A Teacher's Guide to EdTech: June 2024 Edition
Lindy Hockenbary
I partner with K–12 schools & EdTech companies to maximize the use of educational technology to create powerful modern learning experiences. Find help with instructional tech: gen AI, immersive learning, Minecraft.
We purposefully waited to create the June newsletter until after the ISTE conference last week. So it is sneaking in your inbox on the first of July! This month's theme is heroes: ISTE heroes, learning heroes, teaching heroes...YOU!
This month's newsletter includes:?
No Flip? No Problem!
In our May newsletter, we spotlighted Flip. Just a week later, Microsoft announced that the Flip camera will be integrated exclusively into Microsoft Teams. While this transition benefits schools already using Teams, it presents a challenge for those that don’t. Here are the key dates to keep in mind:
But don't worry, as a teaching hero on a mission, Lindy is busy finding alternatives for using those cameras and microphones on student devices. This month, we are featuring two fantastic options: Padlet and ScreenPal.
Tech Tool Spotlight: Padlet
Lindy has been using Padlet for ten years. It is even featured as an essential instructional tool in A Teacher's Guide to Online Learning. Imagine our surprise when a tool we have known, loved, and used for so long turned out to be our 2024 ISTE hero. Why?
Padlet is evolving into an "all-in-one" solution for teachers, students, caregivers, and schools, and we're excited about its potential.
If you're new to Padlet, it's a freemium tool offering a limited number of boards and features for free. Upgrading for more boards and features is affordable, starting at just $70/year.
Tip: Maximize your Padlet boards by archiving those that are no longer active. You can still access archived boards, freeing up space for new ones.
ScreenPal: Another Flip Alternative
Lindy loves ScreenPal so much that she recently canceled a subscription to another screencasting tool; ScreenPal can do everything and more. Every time we use ScreenPal, a new feature is discovered. In the quest to find Flip replacements, ScreenPal has come to the rescue once again—a learning hero for sure!
August AI in Edu Trainings
Our team has a handful of professional development dates available in August to provide your school or organization with top-notch AI training.
A major takeaway from the ISTE conference is that educators are eager for guidance on the implications of AI in education. As many of you know, Lindy is deeply involved in AI in education, specializing in practical strategies for teachers while prioritizing safety and privacy.?
We customize every training session to meet your specific needs. Here are some of our areas of expertise:
Be a hero in your school and book that training to increase AI literacy this August!
AI Literacy: What is the Most Underutilized Use of AI in Learning?
The use of AI in education is quite polarized. We've had many conversations about how AI should or should not be integrated into the learning process by teachers, schools, and other educational entities. One thing is certain, there is one no-cost use of AI that any teacher can implement today, which could be a game-changer for many learners:?
Seamlessly connect any concept to student interests.
Imagine taking this to the next level by customizing that text according to reading level and language. This is a learning hero.
Is your interest piqued? Check out the example below, where we take a 6th-grade Next Generation Science standard focused on the conservation of mass and have ChatGPT explain that concept in relation to makeup. Not all students are interested in makeup? No problem, the example also shows the concept related to anime. Then, the example adjusts the reading level and translates the text to Spanish.
ChatGPT was used for this example but you could use any generative AI chatbot: Claude, Copilot, Gemini, or even a chatbot made for teachers such as MagicSchool's Raina. MagicSchool even has a tool built specifically for this purpose called "Make It Relevant."
Where in the World Is Lindy?
In June, Lindy led "Ped-AI-gogy," a training for the Montana family and consumer sciences teachers. We covered a lot of ground!
领英推荐
?? Experienced learning with AI
?????? Created SchoolAI Spaces for their learners
?? Increased AI literacy
? Used AI to save time on teacher tasks
Try out the SchoolAI Space of a fashion designer stuck in modern times. Ask the AI what designer and challenge options you have and embark on a creative journey!
As noted, Lindy returned last week from the ISTE conference in Denver.
This picture perfectly sums up the week:
Lindy's Chopped: AI Stars was so popular it had two separate sessions!
Pamela Sands tweeted:
"Chopped: AI Stars with @lindyhockenbary was phenomenal!! I can not wait to incorporate this activity."
After Lindy's "Assessing in the Age of AI" session an educator said:
"This was exactly what I needed to hear and should have been on the main stage."
Lindy's ISTE heroes are all of you who came to her sessions open-minded and ready to be pushed outside your comfort zone.
Learning Opportunities
Lindy is facilitating two workshops for the Edtechteacher Summer Learning Series:
One pass gets you access to both workshops and every other workshop!
Lindy is on deck July 16th to discuss assessing in the age of AI at the Shake Up Learning Summer Series.
Lindy is presenting several sessions at the Innovation Runs Through It symposium July 17 in Missoula, Montana.
Lindy is thrilled to keynote Hipi-Palooza 2024! Stay tuned for details on how to join.
Empowering Global Learning through Technology-Enhanced Educational Tools
4 个月Nice!