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 (8), Google (21), OK2Askarchive (80), professional development (287)

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.

Unleash the power of digital storytelling in your classroom! In this hands-on workshop, you'll discover how this powerful instructional strategy amplifies student voice, deepens learning, and develops essential digital literacy skills. We'll focus on the crucial first stages of the storytelling process: ideation, research, scripting, and storyboarding. Through practical demonstrations of cutting-edge tools and collaborative activities, you'll gain the confidence to implement digital storytelling strategies that engage diverse learners, meet curriculum standards, and foster authentic learning experiences. Whether you teach science, language arts, social studies, or another subject, you'll leave with actionable strategies to help your students become masterful digital storytellers. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design engaging digital storytelling projects that align with curriculum goals and support diverse learners. 2. Apply effective strategies for guiding students through ideation, research, scripting, and storyboarding. 3. Evaluate and select appropriate digital tools for the early phases of the storytelling process. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): digital storytelling (151), OK2Askarchive (80), professional development (287), stories and storytelling (68)

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.

Effective vocabulary instruction is essential for academic success, but many students struggle to move terminology from short-term exposure to long-term retention. This workshop combines Marzano's research-based vocabulary strategies with engaging digital tools to create learning experiences that deepen understanding and application. You'll explore free, web-based resources that support concept development, visual representation, and self-assessment. Whether you're tech-savvy or still developing your skills, you'll leave with practical, classroom-ready activities to strengthen vocabulary instruction and boost student achievement. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply Marzano's six-step vocabulary acquisition model and use appropriate digital tools to move terminology from short-term to long-term memory. 2. Use free web-based tools to design interactive vocabulary activities that promote student collaboration and engagement. 3. Implement tech-enhanced formative assessments that provide immediate feedback on vocabulary comprehension. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): OK2Askarchive (80), professional development (287), reading strategies (92), vocabulary (247), vocabulary development (98)

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.

Explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline your teaching workflow and enhance instructional design. During this hands-on workshop, you'll learn practical strategies for using AI to automate time-consuming tasks like assessment creation and feedback generation while maintaining pedagogical control. Discover how to leverage AI as a thought partner for lesson planning, differentiation, and creating materials that engage diverse learners. Leave with ready-to-implement techniques for using AI to reclaim your time for what truly matters--building meaningful connections with students. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement AI-powered strategies to streamline administrative tasks, provide timely feedback, and create differentiated learning materials. 2. Evaluate and select appropriate AI tools based on instructional needs, ethical considerations, and pedagogical best practices. 3. Design AI-enhanced learning experiences that prioritize student agency and critical thinking while addressing diverse learning needs. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (233), OK2Askarchive (80), professional development (287)

This blog post celebrates the power of student voice and offers four creative, cross-curricular activities designed to strengthen oral language skills across grade levels. Teachers can engage students through collaborative storytelling using Padlet, art description with Adobe Animate, living history monologues via Vocaroo, and scientific presentations on Presentio.us. Each activity blends speaking, creativity, and content knowledge while providing flexible differentiation for elementary through high school students, including multilingual learners. With a focus on expressive communication, vocabulary development, and higher-order thinking, these strategies help students become confident, articulate communicators across subjects.

tag(s): blogs (64), digital storytelling (151), multilingual (73), vocabulary development (98)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from May 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.

Take your Canva skills to the next level by harnessing the power of AI to create more engaging and interactive instructional materials. In this workshop, you'll discover how Canva's AI Magic features can streamline your lesson preparation, generate creative content, and enhance student learning experiences. Learn to use AI-powered tools for text generation, image creation, and design enhancement while maintaining pedagogical effectiveness. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Master Canva's AI Magic tools (Magic Design, Magic Edit, and Magic Write) to enhance instructional materials. 2. Create differentiated learning resources using AI-assisted features while maintaining instructional integrity. 3. Develop practical strategies for incorporating AI-enhanced Canva projects into existing lesson plans and assignments. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (233), creating media (16), OK2Askarchive (80), professional development (287)

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.

Discover the power of using instructional video in your classroom by exploring Clipchamp, Microsoft's user-friendly video editing tool. In this workshop, you'll learn to create engaging videos that enhance instruction, support differentiation, and cater to the needs of all learners, including multilingual students. This session will equip you with the skills you need to leverage Clipchamp's latest features for effective teaching and assessment. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Master the fundamentals of Clipchamp. 2. Implement strategies for using video content to differentiate instruction. 3. Collaborate on strategies for incorporating Clipchamp into classroom instruction and assessment. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): creating media (16), OK2Askarchive (80), professional development (287)

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.

Discover free digital tools that empower students to creatively demonstrate their learning! Explore the TeachersFirst Edge--a collection of web-based resources that enable quick, engaging project creation. Learn how students can easily make explainer images, concept maps, videos, and more to showcase their understanding across different subject areas. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Navigate and understand the organization of TeachersFirst Edge resource categories. 2. Identify and select free digital tools that support creative, student-centered knowledge demonstration. 3. Develop a practical plan for integrating an Edge tool into an upcoming instructional unit by creating a sample learning artifact. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): creating media (16), OK2Askarchive (80), professional development (287), student-centered (6)

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 (80), teaching strategies (59)

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 (79), Formative Assessment (44), Microsoft (55), OK2Askarchive (80), professional development (287)