A Teacher's Guide to EdTech: October 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.
Happy Halloween ??
Ah, the day of delightful sugar rushes and spirited costumes. I trust you've all navigated the unique whirlwind that is Halloween in schools.
October was full of personal and professional adventures. I pressed pause for a week and went on an Alaskan cruise! Above is a picture of me with a glacier in Glacier Bay National Park. Truly a sight to behold!
In this month's edition, you'll discover:
Beginner AI in Education: Getting Started with ChatGPT
I facilitated several AI in education trainings the past few weeks and realized that I made an assumption. I'd been under the impression that all educators were already leveraging ChatGPT (or another genAI text-based chatbot) to make their lives a tad easier. To my surprise, not everyone's on this train yet. So, I'm on a new quest: Let's introduce every educator to the wonders of ChatGPT!
Sometimes the first step is the hardest, so I created this video to guide you through the initial steps of getting started with ChatGPT through an educator lens:
More Advanced AI in Education: Why ChatGPT Plus?
If you've mastered the basics and are contemplating whether the ChatGPT Plus subscription is worth the investment, this video's tailor-made for you.
If you don't want to watch the video, scroll to the bottom for a spoiler alert!
What and How Do You Prefer to Learn?
(I am sharing again this month as I need more input!)
I am cooking up plans to get more information and resources to you. ???? I have ideas on what to share and how to share it; however, I would love to hear from all of you!
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Tech Tool Spotlight: Canva for Education
Canva has swiftly climbed my list and now sits proudly among my top three educator tools in the AI era. It has all the features educators need to create AI "copy-and-paste-proof" learning tasks. From multimedia integration and drawing capabilities to the 'record yourself' feature, Canva has it all. Plus, they're constantly sprinkling in new AI functionalities, offering both teachers and students a hands-on experience with AI tools.
The cherry on top? It's free for schools!
Given all these perks, it's a no-brainer for schools to hop on board. If your institution hasn't yet embraced this gem, give your tech director a nudge. Point them to the Canva for Education page for easy setup instructions. While individual teachers can set up their own Canva for Education accounts, a school-wide setup ensures a smoother, more cohesive experience in the long haul.
Where in the World Is Lindy?
I attended the Google Champion Symposium in Sunnyvale, CA. It was a whirlwind of learning and networking, where I mingled with fellow Google for Education Certified Trainers from every corner of the globe.
I had the pleasure of facilitating two days of AI in education training for Browning Public Schools teachers in Browning, MT.
Our deep dive spanned topics from AI literacy and prompt engineering to the nuances of assessing learning in this AI-driven age.
And, of course, we had a blast playing "Are You Smarter Than a Robot?" - a game that'll be featured in A Teacher's Guide to AI!
There were also lots of virtual trainings in October on a medley of Microsoft in Education tools. We explored the ins and outs of OneNote, OneDrive, Immersive Reader, Accessibility Checker, and so much more.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
While it might feel a tad early to delve into the spring 2024 EdTech conference season, FETC is just around the corner! From January to March 2024, I'll be making my rounds at several conferences nationwide:
Spoiler Alert: Is ChatGPT Plus Worth the $$?
Yes! To me, ChatGPT Plus is worth every penny. Here's why:
For me, the real value lies in the time ChatGPT Plus saves.