Tech Tips

This newsletter is produced and distributed by the GISD Instructional Technologist. I am not receiving compensation from any company or product referenced in this newsletter. Links to blogs, websites, articles, etc. are included within the newsletter and are generally attached to the graphic with the article. All links are active as of publication.

Santa Chat

10 Low-Prep, High Return Activities for Tomorrow

New Features in Book Creator

TeacherServer

Adobe Express 12-Day Creativity Challenge

Three 'Aha' Moments in a Week of Learning

New Templates in Google Sheets

Board Games Anyone?

2024 Winter Activities for the Classroom

6 Tips from a Tech Coach and Teacher

Bonus - Using Python Coding to Boost Students' Interest in Algebra

Brain Break

Pick a Time

Past Issues

Once again, TCEA is hosting a Chat with Santa, on Tuesday, December 19th at 2 p.m. You do not have to be a TCEA member to access this live YouTube feed. The presentation is geared to kids of all ages. Santa will be answering questions, reading a story, and bringing the holiday spirit to life. Your students can even send in questions - there is a link for the where to submit questions.

Matt from Ditch That Textbook shared 10 low-prep activities that will create opportunities for critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and more. Three of my favorites that he suggests are "Caption This",

"The 5 Clue Challenge", and the creation of infographics to demonstrate understanding. I would love to hear from you if you try any of these. Which of the 10 did you try or like best?

Book Creator keeps getting better and better. The program now has the ability to remove backgrounds from photos. It also allows other additional editing options. Another cool thing you can now do is easy zoom into the pages of the books. This is truly a tool that is kid friendly and versatile enough to allow differentiation in your classroom. Check out the updates.

TeacherServer is an AI prompting tool similar to MagicSchool, Khanmigo, Eduaide, and others, where you choose a tool, type your details into a form, and the AI generates your content. However, TeacherServer has some specific benefits. It is absolutely free to use and there are no ads, no fees, just tools to help you teach. There are currently over 800 prompt tools for science, social studies, math, reading, writing, art, music, PE, special ed, leadership, parents, research, and more. The icon will take you to a post by Eric Curts detailing the program including how to sign up and use it.

Adobe for Education is offering a 12-day Challenge with Adobe Express. It is free and they state each activity will only take ten minutes. These activities will introduce students to new digital skills and ways to share their thinking.

Ryan Collins shared this blog post in his newsletter. The author is one I haven't read before but found it to be very informational and engaging. The author, Aviva Dunsiger, shares the desire to reflect on learning for the week. This blog covers three things learned in a day and the impact they could have on others. l look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Google has introduced a new collection of modern, professionally designed templates in Google Slides. These will help users build presentations much faster. These new templates cater to a wide range of uses that provide users with the perfect starting point for their presentations. They specifically have created templates for educators. Check them out.

Recent research supports what teachers have known for ages, game-based learning is an effective teaching method to help kids boost critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. This article says game play improved executive functions, boosted academic skill, and increased student engagement. Take a look at what this article has to offer, including a link toward the bottom to a list of top board games recommended by teachers.

Peggy Reimers of TCEA never disappoints when sharing fun activities to use in your classroom. This time she offers a collection of winter idioms and phrases, two 16-word classification games (think NYT Connections game), A two-part activity featuring Winter Celebrations Around the World including a Canva presentation and a Flippity Virtual Breakout, A Christmas-themed Would You Rather?, and 'Red, Green, or Both? activity. She also provides a bonus 8 Ready-to-Use Winter Activities.

This blog from Edutopia struck a significant cord with me. In my current role, it's my job to help you integrate technology into your lessons. Having said that, I have always stressed that technology is a tool, just like a textbook, and doesn't need to used in every activity every day. This blog's author breaks it down into six different tips. She says, "Educators can balance innovative and traditional methods of teaching to mindfully include technology in the classroom." I hope you find the article helpful.

BONUS: Article Using Python Coding to Boost Students' Interest in Algebra

I would love to sit with you and talk about the amazing students you have in your class this year. Let me help you plan great technology-based activities to help keep them engaged. My job is to help you integrate technology into your lessons, and it is a job I am passionate about. Let's work together. I will work with you when it is convenient for you, it doesn't have to be lunch.