Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Social-emotional Learning (SEL) is the process by which students of all ages develop and use social and emotional skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Using SEL skills, students better understand emotion, manage their own, and show empathy towards others. SEL skills also help students set and achieve positive goals. Although this is an ongoing process through all grade levels, you can begin to instill these skills and understandings in even your youngest students. We encourage you to find appropriate tools and resources in this collection to use with your students and in your lessons.

tag(s): emotions (53), empathy (37), social and emotional learning (110)

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

Making a learning environment accessible for everyone is critical to a successful inclusive classroom. Today's classrooms are diverse and include English Language Learners and students with learning challenges, whether they have been identified or not. Teachers need to be able to create and deliver content and communications in a way that is accessible to each student. Fortunately, there are free technologies that do just that. Join us as we explore strategies and two free tools that facilitate an inclusive learning environment. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the importance of accessibility; 2. Learn about a free Microsoft tool that can be used to digitize content into accessible materials; and 3. Discover a tool that helps bridge communication gaps and supports accessible classroom learning. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Accessibility (11), Microsoft (79), professional development (393)

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

Empower students of every age or ability to improve reading, writing, and comprehension skills. We know how important it is for educators to design authentic activities that acknowledge and accommodate all varieties of learners. Microsoft Learning Tools brings advanced accessibility options for a wide range of student needs with proven success in reading and writing achievement. See how this and other tools bring content to the student while removing barriers to learning. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the importance of an inclusive classroom; 2. Learn how Microsoft's free learning tools provide proven techniques to improve reading and writing; and 3. Discover how students can leverage these tools to personalize their reading and writing experience. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Accessibility (11), Microsoft (79), professional development (393)

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

Helpful feedback can come from a variety of sources. If you're wondering how to use tech tools to give your students better feedback then this session is for you! Learn effective feedback strategies to drive achievement and nurture your students as they acquire new skills like self-reflection and peer review. Explore tech tools that facilitate teacher and community feedback to help students understand the value of feedback from multiple sources and realize the growth potential of embracing both positive and negative responses. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn components of effective feedback, 2. Explore methods for providing feedback to students; and 3. Plan for the instructional use of feedback mechanisms in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): feedback (13), professional development (393)

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

Looking for new tech tools? Go to the cutting edge with TeachersFirst! Discover tools you and your students can use to create images, timelines, whiteboards, mind maps, and more. Learn how the TeachersFirst Edge collection is organized so you can find a tool that fits your needs. Get inspired and explore classroom applications for time-saving tools in this fast-paced session. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore the categories and tools reviewed in TeachersFirst Edge; 2. Plan to implement an Edge resource for student-centered use as part of an upcoming teaching unit; and 3. Use an Edge tool to create an instructional learning object. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): professional development (393)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from October 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Meaningful feedback helps everyone improve. Microsoft Teams offers both formal and informal feedback mechanisms. In Teams, you can give students assignments with all applicable resources and templates attached, then use rubrics, polls, and quizzes to offer timely feedback on progress toward learning goals. Learn to create and use this assignment and feedback loop to help students grow. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn how to create assignments in Microsoft Teams; 2. Understand how to give students feedback on completed assignments; and 3. Plan to use a rubric to offer students feedback. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Microsoft (79), professional development (393), remote learning (54)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from October 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Recorded screencasts can support a flipped/blended pedagogical approach, give activity instructions to students, or help parents support students who are struggling with an assignment. Using Screencast-O-Matic, you can quickly create a screencast that enables you to respond to student needs. Learn best practice use of screencasts to support instruction and put screencasts to work in your educational setting tomorrow! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn how to use Screencast-O-Matic; 2. Share ideas for the use of screencasts; and 3. Plan for the instructional use of screencasts. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): professional development (393), teaching strategies (52), video (267)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from November 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Looking for a way to "jazz things up" in the classroom? Look no further! Use your personalized emoji to capture student attention and facilitate your lesson. Create a Bitmoji classroom scene to share the week's reading materials, take students on a virtual field trip, or create an escape room activity. This is definitely bells and whistles, but who doesn't like to have a little fun? Join us, and you too can participate in the Bitmoji classroom craze. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn how to create a Bitmoji classroom scene; 2. Share ways to use Bitmoji scenes for instruction; and 3. Plan for the instructional use of Bitmoji scenes. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): classroom management (118), professional development (393), remote learning (54)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from November 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Use Microsoft Teams meeting tools to help structure your virtual meetings and increase participant interactivity when teaching remotely. You can share documents, collaborate on whiteboards and facilitate full class, small group and one-on-one meetings to complement instructional activities that students are working on. Join us and learn to make the most of your live lessons and meetings in Microsoft Teams. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn to use Teams meeting tools; 2. Explore ways to increase interactivity during meetings; and 3. Plan for the instructional use of meetings using Microsoft Teams. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): classroom management (118), Microsoft (79), professional development (393), remote learning (54)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from November 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

