The Best Teachers Are Lifelong Learners: A roundup of online professional development resources for educators

In our fast-paced world, professional development remains more relevant for teachers than ever. Between evolving curriculums, the changes in how education is delivered, a growing focus on mental health and social-emotional learning and technological advances, teachers have a lot on their plates.

Beyond simply remaining informed on the latest breakthroughs in education and fulfilling requirements, there are additional benefits for teachers who stay engaged in their own learning. A rigorous professional development track can add to teacher satisfaction and retention, particularly in a time when schools are seeing teacher shortages. And, it’s not just the teachers and administrations that benefit from hearty professional development; research indicates that students experience significantly higher levels of achievement when their teachers engage in substantial professional development.

While in-person professional development offers unique benefits, the increase in asynchronous learning opportunities enables teachers to incorporate professional development into their schedules without missing school. It also means that the options for professional development can be overwhelming; below, we’ve rounded up a few standouts.

Google For Education

We’ll start by highlighting a few of our partners, who offer a wealth of professional development opportunities for educators. In addition to its certification programs, Google For Education delivers free online training on important topics like digital citizenship and online safety and using technology to increase accessibility in the classroom. Google For Education also runs the Certified Innovator program, which focuses on helping visionary educators develop their passion projects.

Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies partners with school districts to provide them with customized professional development. Their offerings include a suite of online training which includes courses like Authentic Student Learning & Gamification and how educators can harness social media to expand their professional networks.

Microsoft Learn Educator Center

The Microsoft Learn Educator Center hosts a range of professional development courses. Courses include Support Social and Emotional Learning with Microsoft Tools, which gives teachers tools to foster social and emotional skills and Mindfulness in Minecraft: Education Edition, which emphasizes the intersection of Minecraft and mindfulness. Microsoft Learn’s Educator Center also offers tracks on accessibility and inclusivity and student-centered learning.

National Geographic

For those interested in the sciences and nature, National Geographic offers free professional development courses for teachers. Class options include Geo-Inquiry, National Geographic’s take on project-based learning, as well as lessons focusing on storytelling and photography and teaching climate change.

Next Gen Personal Finance

Next Gen Personal Finance, an organization that promotes incorporating financial literacy and education into public schools, offers a variety of courses for teachers interested in promoting financial education. Topics include budgeting, understanding and managing credit and behavioral economics.

Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network

For educators interested in mental health and social-emotional learning, check out the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network. In partnership with the National Center for School Mental Health, they offer a free online class featuring modules covering topics like the impact of trauma on learning, mental health literacy and stigma reduction and strategies for supporting students experiencing adversity.

Summertime, and the Learning is Easy!

School may be out, but the learning never stops—especially for educators! If professional development is on your summer to-do list, we’ve got some ideas for you. Below, check out some professional development options from our partners.

Become a Google Certified Educator

Whether you want to learn how to better use Google tools to streamline your classroom, are interested in learning more about Chromebooks or you’d like to train other educators as a summer side hustle, Google for Education offers a variety of training paths. Free online training help educators make the most of classroom technology, while also preparing them for certifications, including Level 1 and 2 Educator Certifications to Certified Coach, Trainer and Innovator. 

A few highlights of Google’s free courses include the Digital Citizenship and Safety Course, which informs educators how to keep themselves and their students safe from phishing and other scams, how to manage and maintain an online reputation, and how to navigate issues around privacy. Meanwhile, in the Tools for Diverse Learners Training, explore ways to harness technology to better accommodate learners with special needs. 

Inspired educators with a vision to transform education can check out Google’s Certified Innovator program. The program nurtures educators who’ve passed the Google Certified Educator Level 2 exam in launching their own innovation projects with the support of a community of like-minded learners and mentoring. 

Delve into Dell Technologies Professional Learning

Dell Technologies collaborates with school districts to provide personalized professional development for educators. From virtual courses to professional certification offerings, Dell is committed to helping districts achieve their goals. 

