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.

EdTech Tradeshow Survival Kit: Tips for Creating a Valuable Experience

EdTech Tradeshow Survival Kit: Tips for Creating a Valuable Experience

Because the world of educational technology is ever evolving, keeping up with the latest is integral to modern education. Attending professional development events, such as tradeshows and conferences, is one way to stay informed about the latest and greatest gadgets and programs in the field. 

If you’re headed to an event this year with your school or teaching team, we have a few pointers to ensure that you’re getting the best and most worthwhile experience. 

1. Have a goal in mind.
   Just like with classroom teaching, it’s wise to begin with a clear objective. So, ask yourself: what are you hoping to glean from this event? Perhaps it’s tech integration ideas, perusing newer and better devices, or even working on forging some networking opportunities. Decide what you want to get out of the event, and put your focus on accomplishing that goal. 
   
   
   

2. Get familiar with the schedule. 
   While some PD events may have a fixed schedule, others will allow for more flexibility in accordance with your goals. Take a look at the event schedule beforehand so that you’re familiar with what’s happening, when, and where. For a tradeshow experience, do some preparation beforehand and research which companies may have what you’re seeking.
   
   
   

3. Come with questions.
   At both conferences and expos, experts will be at the ready to help assist you. If you’ve done some advance research, you’ll be in the right place to get your questions answered.
   
   
   

4. Check out the event map.
   Your time is valuable, and you don’t want to spend it trying to find your bearings. Just a few minutes of planning time could save many more later on; so, make sure to take a look at the event’s map on their website before attending.
   
   
   

5. Bring the right gear. 
   Chances are, you’ll be hauling some stuff. Between your own personal device, brochures and other learning materials, you’ll need a quick way to transport it all. Use a comfortable backpack or a rolling bag to optimize comfort for the long day. Plan to wear a comfortable, business casual outfit and sensible shoes: for a tradeshow especially, you can expect a good amount of walking. 

Tradeshows, conferences, expos, and other events are crucial to professional development. In these spaces, teachers and administrators can learn best practices for technological integration, participate in interesting sessions, and have hands on experiences. By using our guide, you’re likely to end your day with helpful takeaways and great memories.

Maximize the Immersive Technology in the Classroom

Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) provide students with stimulating environments that add tons of educated value. For example, utilizing these cutting edge educational technology tools allows students to see far off places and visit times they’d never be able to experience in reality. There are hundreds of adventures each classroom can take. Before you decide to add this new tech to your school (and we think you should) check out these ways you can use it in the classroom and beyond to maximize its learning potential and justify the expense.

Use it For STEM Learning

The fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics can be opened way up with VR and AR. Scholastic has an entire curriculum dedicated to integrating VR into STEM lesson plans. These areas are ideal for VR and AR since students can travel far beyond our solar system or down to a cellular level. Concepts go from imagined to real. Imagine being able to teach your science students about how a volcano works then virtually traveling inside one as it erupts.

Use it For Professional Development

The best thing about an exciting new form of learning is sharing it with your staff. Training staff and teachers on VR and AR equipment not only creates buy-in, but they now get to add it to their professional development. Use experts (bring them there virtually with Skype), take webinars, hold onsite demonstrations or use your OneNote Staff Notebooks as a collaborative space and resource library to develop the VR and AR skills throughout the entire school.

Getting excited about new technology is great, but knowing how to implement it to its fullest is even better! Ready to integrate this newest edtech in your school? We can help. Contact us today.

Plan Your Winter Break Now

Winter break is almost here. For a few short weeks, the halls will quiet down and emails and phone calls will slow to a trickle. While this time promises a moment to relax, it is also a mere speed bump until the next semester and the accompanying laundry list of to-dos. But before that busy time comes, take a moment to set goals and expectations for things you want to accomplish during these precious few short weeks. 

Here’s what we suggest:

Attend a conference.

Conferences, or any other networking opportunity for that matter, are a great way to recharge your batteries over winter break. EdTechTeam hosts multiple events, like summits, bootcamps and workshops across the United States, that unlock the mysteries surrounding G Suite for Education. If none are near your school, you can bring one there. If winter break travel doesn’t appeal to you, or a conference isn’t available during your days off, take the time to look at the ones you might want to attend and put them on your schedule for next semester.

Research devices.

Grab a blanket, some hot cocoa and tuck in with a good wish list for your school. Winter break is an ideal time to read reviews and compare the benefits of the devices your school could use most. Wondering about the differences between all the different Chromebooks? Now’s the time to dive in and do some research. Catch up with our blogs by re-reading this one about choosing your next Chromebook. Or, go to the source. Microsoft Education lists all of its budget-friendly devices here. And, Google For Education’s website has information about the tools the tech giant is currently offering, including G Suite for Education, virtual and augmented reality and digital tools and apps.

Complete budgets for next year.

This task may not be tops on your list of fun things to do over winter break, but think how much better you’ll feel when it’s done? Also, you can budget those items that you’ve been researching all break. A helpful tip to getting your edtech approved is to have a plan for its use. Also, consider the cost of old vs. new tech, noting that new tech has less maintenance costs and is more efficient. 

With your winter break list of to-dos ready to go, you’ll be able to enjoy some rest and relaxation. Let us know what your plans are winter break, and if we can help.

