Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Many educators use Google Chrome daily, but browsing only scratches the surface of what this powerful tool can do. In this engaging session, you'll discover built-in Chrome features that streamline research, simplify classroom management, enhance accessibility, and boost your productivity. Learn how to harness Chrome's native tools for everything from organizing tabs and creating custom searches to capturing screenshots and translating content on the fly. These practical techniques work on any device running Chrome, making them perfect for educators in diverse technology environments. Whether you're a tech-savvy teacher looking to optimize your workflow or someone who wants to reduce digital frustration, you'll walk away with immediately applicable skills that enhance both your efficiency and instructional effectiveness. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply Chrome productivity techniques to organize information and manage digital workspaces. 2. Use built-in accessibility and reading tools to support diverse student needs. 3. Implement Chrome's overlooked gems to enhance instructional delivery and model digital literacy. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Accessibility (12), Google (21), OK2Askarchive (51), professional development (303)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from November 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Ever wonder how to make your math lesson as engaging as a zombie thriller? This hands-on workshop reveals the secret: instructional storytelling that transforms students from passive consumers into active problem-solvers and creators. You'll experience four distinct storytelling approaches that progressively increase student agency--from analyzing compelling case studies to designing their own learning adventures. This session focuses on strategies that support learner choice and personalization. Whether you're teaching elementary math, middle school science, or high school history, you'll leave with immediately applicable techniques that honor student voice while meeting rigorous academic standards. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design lessons using four storytelling approaches that increase student agency. 2. Integrate free digital tools to support narrative-based learning. 3. Apply storytelling strategies to their own curriculum content. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): OK2Askarchive (51), professional development (303), stories and storytelling (82)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from March 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Learn the basics of using Microsoft Forms to support classroom instruction! Discover how to create forms, add questions, and share them with students and explore ways to use Forms for quizzes, exit tickets, data collection, and more. You'll leave this workshop with practical knowledge and basic skills for using Microsoft Forms to gather feedback and assess learning in your classroom. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore the features of Microsoft Forms. 2. Discover a variety of instructional uses for Microsoft Forms. 3. Learn to create a basic form. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): differentiation (102), Formative Assessment (45), Microsoft (50), OK2Askarchive (51), professional development (303)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from November 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

While Google Maps helps us navigate from place to place, Google My Maps unlocks unlimited potential for dynamic, interactive learning experiences that transport students anywhere--whether they're learning about ancient civilizations, modern scientific discoveries, mathematical patterns in architecture, or historical events that shaped our world. In this session, you'll discover how location-based storytelling can revolutionize instruction in any subject and grade level. You'll learn practical strategies for empowering students to guide their own explorations, tell compelling location-based stories, visualize complex data, and demonstrate deep learning through interactive digital maps. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Create a functional Google My Maps project with multimedia elements that's aligned to curriculum standards. 2. Identify cross-curricular applications of location-based learning for enhanced student engagement. 3. Plan student-centered My Maps activities that promote collaboration and authentic assessment. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): map skills (66), maps (222), OK2Askarchive (51), professional development (303)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Are your teaching ideas scattered across sticky notes, emails, and random documents? Discover how to make Google Keep your digital command center for organizing thoughts, tracking tasks, and streamlining your professional workflow. This engaging one-hour session explores how Keep's versatile features--from collaborative notes to location-based reminders--can transform both your personal productivity and instructional approach. You'll learn practical strategies for using Keep to collect instructional resources, provide student feedback, manage classroom tasks, and model effective digital organization for your students. Join us to explore how this underutilized Google Workspace tool can help you reclaim your time and mental space for what matters most: creative, meaningful teaching. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement Google Keep's core features to capture and organize teaching resources across devices and Google applications. 2. Design efficient organizational systems by using labels, color-coding, and reminders to streamline instructional workflows. 3. Apply collaborative features to enhance student feedback, resource sharing, and classroom management practices. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Google (21), OK2Askarchive (51), organizational skills (91), professional development (303)

Delve into the Common Core Reading standards and the shift to greater emphasis on non-fiction, "informational texts." If, like many teachers, you teach in a state that has adopted the Common Core State Standards, this Q/A article will help you to make sense of this shift and provide you with some practical tips and resources to get started. Although the article is intended for elementary teachers as part of our Help! I lost my library/media specialist series, the general questions about Common Core and reading informational texts apply at any level. TeachersFirst plans to offer further articles as Common Core "rolls out" in more and more schools.

tag(s): commoncore (63), help article (63)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from April 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

HyperDocs have evolved beyond simple digital worksheets into powerful, flexible learning experiences that transform classroom instruction. In this workshop, participants will discover how to leverage HyperDocs as versatile instructional tools that support diverse learners, empower student voice, and facilitate the integration of cutting-edge technology. Learn how to design interactive, differentiated lessons that maximize student engagement and learning potential and gain new insights into using AI to streamline lesson planning and support multilingual learners. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the core principles and benefits of using HyperDocs in instruction. 2. Identify effective design strategies by exploring sample HyperDocs and templates. 3. Learn techniques for integrating AI tools to assist in HyperDoc creation. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Google (21), OK2Askarchive (51), teaching strategies (85)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Move from concept to creation in this hands-on workshop! Work with a customizable template designed for educational settings and learn to adapt it for your instructional needs. Master essential site-building skills--from creating intuitive navigation to embedding interactive elements--while implementing accessibility features that support all learners. Regardless of your technology comfort level, you'll leave with a functional site framework that's ready for classroom implementation. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Create a well-structured site with effective navigation that aligns with learning objectives. 2. Incorporate multimedia elements to enhance student engagement. 3. Apply accessibility best practices to ensure equitable access for all users. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Google (21), OK2Askarchive (51), professional development (303)

Find TeachersFirst's time tested tech tips from the trenches to help technology-based lessons run smoothly. These ideas will prevent many "disasters" before they happen. Of coure, technology has a mind of its own, but hopefully you can outsmart it!

tag(s): classroom management (150)