Among Dell’s virtual courses, you’ll find classes like Authentic Student Learning and Gamification, which cover the benefits of gamification while also incorporating the theory into the training itself. Inquiry and Questioning: Igniting Student Curiosity with Technology provides a deep dive into the value of fostering curiosity, as well as the intersection of curiosity and technology. Leading a Culture of Change in your School examines technology initiatives that can be used to create change.

Explore the Microsoft Learn Educator Center

The Microsoft Learn Educator Center offers a plethora of training options. Whether you’re interested in integrating Minecraft into your teaching by becoming a Global Minecraft Mentor, learning more about increasing accessibility and inclusivity in your school, or diving deeper into STEM and coding, you’re sure to find training that matches your interests. 

Close the STEM gap by engaging girls goes over ways to close the gender gap and lead more girls and women into STEM careers. In Build social and emotional skills in your classroom community with Reflect, teachers learn how Microsoft’s Reflect app gives students the chance to identify their emotions, increase empathy and feel heard. For educators interested in how a blend of in-person and virtual learning might look in the future, check out Lead forward: Integrate the best strategies from remote, hybrid and blended learning for school leaders.

What are your favorite professional development resources for educators? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Top Ed-Tech Resources in 2022

As a premier educational technology supplier for several decades, Arey Jones knows a thing or two about the best machines in the business. We provide customized solutions for our clients, and with that, recommend excellent products that aid in the creation of modern learning spaces.

Our partners are pioneers in the field of EdTech, bringing to the table some of the most cutting-edge tools, gadgets, and programs. To kick off the new calendar year, we’re excited to share some of our favorite features offered by partners of Arey Jones.

HP

HP Education solutions commit to aiding education, everywhere. Its built-for-school technology is perfect for teachers and students alike. The HP Chromebook 11 is a top pick for education. It has so many features to love: a long battery life, a great sized screen, and a HD IPS touchscreen- just to name a few. It’s comfortable and reliable: great for traveling back and forth to school and home.

Microsoft

Microsoft Office 365 is integral to virtually every business and academic landscape. With must-have features like Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote, it’s impossible to imagine a school without it. 

Recently, Office 365 launched several useful, groundbreaking, and fun new features. Take a look at all of our favorites here. In addition, these free tools from Microsoft make everyday teaching tasks function a little easier.

Google

Google for Education remains a prominent figure in the EdTech world, and for good reason! Google Classroom is filled with incredibly useful programs. Their systems streamline everything from lesson planning to parent communication.

Peruse Google for Education for more information on specific features (such as slides, docs, and meet), and other highlights like professional development.

Google Chromebooks pack some power, but they also boast affordability. Their lightweight design makes them perfect for classroom use, and they can easily be navigated by little hands. When paired with the other, innovative features that Google classroom has to offer, Chromebooks can truly transform the educational experience- both from in and outside of the classroom. Check out some of our favorite things to do with Google Chromebooks.

Dell

Dell is a well-respected and well-known name in the tech industry. They have a device to fit every lifestyle and academic need. One of our favorites is the Dell 3110 Chromebook is designed to last. Its rigorous testing includes making sure it’s able to endure dozens of drops. The keyboard is spill and tamper-resistant, and the ports stay protected and covered with reinforced brackets. These awesome features and its impressively long battery life make this Chromebook a perfect fit for school.

Lenovo

Lenovo is one of the most trusted brands out there.  The Lenovo 100e is perfectly designed with education in mind. It’s durable and light, making it extra portable for students on the move. With rubber bumpers and reinforced hinges, it can stand the test of time (and the test of little ones) in the classroom. 

Lenovo’s 300e is a practical, impressive machine and comes at a price that any school administrator will love. It’s built with education in mind, and with the durability to thrive while under the care of younger students. We love its water-resistant keyboard and the seamless way it is able to run apps. 

These tech devices and programs are sure to assist in making 2022 a great year for education. Click here to find out what services Arey Jones has to offer.

