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.

Discover how Google Notebook LM can revolutionize your approach to classroom content and research! This powerful AI research assistant helps educators organize, analyze, and transform content from multiple sources into engaging learning materials. Learn how to use Notebook LM to create podcast-style audio overviews, generate study guides, develop mind maps of complex topics, and craft effective assessments--all while maintaining source integrity. Whether you're creating differentiated materials for diverse learners, preparing professional development resources, or guiding students through research projects, Notebook LM provides innovative solutions that will save you time and enhance student engagement. Don't miss this introduction to a free tool that supports personalized learning, builds critical thinking skills, and makes content more accessible for all students. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use Google Notebook LM to create customized learning materials that meet diverse student needs. 2. Transform content into multiple formats to increase accessibility and engagement. 3. Apply Notebook LM strategies that support critical thinking and personalized learning. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (217), differentiation (75), Google (21), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)

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 (71), organizational skills (80), professional development (273)

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 (71), professional development (273)

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 (71), professional development (273)

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.

Timelines are powerful visual tools that can transform how students understand chronology, cause and effect, and the evolution of ideas in any subject area. In this hands-on workshop, we'll explore three versatile, free timeline creation tools you can implement at any grade level. You'll learn how to use timelines not just as presentation tools, but as dynamic frameworks for student inquiry, collaboration, and assessment. Discover strategies for scaffolding student comprehension from introduction to assessment while empowering learners to make connections between events, identify patterns, and visualize change over time. Whether you're teaching history, science, literature, or another subject, you'll leave with practical approaches to integrating interactive timelines that engage students and provide valuable insights into their understanding. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design learning experiences that use timelines to scaffold student comprehension in any subject area. 2. Evaluate three free timeline creation tools based on their specific classroom needs and learning objectives. 3. Create an implementation plan that integrates timeline activities into their curriculum. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273), timelines (57)

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.

Take your digital storytelling projects to the next level! Building on foundational storytelling concepts from Digital Storytelling 101: Crafting Compelling Stories from Concept to Storyboard, this workshop guides you through the production phase of digital storytelling--from gathering media assets to publishing polished final products. You'll learn practical strategies for teaching responsible media use, guiding students through the production process, and implementing effective peer feedback protocols. Discover how to overcome common classroom management challenges while facilitating student-centered digital projects and explore assessment strategies that honor both creativity and content mastery. Join us to explore how digital storytelling can turn your students into confident creators and critical communicators in the digital world. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement strategies for teaching copyright, fair use, and ethical media practices in digital projects. 2. Utilize versatile creation tools that accommodate various student needs and technical contexts. 3. Design structured peer feedback and assessment frameworks that balance content and creativity. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): digital storytelling (150), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)

Curious about how to create instructional playlists that boost student engagement and autonomy? This professional learning module walks you through the what, why, and how of instructional playlists. First, you'll learn what playlists are and how they differ from traditional assignments. Then, explore the benefits of using playlists to personalize learning and increase student voice and choice. You'll also review key planning steps and see classroom examples in action. Finally, gather practical tips and templates to start building your instructional playlists. Use these resources to design flexible, student-centered lessons that support differentiation and deeper learning. This self-paced online unit offers a 1-hour professional development certificate.

tag(s): teaching strategies (57)

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 to use Google Sites to create dynamic digital learning environments that extend beyond the traditional classroom! During this session, we'll examine exemplary educational websites--from classroom hubs to student portfolios--to help you identify practical applications of this tool for your specific teaching context. Learn the pedagogical principles behind designing engaging, accessible digital environments and develop a personalized plan for implementing Google Sites that aligns with your curriculum needs and student learning goals. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Identify effective instructional applications of Google Sites for their specific teaching context. 2. Apply digital design principles that support student engagement and accessibility. 3. Create an implementation plan aligned with curriculum goals and student needs. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Google (21), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)

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.

In today's digital classroom, visual literacy has become an essential skill for student success. This interactive workshop will equip educators with practical strategies for integrating high-quality, copyright-friendly images into student projects while teaching critical digital citizenship skills. You'll explore innovative tools that not only provide access to stunning visuals but also create opportunities for students to develop their creative communication skills. Discover how to design authentic learning experiences that empower students to become thoughtful content creators rather than passive content consumers. By engaging in hands-on exploration, you'll learn how to scaffold visual literacy concepts for diverse learners, implement effective copyright education, and assess student understanding of ethical image use. Join us to revolutionize how your students interact with and create visual content in your classroom! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design learning experiences that incorporate copyright-friendly images to enhance student understanding and engagement. 2. Evaluate and select appropriate image tools that support curriculum goals and diverse learner needs. 3. Create scaffolded activities that develop students' visual literacy and creative communication skills. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): copyright (36), images (254), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)

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 (150), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273), stories and storytelling (65)

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 (71), professional development (273), reading strategies (87), vocabulary (240), vocabulary development (96)

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 (217), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)