The EdTech Connection

Well, what do you know?? Turnitin Draft Coach is now available for all teachers and students right within Google Docs! This powerful add-on helps students boost originality, polish grammar, and develop critical thinking skills while writing.

What it does:

• Scans for similarities to other sources (3 checks per file per user) and offers citation guidance
• Identifies and corrects grammar errors
• Provides personalized feedback in real-time

Empower your students to become confident writers while also teaching them how to avoid (un)intentional plagiarism before they even turn their work in to you. Show your students Turnitin Draft Coach today (open any Google Doc > Extensions > Turnitin Draft Coach) and watch their writing flourish!

Find out more by checking out the following resources:

• Overview video for instructors
• Turnitin Draft Coach resources
• How to use Turnitin Draft Coach video from the Univ of California, Irvine
• Video below produced by Macquarie Univ (Australia)

Has it been a minute since you've used Nearpod? Change up your standard routine by adding some interaction for your students with Nearpod's powerful tools:

• Tailored learning: Access standards-aligned content, engaging activities, and instant feedback to personalize instruction and identify student needs.
• Intervention support: Seamlessly integrate Nearpod with MTSS and RTI models, and utilize ready-made PBIS Reflections lessons.
• Boost classroom discussion: Spark vibrant interactions with Collaborate Boards, an interactive tool for brainstorming, sharing ideas, and gauging student understanding. Check out the 3-min video below to learn how to create and use a Collaborate Board.
• Professional development: Missed Camp Engage? No problem! Catch up on session recordings and stay tuned for the upcoming Test Prep PD Series.

Maximize student interaction and check out their monthly newsletter HERE for more details!

Let Canvas rubrics be your new best friend! Rubrics let you set clear expectations, provide consistent feedback, and streamline your grading process.

Here's why I love them:

• Clarity: Learners know exactly what's expected to be successful with each criteria
• Consistency: Offers a standardized framework for assessment, reducing the risk of bias and increasing fairness
• Feedback: Add feedback to each area of the rubric letting students know how they can improve their performance
• Time-Saving: Use the same rubric across multiple assignments without recreating it each time

Check out the additional resource links below:

• How do I add a rubric to an assignment?
  
• How do I align an outcome with a rubric?
  
• How do I re-use a rubric that I already made?