Tools and Tips for Coming Back to In-Person Learning

Back-to-school this fall will be monumental for many K-12 schools because it’s the first opportunity for in-person learning. And while administrators, teachers and students are likely ready to hang up their virtual classrooms, some of the technology can enhance in-person learning. Using digital tools to enhance classroom learning was happening way before the pandemic. Now, because we had to pivot to an online environment, we’re all a little savvier about which tools we’d like to keep. Here are some that you should definitely take back to school with you.

• Google Slides: Google Slides allows teachers to create, edit and share presentations and multiple students can work on a presentation at the same time, making it ideal for collaboration. Google Slides can also be used as an outline during lectures and offers templates for student engagement. Google Slides is always saving so you never have to worry about losing your work. Google for Education offers teachers tips and tricks on how to get the most out of this tool. For example, teachers can watch a quick video on how to insert audio into Google Slides or how to link presentations.
  

• Customized Desktop Icons: Mac and PC users can create customized icons for desktop folders. Changing icons is a fun way to personalize computers and laptops. Windows offers built-in options but PC users can also download icons from multiple websites. According to HowToGeek.com, PC users need to access the Desktop Icon Settings to change their icons. In Windows 10, you can access this window through Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings. In Windows 8 and 10, it’s Control Panel > Personalize > Change Desktop Icons. For Mac users, 9to5Mac.com says to open Finder and navigate to Applications. Click the app you’d like to change the icon for and hit Command + I. Copy your new image (Command + C), click the small thumbnail of the app icon and past the new image (Command + V). 
  

• Seesaw: Seesaw creates a powerful learning loop between students, teachers and families. Students use built-in multimodal tools to capture what they know in Seesaw’s digital lesson portfolio. Teachers see all stages of student thinking and progress and families can see what’s happening with their sons and daughters. Teachers can get started by manually entering students or integrating classes from Google Classroom. If younger students don't have email accounts, there's also an option for them to sign in using a QR or text code. Seesaw has tons of training and professional development for teachers, students and families. And it’s free to sign up.
  

• Flipgrid: Even before the pandemic, educators were flipping for Flipgrid. Flipgrid is a video discussion platform used by tens of millions of PreK to PhD educators, students and families in 150 countries. It works on Chromebooks, iPads, iPhones, PCs and Android devices. This software has tons of uses. Students can talk to each other and teachers, so everyone is engaged and on the same page. Administrators can use it to engage their professional learning network. Flipgrid can build community among staff and create conversation beyond small talk. Just returned from a conference and have something to share? Take a few minutes and use a grid.

No matter if it’s in-person, hybrid or virtual, digital tools will always have a place in learning. Tell us which digital tools you can’t teach without!

How COVID-19 is Reshaping Education

K-12 schools have never understood the importance of educational technology more than they did when the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down across the country in 2020. Now being “technically” ready to allow kids and teachers to learn from home isn’t just a wish, it’s a necessity. K-12 schools should look to invest in a range of tech upgrades that will make a big difference in learning come fall.

1. Invest in better microphones and cameras. Pandemic-forced shutdowns forced everyone to quickly realize the importance of having good audio-visual equipment. Invest in microphones and cameras that allow instructors to move and teach, no matter if the class is online or in-person. EdTech Magazine says there are a variety of cameras with tracking functions, like AVer’s TR310 and TR530. Microphones vary with need but those that combine speaker and microphone capabilities, like AudioCodes 457, are ideal for hybrid learning as students at home can hear responses from those in class.
   

2. Choose videoconferencing tools that work for everyone. No matter if your school decides to use Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom or another type of software, the most important factor to consider is how it will meet the needs of your educators and students. Not only is this essential for at-home or hybrid learning but recorded lessons can help those students with individualized learning plans or allow absent students to catch up on missed work. The software must be flexible so all parties can use it easily.
   

