18 Digital Tool Musts in the Classroom

This video is from a series I taught for school districts. It is now available for free, here on Ask a Tech Teacher:

Summary

18 essential digital tools for classrooms, emphasizing their impact on modern education.

Highlights

• ✏️ Annotation Tools: Essential for digital note-taking.
• 👤 Avatars: Promote digital citizenship and privacy.
• 💬 Backchannel Devices: Enhance classroom communication.
• 🗓️ Class Calendars: Keep students organized and informed.
• 🌐 Class Websites: Centralize classroom resources and communication.
• 📚 Digital Portfolios: Collect and showcase student work.
• 📊 Online Quizzes: Provide fun and quick assessments.

Key Insights

• 📝 Annotation tools like Notability and Adobe Acrobat empower students to engage with digital texts actively, fostering comprehension and retention.
• 🎨 Using avatars instead of personal images encourages student privacy and encourages creativity in digital representation, reinforcing digital citizenship principles.
• 🌍 Backchannel communication tools like Padlet and Twitter create a collaborative classroom environment where students can ask questions and share ideas in real time.
• 📅 Integrating class calendars keeps students accountable and involved in managing their schedules, enhancing organizational skills from an early age.
• 🖥️ Class websites serve as a hub for resources, helping parents and students stay connected and informed about class activities and expectations.
• 📂 Digital portfolios allow students to curate their work, promoting self-reflection and ownership of their learning journey while simplifying the grading process for teachers.
• 🎉 Online quizzes not only engage students but also provide instant feedback, enabling educators to identify learning gaps and adjust instruction accordingly.

–summarized by NoteGPT

This video is from a series I taught for school districts. It is now available for free to Ask a Tech Teacher subscribers. Videos include (in alphabetic order):

• 15 Webtools in 15 Weeks
• 18 Digital Tools in the Classroom
• A focus on strategies
• Alternative tools
• Assessment isn’t static
• Author doers
• BYOD
• Class warm-ups
• Collaboration
• Curriuculum Maps
• Differentiation–How to teach the hard-to-teach class
• Digital Citizenship: What to Teach When
• Flipping the classroom
• Gamification of education
• How to Teach a Tech Lesson
• Presentation Boards
• Tech-infused classroom
• Tech tools
• The 20% rule
• Using backchannel devices
• Warm-ups

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

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“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.”

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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, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Introducing the Makeblock mBot2: A Fun and Educational AI Robot for Coding

The Makeblock mBot2 is a delightful and educational AI robot designed to captivate the interest of children aged 8-12 in the fields of STEM. This robot toy not only provides an engaging visual learning experience but also teaches essential skills in programming, electronics, robotics, and computer science. It is a popular choice for educational settings such as classrooms and after-school programs, as well as for home use, fostering the development of logical thinking, problem-solving, and project creation abilities.

A Beginner-Friendly STEM Kit with Rich Educational Resources

The mBot2 is an ideal starting point for young robotics enthusiasts, offering an easy-to-assemble kit that most children can build in less than 30 minutes. This quick setup allows them to jump right into coding and interactive play. The mBot2 is also supported by a rich collection of educational materials, including free access to mBlock, a coding software that makes learning both fun and accessible. For those who prefer a structured learning path, more than eight free courses are available, covering topics like computer science, coding, and STEM fields. These courses teach students how to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, with over 33 instructional cases that explore the mBot2’s capabilities, such as obstacle avoidance and line-following. (more…)

The Role of Phosphorus Properties in Sustainable Technology for Classrooms

When you think about how to educate the next generation, what do you hope to see? A school classroom of the future, one equipped with technology for students to learn and grow, is also designed to be sustainable. Some wouldn’t regard it as just a vision because phosphorus properties are special ingredients in the development of sustainable technology for education.

Powering Classrooms with Phosphorus-Based Energy Solutions

Phosphorus and its properties are increasingly being studied for their potential to transform education tools and technology. One of the most important areas in which phosphorus has the ability to change things is in energy storage in classrooms. In a classroom today, many of the most essential education tools — tablets, laptops, and interactive whiteboards — require the use of power.

