The EdTech Curator's Digest
A Newsletter for Teaching, Learning, & Leading
October 2024
The newsletter is meant to provide helpful resources, tutorials, edtech tips, and professional development opportunities to support educators and leaders in their unique educational environments.
(Before using any of these resources with students, ensure what and how you use these resources matches the content, privacy, and accessibility guidelines required by your individual district.)
Featured Professional Development
517 Ed Tech Mini Gem Sessions
Registration is now open for 517 Ed Tech Mini Gem Sessions! These sessions are intended to be “mini” - no longer than 60 minutes in length; helpful - walk away with tools and ideas to use the next day; engaging - participation is welcomed. For each session attended, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an iPad 10 or a Chromebook courtesy of REMC SAVE to extend your learning beyond the Mini Gems series. Two Mini Gems attendees will be chosen at the conclusion of the series in December.
Learn more here: bit.ly/MINIGEMS
Registration: bit.ly/MINIGEMS-SIGNUP
An Exploration of AI for Educators Part 2
An Exploration of AI for Educators Part 2 is being held on October 9th at CCRESA. Building off of last year’s overwhelming success, 517 Ed Tech and SITN are collaborating again! Join us for this year’s event as we explore new tools, updated strategies, and a fresh look at this fast-changing tech landscape. Registration is still open and there are just a couple of slots left!
Helpful EdTech Resources & Tools
AI Training for Teachers & Students
Google now has a free course to help teachers use AI for everyday tasks and a new course for MS students who want to explore AI.
NotebookLM
Check out the new tool, NotebookLM and be sure to try out the audio summary tool (it basically turns your content into a podcast!).
- AI Research Assistant: Helps users understand and summarize documents.
- Document Uploads: Supports Google Docs, PDFs, and website URLs.
- Smart Summaries: Creates overviews and key topics from uploaded content.
- Interactive Q&A: Answers questions with citations linked to original documents.
- Note Organization: Allows users to create and organize notes easily.
- Collaboration Features: Enables shared research for group projects.
- Audio Summaries: Generates short audio summaries from text sources.
GenType
Check out this fun website called GenType that uses AI to generate custom fonts using everyday objects.
In the left text box, enter a description of what you want your letters to Look like then click generate. (Example: pumpkin spice orange with an autumn background)
When it is done creating these letters you can download them individually or as a whole set. (for the whole letter set click on the download icon on the left).
Jamboard Discontinued
As of October 1st, 2024, Jamboard has become read-only and you will not be able to create new Jamboard activities. In January 2025, Jamboard files will be removed from Google Drive completely.
Check out Google Guru, John Sowash's blog post detailing replacements to Google's Jamboard including: Google Slides, FigJam, and Canva.
Create a smart chip URL with Tab
Check out a recent topic from my Tech Tip Tuesday YouTube Channel that covers how to take a lengthy URL and turn it into a visually appealing smart chip link in Google Docs.
You can view my full playlist of Tech Tip Tuesday videos here.
Additional Professional Learning Opportunities
Code.org: CS Fundamentals Intro Workshop (Kdg-5)
Computer Science Fundamentals is a Code.org curriculum designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5). Each grade-level unit is between 12-20 lessons long and is built for flexible implementation. During the workshop, participants will learn from certified Code.org facilitators, participate in a model lesson, learn the management system, and dive into the lessons.
There are virtual options to choose from throughout the year. Sign up today for a series that works best with your schedule and share this information with your colleagues.
Dates: See Registration Flyer for date options and registration links
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm ET
Cost: Registration Covered by MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grants
What is Provided: Curriculum guide and $150 stipend
For more information about CS Fundamentals Workshops, check out http://www.mi-coding.com/cs-fundamentals-intro-registration-links.html
2024 miGoogle Conference
The 2024 miGoogle conference will be held on November 4-5, 2024 at Northville high school. For the past 10 years, the miGoogle conference has illuminated creative ways Michigan teachers are using technology in the classroom. Registration is now open!
Wayne RESA hosting John Spencer
Wayne RESA is hosting John Spencer who will be talking with secondary educators about the A.I. Revolution:
Date: November 5, 2024
Audience: Secondary Educators • Individuals and Teams Welcome
Time: 8:30-11:30 AM OR 12:30-3:30 PM
Cost: $25
Morning Registration • Afternoon Registration
How will we respond to the AI revolution?
The A.I. Revolution is here. For some, it’s exciting. For others, it feels terrifying. Still others feel baffled and confused by it. Many of us feel a mix of all three emotions. But one thing is clear. It’s here and it’s not going away. This workshop features Dr. John Spencer who explores how we might adapt and change as we navigate the new terrain of an A.I. world. We explore the human skills students will need in a world of smart machines. Ultimately, we’ll be reminded of the hope and humanity we continue to have in a time of epic change.
REMC Offerings & Resources
Check out the free upcoming REMC Virtual Courses that provide an easy, convenient way for teachers to connect and collaborate while reducing time and cost.
- No registration or SCECH fee
- 10 SCECH's offered
- Open to all Michigan school personnel
Each course is open for three weeks and consists of two one-hour “live” webinars that are recorded and available for viewing later and eight hours of resource review, assessment developments, and written reflection.
#517 EdTech Professional Learning Community
#517 EdTech ListServ
#517EdTech is powered by REMC13 and is led by Allison Rogers, Andrew Shauver, and Christy Lobdell. We have an email list that we use to share tips and tricks, professional learning opportunities, contests, and opportunities that you may not hear about in other places.
- If you are a REMC 13 educator (Clinton, Ingham, Eaton) and would like to be added to our email list to stay in the loop, please fill out the #517 EdTech ListServ Form.
On Demand PD
CCRESA Instructional Services Website - Instructional Technology Content
CCRESA Instructional Services Instructional Technology Site
Remember to check out the CCRESA Instructional Services - Instructional Technology site (www.ccresa.org/departments/instructional-services/instructional-technology/) which includes tutorials, resources, help documents, guidance, and training in the following areas:
- #517 EdTech
- G Suite
- iTECS Conference
- Tech Tip Tuesday
- Ti4E Conference
Communicate & Collaborate
Questions? Training Needs? Interested in Collaborating?
Feel free to reach out to Allison Remington (Rogers)!
Check out my key resources and websites:
- REMC 13 Classroom Makers
- #517 EdTech Professional Learning Network
- (Request to be added to the #517 EdTech ListServ Here)
- iTECS: Innovating & Transforming Learning in Clinton/Shiawassee
- CCRESA Instructional Services Site - Instructional Technology
Email: aremington@ccresa.org
Location: Clinton County RESA, U.S. 127 Business, Saint Johns, MI, USA
Phone: 989-224-6831
Twitter: @eduAllisonR