3. Take advantage of new cart-based technologies. Even before the pandemic, cart-based technologies helped educators easily move devices from classroom to classroom and makeshift lecture halls, like libraries and gyms. Now, they also make it easy to sanitize devices between uses. Companies like Anywhere Cart Classroom Solutions offer cabinets that both charge and sanitize. Investing in a dual-purpose cart could save you money in the long run.
   

4. Consider cloud migration. Cloud migration is the process of moving data and applications to a cloud computing environment. The migration saves valuable hard drive space but also lets educators collaborate from wherever. The argument for cloud migration could include savings by fusing cloud-based applications, like Google Apps for Education, with compatible programs.
   

5. Boost your school’s security. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, schools will have access to funding that will help keep students and staff safe. Funds can be used to modify spaces and technology, like investing in touchless doors, screening equipment, video surveillance and more. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has truly changed how K-12 learning looks now and likely in the future. Luckily EdTech is keeping up and devising better solutions for the future. Arey Jones partners with multiple EdTech providers and we can help you develop solutions that will work for your school.

How to Keep Kids Excited About Reading During a Pandemic

It’s been nearly a year since COVID turned our world upside down, changing the structure of school and our social lives. Since then, parents and teachers everywhere have been worn thin by the new expectations and ever evolving forums. What’s remained unchanged is our mutual commitment to both students’ safety and success.

In the educational landscape, reading is fundamental. It connects all disciplines, growing a child’s fluency and comprehension. That’s why it’s more important than ever to nurture children’s love of learning, even during unpredictable times.

Take a look at these four tips for keeping reading an educational priority.

Check in with your local library.

Depending on your location and city’s current status, your library may be open. Seasonally, most libraries offer reading challenges- complete with fun rewards and book recommendations. Sometimes, a little extra incentive is what kids need to keep them encouraged. Many libraries across the country are offering curbside pickup for easy exposure-less experiences. Check out your library’s website to see how they’re handling the current challenges.

Take turns reading aloud.

Reading fluency is an important skill that requires practice. With your child, take turns reading aloud. This can take many forms: a page in a book, a list from a recipe, or even directions from a new board game. Parents can begin a bedtime tradition of reading to their children from an engaging chapter book. For teachers, using read aloud excerpts is an effective way to expose students to nonfiction and more complex passages. 

Let students make recommendations.

Like everyone, kids love to share their perspectives. Allow them to assume the role of Book Reviewer for their peers. If you’re still teaching in your classroom, designate a visible place where students can display their book reviews, or carve out a spot on Google Classroom specifically for this purpose. Students will feel like their opinions are heard, and their reviews can help other kids choose a book that is well rated and loved by friends.

Change the format. 

Sometimes, a change in medium can pique kids’ interest enough to keep reading. There are countless tech toys that are both fun and educational: The Touch and Teach Word Book and LeapStart 3D Learning System are two great choices or younger children. Kindles ebooks work well to provide efficiency, choices, and fun for older children. For kids of all ages, audiobooks provide a different way to enjoy texts.

Pandemic life has altered the way we live, and education is no exception. Educators and parents know that reading is absolutely fundamental to young people’s development. Luckily, with the help of creative ideas and technology, we can keep kids excited about reading through these uncertain times.

Try These Webinars For Professional Development

Webinars have become a popular method for professional development and for good reason; they offer direct contact with an instructor, give you the ability to interact with an audience and save traveling time and expenses. It’s no surprise there are plenty of webinars out there to choose from.

Here is a great list, from some of the best groups, organizations and companies out there, to get you started:

• EdTechTeam, the global network of former teachers turned educational technologists, not only has live webinars educators can pre-emptively sign up for, but archived webinars from this year and past are available as well. Educators can learn “Empathy in the Classroom,” “Chromebooks as Tools for Creativity,” and “Pathway to Google Certification.”