What if every piece of technology in a classroom was powered by a more energy-efficient battery that would last longer and charge faster? That might sound like a dream, but it’s not only approaching — it’s becoming a reality. With phosphorus-friendly batteries, schools can develop more sustainable sources of energy, which will reduce the overall carbon footprint of these institutions.

Companies like ICL Industrial Products are playing an important role in leveraging phosphorus for sustainable technology developments, such as batteries. Today, educators and school leaders should be aware of the power of phosphorus, as it can help facilitate more informed decisions in the best interests of students and teachers.

Phosphorus and the Evolution of Classroom Technology

Energy storage is just one example of phosphorus properties. Semiconductors are another place where phosphorus is at work. Semiconductors contain phosphorus because of its properties as a dopant, which allows it to have an effect on the material’s electrical properties. Essentially, phosphorus has the power to improve the efficiency of computers and interactive displays, which are becoming more popular and necessary in today’s classroom settings.

Since the compound is helping to power so many critical pieces of touch screens, this is yet another example of how the material is shaping the future of education. By making these devices work better and be more energy-efficient, phosphorus properties are helping young learners in classrooms be more engaged and successful than they ever have been.

Real-World Applications: Phosphorus in Sustainable Classroom Tools

Apart from semiconductors and batteries, there are a number of other places where phosphorus can be found in classrooms. Schools everywhere are implementing phosphorus-oxide compounds in LEDs. These innovative lights can now be found in typical modern classroom settings, significantly advancing lighting quality and efficiency to create a safer environment for young learners.

Think of the impact of upgrading school lights to LEDs. The environmental benefit paired with the financial benefit is the perfect global/school solution. This is a great way to understand the fantastic usefulness of phosphorus properties in school technology.

Creating a Sustainable Future with Phosphorus

By choosing phosphorus property technology, educators can make sustainable and cutting-edge transformations in their classrooms. Integrating phosphorus into the build of classroom tech is just one way to keep an eco-conscious classroom sustainable.

Copyright ©2024 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, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

A friend of mine (who I’ll leave anonymous, at her request) struggled with the challenges of teaching and personal life. Teaching was her passion, but its demands soon overshadowed her personal needs. Last year, she was assigned a particularly large class whose requirements consumed too many evenings and weekends, leaving insufficient time for her kids and husband. She found herself skipping family events in favor of school, taking phone calls during family get-togethers, and staying at school late rather than be home for children homework and bedtime. The guilt began to weigh heavily and the stress affected her health, giving her sleepless nights, anxiety, and temper flare-ups she’d never experienced before. She knew there had to be a better way to give 100% to students while respecting her own needs.

As we approach a new school year, the Ask a Tech Teacher team has some basic ideas to get you started on balancing what arguably for many are the two most important parts of their life:

Tips for Teachers to Balance the Demands of School Events and Their Personal Lives

Achieving the perfect work-life balance for teachers through the term can be tricky since there are several school events to keep up with. School events can be demanding, and this is one of the reasons a teacher can use a report writing service to be able to complete reports on time or have time for other personal engagements. Finding ways to discharge your professional responsibilities without compromising your personal life is essential. So, let’s take a look at some ways teachers can balance the demands of school events and their personal lives. (more…)

How College Admission Consulting Services Improve Your Chances Of Acceptance

Navigating the complex college admissions process can be challenging for students and their families, especially for first-timers. With increasing competition, particularly for spots at prestigious institutions, the stakes are higher than ever.

For this reason, college admissions consulting services have emerged as essential resources, providing expert guidance to help students maximize their chances of acceptance. Continue reading to learn more about how these services can significantly improve your college application journey.

Understanding College Consulting

College consulting refers to professional guidance provided by experts, often known as college admissions consultants, to help students process their applications effectively and improve their chances of being accepted. These consultants offer college search assistance, test preparation, essay editing, application submission, and interview preparations. College consulting services are particularly valuable in helping students strategically position themselves to increase their chances of acceptance at their desired colleges.

Typically offered by specialized firms or individual consultants, admissions consultants aim to provide students with a comprehensive plan that aligns with their academic goals, extracurricular activities, interests, and personal strengths. By leveraging insider knowledge and experience, they help students stand out and convince the selection board that they deserve a spot.

