Here are the basic skills fifth graders can learn in Photoshop if you’ve prepared them with basic computer skills. I’ve provided links but they aren’t live until publication:

1. Photoshop artwork–already live
2. Photoshop actions–already live
3. Photoshop basics #5
4. Photoshop filter and rendering tools
5. Photoshop starters–auto-correct with the auto-correction — quick fixes that make a photo look cleaner #6
6. Photoshop crop tool–with the lasso and the magic wand #7
7. Photoshop clone tool– within a picture and to another picture #8
8. Photoshop–change the background (put yourself at the Eiffel Tower or on Hoover Dam)–published here
9. Photoshop tools–add custom shapes–already live
10. Photoshop–start with Word (a little dated but still useful)

Get Started

This one you already know how to do if you’ve been following along through the book. Because it is a must-have in a school environment, I’m going to step it out for you.

• Have your child or students open a photo of themselves in Photoshop
• Use the cropping tools learned here to crop themselves out of the background
• Go to select-inverse to select the individual rather than the background
• Edit-copy (this will copy the student’s cropped picture)
• Open a picture of the background they’ve chosen
• Edit and then paste the picture they cropped into the background

Imagine, putting your students in the historic events you study together, in the landforms they learn about in science, or the natural math that appears in nature. Now, with this Photoshop lesson, that’s all possible.

PS–If you don’t have Photoshop, try the free download called GIMP.

–from 55 Technology Projects for the Digital Classroom. 

Copyright ©2025 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

---

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first man to place foot on the moon. Commemorate that this year with an exciting collection of websites and apps that take your students to the Moon (click for updates to the list):

1. Apollo 11: Countdown to Launch via Google Earth
2. Apollo 11 VR
3. Google Moon–see the Moon in 3D with your Google Earth app
4. How we are going to the Moon–video
5. If the Moon Were Only One Pixel…
6. JFK Challenge — takes kids to the Apollo 11
7. NASA’s Musical Playlist–88 million viewers of 188 songs
8. Moon Phase Simulation Viewed from Earth and Space (interactive, elementary and middle school)—and associated Lesson Plan
9. Observing the Moon in the Sky (interactive, elementary)
10. Moonrise to Moonset (media gallery, elementary)

A wonderful tribute to this day–a poem by Denise Finn (reprinted with permission)–if you enjoy this, check out Denise’s blog: (more…)

Even before COVID burst on the scene and drove many schools into online versions of themselves, remote teaching had been gaining popularity. Driven by reasons like flexibility, personal needs, and accessibility, the positives associated with online schooling were convincing many to take a second look. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has done that with this article on–

Is Online Schooling a Good Fit for Teens?

Online education has become more than just an alternative. It’s a mainstream option for students looking for flexibility, independence, and a more personalized learning environment. For teenagers, high school is a critical time of development both academically and socially. As more families explore options like online high school in Washington state, it’s worth considering whether virtual schooling supports or hinders a teenager’s growth. (more…)

I get a lot of questions from readers about what tech ed resources I use in my classroom so I’m going to take a few days this summer to review them with you. Some are edited and/or written by members of the Ask a Tech Teacher crew. Others, by tech teachers who work with the same publisher I do. All of them, I’ve found well-suited to the task of scaling and differentiating tech skills for age groups, scaffolding learning year-to-year, taking into account the perspectives and norms of all stakeholders, with appropriate metrics to know learning is organic and granular.

Today: K-8 Keyboard Curriculum

Overview

K-8 Keyboard Curriculum (four options)–teacher handbook, student workbooks, and help for homeschoolers

2-Volume Ultimate Guide to Keyboarding

K-5 (237 pages) and Middle School (80 pages), 100 images, 7 assessments

K-5–print/digital; Middle School–digital delivery only

Aligned with Student workbooks 

Delivered print or digital

Student workbooks sold separately

__________________________________________________________________________

1-Volume Essential Guide to K-8 Keyboarding

120 pages, dozens of images, 6 assessments

Delivered print or digital

Doesn’t include: Student workbooks 

(more…)

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education.

