PowerSchool.

Key Takeaways

Watch the full webinar:

How Has The Use of AI Already Impacted Learning?

“One of my 8-year-old students said, ‘We are the future. We need to learn how to do this or we will not be prepared when we have jobs,’” said Winnick.

Winnick pointed out that what doesn’t work is blocking AI, or just assuming that students understand what AI is and how to use it. “Our job as education leaders is to educate our staff, who then can educate our students on what AI is and how to use it the right way,” she said.

Winnick gives AI users two jobs: 1. To be a detective, and be on the lookout for bad use/content. 2. Be an AI “DJ” to remix the content and add their own thoughts and ideas.

Winnick also encourages introducing students to AI as soon as possible. “My third graders are doing absolutely insane things that I don’t see elementary students in other places doing.” She stressed that the focus should be on encouraging students to want to learn with AI and use it to reach those higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy, not just use it as “an easy way out.”

In that vein, Bagby mentioned the futility of banning AI, comparing it to infamous bank robber Willie Sutton. “After he was caught by the FBI, the FBI asked, ‘Why do you rob banks?’ And Sutton said, ‘Because that’s where the money is.’ And well, AI is where the kids are going to be.”

Consequently, educators need to embrace it as well. Bagby discussed using AI as a guide on the side, citing an example of an AI math tutor chatbot being used with a small group of students to provide support in the learning process rather than just answers.

What doesn’t work, however, is just giving AI to students without any sort of plan. “If you don’t have a plan, or if you don’t have a guide, things will get a little hairy for you,” Bagby said. “And it’s harder to rein them back in if you don’t have that guide.”

One of the biggest challenges for districts that want to embrace AI is that they’re busy dealing with many other issues, and don’t always have the resources to dedicate specifically to AI, said Lathrop, who cited a national survey that showed 70% of district leaders could see the potential benefit of AI.

“Using technology tools to promote more positive student behaviors and getting students motivated is really one of the most common challenges we’re seeing,” Lathrop said.

Lathrop added that we’ve gone from “This is what AI could do in our district” to “This is what AI is actually doing in our district.”

How Can AI Work With PD?

From having been a principal for a decade, Bagby noted when it comes to professional learning that teachers are a lot like the students in the sense that you want to engage them in the same ways, and that there are going to be high flyers and early adopters. “However, there are going to be folks who aren’t as quick to adopt tech tools, and you have to find their entry points,” he said.

Bagby recommended that, like students, it can be effective to show teachers what tools there are, and then give them time to play and explore. It’s also critical to give them tools and/or skills they can use the next day so they can immediately bring it into the classroom and find success, which can build confidence and competency. He also added that any PD should be a continuous process that requires follow up and further support.

Winnick reminded everyone that when it comes to PD, that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. “I think it’s really important, just like we say in the classroom, ‘voice and choice,’ she said. Teachers should have agency in how they learn, be that synchronously or asynchronously, as well as opportunities to learn in many different ways. “You get to choose how you want to learn it, but it’s not a choice whether you want to learn it or not,” she said.

Lathrop suggested that having “superheroes” like Winnick and Bagby in your district to lead PD efforts is the best way to make PD effective. If those leaders are not available, PowerSchool has plenty of resources to provide support, such as training, best practices, and more. It also helps to have a platform such as PowerSchool that also has AI already seamlessly integrated.

One Piece of AI Advice for First Step of AI PD

“If you’re not using AI to connect data across your systems, your results will be limited,” said Lathrop. “And working within platforms that you’re already familiar with can reduce the learning/training curve for your staff.”

“It’s really important that as a school leader, there can’t be a disconnect between how teachers are trained and how they’re expected to work,” said Winnick, adding that any PD has to be aligned with performance expectations.

Bagby stressed that any PD has to be directly related to the work the teachers are doing, regardless of curriculum. “Make sure that you’re training them on something that’s going to be relevant,” he said.

Part 1: Designing an AI Roadmap Framework: Creating and Communicating AI Guidelines and Policies

Want to empower school staff to use generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) but are unsure they’ll know how to use it effectively and responsibly? Google and Adobe are stepping up to help by providing free introductory courses on AI literacy designed specifically for educators.

"Teachers are excited to use AI tools, and many districts like ours are adopting solutions specifically designed for the educational setting. As teachers explore other tools independently it's critical for them to be aware of things like AI hallucinations, implicit and explicit bias, and the possible inadvertent sharing of sensitive data," says Andrew Wallace, Director of Technology in South Portland Schools in Maine. "The sort of training we are providing locally and the certifications by Google and Adobe go a long way toward providing peace of mind to school leaders and our community as we explore this revolutionary technology"

Google's course is tailored to demonstrate how gen AI can enhance teaching methodologies, while Adobe's training explores practical applications of gen AI within educational settings with students. These courses not only build foundational knowledge but also provide a certification of completion.

Here’s a little about each.

Generative AI for Educators From Google

In this two-hour course, participants learn about generative AI, which is a type of AI that creates new content, such as text, images, or other media. You’ll explore how to use generative AI tools to assist your teaching practice by saving time on everyday tasks, personalizing instruction to meet student needs, and enhancing lessons and activities in creative ways. Gemini and ChatGPT are examples of generative AI tools that are used with conversational prompts; in other words, you ask the AI tool for something, and it responds to your request.

Throughout this course, you’ll discover proven strategies for working with AI tools, and practice using them to plan and update lessons, prepare instructional materials, manage behind-the-scenes administrative tasks, and lots more!

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify ways generative AI can assist your professional practice
• Create classroom resources using an AI tool
• Write prompts for an AI tool and evaluate the output

The class also has useful handouts:

• How to write a prompt.pdf
• Responsibility checklist.pdf
• Prompt library.pdf
• Generative AI for Educators glossary.pdf

Participants can take an optional final assessment if they’d like to receive a certificate of completion of the two-hour course. Get started with Generative AI for Educators.

Generative AI in the Classroom with Adobe Express

In this 30-minute self-paced Lightning Learning course, participants learn about the many applications Adobe Express’ new generative AI features have for teaching and learning and explore creative and simple activities that support students throughout any project.

Join expert educators in this fun, practical, and easy-to-follow course. Each lesson has quick videos and examples of ready-to-go lesson ideas and remixable templates that can be used as-is, or paired with participant’s lessons and resources in any subject.

This course will enable participants to:

• Understand the basics of Adobe Express.
• Create generative AI text prompts and projects that support student creativity in any class.
• Access free resources to enhance your students’ learning experiences.

At the end of the course, participants will be asked to submit an assignment. Once submitted, participants will receive a digital badge and a certificate for 30 minutes of professional learning. Enroll for AI in the Classroom.

• Unleash creativity with generative AI in Adobe Express
• Find one-pagers that provide everything parents, educators, and students need to know about new generative AI features in Adobe Express.

These complementary courses help build foundational knowledge and provide an assessment to certify basic competency in using generative AI in educational settings. By completing these courses, educators not only gain critical knowledge but will also have increased confidence to responsibly and effectively integrate AI tools into their teaching methodologies, enhancing both their instructional practices and their students' learning experiences.

• Simplifying AI for Educators: The 3 Things You Really Need to Know (For Right Now)
• 3 Useful AI Research Tools for Educators

Congratulations and welcome to teaching! As you start your professional journey, Tech & Learning is here to support you with experience and expertise from our team and advisors, who have substantial time in front of a class doing what you’re about to do. We know it can be daunting, and a little scary, but we’re here to help you succeed with this new teacher starter kit.

To help build your teaching toolbox, we offer this regularly updated assortment of resources, tips, and advice from education professionals such as yourself for using edtech, implementing digital tools, navigating technology in the classroom, and just approaching teaching altogether.

For the latest tools and guidance for teaching with AI, check out our AI Starter Kit for Teachers.

Professional Development

5 Pieces of Advice for New Teachers - Asking questions and making sure to give yourself time off are among the advice veteran and award-winning educators offer for new teachers.

11 Edtech Tips for New Teachers - Advice to help new teachers implement digital tools into their classrooms and instruction.

5 Google Classroom Tips From Its Developers - The Google Classroom product manager and adaptive learning project manager at Google share tips for utilizing the popular learning management system.