• ASCD, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development which represents more than 114,000 educators, lists free webinars on its website that address timely and relevant topics like student engagement, classroom technology and instructional strategies. Topics include: “Building Students’ Problem-Solving Skills Through Complex Challenges,” “STEM by Choice: Embedding Career Challenges in Classrooms and Communities” and “Shifting Our Thinking About Educational Technology: How to Place Tasks Before Apps.”

• Education Week offers both free and premium webinars. If you act fast, all webinars are accessible for a limited time after the original live-streaming date. Live viewers also receive a post-event confirmation email to prove participation. Topics include: “Reducing Chronic Absenteeism With School Climate and SEL,” “Maximizing Conference ROI” and “The Role of Ed Tech and Professional Development in Driving Personalized Learning.”

• Google for Education offers several webinars to watch live and on demand on Education On Air. Just sign into your Google account and hit play. Courses include: “Integrating G Suite with Instructional Tools,” “Back to School with Google Classroom” and “Google Data Studio: Build Custom Dashboards with Ease.”

• Microsoft Learning Consultant Program is hosting a Webinar Series throughout 2018. Session topics include: “Build it, make it, know it! Design thinking with Minecraft:EE and more,” “World changers unite! Level the playing field with Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Translator” and “Won’t you be my neighbor? Skype, Teams and O365 building global communities.” Additionally, past webinars are available to view by following the links attached to those topics.

Webinars are awesome and cater to all interests and budgets, i.e., free. Attend a webinar that left you inspired? Share it below!

Stay On Top Of Software Trends

Educational technology changes so fast that it is essential to stay “in the know.” One of the ways to do this is to subscribe to an educational video series. Video series are popular with viewers for a variety of reasons – most of the content can be consumed in short bursts, they are usually free and can be viewed on your own time. You can find these series on YouTube or linked into a providers webpage. There are a lot of great video series out there, but here’s a couple we recommend that will keep you up-to-date on everything ed tech.

What’s New In EDU

This video series from Microsoft Education talks all things technology and education. It is the best place to hear announcements, like the annual Bett show, plus learn about the latest Microsoft products and how to use them. Want to learn more about new Microsoft 365 free lifetime device licenses? What about new affordable Windows 10 devices for the classroom starting at $189? What’s New In EDU has all that information and more. Each episode runs about seven minutes but What’s New In EDU also offers a rundown of the show in the notes, in case busy educators don’t have time to watch. Use #MicrosoftEDU to find it on Twitter.

EDU In 90

EDU in 90 is a video series from Google for Education. It runs new episodes three times a month and each covers important topics for educators and administrators, like product updates, new programs and resources for the classroom. Want some quick tips about Google Team Drives and how to use it for your educators? Do you want to know more about Google Expeditions? You can find these topics and any more at EDU in 90. And, contrary to its name, each video is about two to three minutes long. Subscribe to EDU in 90 from the Google for Education YouTube Channel, and follow along the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #EDUin90.

EdTechTeam’s LIVE Webinars

EdTechTeam is a global network of educational technologists. Its core team works with more than 250 contractors worldwide to provide the best in professional developments, online learning, books, Apple Professional Learning and more. The website features LIVE webinars, plus archived webinars. Topics covered include “Chromebooks for Tools for Creativity,” “Innovative Strategies for Teaching Science” and “Ok Google, How Safe is My Data.” These webinars run a little longer than the others, at about an hour.

Is there a video series you can’t live without? Tell us about it!

3 Steps on Becoming an Education Expert

Looking to step up your game as an education administrator? There are several opportunities available online to further your educational acumen. From watching webinars to joining networking groups, you’ll never be at a loss for new opportunities to learn. To help you get started on your journey, we’ve scaled down the process. Here are three steps to becoming an education expert.