TODAY’S TIP 

Q: When tech gets difficult, my students stop trying. What do I do?

A: After well over a decade of teaching K-12, I know kids will try harder if it’s fun. The challenge for us teachers: How to make a multi-step skill that they may rarely use ‘fun’.

The answer is keyboard shortcuts–aka shortkeys. My students love them. I start in kindergarten with easy ones–like Alt+F4 to exit a program–and build each year. Throw in a few quirky ones and you’ve won their hearts and minds. Here’s a starter list:

Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom.

What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom? Share it in the comments below.

(more…)

The program that says ‘pro’ more than any other is Adobe Photoshop. Believe it or not, there are a whole list of skills easy enough for a fifth grader (maybe even fourth, but I haven’t had time to test it on them yet).

Here are the basic skills fifth graders can learn in Photoshop if you’ve prepared them with basic computer skills. I’ve provided links but they aren’t live until publication:

• Photoshop artwork–already live
• Photoshop actions–already live
• Photoshop basics
• Photoshop filter and rendering tools
• Photoshop starters–auto-correct with the auto-correction tools–those quick fixes that make a photo look cleaner (coming up)
• Photoshop crop tool–with the lasso and the magic wand
• Photoshop clone tool– within a picture and to another picture
• Photoshop–change the background (put yourself in front of the Eiffel Tower or on top of Hoover Dam)
• Photoshop tools–add custom shapes
• Photoshop–start with Word (a little dated but still useful)

Get started

Custom shapes are great fun in Photoshop, and one of the simplest skills to learn. (more…)

You’ve been teaching for five years and love what you’re doing. You consider yourself darn lucky to be working with colleagues that are friends and a boss who always puts your needs first. Most of the teachers at your school have been there years — even decades — and you have no doubt that, too, will be you. So, you don’t bother to keep your resume up-to-date or expand your teaching skills other than what is required for your position. In short, you found the square hole that fits your square peg.

Until the day that changes. There are dozens of reasons, from new bosses who want to shake things up to your husband gets a job in a different state. The only good news: Your boss told you already, giving you time to job hunt for the new school year. For many schools, if they’re going to make staffing changes, early Spring is when they start looking for the new people. For you as a job hunting educator, this becomes the best time of year to find a job.

Digital portfolio sites

Rather than a two-page printed document that can be lost and serves only one user, a digital portfolio posts your resume online, in an easy-to-understand format. This makes it more available, transparent, robust, and quickly updated. This tells future bosses you can use technology as a tool and can give you an edge in a competitive job market. It organizes your qualifications, evidence, and background in one easy-to-reach online location. Interested parties can check it without bothering you and decide if the fit is good. You do nothing — which can save the disappoint of sending out a resume and getting nothing but silence back.

Here are suggestions for digital portfolio sites:

(more…)

A lot of teacher-authors read my WordDreams blog. In this monthly column, I share the most popular post from the past month. I last published on this topic on my ed blog in 2017. A lot has changed since then so it’s time for an update:

When I teach professional development classes, by far the topic that surprises attendees the most is the legal use of online images. And they’re not alone. On my blog, in teacher-author forums, and in the virtual meetings I moderate, there is much confusion about what can be grabbed for free from online sites and what must be cited with a linkback, credit, author’s name, public domain reference, or specific permission from the creator. When I receive guest posts that include pictures, many contributors tell me the photo can be used because they include the linkback.

That’s not always true. In fact, the answer to the question…

“What online images can I use?”

typically starts with…

It depends…

To try to understand this topic in a five-minute blog post or thirty-minute webinar is a prescription for failure. It is too big. Instead, I’ll summarize the top topics and if your interest is piqued, dig deeper.

(more…)

Summer is a great time to reset your personal pedagogy to an education-friendly mindset and catch up on what’s been changing in the ed world while you were teaching eight ten hours a day. My X friends gave me great suggestions, but first:

A comment on the selections: I did get more than I could list so I avoided books with hot-button subjects teachers are divided on and focused on positive and uplifting reading. Yes, there is a lot wrong with education around the world but I wanted a selection of books that would send me — and you —  back to teaching in the fall with a can-do attitude for how to accomplish miracles with your next class of students.

