Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from November 2021. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

You've probably used Google Maps to find directions, but there are so many other things you can do with this tool in the classroom! In this session, educators will go on a journey to learn how to integrate Google Maps into instruction. Learn about strategies for group collaboration and how to create and customize your own map by adding placemarks and paths--and remember, it's OK2Ask questions at any time! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore Google Maps and its features, 2. Learn about uses for Google My Maps in education; and 3. Plan to incorporate Google My Maps into an upcoming lesson. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Google (48), map skills (64), professional development (395)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from November 2021. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Prepare your students to use today's digital tools to help solve tomorrow's problems. Pattern recognition, abstraction, algorithmic thinking, and decomposition are core thinking skills that can be applied to any subject. Learn how to integrate these components into any content area using Microsoft MakeCode projects and Hacking STEM lessons--hands-on activities that engage students immediately. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Review the fundamentals of computational thinking and how they can be applied across K-12 disciplines; 2. Explore MakeCode and Hacking STEM, two resources that promote computational thinking; and 3. Plan for the use of computational thinking in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), Microsoft (79), professional development (395)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from November 2021. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Computational thinking prepares students to understand how to use today's digital tools to help solve tomorrow's problems. Most teachers are already teaching elements of computational thinking without knowing it. This workshop will help participants understand the fundamental tenets of computational thinking, most notably, how this concept combines critical thinking skills with the power of computing to make decisions or find solutions. Learn how to infuse computational thinking into your classroom activities across all core content areas. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the fundamentals of computational thinking; 2. Explore activities and resources that promote computational thinking; and 3. Plan for the use of computational thinking in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): computational thinking (41), professional development (395)

Nurture critical thinking skills in your classroom using the resources shared in this collection. Critical thinking is a process that includes the ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate information. Thinking critically requires students to infer and solve problems with an open mind. Students use critical thinking skills to observe, experience, communicate and reflect while reading and learning content. As contentious public events spill over into the classroom, teachers need to help students learn how to process perspectives that differ from their own. Use this collection as you are planning your lessons and activities.

tag(s): critical thinking (137), media literacy (113), problem solving (233)

Online learning is an umbrella term that refers to any learning situated online rather than in a traditional classroom. As times have changed, online learning has become very common. There are many benefits to online learning: it allows educators to work from any location and time convenient for you (with most forms of online learning). You can also utilize online learning when weather or health crises arise. In addition, online learning can include synchronous lessons when all learners come together at a set time, asynchronous tasks which learners can complete as convenient to their schedules, online collaborative projects, and much more. This curated list includes resources for your online learning lessons, including tools to create online course materials, foster collaboration, and curate resources to share.

tag(s): Online Learning (36), remote learning (54)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from October 2021. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Learning is always better together! Explore, compare, and contrast three free online tools for collaboration with peers and students. Discover the differences between collaboration and group work and discuss ways to foster collaboration in the classroom. Share the positives of collaboration and strategies for encouraging participants when faced with difficulties with peers and begin to develop a collaborative activity to fit your individual needs. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the difference between collaboration and group work; 2. Explore three online tools for collaboration; and 3. Explore ways to use these tools for collaboration in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): collaboration (94), professional development (395), student-centered (8)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from October 2021. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Looking for a free, multifaceted tech tool to introduce to your students? Look no further - you've found Wakelet! Learn to use Wakelet in a variety of ways in your classroom: tell stories, create collections with instructional activities, have students create digital portfolios or collect other digital evidence, or use Wakelet to engage your students in authentic learning experiences. Join us to see how you can enhance instruction with Wakelet. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn basic uses of Wakelet; 2. Explore three different ways to use Wakelet in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the use of Wakelet in instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): curation (32), professional development (395), student-centered (8)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from October 2021. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

As educators, we can prepare every child to be influential by helping them understand how to leverage the power of social media. While students intuitively understand the mechanics of social media platforms, using them in a responsible, purposeful way to build influence is not instinctual and must be taught and practiced. Learn to develop your students' social media savvy by using practice spaces focused on digital citizenship, critical thinking, persuasion, and communication skills. Explore online and offline strategies and tools to create safe, authentic learning experiences for students in grades 2-12 in any content area. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the importance of responsible social media use by students; 2. Understand the purpose of using social media practice spaces as part of regular instruction; and 3. Explore both paper-based and digital practice spaces that can be used with students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): digital citizenship (93), professional development (395), social media (50), student-centered (8)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from September 2021. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Want to make learning fun and enjoyable for your students? Try Genially! Start from scratch or use a template to gamify a lesson or unit of study and easily create interactive content that your learners will want to explore. In this session, you will learn to make interactive images, infographics, and presentations to engage learners of all ages. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Discuss the basic principles of multimedia learning, 2. Explore various ways to use Genially in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the instructional use of Genially. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): multimedia (55), presentations (23), professional development (395), student-centered (8)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from September 2021. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Using technology in the classroom can foster engagement and higher-order thinking. When strategically infused into lesson plans designed with sound instructional practices, technology can provide challenging, collaborative, and creative experiences. Learn how to transform your lesson plans and create rich digital learning experiences by applying the SAMR Model while using resources available on the TeachersFirst website. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the SAMR Model and its importance to the lesson planning process; 2. Locate resources within TeachersFirst that support lesson planning in your content area; and 3. Plan to use TeachersFirst's resources and the SAMR Model together to plan effective technology-infused lessons. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): professional development (395)