1. Watching and Listening. There are tons of podcasts online you can subscribe to to further your educational knowledge. Here are just a couple that we love: The Press Release by EdTechTeam – This podcast dives into the minds of innovative and creative educators and shares the best ideas in education with a focus on technology, innovation and empowering students. Google Teacher Tribe - This weekly podcast is designed to give K-12 educators practical ideas for using G Suite and other Google tools. Chromebook Classroom Podcast - This podcast explores how Chromebooks are impacting the K-12 classroom. It is hosted by Google Certified Trainer John Sowash, who invites guests to chat about their Chromebook Classroom experience on this monthly show. Cult of Pedagogy - Hosted by Jennifer Gonzalez, this podcast covers teaching strategies, classroom management, education reform and education technology.

You can also join the Microsoft Educator Community where you share feedback with peers and become a Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE).

1. Find a Mentor. Twitter is a great source to find a mentor. Use Twitter’s search to seek out influencers and people you want to follow. Once you find someone to follow, you can build on that virtual relationship by promoting tweets, asking for advice and commenting on their blogs, and then simply ask if they would be willing to act as a mentor to you, either virtually or face-to-face.

2. Use your own Resources. Tap into your own teachers, MIEEs and GoogleEIs and use them as resources for professional development. One way to do this is to hold an unconference and ask them to speak. An unconference is a grassroots conference where the content is provided by the attendees, not outside experts. Don’t think of them as unofficial events, rather bring unconferences in-house as the official professional development. You can also create Personal Learning Communities, or PLCs, which are a group of teachers with a shared interest or mutual commitment. You choose the focus, like hybrid teaching models, and allow teachers to sign up for the PLCs they align with most.

Start with these three steps and you’ll be on your way to becoming an education expert in no time.

G Suite Enterprise For Education Is Now Open!

G Suite for Education is Google’s suite of best-in-class productivity tools for teaching and learning. In January 2018, Google announced it was making this product even better with security updates for G Suite for Education and a new edition, G Suite Enterprise for Education, an expanded version built specifically for large educational institutions.

 G Suite Enterprise for Education is the product of feedback from private and public colleges and university to school districts, all who expressed the desire for more advanced tools. It offers many of the same capabilities available to G Suite business customers, in addition to future features geared towards the specific needs of educational institutions.

Google outlined some of the capabilities available in G Suite Enterprise for Education in its blog, including:

• Mobile Device Management.Advanced mobile device management helps large institutions manage mobile BYOD devices. G Suite admins can define custom rules that trigger on device events, like device updates or ownership changes, and have associated actions. Additionally, admins can review audits and reports of activities on these devices, as well as securely manage work apps on a user’s device while leaving personal apps under the user’s control. 

• Cloud Search. Now, cloud search provides a unified search experience across G Suite to help users spend less time searching for information and more time deriving insights. Cloud Search surfaces personalized information that helps users stay on top of important work, prepare for upcoming meetings or even suggest files that need attention.

• Gmail Logs Analysis In BigQuery. Logs in BigQuery contain information that can help education administrators diagnose issues or unlock insights. Admins will be able to run sophisticated, high-performing custom queries and build custom dashboards. Their domain’s data can also be analyzed with Admin reports in BigQuery. 

• Security Center For G Suite. The security center brings together security analytics, actionable insights and best practice recommendations from Google so that admins can protect their organization, data and users. Admins now have access to a unified security dashboard and can reduce risk to their organization by adopting security health recommendations from Google

• Record meetings and save them to Drive. This is for schools that want to capture faculty meetings or online lectures. Hangouts Meet can be used to record and save them directly to Drive, making them readily accessible for those that weren’t able to attend.  

• Hangouts Meet. This edition gives now connects up to 50 participants on a single video and phone conference. The dial-in feature in Meetallows users to seamlessly connect to meetings via phone. If a participant doesn’t have a reliable Wi-Fi connection, they can join via a conferencing bridge that’s automatically added to every meeting. 

Unlike G Suite for Education, which is available for free, customers pay $4 per user, per month, for Enterprise’s additional features. This is still cheaper than Google’s G Suite Enterprise for business, which is $25 per user, per month. Plus, Google promises extra features at no extra cost. If you’re using G Suite Enterprise for Education, let us know what you love and what you don’t.