We all know that learners need feedback. To maximize the benefit from that feedback, it should be given immediately -- ideally after each question. Google Forms can make that happen using conditional branching, the ability to send a user to a different question (or a different page of questions) based on the answer the user supplies. Learn to make your forms more functional and help every student be successful on your next quiz! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Create a Google Form. 2. Use branching to facilitate instant remediation and feedback. 3. Discuss tips and tricks for management of Google Forms. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): assessment (146), Formative Assessment (73), professional development (393)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from October 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Microsoft Teams is a great all-in-one hub for the collaborative classroom. This "basics" session will introduce you to channels, tabs and posts which are the foundation of communication and collaboration in Microsoft Teams. When used with remote learning best practices, these building blocks can help you create a welcoming environment for your students. Join us to make the best use of these tools to provide structure for your remote learning environment. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about Microsoft Teams settings and options; 2. Understand how to use channels to foster student communication; and 3. Plan for the use of Microsoft Teams to support instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Microsoft (79), professional development (393), remote learning (54)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from July 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Pulling all of your lesson content into one collection that students can navigate independently is a great instructional strategy. When used to implement flipped/blended learning, Wakelet allows students to be more self-reliant and gives the instructor more time to help students who struggle. Wakelet offers flexibility in how you share content with your students encouraging creativity in both the instructional sequence and in the ways students demonstrate learning. Join us to learn how Wakelet can be used to reshape your classroom. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand how Wakelet can be used to deliver differentiated blended learning lessons; 2. Explore Wakelet's built-in tools that support instruction; and 3. Plan to deliver a lesson using Wakelet. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Accessibility (11), blended learning (36), classroom management (118), curation (32), flipped learning (9), professional development (393), remote learning (54), teaching strategies (52)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from July 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Creating the learning environment for every student is difficult when faced with remote learning. Without differentiated instruction, students may not thrive. Promote engagement by providing students with a choice of materials that allows them to acquire the required skills. Allow students to demonstrate what they have learned in various ways. Learn strategies for remote differentiation when you join this session. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand Tomlinson's model for differentiated instruction; 2. Explore ways to provide multiple options to access content; and 3. Plan a differentiated content strategy for the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): differentiation (85), professional development (393), remote learning (54)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from July 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Make an ordinary day extraordinary. Provide important context for your content, ratchet-up engagement, and immerse all students in authentic learning experiences with virtual field trips. Discuss strategies that can deepen learning and focus on targeted instructional goals, whether challenges and observations during or reflections and extensions post-experience. Explore different field trip options and identify destinations that support your educational setting. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1.Understand how to use virtual field trips in the classroom; 2. Explore virtual field trip options; and 3. Plan for the use of virtual field trips in your classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): remote learning (54), virtual field trips (131)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from July 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

The Google suite has tools added for accessibility. Don't limit the use of these tools in your classroom. Let's give all students the chance to show their best work. This session will introduce you to these features and show you how to use them to support all students. Even students who don't have a documented need may find these tools helpful. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn basic accessibility features included in the Google suite; 2. Explore instructional strategies that use the accessibility features; and 3. Plan for the use of Google suite accessibility features in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Accessibility (11), Google (48), professional development (393), remote learning (54), Special Needs (53)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from April 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Simple, powerful, and free -- take organizing, note-taking, and collaborating to new heights with Google Keep. Learn how to maximize student productivity with great features for capturing ideas, collaborating on projects, curating resources, receiving reminders, and taking notes. See how easy it is to incorporate text, images, audio, and drawings on virtual color-coded sticky notes and checklists. "Keep" your classroom workflow smooth and on task with Google Keep. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the basics of using Google Keep for organization; 2. Explore strategies to enhance notetaking and resource curation; and 3. Plan for the use of Google Keep in your classroom for student productivity. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Formative Assessment (73), Google (48), organizational skills (88), professional development (393)