Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Do you need some help with Excel basics and functions? Excel Easy uses fully illustrated tutorials to walk you through Excel sheets from start to finish. Use the links at the top of the site to select from options starting with the basics, functions, and data analysis. Choose the 300 Excel Examples to find tutorials on any topic quickly. Each tutorial includes step-by-step directions, including images to guide users through each portion of the directions.
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tag(s): computers (107), data (199), Microsoft (55), spreadsheets (20)

This short video featuring Julia, Samuel, and Abby highlights the world of art with young students. In addition to the video, the site contains featured art resources, including Terry Crews is an Artist, a color wheel, art exploration, open-ended art, upcycling crafts, and more. Resources are also available in Spanish.

tag(s): artists (92), colors (62), preK (298), spanish (108)

The CodeCombat "Hour of AI" offering is a free, playful learning experience that helps teachers guide students through introductory coding and artificial intelligence concepts using real languages like Python and JavaScript. Students work through a game-based environment, solving puzzles and writing code, making it highly engaging for visual learners and those new to computer science. With built-in teacher dashboards and structured progress tracking, the platform allows educators to monitor student growth and facilitate discussions about how AI works and why it matters. The experience is designed to demystify AI, move learners from consuming technology to creating it, and provide a highly interactive way to integrate coding and computational thinking into any classroom.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (254), coding (96), game based learning (284)

Learn basic computer coding skills using this tool. There are three difficulty levels: Code Monster for preteens (or even younger), Code Maven for teens and young adults, or Game Maven for ages 16+. Code Monster prompts younger students to change various parameters of an already given code. As they enter different parts to the code, the changes in the object can be seen immediately. Simply click on the dialogue bubble and a new lesson will appear. Unfortunately, creations cannot be saved. (Students can screenshot their creations.) Use Code Maven with older teens, though it appears to have the same lessons as Code Monster. Game Maven is the third and most advanced programming tutorial in this series. Use this to teach a little about programming by creating easy games. In all three tools, skip to further lessons by clicking on the dialogue balloons. Use the back button to return to previous lessons. It is also easy to undo a lesson and start a code over with the reset button. In all tools, if you return to the same browser on the same machine, it will return to the last lesson you were on. Note: Be sure to have played with Code Maven prior to using Game Maven as those lessons are needed to understand how to program (unless there is prior coding experience).

tag(s): coding (96), computational thinking (43), computers (107)

Media Literacy, from Crash Course, explores how media shapes our understanding of the world, covering topics like media ownership, advertising, persuasion, and money's influence. It delves into critical thinking skills needed to analyze media messages and policies, helping viewers recognize bias, misinformation, and the role of media in society. The series encourages individuals to be informed media consumers, understanding both the positive and negative impacts of modern media. As these videos are hosted on YouTube, if your school does not allow YouTube, this site would not work well for you.
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tag(s): advertising (24), bias (30), media literacy (112)

Hour of Code provides teachers, students, and parents with resources and activities to support computer science education and their new initiative, Hour of AI. Visit the "Learn" portion of the site to find videos, tutorials, and programming activities for all ages and ability levels. The "Teach" area features downloadable curricula for all grade levels, including instruction on coding and AI. Visit the link for parents to take advantage of activities that teach the fundamentals of coding through Hour of Code activities and self-paced computer science courses. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (254), coding (96), critical thinking (163), logic (160), problem solving (262), STEM (340)

On FreeComputerBooks.com find a huge collection of online computer, programming, mathematics, and engineering, technical books, and tutorials to solve your math and computer science needs. On the homepage, are the latest selected books available. Find books on computer science, computer languages, data bases, electronic engineering, Java, Linux, mathematics, Microsoft, Mobiler computing, networking, software engineering, web design, building Android apps, and programming. Links for Free Pro Magazines, IT certificates, careers, project management, and IT resource material give further information. The information links to other top rated websites.
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tag(s): computers (107), ebooks (48), Microsoft (55), tutorials (49)