8 Podcasts Every EdTech Enthusiast Should Subscribe To

Podcasts are one of the best sources of information about educational technology available today. These digital audio files are like radio for the Internet. They can educate, inform and entertain us, but on our own time. Each podcast contains multiple episodes which can be downloaded onto our phones, laptops and other devices.

There are more than 500,000 active podcasts on Apple iTunes alone and many of these are geared towards educators and administrators. With so many listening options available, we’ve done the hard part the narrowed down the top eight podcasts about educational technology you should be listening to today.

1. The Press Release by EdTechTeam – This podcast dives into the minds of innovative and creative educators and shares the best ideas in education with a focus on technology, innovation and empowering both students and teachers. Episode lengths range in length from 3 minutes to nearly 40 minutes.

2. Google Teacher Tribe - This weekly podcast is designed to give K-12 educators practical ideas for using G Suite and other Google tools. It’s hosted by Matt Miller and Kasey Bell, who also share helpful tips to keep administrators on task.

3. Chromebook Classroom Podcast -  This podcast explores how Chromebooks are impacting the K-12 classroom. It is hosted by Google Certified Trainer John Sowash, who invites guests to chat about their Chromebook Classroom experience on this monthly show. Episodes range from quick, resource editions to longer interview editions.

4. Cult of Pedagogy - Hosted by Jennifer Gonzalez, this podcast covers teaching strategies, classroom management, education reform and education technology. Episodes range in length from 10 minutes to an hour. It’s a must for anyone looking to make their educators to be the very best.

5. Microsoft Innovative Expert Spotlight Series Podcast – Each episode of this podcast features a Microsoft Innovative Educator that showcases how they are transforming their classrooms through 21st-century teaching styles. It is hosted by Jeff Bradbury. Each episode runs about a half hour, and is perfect to listen to before you walk into a team meeting.

6. EdTech Situation Room -  This is both a weekly podcast and live Wednesday evening webshow. It’s hosted by educators Jason Neiffer from Montana and Wesley Fryer from Oklahoma. The duo analyzes current tech news and how they can make education better. Episodes run about an hour long.

7. EdTech Bites - Host Gabriel Carrillo sits down with educators and innovators once a month to talk educational tech trends over dinner. This podcast allows him to bring together his and every other educational administrator’s two passions, food and educational technology. Episodes range in length anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

8. EdTech Rewind Clint Winter and Lee Green invite their friends to get together and discuss what’s going on in the world of educational technology. Episodes are about 45 minutes to an hour. For long drives home where you have to come up with an agenda for your educators – yes, this is the one.

We love these podcasts about educational technology, but if you know of another that you can’t believe didn’t make this list, let us know.

Go-To Tools for Presentations: When to Blog and When To PowerPoint

The goal of a presentation is to effectively convey information that allows the audience to remember what has been said. That being said, there are several options as to how to give a presentation, specifically for a final project. For students, presentations can be given as individuals or groups, or for educators in seminars. The best tool for the job depends on whether the presentation will be visual or verbal. 

When to Blog 

Blogs are definitely the ideal verbal tool for presentations. They are becoming increasingly popular for e-portfolios, offering students the opportunity to review, communicate, assess, archive and display their work - including blogging for projects and presentations. Google has a great Keyword Planner tool that allows the writer to enter seed keywords and receive a list of suggested search terms. Microsoft’s Windows Open Live Writer is another solid option.

There are several pros to using blogs in presentations:

• Blog writing is informal, unlike academic writing. This style takes the pressure off students and also allows them to speak their audiences’ language. Blog, or web log, style is typically relaxed, which makes it comfortable and easy for students.

• Blogs allow for comments. Students can get feedback from peers, educators and even parents about their blog.

• Blogs are published. The students’ work is online and can help educate others about their opinion.

• Blogs can easily be linked to social media. Blogs are almost made for social media. A student’s project can easily be shared or linked to the school’s social media account.