6 Google Scholar Tips From Its Co-Creator - Google Scholar can be a great tool for teachers and their students. Here’s how to get the most out of it.

5 Edtech Books Every New and Seasoned Teacher Should Read - These edtech books support professional learning for teachers in all academic areas and grade levels.

10 Effective Online Learning Practices - How to prepare for effective remote and distance learning.

5 Summer Professional Development Ideas - Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of great learnings and have enough time to put those learnings into practice in your planning for next school year.

Top Sites for Educator PD - Professional development is an ongoing process for any educator. Looking for the best ways to impart knowledge to students and staying current with the latest learning trends is critical.

Leveraging Technology to Support Lesson Creation and Instruction - Intentional use of technology is important to ensure that we do not get lost in the options and lose focus on why we are incorporating it in the first place.

Leveraging Technology to Better Engage Learners in Lessons - With so many technological teach tools available, finding the right one to engage your students can be a challenge. Here's advice on how to get started.

Leveraging Technology to Assess Student Learning - Leveraging technology to assess student learning is a viable option to make it more engaging and fun.

How To Become a Google Certified Educator - The Google Certified Educator program offers the chance for teachers to gain practical PD while earning a badge to demonstrate their edtech expertise.

Providing New Teachers with Remote PD and Modeling - Strategies to support new teachers with technology as they navigate these trying times and remote learning.

4 Lessons From Remote Learning - Despite its challenges, remote learning has changed in-person learning for the better, says one Kansas City educator.

How to Write in Plain Language for Teaching - Using plain language for school websites and family communication is an effective way to assure understanding, especially when translation is involved.

7 Things to Know About Being an Online Teacher - Online teachers should be open to learning new technology and be excited to provide individualized feedback to students.

Teacher Burnout: Recognizing and Reducing It - Signs of teacher burnout include emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a feeling of no longer being effective at your job. It’s important to listen to these feelings and make changes.

I Took CASEL’s Online SEL Course. Here’s What I Learned - CASEL’s new online SEL course takes 45-60 minutes to complete and provides a lot of information in an efficient manner.

Class & Classroom Management

5 Tips for Talking to Social Media-Addicted Teens - Talking to social-media addicted teens requires meeting them where they communicate, according to Nicole Rice, author of Does Your Teen Talk? No, But They Text, Snap, and TikTok

Classroom Engagement: 4 Tips From Students for Teachers - Four students share their advice for teachers looking to create more engaging and impactful classes.

5 Tips for Implementing Active Learning - Active learning provides ways to get your students engaged without needing to revamp how you teach.

Growth Mindset: 4 Ways to Implement it In Class - Growth mindset works for specific students in specific instances but educators should be careful when implementing it.

Busting the Myth of Learning Styles - The idea that different students have different learning styles pervades education, but cognitive scientists say there is no evidence learning styles exist.

3 Ways You & Your Students Can Use Microproductivity - Breaking down large tasks into smaller, easier-to-complete ones can save time and help educators and students tackle daunting projects.

Implementing Authentic Exploratory Research into Teaching - Authentic exploratory research provides an opportunity for reality-based learning.

How to Address School Shootings With Your Class - Listening to students and providing a safe space for sharing their concerns is key when discussing school shootings.

Best Practices for Trauma-Informed Teaching - While trauma-informed care is part of many therapeutic plans of school counselors, teachers see students on a daily basis so it is often necessary to embrace and employ trauma-informed approaches to teaching.

5 Lessons for Teachers from Ted Lasso - How the optimistic soccer coach models some good behavior for teachers.

5 Teaching Tips from The Coach and Educator Who Inspired Ted Lasso - Basketball coach and math teacher Donnie Campbell, one of the inspirations for Jason Sudeikis’ Ted Lasso, shares his strategies for inspiring young people in the classroom and on the court.

5 Ways to Engage Reluctant Readers - How technology and student choice can help engage reluctant readers.

Websites, Apps & Digital Tools

Best Tools for Teachers - If you’re new to teaching or looking to learn more about digital tools for teachers such as Zoom, TikTok, Minecraft, Microsoft Teams, or Flipgrid -- and all the related apps and resources -- here’s where to get started. We cover the basic features for each one, plus provide tips and advice to get the most out of your experience.

Edtech Lesson Plans - Designed to provide a template for implementing specific popular digital tools into your instruction and classroom, these free lesson plans include Flip, Kahoot!, Wakelet, Boom Cards, TikTok, and many more.

Google Education Tools & Apps - Google Classroom is the most popular digital tool in education, due to its cost (free!) and the multitude of easy-to-use apps and resources related to it. Many school systems rely on it because of its accessibility, ease of use, and flexibility.

Best YouTube Sites and Channels for Education - Safe-viewing tips and education-focused channels to help take advantage of the fantastic free educational videos YouTube provides.

Top Flipped Classroom Tech Tools - Flipped educators shared their favorite resources for their flipped classrooms.

Fact-Checking Sites for Students - Student research sites and apps that are safe and unbiased, and specialize in debunking claims and providing objective, researched analysis.

First Day of Class: 5 Edtech Tools That Can Make it More Engaging - These interactive apps will help keep your students active and engaged as they get to know you, each other, and what to expect this year.

Top Sites and Resources to Support LGTBQ+ Students - It’s estimated that nearly two million American youth aged 13-17 identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. These students are at relatively high risk for becoming the targets of bullies, violence—and even committing suicide.

Best Digital Icebreakers - Ease into the new school year is with fun and engaging digital icebreakers.

Best Free Virtual Escape Rooms - Virtual escape rooms incorporate riddles, puzzles, math, logic, and literacy skills, and can help create team-building opportunities as well as boost critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving.

Tech & Learning Reader Favorites - These top Tech & Learning articles explore the latest ideas, resources, and tools for teachers and students.

Teacher Tech & Devices

Best Desktop Computers For Teachers - Get the ultimate education-focused desktop computer that's ideal for teachers.

Best Laptops for Teachers - Get the best laptop for teachers both in class and for remote learning.

Best Tablets for Teachers - The ultimate tablets for use by teachers in class and for remote learning.

Best Laptop Docking Stations For Teachers - Get the ideal laptop dock for teachers working between remote and classroom lessons.

Best Webcams for Teachers - The best webcams for education, be it for teachers or students, can make all the difference.

Best Ring Lights For Remote Teaching - Create the perfect lighting for video teaching to give the best remote learning experience.

Best Headphones for Teachers - The best headphones for teachers in remote learning situations can make a huge difference to the quality of a lesson.

Best Laptop Cases for Teachers - The best laptop cases for teachers could offer freedom of movement without sacrificing tech.

Best Hardware for Teachers - Computers, monitors, webcams, headphones, and other edtech hardware for your in-person or online classroom.

Edtech Tips & Troubleshooting

How Do I Livestream a Class? - To livestream a class it's easier than ever before and here's what you need to know to get started right now.

How Do I Screencast a Lesson? - A screencast is, essentially, a recording of your computer screen -- and you -- with audio narration over the top.

How Do I Create a YouTube Channel? - If you want to create a YouTube channel for your class, this is everything you need to know.

How To Teach Like An Influencer - Students spend more and more time online, so using digital tools to successfully engage and educate can be useful.

Why Do My Webcam and Microphone Not Work? - Webcam and microphone not work? This is how you can get up and running.

Why Can't I Print from My Computer? - If you've asked why can’t I print from my computer, it's time to take a breath of relief as we reveal all you need to know.

How Can I Extend My Laptop Battery Charge for a Full School Day? - If you've asked 'How can I extend my laptop battery charge?', you've come to the right place.

Using Virtual Reality (VR) to Enhance Existing Lessons - Virtual reality can enhance educational experiences and is a powerful way to foster student engagement.

Teaching a VR Lesson: 5 Questions to Ask - Before teaching a VR lesson or an AR lesson, there are some questions teachers should ask themselves.

How to Set Up Virtual or Augmented Reality in Schools for Free - While the relatively new technologies may seem expensive and complex initially, either can be very accessible.