Having said that, here’s a granular list of teacher-approved books to keep you busy this summer:

What Great Teachers Do Differently

by Todd Whitaker

What are the beliefs and behaviors that set great teachers apart? In this internationally renowned bestseller, Todd Whitaker reveals 19 keys to becoming more effective in the classroom.

This essential third edition features new sections on why it’s about more than relationships, how to focus on a consistent, engaging learning environment, and the importance of choosing the right mode―business, parent, child―to improve your classroom management.

Perfect for educators at any level of experience, for independent reading or for schoolwide book studies, this practical book will leave you feeling inspired and ready to do the things that matter most for the people who matter most―your students.

Take Control of the Noisy Class: Chaos to Calm in 15 Seconds

by Rob Plevin

You’ll discover:

• The simple six-step plan to minimise & deal with classroom behaviour problems
• How to gain trust & respect from tough, hard-to-reach students
• How to put an end to power struggles & confrontation
• How to have students follow your instructions… with no need to repeat yourself
• The crucial importance of consistency (and how to achieve it)
• Quick and easy ways to raise engagement and enjoyment in your lessons
• The ‘Clean Slate’ – a step by step method you can use to ‘start over’ with that particularly difficult group of students who won’t do anything you say.

(more…)

Legal Risks and Obligations for Schools Using AI Tutors

AI tutors are quickly changing how students learn, offering personalized support across different subjects and formats. But as these tools become more common in schools, serious questions about their legal impact arise. 

Who is responsible if an AI gives bad advice or shares sensitive student data? What happens when these systems enter specialized areas like medical training or behavioral support? 

Many educators and administrators feel unprepared to manage these legal and ethical challenges effectively. Schools must now balance innovation with compliance, oversight, and long-term accountability. 

This article will explore the legal risks and obligations schools face when integrating AI tutors into education.

Data Privacy and Student Protection

AI tutors collect personal data, often without students realizing its full extent. Schools must protect this information according to local and international data privacy laws. Regulations like FERPA and GDPR define how data must be handled. 

NC State University notes that FERPA applies to all U.S. schools that receive federal funding, covering student education records. It protects how schools collect, use, and share personal information about students and their families. On the other hand, GDPR applies to institutions within the European Economic Area (EEA) and any outside group handling EEA citizens’ data. 

Failure to comply with these laws can lead to serious legal consequences. Schools should only work with vendors who meet strict security standards. Students and parents deserve transparency about how data is used and stored. 

Encryption, limited access, and regular audits help maintain data security across platforms. Schools must ensure consent is properly obtained before collecting sensitive student information. These steps help prevent breaches and maintain trust in digital learning environments.

How does AI affect student data security during remote learning?

AI tools used for remote learning pose additional risks in terms of data privacy. Online learning environments often involve more data exchanges between students and servers. Schools must ensure AI platforms follow secure authentication processes and comply with online learning data protection guidelines.

Liability for AI-Driven Advice and Errors

AI tutors can make mistakes that negatively affect student learning outcomes. Incorrect answers or misleading feedback may create confusion or lower academic performance. If students rely on flawed guidance, schools may face legal accountability. 

A University of Pennsylvania study from 2024 found that students using AI for math prep scored lower. Those who used generative AI performed worse on exams than students who didn’t rely on it. The data suggests AI may interrupt real learning when used as a primary tool. Overdependence on AI guidance could damage understanding and weaken long-term academic outcomes.

This shows that it is important to position AI as a tool, not a teacher. Educators should monitor AI use and correct any issues promptly. Contracts with providers must clarify who is responsible for harmful outcomes. 

Clear disclaimers should explain AI’s limits and potential for occasional errors. Teachers should train students to verify AI information with real sources. These actions reduce risks and reinforce the role of human oversight.

How can AI tutors affect long-term academic performance?

Over-reliance on AI could lead to gaps in fundamental skills, as students may not critically engage with the material. Schools should monitor student performance regularly to identify learning disruptions. Combining AI with traditional educational methods ensures a well-rounded approach to student development.