There are also some cons:

• A blog doesn’t allow the student to practice his or her speaking skills. In today’s world - where it is a struggle to compete with online and handheld distractions for students’ attention - there aren’t as many real-world opportunities for students to practice their speaking skills.

• Blogs aren’t conducive to group projects. It can be hard to track who-did-what if only one blog is uploaded. Presentations give an entire group the opportunity to participate, even those that aren’t the strongest writers.

When to PowerPoint

When the presentation goal is to be visual, the presentation needs to be done in PowerPoint. Microsoft’s presentation software allows users to create fluid, cinematic motion in one click. Slides can be duplicated, morphed together, moved, etc. 

There are definite pros to PowerPoint: 

• PowerPoint is the standard when it comes to professional settings. It’s been offered in Microsoft Office versions for more than a decade. It’s highly-recognizable.

• PowerPoint can improve presentations. The software’s ability to use animations and images is a definite plus. Even basic shapes can enhance data and help get the point across.

• PowerPoint slides can be easily distributed. The slides can be printed or emailed. They can be uploaded to the cloud or saved on a flash drive.

Yet, there are also some cons to PowerPoint:

• PowerPoint requires some time to learn. There are a lot of options, which can seem overwhelming to users. Also, novices could put too much information on slides, ruining the entire purpose of using PowerPoint – which should be to enhance a presentation. No one wants to sit and read slide-after-slide. 

• PowerPoint could be riddled with technical difficulties. The computer could stop working, power might be lost to the outlet or the overhead display doesn’t work right. These might seem like conditions that can be avoided, but you never know what can happen in a space that is unfamiliar.

Follow us @AreyJones for more great tech tips.

Seek Mentors Out On Twitter

Twitter is more than tidbits of daily news and tweets about trending television. It is a great source to find like-minded people in your field and even a mentor.

Twitter influencers, experts, thought leaders and kindred spirits can help improve your teaching by supplying information and ideas that you can put into practical applications. Once you find someone to follow, you can build on that virtual relationship and use them as a mentor, either virtually or face-to-face.

Figure out who you’d like to follow.

The first step is to actually figure out who’d you like to follow. Sounds easy. But, the Internet is a BIG place and Twitter is no exception.

Use Twitter’s search to seek out influencers and people you want to follow. Type your keywords in the top search. You can also use Twitter’s filters and Advanced Search to search locally, which gives you a better opportunity for an in-person meeting.

You can try these five hashtags to get you started.

1. #GoogleET, #GoogleCE, #GoogleEI

2. #MIEExpert

3. #SkypeMT or #MinecraftMentor

4. #GoogleTeacherTribe

5. #STEAM

A search for these hashtags brings up the top results, but also people tied to them. This is a really easy way to start following an influencer and possible mentor. 

If you’re still having an issue finding who to follow, search through your other social media platforms. How many people do you know that use just ONE form of social media? You can increase your chances of connecting with a mentor if you can overlap social networks. 

Prepare to take the next step.

Once you find someone to follow that is mentor-material, do some research and learn as much as you can about them. Start a virtual conversation or check out any podcasts or blogs they have to find common areas of interest. Do they seem comfortable sharing their knowledge? If so, continue on.

The approach.

Build a rapport with your potential mentor. Promote their tweets, ask for their advice, comment on their blogs and so on. Treat the virtual world as you would the real one and get to know them slowly. The key is to build a dialog and show you have something of value to contribute. 

When you’re ready, email the influencer and simply ask if they would be willing to act as a mentor to you. Email works great because it is - literally - the electronic equivalent of a letter. It is more formal than a DM but not so formal as a mailed piece of paper.

Once you create and facilitate that online relationship, you can decide both decide if, when and how you want to meet in person. Even if you never get to that stage, there’s so much powerful information out there that just following posted advice provides a great opportunity for personal and professional growth. Reach out to Arey Jones for more advice on your professional development.