Showing Movies & Videos in Class - Using films, documentaries, and video clips can be a good way to deepen lessons and build engagement, but there are pitfalls to avoid.

Video Lectures: 4 Tips for Teachers - Creating short and engaging video lectures for students is a growing trend at education institutions.

4 Tips for Hosting School Webinars - Webinars should be as interactive as possible and allow for hands-on practice.

Zoom/Video Conferencing Best Practices - Researchers at Stanford University and the University of Gothenburg find those who look at the camera are viewed more favorably by other Zoom/video conference participants.

Creating A Roblox Classroom - By creating a Roblox classroom, teachers can provide opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and more.

Innovation blossoms in a leadership environment where new ideas can be tested and evaluated. Additionally, school district leaders must have the vision to make a difference and the courage to evolve and make that vision a reality. 

How do leaders make this happen? I say, through collaboration. That collaboration and rich professional learning recently occurred at the Tech & Learning Leadership Summit in Atlanta. It is exciting to say, "Tech and Learning LIVE Summits are BACK in person!" 

Districts that pivot and offer professional learning aimed at educators' needs and wants see less attrition and increasingly educated teachers. Ongoing and continuous professional learning for district leaders is the key to the future design of schools and peer collaboration. 

The Tech & Learning Leadership Summits are a perfect place to meet new peers from around the globe and bolster knowledge of current trends in the field. These events give leaders a viewpoint about the learning process from practitioners living the work every day. Additionally, participants can meet with industry partners to learn about the latest edtech on the market. 

Hotlanta Learning 

Successful leaders know that risk-taking is a part of being successful. T&L’s Atlanta Summit had many new leaders take the risk to join the event for the first time. Little did they know the day would be packed with collaborative challenges, peer discussion, team building, and unlimited learning and laughter.

Carl Hooker, host and MC (above), shared, "Students learn by observing teachers taking risks, and when they see you try new things, they will be empowered to take risks in learning and collaborating too." Carl brought his trademark enthusiasm and passion for education to the event, opening the day with a welcome activity, planning collaborative and impactful learning activities, and then leading a session on risk-taking. He has been instrumental in the educational shift of infusing learning with technology integration during his 23 years in education. He also expertly led attendees through a series of risk-taking improv activities designed to help activate the creative side of participants' brains. The activities focused on strategies and confidence to get back up if an educational risk didn't go as planned.

BreakoutEDU also led a collaborative activity (below) that allowed attendees to be students and dive into critical thinking and problem solving. This team-building experience set the tone for the day by modeling innovative learning and opened participants' eyes that education is a team sport. Breakout EDU gamifies learning to create an engaging and empowering experience for students of all grade levels. Learn more here about the positive impact they can have on professional development and team building. 

The learning continued throughout the day with individual sessions. The facilitators combined a mix of traditional presentations while sparking discussions on the topic to include all voices and highlight the opportunity to share, learn, and apply the collective experiences at the event. 

Sessions included:

• Impactful Professional Development Strategies 
• Personalizing Learning Experiences 
• Data Privacy/Cybersecurity 
• Supporting Student Well-Being 
• Digital Curriculum 
• Equity and Access 
• Sustaining Student Engagement 
• Changing Pedagogy 

Attendees enjoyed a tour of Tech & Learning’s new Atlanta office with a team actively utilizing all the learning from the day. The APPMazing Race activity allowed participants to get up and move with the challenge of solving a group challenge collectively while encouraging a high level of creativity. This activity from the day modeled the shift in collaborative learning happening in schools and districts. 

 The day ended with recognizing four leaders for their innovation and impact on the field of education. (Read more about these winners here.)

• Most Innovative Learning Spaces: Dr. Kristy L. Beam 
• Best Implementation of Digital Curriculum: Sam Brooks
• Best Overall Implementation of Technology: Cristin Kennedy 
• Best Example of Teacher & Student Well-Being Programs: Dr. Claudia Martinez 

Being engrossed in learning for a full day gave participants a mix of new strategies while learning from participants' collective knowledge and experience. These events have a unique way of involving participants while delivering high-level professional learning. 

After participants dispersed from the Tech & Learning headquarters refreshed and energized, the next important step is to take time to reflect on all the new ideas and strategies attendees learned at the event. Implementing what is learned from events such as this is only as good as your ability to understand what impact a change would make. Try a few new resources or tools this week that you didn't know about before the conference. Tailor any new strategies to fit your style; only then will it have an impact. Keep sharing ideas and strategies using #TLTechLive hashtag as we keep the collaborative learning going! 

If you have never been to a Tech & Learning Leadership Summit, sign up to join and get ready to share, listen, and learn about the extraordinary work going on in your region! Find all of the upcoming Summit locations and dates here. 

If you want to create a YouTube channel for your class, and beyond, there is quite a bit to think about. Despite these glossy videos seeming to be effortlessly made by those teachers who have become YouTube sensations, they have put in a lot of work behind the scenes.

Don't be intimidated. You can do it relatively easily too and still get a great end result. It's up to you how much time, effort, and money you want to invest in your channel. And with the potential to make money from it, you may find it grows naturally over time.

So what do you need to consider if you're going to create a YouTube channel of your very own?

• What Is Screencast-o-matic and How Does It Work?
• 6 Ways to Bomb-Proof Your Zoom Class
• Zoom for Education: 5 tips
• Why Zoom Fatigue Occurs and How Educators Can Overcome It

1. Open an account

If you want to get in on the YouTube action then you'll need to sign-up for an account with the parent company, Google. You may already have a Google account making this as easy as signing in on the YouTube app or website. If not, head over to Google.com and sign up before logging into YouTube.

If you're creating a teaching account then you may want to use your real name, a moniker of some sort, or perhaps a title you've come up with that suits the type of teaching you're going to offer. A suitable photo, image, or logo to go with that can be useful to have available at sign-up too.

2. Setup a YouTube channel

At this point you will want to direct yourself to channel creation. The easiest way to do this, for your personal account, a class, or school, is to start uploading. If you go to upload a video then you will immediately be asked which channel it's going to. Since you don't have one yet, you'll be prompted to create a new channel.

Check over your account name and profile picture that will automatically populate the channel. If you're happy, continue through the process. This will then allow you to define how the channel is restricted for your students, if this is a school account. You can select the options to: like a video, comment on a video, favorite a video, and subscribe to the channel. For the best engagement it's advisable to check all these options as available. You can always moderate comments later if needed.

You are then able to decide if this channel will be public, private, or unlisted. Ideally you'll go with public so it can be found by students and potential followers. But if you go unlisted that lets you share the link with anyone that you want to find it, but it can't be found using search.

You are also able to set specific videos to unlisted – ideal if you have students in one and wish to keep their privacy.

3. Set production standards

It's important to develop a consistent and high-quality video style that you maintain. This not only makes the videos more enjoyable and engaging, but also gives you a defined style that helps you to be recognized more easily. On top of this, it provides a level of continuity for students so that they can feel comfortable when settling back into this video space for their next session. 

A few basics are important when thinking about making your videos:

Use decent lighting
Lighting is one of the most important parts of any video. A well-lit video is clearer, more natural, and far more engaging than one with shadows and distracting darkness. This can be most easily achieved by placing the light behind the camera, thereby lighting the subject facing the camera while also allowing the lens to let in maximum light. If there's not a lot of natural light, think about using lamps, a ring light, and/or room lighting to add to the ambience.

Make sure you're heard
Audio is very important, especially if you're dictating instructions to students -- just like in class. Most smartphones have multiple microphones that do a good job or picking up voices specifically. But be sure to minimize background noise (close those windows) and speak loudly and clearly. If you're struggling, then investing in a dedicated clip-on or omnidirectional microphone could be a worthwhile idea to provide a more professional finish. 

Edit your videos
There are lots of software options out there for editing video but YouTube itself features an editor in the app so using that can often do the trick without costing you anything extra. This lets you shoot video in chunks and put it together later, taking off the pressure to get it all right first time. 

4. Post videos regularly

There is huge value in posting videos with regularity. This allows students, and fans, to know when they can expect more content to land so they look out for it. This gets consistent viewing and can help to grow the channel -- YouTube appreciates regularity as does Google when it comes to searching for videos.