AI’s Role in Complex Educational Fields

AI tutors play an important role in helping students navigate complex topics. These tools break down difficult material into interactive, engaging formats that enhance learning. For example, in subjects like pharmacology, students rely on accurate, up-to-date information. Addiction medicine, in particular, benefits from realistic case simulations that reflect real-world treatment challenges. 

As opioid addiction remains a global health concern, medications like Suboxone are commonly discussed in training programs. Suboxone is widely used to manage opioid dependence, but it has been linked to serious side effects. 

According to TorHoerman Law, some users have reported severe dental issues, including permanent tooth decay. These complications have become the focus of lawsuits, with claims that manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings. The lawsuits seek compensation for patients who suffered harmful side effects due to insufficient information. 

Suboxone lawsuits highlight the critical need for transparency in medication risk disclosure. AI tutors can help students explore both the therapeutic use and legal controversies surrounding such medications. Medical programs must prevent students from receiving outdated or incomplete information by ensuring ongoing content review. AI should support and enhance the expertise of medical educators, not replace them.

How can AI simulate real-world medical challenges?

AI can create interactive, scenario-based learning tools that simulate medical situations like diagnosing diseases or managing treatments. These systems allow students to explore various paths in problem-solving, mimicking the uncertainty and complexity of real-world medical practice. Constant content reviews ensure AI stays relevant to current medical knowledge.

Compliance with Accessibility and Inclusion Laws

Partners for Youth with Disabilities states that schools must ensure AI tutors are usable by students with disabilities. Laws like the ADA mandate equal access to digital educational content. Since 1990, the ADA has helped universities improve access for students with disabilities. Title II of the ADA requires public colleges to make services and programs fully accessible. 

AI platforms should support screen readers and offer flexible input options. Captions and keyboard navigation features help students with visual or motor impairments. Accessibility audits should be performed regularly to identify and fix potential issues. Inclusive design benefits not only disabled students but the entire learning community. 

Schools risk legal action if AI systems exclude or disadvantage specific groups. Vendors must demonstrate that their tools meet official accessibility standards and guidelines. Prioritizing access creates a better learning experience for every student enrolled.

How can schools test the accessibility of AI tools?

Schools should perform usability tests with diverse student groups, including those with disabilities, to assess AI tools’ effectiveness. Feedback from students with different needs can help identify accessibility gaps. Partnering with accessibility experts or consultants ensures that AI platforms meet necessary inclusivity standards.

Handling Intellectual Property and Content Ownership

AI tutors often use third-party content, raising intellectual property concerns. The University of South Florida mentions that the content often includes text and images taken without the creators’ permission or awareness. As of April 2024, multiple lawsuits challenge AI platforms for using unlicensed content in training. These cases argue that using creators’ work without consent violates existing copyright protections.

Schools must clarify who owns the rights to AI-generated educational materials. Proper licensing agreements protect schools from copyright infringement claims. 

AI vendors should disclose sources and permissions for all content used. Teachers and students need guidance on using AI outputs responsibly. Schools should educate stakeholders about plagiarism and proper attribution practices. 

Clear policies prevent the unauthorized sharing or reproduction of protected materials. Intellectual property disputes can cause costly legal problems and reputational damage. Managing these issues proactively safeguards schools and promotes the ethical use of AI.

How can schools protect their own educational content when using AI?

Schools should register copyrights for original educational content they create and upload to AI systems. Clear terms of use agreements with AI vendors can help protect school-created materials. This ensures that any content generated within the platform remains the intellectual property of the school.

Navigating AI tutors in schools requires a proactive and comprehensive legal strategy. Prioritizing strong data privacy protocols protects student information from potential misuse. Schools need clear agreements outlining liability with AI vendors to avoid future conflicts. 

Regular monitoring of AI’s impact helps ensure it supports rather than disrupts learning goals. Meeting accessibility requirements guarantees that all students benefit equally from AI tools. Managing intellectual property rights is essential for ethical and lawful AI use. These legal steps create a safe, fair, and effective digital learning environment. 

–image credit Deposit Photos

–Image credit Pexels 

Copyright ©2025 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.