The Benefits of College Consulting Services

College consulting services provide a range of benefits that can greatly enhance your college applications. Here are some of them: (more…)

Tips for Teachers to Balance Work and Life During the Busy Parent-Teacher Conference Season

The parent-teacher conference season often demands your full attention since you will have to create and update records as well as give specific feedback to every parent about their child. The workload during this season is often bulky, and one may not have adequate time to focus on personal commitments. It’s one of the reasons why some teachers advancing their studies choose to use dissertation writing services. These services help them free up time for personal engagements while ensuring they graduate.

During the busy parent-teacher conference season in the school calendar, teachers usually have to multitask. Thus, there is a need to create an exclusive schedule that covers your personal and work commitments specifically for this period. Here are some ways to balance your work and life during this busy period. (more…)

A lot of teacher-authors also read my WordDreams blog (for writers). In this column, I share the most popular post from the past month. 

AI in Writing

I use AI judiciously and never without adult supervision. It is efficient if well directed, provides good summaries of articles on a factual level, and is fast if I’m not looking for clever, creative, complex, or any sort of conscience. Accepting those limitations, I find it good for summaries of articles on my education blog and lists for just about anything. AI loves lists.

What AI can’t do is at the absolute core of fiction writing:

• provide personal experience
• act with any sort of moral compass
• make judgments
• bare its soul
• bleed on a page
• put the lion in a character’s heart
• sacrifice, say, the easy wrong for the hard right 
• choose the right attitude in a given set of circumstances
• find a North star
• put charisma in a story or character–or setting

As a result, I use it where it suits, avoid it where it fails. How about you?

Copyright ©2024 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.”

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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, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

In the past, I’ve gotten emails like this from teachers:

I am a tech teacher, going on my fifth year in the lab. Each year I plan to be more organized than the last, and most often I revert back to the “way things were.” I’m determined to run the lab just like I think it should be! … Could you please elaborate on how you run your class? I love the idea of having kids work independently, accomplishing to do lists, and working on different projects. You mention this in Volume I, but I want to hear more!

Currently, I see close to 700 students, grades 1-6. I want to break out of the routine (the “you listen, I speak, you do” routine), and your system seems like it would work well. Just hoping you can share some details.

I decided to jot down my typical (as if any planned lesson ever comes out the way it’s written–you know how that goes!) daily lesson. You can tweak it, depending upon the grade you teach. Here goes:

Hello! Ask a Tech Teacher is a group of tech ed professionals who work together to offer you tech tips, advice, pedagogic discussion, lesson plans, and anything else we can think of to help you integrate tech into your classroom. Our primary focus is to provide technology-in-education-related information for educators–teachers, administrators, homeschoolers, and parents.

Here’s how to get started on our blog (or click this link):

Read our varied columns

They include:

• Tech tips
• Dear Otto–questions from educators on tech questions
• Pedagogy that impacts tech in ed
• Reviews of books, apps, web tools, websites, tech ed products used in your classroom
• Subscriber Specials–monthly discounts (or FREE) on tech ed products
• Humorous life of a tech teacher

Read Hall of Fame articles

(more…)

Here are popular online resources to teach about digital storytelling (click here for updates to list):

1. Adobe Creative Cloud Express–digital stories that blend images and audio into a video
2. Adobe Voice–Show your story; free
3. Bluster–word matching game develops vocabulary and word understanding for school-aged children (app)
4. Book Creator
5. Book Writer--write books on an iPad; view in iBooks (fee) (app)
6. Comic Book!(app)
7. Create a story
8. Draw a Stickman–draw the main character of your story; the site turns it into a choose-your-own-adventure story, asking you to add detail. (app)
9. Newspapers, posters, comics—learn to create
10. Pixton–use their storytelling layout (picture at top, text at bottom)
11. Puppet Pals – Create simple animated stories with puppets and even yourself!
12. Shutterfly Photostory–self-published student books (app)
13. StoryBird—-storytelling with art–beautiful
14. Storyboard That–use their storytelling layout (picture at top, text at bottom)
15. StoryJumper–build a book
16. Sutori–use a variety of multimedia; fee/free accounts
17. VoiceThread (app)
18. Write About This–writing prompts for students (app)

Lesson Plans

1. Digital Quick Writes
2. Digital Quick Stories

Copyright ©2024 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, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.