Regularity also offers stability to students that may grow to enjoy this video learning time as a part of their routine. 

5. Flip your classes

Using your videos to offer a flipped classroom can be very valuable on two fronts. Primarily it allows you to teach students outside of class time, with a lesson overview for example, so you can focus on questions, answers, and drills in the class itself. Secondarily, this also provides a useful pre-lesson resource for other teachers. This could be used in your school but may also be sought after by other teachers.

As you offer more useful resources regularly, you may find that you gain more subscribers and increase you video views. This is where you can start to grow your channel further.

6. Monetize your YouTube channel

Once you reach a certain subscriber threshold and break through then you can start making money from your videos, by which you're paid directly by YouTube. This means that the more views you get, the more money you can make.

This is where you can start to invest that money back into production. From buying a dedicated camera to filming lighting and audio gadgets, as well as props and software. All of these can enhance the professional finish of your videos and make your productions even more appealing to students and other viewers, letting you grow even more.

• What Is Screencast-o-matic and How Does It Work?
• 6 Ways to Bomb-Proof Your Zoom Class
• Zoom for Education: 5 tips
• Why Zoom Fatigue Occurs and How Educators Can Overcome It

Screencast a lesson as a way to engage students both in the classroom and when teaching remotely. A screencast is, essentially, a recording of your computer screen -- and you -- with audio narration over the top.

This means taking what you might normally teach in class and putting it on screen for the class to see as you cover a subject. It can now be done and viewed from anywhere, making it an idea tool for remote learning or a flipped classroom.

A screencast allows teachers to incorporate rich media, such as images, text, and video, or work through problems, all as if the student were being taught one-on-one. And since this is all recorded, students are able to go at their own pace and repeat anything they need to take a second pass at.

So while a screencast is clearly a valuable tool, how do you screencast a lesson?

• What Is Screencast-o-matic and How Does It Work?
• 6 Ways to Bomb-Proof Your Zoom Class
• Zoom for Education: 5 tips
• Why Zoom Fatigue Occurs and How Educators Can Overcome It

Best screencast software

The first step, if you want to screencast a lesson, is to get a software that will do that. This means something that will capture a video of your screen and allow you to record audio over the visuals. Ideally, this will also let you edit so you can cut out any mistakes, long pauses, or anything not connected to the lesson.

This software works a bit like a screenshot but with much more depth since you have video, audio, text, and editing options in many cases. Combine this with a webcam and you're able to have students see your face, in a box in the corner, as you work through the lesson -- making it far more life-like and immersive. You can also combine a document camera if you want to do real-world experiments or use physical documents -- great for grading homework one-on-one.

Screencast-o-matic is a great option as it's specifically built for this task. It works across a range of devices, allowing you to record and view on differing devices, ideal for students who might want to view the screencast from a smartphone. This includes video and image screen recording as well as editing. You can even blur parts of images, add graphics, and record from multiple cameras at once. 

A free version is available as well as a paid plan, with more premium features, however, as a way to get started, this offers the best combination of ease of use and helpful tools.

How to screencast a lesson

Once you've got your screencast software you'll need to first plan your lesson. Some may want to rehearse before beginning so everything runs smoothly. Others may prefer to work it out on the fly and potentially spend more time editing later – it really comes down to what works best for you.

It's worth checking out the best headphones for teachers and the best ring lights to make sure you have the clearest and most engaging setup. And should you run into issues check out our guide: Why does my webcam or microphone not work?

Once you've setup an account and logged into your software, you'll be able to get recording. It pays to have all the windows open you need before you get started. Similarly it's a good idea to close anything not needed to make sure you maximize memory available to the recording software, so you get the smoothest end result.

For the recording itself be sure you're in a quiet place and you have minimal distractions in your background when recording. Equally, make sure your computer's home screen is clear so there aren't distractions should that pop up when moving between windows. 

It can pay to have an external microphone, or decent headphones, if you want to your voice as clear as possible. Some people script their screencast for truly smooth flow, but sometimes trial and error is good to see what works for you.

Remember to turn off any notifications so there aren't distracting pop-ups during your screencast. 

When picking the resolution size it's worth noting that while you can record in 1080p, a 720p version will be more than enough and helps to keep file size smaller, making it more manageable for all devices. 

Once you're done, be sure to save the video and share it in MP4 format so that it can be viewed on most devices. Even better is to upload to YouTube so you know it'll be easily accessible no matter what devices are being used to view it. This can also make inserting it into an LMS, such as Google Classroom, easier.

Best Tips To Screencast A Lesson

Record audio separately
While it can be easy to record audio as you work through what's on screen, it may actually save you more time to record the audio afterward as this allows you to re-edit and make changes to what you're saying without have to re-record the video processes too.

Be concise
Don't be afraid to cut significantly in the editing process. The key to sustained engagement is minimalism that gets the point across without any time-wasting waffle. Think about your own viewing preferences and how you often appreciate getting quickly to the crux of the matter.

Bookend your videos
A short intro and outro to give your screencast a more professional feel is a useful touch. Give a 15-second or so intro and outro to help settle students into what's going to happen and, in the case of outro, to know what they're required to do next.

• What Is Screencast-o-matic and How Does It Work?
• 6 Ways to Bomb-Proof Your Zoom Class
• Zoom for Education: 5 tips
• Why Zoom Fatigue Occurs and How Educators Can Overcome It

Quizlet, the multidimensional edtech platform, provides a multitude of exciting ways for students to access content, build skills, and demonstrate their learning. 

For an overview of Quizlet and more specifics of the many features and its applicability within the K-12 learning environment, check out What is Quizlet and How Can I Teach with It? 

This sample Quizlet lesson plan for middle and early high school is focused on using the platform for mathematics, however, the flexibility of Quizlet transcends subject area and grade levels. In fact, physical education, health, and arts teachers can use Quizlet  when instructing students related to their non-traditional academic subjects. 

Subject: Mathematics 

Topic: Algebra 

Grade Band: Middle and Early High School  

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify algebraic expressions
• Define the algebraic terms  

Starter 

To begin the lesson, use the Quizlet “Create” feature to generate flashcards related to algebraic expressions with the entire class. As you create the flashcards, you can discuss the terms, expressions, and properties related to algebraic expressions so that students are being introduced to the content during the process. 

Start with teaching students the more familiar terms such as dividend, quotation, and sum, before moving to more robust terms such as exponent, expression, and factor. These are just a few examples, but you can have more or less terms as aligned with your unit-level objectives. The goal is to start the lesson by building content on Quizlet while instructing students, and allowing them to co-create content with you. 

Guided Practice 

Now that the flashcard content is created, students can practice on Quizlet. Have them work on answering the flashcards. They can use the matching feature, add or interpret diagrams, and use rich text features such as highlighting, bolding, and underlining to draw attention to certain concepts. 

During the guided practice, you can also have students create their own set of flashcards, with definitions presented in their own wording. By having students create their own set, it will help with their retention of information. 

While students are engaging with the lesson, note which ones need extra support and assign them specific flashcards to focus on by using the Staring feature on Quizlet. In addition, use the Explanations feature to assist with explaining the concepts in a visual way. 

Quizlet offers a test mode as well with multiple choice and true/false options. You may choose to use this feature featuring the content from the flashcards that the students created during the guided practice. 

Extended Learning 

For even more practice and engagement with the lesson’s content, Quizlet offers  “Quizlet Live,” which turns the flashcard content into an interactive and competitive edtech game. Since Quizlet Live is customized with the content of the lesson, it is a great opportunity for students to extend their learning and further develop their understanding of the course concepts. 

Quizlet Live allows for both individual and team play, and teams can be randomized. It can be played in person with the class or even in a virtual classroom environment through your LMS, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom.   

A Note Regarding Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Features 

What makes Quizlet special are the features that support the different aspects of UDL, including Multiple Means of Action and Expression and Multiple Means of Engagement. As mentioned above, Quizlet provides a wide variety of options for students to learn and study content, and uses a diverse range of question types to meet the needs of different learning styles. 

It also offers an audio feature that lets students hear the question being read aloud, which would support students who are more auditory. In addition, images can be added to the questions to assist students who are visual learners. 

