Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from March 2026. 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.

Ready to help your students engage with AI productively and responsibly? This updated session provides practical, classroom-tested strategies for introducing AI tools that enhance learning rather than replace thinking. Discover how to create structured AI experiences that build digital literacy while supporting curriculum goals--from character conversations that deepen literature analysis to timeline creation that reinforces historical understanding. Learn to set up AI activities that can be seamlessly integrated into station rotation models or used as standalone experiences. We'll explore current artificial intelligence tools suitable for K-12 classrooms, discuss ethical usage guidelines, and share frameworks for teaching students to be critical consumers and creators--perfect for educators who want to address AI proactively while maintaining pedagogical focus! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement structured AI learning experiences. 2. Create AI instructional stations. 3. Foster critical AI literacy. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (300), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from March 2026. 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.

Elevate your classroom culture with feedback that helps students thrive. This updated session moves beyond theory to explore practical strategies for teacher and peer feedback that accelerates learning. Discover the pedagogical foundations of effective feedback, learn to create and use feedback stems that guide meaningful responses, and explore strategic pairing and grouping methods that maximize peer learning. We'll examine how to model feedback for students, build feedback banks that save time while maintaining quality, and use technology tools to streamline the feedback process. Whether you're looking to enhance your own feedback practice or teach students to give meaningful responses to each other, this session provides concrete strategies that work across content areas and grade levels. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply effective feedback strategies. 2. Implement peer feedback systems. 3. Integrate technology for feedback efficiency. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): feedback (15), OK2Askarchive (87)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from February 2026. 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.

Ready to take your questioning strategies to the next level? This session builds on foundational questioning pedagogy to explore practical digital tools that amplify student thinking and classroom dialogue. Participants will learn to use three powerful platforms--Padlet, Kialo Edu, and AI chatbots--to support effective questioning frameworks, create equitable participation opportunities, and make student thinking visible. This session will help you move beyond theory to the practical implementation of inquiry-based learning strategies. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Master digital tools for inquiry. 2. Design question sequences that build understanding. 3. Implement equitable participation strategies. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): assessment (144), inquiry (34), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318), questioning (37)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from February 2026. 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.

Get ready for a fast-paced exploration of powerful digital storytelling tools! This smackdown-style session will introduce you to a diverse collection of platforms for video creation, podcast production, comic strip design, interactive storytelling, and multimedia narratives. Through rapid-fire demonstrations and guided exploration, you'll discover both beginner-friendly and advanced tools designed to help students share their stories in creative ways. We'll show you how to make the most of TeachersFirst--where you'll find trusted reviews of tech tools and instructional resources, ready-to-use teaching ideas, and more. Leave with a curated toolkit of storytelling platforms, practical strategies for implementation, and the confidence to evaluate new tools as they emerge. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore and compare digital storytelling platforms. 2. Navigate TeachersFirst resources effectively. 3. Design authentic storytelling experiences. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): assessment (144), digital storytelling (166), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from February 2026. 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.

Ready to nurture the Creative Communicator in your students with a tool that's refreshingly easy for you and intuitive for them? Discover Big Huge Labs, a free website packed with user-friendly templates that transform student work into visually compelling creations. This session will guide you through project options that help students demonstrate learning by creating movie posters, magazine covers, trading cards, and more. Learn to pair these templates with copyright-friendly images to create classroom-ready projects that work across all content areas and grade levels. Explore this free tool built for educators who want to spark creativity without getting bogged down in tech setup and walk away with ready-to-implement ideas and the confidence to help every student become a creative communicator. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Master Big Huge Labs and its templates and features. 2. Integrate copyright-friendly image resources. 3. Design creative communication assignments. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): assessment (144), communication (121), creativity (84), Formative Assessment (47), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from January 2026. 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 learning bentos and give students a new way to demonstrate their learning! Inspired by Japanese bento box meals, this approach invites students to curate and arrange images that represent their understanding of novels, historical events, scientific concepts, and other topics from any content area. We'll explore the pedagogical foundations of choice-based assessment, learn to design effective learning bento assignments, and create rubrics that honor both creativity and academic rigor. Through hands-on practice, you'll build your own assessment using copyright-friendly image resources and explore digital implementation options. Leave with ready-to-implement materials that give students meaningful choice in showing what they know. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design effective learning bento assessments. 2. Develop authentic assessment rubrics. 3. Integrate visual assessment into classroom practice. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): assessment (144), Formative Assessment (47), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from January 2026. 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.

Transform how students engage with texts across all subjects! This updated session explores research-based literacy strategies that work with material in any content area--from science articles to historical documents to mathematical word problems. Discover how to scaffold reading comprehension before, during, and after reading using proven techniques like THIEVES, Chunk & Chew, Frayer Models, and summarization. You'll also learn how free technology tools can enhance these strategies. Whether your students struggle with complex texts or need more challenge and engagement, these practical approaches will help every learner access and deepen their understanding of the content. This session is perfect for teachers across all disciplines who want to support literacy development while maintaining their subject area focus. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement comprehensive literacy strategies. 2. Enhance literacy instruction with technology. 3. Design content-specific literacy activities. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): literacy (124), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318), reading strategies (93)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from January 2026. 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.

Turn your classroom communications into professional-looking materials that save time and enhance engagement! This hands-on session teaches essential Canva skills through three focused practice areas: parent communication, student-facing materials, and school community outreach. Learn to navigate Canva's template library, customize designs to match your needs, and maintain visual consistency across all of your communications. Through guided practice, you'll modify templates for newsletters, classroom announcements, student certificates, event flyers, and more, and explore the pedagogy behind effective visual communication--how design choices impact readability, engagement, and accessibility for diverse audiences. This session is perfect for educators who want to create polished materials without design experience or extensive time investment. No prior Canva knowledge required! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Navigate and customize Canva templates. 2. Design audience-appropriate communications. 3. Establish efficient design workflows. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): communication (121), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318), resources (80)

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

Ever wonder how to make your math lesson as engaging as a zombie thriller? This hands-on workshop reveals the secret: instructional storytelling that transforms students from passive consumers into active problem-solvers and creators. You'll experience four distinct storytelling approaches that progressively increase student agency--from analyzing compelling case studies to designing their own learning adventures. This session focuses on strategies that support learner choice and personalization. Whether you're teaching elementary math, middle school science, or high school history, you'll leave with immediately applicable techniques that honor student voice while meeting rigorous academic standards. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design lessons using four storytelling approaches that increase student agency. 2. Integrate free digital tools to support narrative-based learning. 3. Apply storytelling strategies to their own curriculum content. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318), stories and storytelling (75)

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

Revolutionize literature instruction with Reading Treks--interactive maps that chronicle characters' journeys while building critical background knowledge and cultural connections. Whether you're working with limited resources or seeking to make literature more accessible to all students, Reading Treks offer a powerful way to contextualize stories, connect learning to real-world geography and cultures, and provide visual supports that enhance comprehension for every learner. In this workshop, we'll explore proven instructional strategies for integrating ready-made Reading Treks into your classroom to support multilingual learners and strengthen family engagement--perfect for immediate classroom application. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement Reading Treks to build background knowledge and support diverse learners. 2. Use existing Reading Treks to design differentiated lessons for varied student needs. 3. Create family engagement opportunities that bridge home and school learning. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (318), reading strategies (93)