Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Would you like to clean up your online presence? Perhaps you want to know what you signed up for in the past. deseat.me uses your Google email address to find websites you have signed up for and then offers the option to delete or unsubscribe.

tag(s): internet safety (117)

Build an emoji with Bitmoji. Bitmoji is an Android and Apple app, also available as a Chrome extension. Use email to create an account then follow prompts to create an emoji with your likeness; save it as a PNG to your computer, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive. The fun starts after creating your emoji! Choose from countless options to share your Bitmoji in emails, messages, as an avatar (even inserting it into your favorite games), or anywhere you communicate online.

tag(s): creativity (84), DAT device agnostic tool (127), emotions (62), faces (5), images (263)

The purpose of this blog and the accompanying podcast and videos is to support "a vibrant, encouraging, stimulating community of teachers, supporting each other toward excellence." General education, resource, and ESL/ELL teachers will find plenty of subjects of interest. Choose from broad topics including instruction, classroom management, or technology for ideas in honing your craft through topics of interest to any teacher. Dig deeper to find leadership ideas and hot topics. Check further down the page to browse and find information on specific subjects and grade levels.

tag(s): classroom management (125), learning styles (21), multilingual (77), parent conferences (20), parents (51), professional development (302)

Microsoft Translator provides translation between languages in two ways. Use this tool to converse with individual participants or groups on iOS or Android devices or on a computer. Begin by choosing "start conversation" and enter your name and language choice. Microsoft Translator provides a code that participants can share to log in to the conversation on their device via the Translator website or app. There are two options: click on the conversation option to start a conversation, and then speak or type your words. Participants on the other end hear and view the text in their desired language. Option 2 is to click the text option to translate. Copy and paste text or a webpage URL into the first box and choose "Translate." The translator converts the text into your choice of many different languages. At the time of this review, Translator supports 10 languages, and up to 100 people can participate in a single conversation.

tag(s): chinese (37), DAT device agnostic tool (127), french (69), german (46), greek (45), hebrew (17), italian (30), japanese (53), Microsoft (55), russian (24), spanish (109)

The Microsoft Educator Community has transformed into Microsoft Learn with all new, in-demand educator training and professional development. Find Product guides for Teams for education, Immersive Reader, Reading Progress, Minecraft: Education Edition, and more. Be sure to browse the Educator programs and access the Highlighted instructor materials. Of course, there is a blog, a help center, a training and events calendar, and just about anything else you may need. You can find all of this by scrolling down the page or using the dropdown menus at the top. Microsoft Learn also has Learn TV accessed from the top menu. Learn TV has a variety of shows, such as Mixed Reality Dev Days, where you can learn to create mixed reality and metaverse experiences; other titles include Hello World, Ask the Expert, Code Stories, The Internet of Things Show, and several others. Follow directions to link your Educator Community account with the new Microsoft Learn program, so you don't lose your achievements and transcripts, or you can create a new account.

tag(s): collaboration (110), Microsoft (55), preK (316), professional development (302), social networking (56), STEM (354), virtual field trips (137)

TPS Teachers Network is a social networking site for social studies and history teachers. The Library of Congress funded this as part of their Teaching With Primary Sources Program. Create an account to begin using features on the site (email and password required). Once enrolled, options include participating in a chat, adding friends, and searching using keywords. Use the search from the top right menu after logging in on the main page to find specific information topics such as primary source sets or political cartoons. Create albums on the site, including primary and secondary sources, and videos to easily share with students or fellow teachers. Be sure to check out the Help section by clicking the question mark at on the top menu bar when you first get started for Quick Tips to all sections of the site.

tag(s): bookmarks (34), primary sources (125), professional development (302), social networking (56), Teacher Utilities (205)

Learning Front is a free online community of tools for social, professional learning. Tools for professional development aim to improve teaching and learning in the 21st century online platform. Connect and collaborate with individuals or teams. Programs offers the AD682 Technology for Leaders of Learning with Webinars and Coaching Sessions on many professional development tasks for teachers, new or experienced, or pre-service teachers. Wiki Task features units, lessons, and data displays for professional learning. Find lessons to support your subject area. The Networking link allows you to find other colleagues in your area of expertise. They can join your efforts and work with you. Download many free resources.

tag(s): professional development (302), social networking (56)