Quizlet Lesson Plan: Troubleshooting Tips & Tricks 

When creating flashcards, there is an option to import content from your existing files so you do not have to start from scratch. You can actually customize already existing flashcards to align with the learning objectives for your lesson. 

As students start to study and gain mastery with the content, you can start the flashcards that students are struggling with so more of their focus can be on those. 

If the students have access to mobile devices, the Quizlet app can be downloaded for easier access to studying. Another feature within Quizlet includes popular textbooks that students can refer to for more support in understanding the content. This can be helpful to students who are learning asynchronously online without always having immediate access to the teacher.

This lesson is just one example of the many ways that Quizlet can be used to not only introduce students to academic content, but also allow them to engage with the material and demonstrate their learning in diverse ways. We hope you will incorporate Quizlet into your lesson, and if you are using Quizlet, try a new subject area or feature that you have not explored yet.  

• What is Quizlet and How Can I Teach With It?
• Top Edtech Lesson Plans

Inclusive websites are written in plain language. By using everyday language, potential users can more easily: 

• Find what they’re looking for 
• Understand it 
• Get a better translation from online tools 

During the recent Beyond Access Forum, a workshop dedicated to supporting educators gave participants a number of ways to ensure that what they write meets these goals.

“If you make accessible content, it doesn’t just benefit the population you’re trying to help, it really benefits everybody,” said presenter Laura Ogando, program manager for the Office of Digital Literacy & Inclusion, NYC Department of Education. “Communication needs to be instantaneous. People need information at their fingertips.”

Watch the presentation free on demand here 

Plain Language: Writing for Effective Translation 

In New York City, half of students speak a language other than English at home, and there are many school-related communities that need access to information. “So anytime we’re dealing with a population who needs information in another language, it can be tricky,” said Ogando. “Often translation is not a word-for-word thing.”

According to Ogando, writing for effective translation ensures:

• An inclusive experience for students and families 
• Speakers of all languages can access content 
• Content is more accessible to English readers 

When you create more translatable text, it’s easier for everyone to read, she said. 

Also, when writing for effective translation, Ogando suggests that it’s a good practice to lower the reading level (target grade 6-9), be mindful of sentence subject language, and include relative pronouns. “We may not realize it, but teachers tend to write at a collegiate level,” said Ogando. “And that’s difficult for many of our families to read.”

That doesn’t mean you have to “dumb it down,” said Orgando. When writing, she suggests using simple, everyday words, short sentences, active voice, and written out dates. “This is about being precise and clear with your language.”

Sentence subject order matters, however. It’s also important to not use different words for the same subject, which can change the translation. In addition, including relative pronouns, such as who, whose, whom, which, and that, help better connect nouns to descriptions. “We tend to leave these out,” said Ogando. “But for non-native speakers of English, this can really change the meaning.”

Writing in Plain Language 

Plain language is writing designed to be easily understood by all readers the first time it is read. 

“If you think about it, a lot of the communication that we send out to our families flies in the face of this,” said Ogando. “It’s not easily understood. It’s a lot of edu-jargon.”

Writing in plain language makes information more easily:

• Found through online searches 
• Understood by all readers, including those with disabilities
• Translated using online tools  

“Who wants to read 17 times something the DOE sends just to understand it?” asked Ogando. “It’d be nice to just understand it the first time."

When thinking about vocabulary, consider the three tiers:

• Tier 1: Frequently used words, such as clock, baby, happy, walk 
• Tier 2: General academic words, such as obvious, complex, establish 
• Tier 3: Domain specific words, such as scaffold, inquiry, pedagogy 

Avoid Tier 3 words, said Ogando, which is hard for teachers who are used to using a lot of domain specific language. “We sometimes realize that when we use these words, our families have no idea what we’re talking about,” she said. For example, every teacher knows what scaffolded instruction is, but if you ask any parent what it is, chances are most don’t know what it is. “We’re taking a word from the construction world and marrying it to an education concept, and then add on top of that the idea of translating it into another language, such as Korean, it loses all meaning,” she said.

Tier 1 and 2 words will provide the “most bang for the buck” in terms of communication.

Also be wary of acronyms, said Ogando, such as SEL (social-emotional learning). Spell it out the first time, and then you can use it in the rest of your communication. “You have no idea how many people have no clue what our alphabet soup means,” said Ogando. “We have to be mindful of all these little things we do that can confuse the heck out of our families.”

Avoid passive voice, as it can be unclear and typically leaves out the subject. Active voice makes it clear that the subject of a sentence is taking the action. “Active voice leads to better understanding,” said Ogando. 

When it comes to determining reading level, Flesh-Kincaid is one of the most widely used measures. A raw score of 70-60 indicates an 8th-9th grade reading level, and the lower the raw score, the more difficult it is to read. The closer you are to 100, the more simplistic the text.

Microsoft and Google both provide readability tools for testing text. “Remember to not only check your writing but to fix it as needed,” said Ogando. 

“Writing in plain language and writing to make sure your content is acceptable, is really tricky,” said Ogando. “Be clear and precise with what you mean. We tend to use 20 words when we really only need 10.”

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WeVideo is a robust and multifunctional video creation edtech tool that can enhance any learning experience across academic subject areas. WeVideo can be used as an alternative option to traditional in-class presentations, allowing students to demonstrate their learning in creative ways. 

While multidimensional and comprehensive, WeVideo is quite user friendly and would be a great option for elementary learners all the way to high school. For an overview, check out What is WeVideo and How Does it Work for Education. 

Below is a sample lesson plan for middle school students that is focused on weather and meteorology. While this sample lesson shows just one way WeVideo can be used for teaching and learning, the options are truly endless for other subject areas and grade levels.  

Subject: Science/STEM  

Topic: Weather/Meteorology 

Grade Band: Middle School  

Learning Objective: 

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to present on various concepts related to weather.

Pre-Planning  

Prior to students using WeVideo to record their weather reports and forecasting, introduce students to the main components of WeVideo. This includes how to login, set-up a recording from their school devices, and adding content to the background slides. It is also best to decide if WeVideo will be used for podcasting, screencasting, or  greenscreening. 

WeVideo Creation 

WeVideo can be used as a tool for students to record themselves as they provide information on the daily weather as well as periodic weather-related disasters that impact the country and beyond. 

Assign each student a state, region, or city to focus on for their forecast and rotate throughout the year. WeVideo offers an Essentials Library that consists of more than a million royalty-free media files that students can pull from to enhance their videos. This feature is an excellent option for those who may be reporting the weather of locations that are quite different from where they are located. 

Students will build on their critical-thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration skills while putting together content for their weather reports and forecasting, and there is a variety of key scientific, meteorological, and weather-related vocabulary in which students can gain fluency. As part of the learning activity, students could be required to correctly include the following keywords:

• Atmospheric pressure 
• Barometer
• Climate
• Degrees (Celsius and Fahrenheit) 
• Precipitation
• Temperature

Additionally, weather reporting and forecasting is a great way for students to gain fluency in using adjectives. For example, instead of saying that the temperature is cold or hot, students can provide more specificity and use descriptions such as windy, freezing, or mild. Similarly, instead of saying that it is simply snowing or raining, words such as hail, lightning, downpour, blizzard, rainbow, and overcast can be used. It might be helpful to create a rubric for students detailing clear expectations on how many descriptive adjectives should be used in each recording. 

Students can also be creative with their videos as WeVideo allows for adding GIFs, text, graphics, and greenscreen capabilities.

Broadcasting and Sharing WeVideos 

There are a variety of ways to share students’ WeVideos! Once a video has been downloaded in either SD or HD, one of the many connected apps can be used as destinations to broadcast and share. The connected apps options include Dailymotion, Dropbox, Google Drive, FTP, One Drive, Vimeo, and YouTube.  

How Can Students Curate Shared Content? 

You may want to have students work in small weather teams to develop the WeVideo content. In small teams, students can take turns on who will report via WeVideo and who will lead the research. It may be helpful to use a Wakelet as a shared curation tool for each small team to hold their materials. In this case, all of the content will be accessible to each team member, at any time, but students can add information at different times and from different locations. Finished copies of the weather reporting and forecasting videos can also be housed on Wakelet. 

Tech Troubleshooting Tip 

Even though WeVideo is an intuitive and easy-to-use edtech tool, you and your students may need more time to explore the different features or learn to better navigate WeVideo. Thankfully, there is a WeVideo Academy with myriad tutorials and training for users. WeVideo is also compatible with Android, Chromebook, iOS, and Windows. 

WeVideo can be used to enhance the learning experiences for students in your class while they demonstrate their learning and build on key skills. After you get started with the lesson above, you can visit the resource sharing database on the WeVideo website to connect with other educators as well as use pre-made templates. 

• What Is WeVideo And How Does It Work For Education?
• Top Edtech Lesson Plans

If you're asking, 'Why can’t I print?' then we feel your pain, it can be a frustrating experience to have. Thankfully it's also fairly common. That being a good thing as it can mean that the fix is easy enough.

While that hope is dangling there, it's worth noting that printers are complicated, both in terms of hardware and software. So even with the below tips you may not get the result you're after. But at least by trying all this you will have the peace of mind knowing you've done all you can. Then, in the worst case, it's either time to call out a professional or to look at buying a new printer.

To answer the actual question of why you can't print it could be due to simple things such as networking issues, a paper jam, or low toner ink. Or it could be more complicated, such as service is required, there's a physical breakage, or there's a hardware driver problem.

But for now here are some steps worth taking to see if you can get printing once again right away.

• Best 3D Printers

Why can’t I print?

Check the basics

Before looking into any potential printer issues, it's always worth checking off the basics to make sure it's not something relatively simple that's been missed. That in mind, this checklist offers a few common issues to check before going any further.

• Is the printer powered on?
• Does the printer have paper?
• Are all the necessary cables connected?
• Is the wireless network connection working?
• Does the printer have ink toner?

Once you've gone through those and are sure all are in working order, and you still have a problem, it's time to look a little deeper.

Check the software

If your printer won't print then it's a good idea to check that the print job in the queue is correct. Best case, you may find that you've sent the job to another printer by mistake, in which case you can print again and be sure to select the local printer from the drop-down menu before hitting that final print icon.

If that's not the issue, but you're still getting an error message, or just nothing happening at the printer, then it's a good idea to power down the printer and turn it on again. It's a simple and classic fix, sure, but it works so is worth a try.

Is there a jam?

While a jam in the printer is usually caused by paper getting gnarled up, which can simply be pulled out, it can also be down to the paper itself. Sometimes, if you have too much paper loaded in the feeder tray, the printer won't be able to draw a single sheet. 

This could appear as a jam on the printer error screen, if you're lucky, but more likely you won't see what is happening or why. If you suspect this could be the problem, take a chunk of paper out so there is a bit of room in the paper tray and try the print again.

Is phone printing a problem?

Sometimes one device, such as a laptop, will print fine but another gadget, like a smartphone can have problems. Most modern printers that sit on a WiFi network allow any mobile device to print. The key here is that it's the local network being used so both devices must be active on that.

So be sure to check that the smartphone is connected to WiFi and it's the same network that the printer is on. If that is the case and there are still issues, it could be the software the phone is using. Check to see if there are app updates available and also be sure to restart your phone to make sure as many gremlins have been exorcised as possible before trying again.

I can't see my printer

If the printer is turned on yet isn't appearing as an option to print from, then you may find that it's not connected to the network. This was a basic problem listed above but we're going into it more here as network issues can be varied.

The first step to help here is to make sure your printer is as close to the WiFi router as possible, so the connection is solid. Failing that, if you can plug your printer in via an Ethernet cable, which is the most stable option. 

Sometimes network or software changes can cause network issues. Turning both the printer and WiFi off and on again is a good start here. If issues persist, it's worth removing the printer from the network and re-installing it to get a fresh connection that you know is working.

Printing looks terrible

You may be able to print but the end result just isn't good enough. From blurry text to blotches of color or even out-of-place lines on the page, there are many ways a print can go wrong. Thankfully, there are some relatively easy fixes.

A printer does need maintenance as it will lose accuracy over time. Most come with self-fixing systems onboard. The first one worth doing is a print nozzle head clean, then an alignment check. Both of these options should be in the settings section of your printer, accessible via the physical controls on the front or via an app, if it has that.

A top tip is to carry out the head cleaning more than once to make sure those nozzles are firing on optimal efficiency before you try to print again.

• Best 3D Printers

Summer is quickly coming to an end, and preparations for the upcoming school year are within close reach. With the impending return to in-person learning for many, continued online learning for others, and even dual audience learning for some, now is the perfect time to re-imagine, re-envision, and re-think how we leverage edtech for teaching and learning in our new educational landscapes. 

Dozens of interesting edtech books offer useful content that we can all leverage in some capacity. However, sifting through all of that would take months! 

To support your professional learning journey, start with this list of fantastic edtech books that every new and seasoned K-12 teacher, from all academic subject areas and grade levels, should read. 

1. Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for the K-12 Classroom 

Edtech and digital environments will be a more prominent, and likely a permanent, aspect of teaching and learning moving forward. We must also ensure that there is digital equity so that all students can have equitable access to digital content and experiences. In Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for the K-12 Classroom, authors Sarah Thomas, Nicol R. Howard, and Regina Schaffer identify issues of digital equity through the lens of a problem of practice and provide ways that teachers and tech coaches can respond to these challenges. One of the most practical elements of this book comes from the research-based vignettes by teachers who have encountered and conquered some of the challenges highlighted. Key issues that are discussed include access, connectivity, limited resources, digital divide, and the homework gap. Strategies for connecting the ISTE Educator and Student Standards are also provided. This book is a tremendous resource for teachers who want practical strategies, examples, and recommendations for addressing the challenges that come with teaching in the digital age. 

2. Tech Like A Pirate: Using Classroom Technology to Create an Experience and Make Learning Memorable 

Who said learning and fun cannot co-exist? The opposite is actually true! To make learning relevant and interesting for students, they must enjoy the educational experience. In Tech Like A Pirate: Using Classroom Technology to Create an Experience and Make Learning Memorable, author Matt Miller approaches using classroom technology in exciting, fun, and meaningful ways. Game-based learning, global expeditions, and communication, along with social media and video apps, are discussed. In addition to the strategies and ideas, downloadable templates for class, a companion website, and pirate engagement hooks are all provided. 

3. Illuminate: Technology Enhanced Learning  

Student-centered learning should be at the core of every classroom. While technology has the potential to support this, there must be intentional ways to strengthen and augment traditional teaching and learning practices. In Illuminate: Technology Enhanced Learning, author Bethany Petty provides  a myriad of tips, tricks, and strategies to enhance learning and increase student engagement with technology. One of the major themes of the book, which is a useful reminder for all teachers when using edtech, is to not focus on specific tools but on the ways in which we use tools to enhance learning. This book has featured ideas for communicating with families, increasing collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, and empowering both teachers and students to reflect on and share learning. 

4. Teach Boldly: Using Edtech for Social Good 

Teaching and learning must go beyond the class environment. Today’s students have experienced learning at home, online, and in the classroom, and have seen many issues that impact society. In Teach Boldly: Using Edtech for Social Good, author Jennifer Williams provides pathways to using edtech tools and resources, for the larger good of humanity. The book details how to use edtech tools to amplify student voices and provide them a space in which to be creative and think critically about addressing the needs of people around the world. The book provides teachers with simple ideas for transforming learning and classroom culture through space while using edtech as a catalyst for change. Tips for taking action now along with integrative activities are included. 

5. Increasing Engagement in Online Learning 

This final book recommendation is in the format of a quick reference guide. If you do not have time to read through an entire book, myself and co-author Laura McLaughlin provide in Increasing Engagement in Online Learning a wealth of information on increasing engagement in online and hybrid learning environments. In addition to strategies, examples, and edtech tools to support collaboration, participation, and formative assessment strategies, topics for effectively navigating dual audience engagement, and home-to-school engagement ideas are covered. Some of the topics addressed are engaging students in breakout rooms, avoiding zoom fatigue, and planning for both asynchronous and synchronous learning. 

• Summer Reading Recommendations
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As preparations begin for a new school year, it is important to think intentionally about the ways in which you will use instructional technology to support student learning. Learning technologies are ubiquitous and have the power to transform teaching to create innovative content, engage students, and efficiently assess student growth. 

It can be both exciting and overwhelming to sift through the innumerable edtech tools that are constantly emerging. Also, the amount of edtech tools available vary widely in terms of functionality, availability, and cost, and new teachers who are already consumed with navigating other onboarding experiences may not know where to start. 

These edtech tips are designed to get new teachers started with purposeful implementation of digital tools in their classrooms to transform learning experiences.

1. Keep Student Learning at the Core 

Everything we do in the classroom must be grounded in learning! We are not using edtech tools because they are widely available or fun to use, although these are certainly advantages to using any tool. We are using edtech tools because it can help to more efficiently or effectively assist students in learning. Before you decide on a tool to use, answer these questions: What do you want students to learn as a result of instruction? How will a specific type of edtech tool aid in this effort? 

2. Leverage the SAMR Model 

Developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, the SAMR Model provides a framework for technology integration at 4 levels: substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition. The SAMR model illustrates that technology does not always need to be used to modify or redefine learning through artificial intelligence and augmented and virtual reality, for example. Technology can be just as useful at the substitution level or argumentation level, by having students record presentations online instead of standing in front of the class. Through the recordings, students will have the chance to go back and see themselves and grading can be more comprehensive as you have the opportunity to go back and review presentations. 

3. Focus on Tool Functionality 

You do not have to try every new tool that emerges. Focus on how the functionality of the tool will positively impact teaching and learning in some way. Hundreds of edtech tools have a similar function. For example, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet are all video conferencing tools that can be used for live synchronous class or peer learning activities. This means that you do not have to use only Zoom as Teams and Google Meet have similar functions. Think about the function of the technology that you would need to carry out the lesson, and then start looking for tools that would be an option. 

4. Confirm Device Compatibility Requirements 

Be sure to determine what type of device(s) are compatible with your selected tool, before implementation. You do not want to spend time planning an incredible lesson with the support of an edtech tool that only works on tablets when your students only have access to Chromebooks. 

5. Test First

Preparation is key in teaching. We know this and it is why we lesson and unit plan well in advance of carrying out instruction. The same goes for using edtech tools. Before using one in class, try its various features and functions. You will be better positioned to respond to questions from your students about the tool and having that experience will make the implementation in class with students more seamless. 

6. Consider Alternatives 

Do not get stuck in using only one edtech tool. Remember, you are using one to help students meet the learning objectives, not just for the sake of trying the newest and coolest tool available. Maybe you want to measure students’ ability to use their critical thinking skills to respond to questions. You initially choose Poll Everywhere because of the functionality of creating polls, but realize that some of the advanced functions require a paid membership. You could try Kahoot! instead since it has a similar function, and then can see if the desired functions are available with the free version. 

7. Screencast Demos  

When introducing new edtech tools to students, you will often find yourself repeating instructions and demonstrating processes. A more efficient way to do this is to use screencasting technologies. This not only saves time but also can be helpful to families if you are requiring students to use a tool at the home. 

 8. Collaborate with Colleagues 

Work with your grade partners and other teachers in your school as much as possible. Chances are, you will not be the only one using edtech tools to support student learning. Other teachers may be using the same tool in different ways that you have not previously considered, or using tools you have heard of yet. Exchange ideas and best practices, which will result in your own informal professional development. 

9.  Implement One Tool at a Time 

There may be some temptation to try several edtech tools at once, but try to resist the urge. We do not want to compromise the learning experience and spend too much time acclimating students to a new tool each day. This takes away from learning, which is at the crux of the educational experience. As students gain fluency with using each edtech tool, you can introduce more. 

10. Plan for Troubleshooting 

Technology is great when it works, but there can always be hiccups--even if we do plan in advance. If the internet stops working or a feature within the edtech tool loses its functionality, we need to be able to pivot quickly. Have a plan in place to do so.

11. Utilize Tech & Learning as a Resource Hub 

Having accessible and practical resources available throughout the school year can be extremely beneficial to your own professional development. Continue to use Tech & Learning as a resource, with tons of curated content to support teaching and learning in your classroom. 

Dr. Stephanie Smith Budhai is an associate professor of teacher education at Neumann University in Pennsylvania, and former teacher holding K-12 instructional certifications in Technology Education, Instructional Technology, Special Education, Elementary Education, and Computers, Business and Information Technology. Dr. Budhai has more than a decade of online teaching experience, and has published dozens of books, articles, and invited editorials surrounding the use of technology and online learning in education and holds a Ph.D. in Learning Technologies from Drexel University. Some of her publications include: 

- Increasing Engagement in Online Learning: Quick Reference Guide
- Teaching the 4Cs with Technology
- Best Practices in Engaging Online Learners through Active and Experiential Learning Strategies
- Nurturing Young Innovators: Cultivating Creativity in the Classroom, Home and Community 

• A Wakelet Lesson Plan for Middle and High School
• A Kahoot! Lesson Plan for Elementary Grades

Many best practices for remote teaching often are sound instructional approaches in any modern learning environment

For her new book, Like No Other School Year: 2020, COVID-19 and the Growth of Online Learning, Pamela Livingston Gaudet spoke with dozens of educators across America to find out what works when it comes to remote learning. It turns out what she learned is not only best practice for remote learning, it is also sound instructional practice in general, for any modern learning environment.   

Five Essentials for Remote Teaching and Learning 

1. Incorporate social emotional health needs

School staff should have social-emotional health training. In Chapter 3 of the book, you learn about the different research-based social-emotional health and learning programs that exist. School staff will want to determine which program best fits their culture, demographics, and educational philosophy 

2. Relationships are key

School districts should ensure that the professional development for teachers goes beyond learning tools and techniques for teaching online. Teachers need to be supported in learning how to engage with, establish, and nurture relationships with students. Chapter 5 features techniques and strategies that can be employed by teachers. 

3. Communicate early and often

In a crisis, sometimes there is a tendency to hold back communication, waiting until everything solidifies. However, district leaders who communicated early, frequently, and thoughtfully helped their districts weather the initial storm of COVID-19. In Chapter 6, author Mike Daugherty provides examples of how and when to communicate. 

4. Professional development for teachers is essential

Professional development is not a one and done, especially when the entire mode of instruction has shifted. Continuing PD, support networks for teachers, outside and inside presenters, and a way to help teachers track their progress is all recommended. In Chapter 7, Lindy Hockenbary, creator of the Essential Components of an Online & Blended/Hybrid Course, steps readers through the best way to effectively support teachers as they do synchronous and asynchronous learning as well as hybrid and/or blended learning. 

5. Change the schedule

In Chapter 2 of the book, we learn that replicating a seven-hour daily school schedule when learning becomes remote doesn’t work. Students can’t be in front of screens that long. Instruction instead works best if varied between synchronous and asynchronous, between whole class, small group, and 1-on-1 instruction. Flexibility is important. Assessing what concepts require teaching and having classes just for those students who need to reinforce that concept worked well.

As you consider these five essentials, think about which of these you and your colleagues are incorporating into your practice. 

For more insights, interviews, and ideas for implementation, check out Pamela Livingston Gaudet’s book Like No Other School Year: 2020, COVID-19 and the Growth of Online Learning. This book is aimed at school leaders looking to make sense out of the end of the last school year and the year ahead.  

Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) has worked as a public-school educator and administrator since 1997. She is a prolific writer best known for her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator. Nielsen is the author of several books and her writing has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Tech & Learning and T.H.E. Journal.   

Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.

• How to Manage a Hybrid Classroom
• How to Develop a Sustainable Remote Learning Plan

We are living in a data-saturated world. In fact, 90% of the world’s data has been produced in the past two years and the fastest-growing qualification for new jobs in the STEM field is data capabilities. 

Knowing how to make sense of graphs and ask questions of data is a capability that educators must help their students develop. And yet, the teachers I work with often lament about their students’ inabilities to draw conclusions, reason, and make sense of data. 

The good news is that it’s not too late (or too early, in this case) to start developing data literacy with your students. And the data talks approach might just be the way to develop these skills in your students in a way that works with the time constraints in your instructional schedule. 

How are we falling short in helping students become data literate? 

To start, oftentimes due to curriculum pacing and lack of instructional time, math teachers present data concepts in isolation and out of context. Therefore, instruction becomes very procedurally oriented.  

For example, students view the process of doing statistics as one in which they just have to follow the right steps to find the number in the graph that correctly answers the question. However, data is not just numbers in a graph; data is numbers in context. While students may become skilled at finding the right answers by learning a procedural method, they may not be able to really explain what the numbers mean. By providing students with a premade set of data and data visualizations (graphs, charts, etc.), we withhold from them the opportunity to think critically and do the intellectual reasoning of making sense of the data.

Sadly, teachers of STEM subjects can also do students a similar disservice. As a science teacher, I know that it's important for my students to plan and carry out scientific investigations that produce data, and then use data to make scientific claims. However, if I’m pressed for time, I might skip over the data analysis stage and simply provide the scientific explanation myself. By withholding this opportunity for students to compile and grapple with the data themselves, they are unlikely to develop a full understanding of the science concepts we are studying. 

Enter ... data talks 

A data talk is a discussion-based approach that takes best practices in teaching from both mathematics and science (i.e. implementing tasks that promote problem-solving and reasoning, establishing claims from evidence in science) and combines it all within a structure that is engaging and inviting. It allows the teacher the opportunity to integrate across both mathematics and science disciplines, which can help develop reasoning skills. 

A data talk begins by presenting students with a data visualization that they can relate to. The visualization should rely on their prior knowledge and tap into their curiosity. After giving students time to linger within the graph or data visual looking for patterns, the teacher then invites them to share what they notice and what they wonder about the data. 

The open nature of this invitation supports all students in believing their ideas are valuable. Doing this affirms learners’ identities, which is one of the NCTM’s five equity-based practices to support mathematics learning. So now, students are not only growing their critical thinking and reasoning skills, they are growing a positive identity as a mathematician, scientist, and STEM practitioner. Win-win-win! 

Finally, through rich academic discourse, students collectively grapple with the data to look for evidence to support their claims. The communication portion of the data talk allows students to boost their oral language skills. Students can use the academic vocabulary specific to the mathematics and science units of study while they develop their competencies in speaking and listening. 

All in all, within a data talk, you are addressing math, science, and literacy/language skills--a great way to teach multiple skills within one lesson, saving you instructional time while boosting your students’ data literacy power. 

This process can be summarized in four steps:

1. Questioning
2. Pattern seeking
3. Meaning making
4. Communication

The flow of this structure also supports what cognitive scientists recognize as the three steps in information processing: input, elaboration, application. 

Data talks can lead to scientific investigations 

I recently facilitated a data talk with a class of fourth graders who were in the middle of their science unit of study on weather. I presented students with a bar graph (above) showing the number of tornadoes occurring in Kansas each month for the past 70 years. Students quickly noticed that the most tornadoes occurred during the summer months (May-319, June-317, July-131). They also noticed that no tornadoes occurred in the winter months (December, January, and February).  

Many students wondered why there was such a difference in the number of tornadoes occurring at different times of the year. Some students inferred that the reason why tornadoes didn’t occur in the winter was because it was too cold for them to form. We then compared the bar graph of tornadoes by month to a graph showing the high temperatures by month. Students could see a clear correlation between the two graphs. The openness of this approach encouraged curiosity and motivated students to find answers to their questions. 

I told students that in order to test their claims, we would need to learn more about the conditions that were needed for a tornado to form (one of our science objectives for the unit of study). Next, students spent some time exploring the tornado simulation in the Discovery Education Science Techbook. Students explored by selecting different types of air masses to meet and observed whether or not a tornado was formed. 

What students discovered from the Techbook investigation validated their data-based claim. They found that warm, moist air rising through cold, dry air can create a funnel of fast moving air, and were able to conclude why the data showed no tornadoes occurring in Kansas during winter is because the air is too cold and dry for tornadoes to form. 

Through this short lesson students not only learned about an important science concept (how tornadoes form), but they also started to develop important dispositions that are helpful to a data scientist:

1. Approach data with a curious eye 
2. Always think carefully about the context of the data 

A simple structure to support complex thinking 

A data talk is a simple structure that can elicit complex thinking. Facilitating one is much like facilitating a number talk in mathematics, or the explore phase of a 5E model science lesson. Selecting the right data visualization might be the most challenging part for the teacher, but once you have the right one it will serve as the catalyst for rich student discourse. 

The beauty of the openness of the data talk is that it helps students see the process of data analysis as interesting and investigative. As economist Steve Levitt said, “Data science...opens up...ways for children to become the discoverers of knowledge, as opposed to the recipients of the brilliance of past generations.” 

To learn more about data talks and other ways to promote data literacy, check out: 

https://www.youcubed.org/resource/data-talks/

https://codap.concord.org/

Data Literacy 101: What can we actually claim from data Science Scope—February 2020 (Volume 43, Issue 6) Kristin Hunter-Thomson 

M. Ryan Foster is currently the Elementary Science Coordinator for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. In his 16 years in VBCPS, Ryan has also served as a fifth-grade teacher, Title 1 math specialist, and STEM camp administrator, and is a member of the Discovery Educator Network’s DEN Leadership Council.

• How to Build Remote STEM Engagement
• How to Teach Science Remotely

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Where: Mobile County Public Schools, Mobile, Alabama

Who: Ursula Martin, Ed.D. Instructional Technology Resource Teacher

What: Online professional development and resources for teachers

As the nation continues to face the COVID-19 crisis, schools have turned to online and virtual learning for their students. Many teachers are still learning how to teach using the technology tools that are available.

Virtual learning for students requires virtual professional development for teachers. In Alabama, teachers are required to earn 50 continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their teacher certification. As school systems have closed due to the national crisis, teachers have been tasked with finding a way to still earn those credits. 

The Instructional Technology department for Mobile County Public Schools System (MCPSS) has worked to make sure that there is professional development (PD) available to teachers that not only helps them earn their CEUs but also helps them transition to the online learning environment with their students.

Many teachers did not already have an online presence for their students prior to the changes that recently took place in our nation.  Being suddenly thrust into an online class, as a student, has been challenging, and the teachers have had to rise to the challenge of teaching online, even though it’s been hard for them as well.  

The MCPSS IT Department has put several plans in place to help teachers meet the needs of their students in their online classrooms.  

 PD and Resources for Teachers Working from Home 

Since Google Classroom is the platform of choice for the district, a district-level Google Classroom was created for both the elementary and secondary teachers with all of the resources necessary to help a teacher get ready to teach online. Self-paced PD was added to each of the Google Classrooms so that teachers could earn CEUs and learn how to work with their students in their own online classrooms.   

Teachers who already used an online platform with their students were allowed to continue using that platform. Resources have been made available for the teachers in the form of videos and handouts that were created to help them get started in their online classes or to support them with the online platform they were already using.  

A Google Sites website was also created to house the district’s Continuity Plan so that teachers have a central place to find the information needed to work from home and to teach their students.  

Lastly, one-hour virtual PD sessions were developed to help teachers stay informed of all of the additional apps and programs, such as Screencast-o-matic, that can be integrated into their online platforms, and to also answer questions teachers may have with continued use of their newly created online classroom. Virtual PD sessions were also developed for administrators and prospective administrators so they can have an understanding of what the teachers and students are experiencing, and are able to evaluate the process.

Challenges

The major challenge that we faced as we began to get everything in order for our students was the fact that not all students had devices or connectivity at home to begin online learning.  

Plans were made for students to either receive devices and hotspots from their school or printed packets that were to be completed and returned to the school via mail or drop off.  

We hope that this transition will be a smooth one but the district’s Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (TLA) division has put hotlines in place to help parents, students, and teachers with any questions and concerns they may have. 

Dr. Ursula Martin has been an educator for 17 years.  She is currently a district level Technology Resource Teacher for the Mobile County Public Schools System in Mobile, Al.

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