Fight Back-To-School Momentum Loss With These Resources

Every year the same thing occurs - you return to school in the fall full of energy and tell yourself this is the year you keep that momentum going until May, only to slump after a handful of weeks. The reality is, come October many educators have already lost that back-to-school momentum. There is so much to do during those first weeks of school that many teachers play catch-up until winter break. Keep your educators on the right track with these Microsoft resources designed to help teachers be more efficient. 

Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook

This app allows teachers to set up OneNote Class Notebook for their classes. Each class notebook has three sub-notebooks:

Student Notebooks - These private notebooks are shared between the teacher and their individual students. Collecting and checking homework has never been faster and easier. These notebooks are only accessible by the teachers - who can view them at any time - not by other students.

Content Library - This notebook is for teachers to organize and share course materials with students. It eliminates searching for lost handouts or hearing, “I didn’t get that sheet.” Teachers can add and edit materials at any time, but this notebook is read-only for students.

Collaboration Space - This notebook is designed for all students and the teacher in the class to share, organize and collaborate. Teaching becomes interactive since educators can gather web content and embed lessons to create custom lesson plans. It makes working in groups a snap.

The only tools you need to get to using this app is an Office 365 subscription for Education that includes OneDrive for Business, an organizational account for the teacher with permissions to use the OneNote Class Notebook app and the students must have an Office 365 organizational account. Microsoft even has a step-by-step guide to help teachers set it all up.

Templates For Education

Why remake the wheel? Creating lesson plans, syllabus and course overview documents from scratch takes up a HUGE amount of time. Microsoft’s ready-made templates save tons of time, plus with so many different types and styles that exist, you and your teachers will have no trouble finding ones that work in your school.

Lesson Planner Templates - Make it easy to plan. These lesson plan templates are available in calendar, list and chart form.

Syllabus Templates - Traditional, accessible or teacher’s, all different types of syllabuses are available. These syllabus templates put all the course information in one tidy place for students and they can be personalized.

Course Overview Templates - Spend more time preparing students for classes by using an academic course overview template. They help organize and cover key points of a class.

Emergency Phone List - Gathering emergency information from students is essential. This template ensures nothing is left off the list.

These shortcuts were created to help educators focus more on teaching and less on housekeeping tasks. Download these timesavers to help keep the early-fall momentum going.

3 Steps To Become A Microsoft Innovation Expert

Looking for ways to promote professional development? Help your teachers become Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts. A MIE Expert is the last rung on Microsoft’s Innovative Educator program’s certification ladder. The journey starts by becoming a Microsoft Innovative Educator, then there’s also an option to become a MIE Trainer, and finally with earning the MIE Expert certification. These education specialists are skilled at integrating technology in the classroom. MIE Experts work hand-in-hand with Microsoft to lead innovation in education, advocate for the effective use of technology in the classroom, share ideas with a global network of peers and become thought leaders in the EdTech space. 

Joining the program is easy. The self-nomination tool is open year-round. Your teachers can nominate themselves at any time but the announcement isn’t made until August when Microsoft posts the official list. 

• Step 1: Make sure to join the Microsoft Educator Community and complete your profile. Keep in mind, you will need to submit the URL to your public profile as a part of the nomination process. You can find your URL by going into Edit Profile and looking under “basic information.”

• Step 2: You must earn 1,000 points on the Microsoft Educator Community and become a Certified MIE Once again, you must be a Certified MIE to become (or stay) an MIE Expert. Although you do not need to be a MIE Trainer to become an MIE Expert.

• Step 3: Create a 2-minute video or Sway that answers the following questions in a manner that creatively expresses what makes you a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert. To share the video/Sway in your nomination, you will need to post it somewhere that allows you to create a URL to share it.

The questions are:

1. Why do you consider yourself to be a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert?

2. Describe how you have incorporated Microsoft technologies in innovative ways in your classroom. Include artifacts that demonstrate your innovation. Your examples should demonstrate that you have cultivated a strong 21st century teaching and learning environment.

3. How have you impacted the learning and growth of your colleagues? Have you reached beyond your classroom to coach/support other teachers in their growth?

4. If you become a MIE-Expert, how do you hope it will impact your current role in the next 12 months?

Once these three tasks are completed, the educator simply fills out this self-nomination form. MIE Experts have access to all sorts of opportunities like, professional and career development opportunities and certifications, speaking, training or coaching colleagues, participating in focus groups for Microsoft products, testing new Microsoft products and collaborating with innovative educators around the globe. Help your teachers get the most out of their knowledge of technology in the classroom and earn this badge of honor.

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!

Tackle Productivity Head-On With These 5 Tech Hacks

Time. It’s always something you need more of, especially as school administrators. Your days tend to be full of improving instruction, managerial tasks, delegating and creating a climate where kids want to learn. That’s a lot to pack into a single day. Good thing there are lots of tech hacks that can get help get you organized and STAY organized.

Here are 5 tech hacks you should be using every day to boost productivity:

1. Use Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft Outlook has tons of productivity and time management tools. You can use it to set appointments and remind yourself of tasks with the Calendar. You can also organize your schedule by day, week or even year. Outlook Calendar has these fun, colorful sticky notes that you can drag anywhere on your screen. Don’t forget to list the times you aren’t available – lunches, personal development time and vacations. This hack helps to keep your staff updated about your time too.

2. Set a daily reminder to check Microsoft Teams and Google Tasks. Microsoft Teams is the hub for teamwork in Office 365. It contains chat threads and online meetings. Make it a point to come in every day and check Chat and note any meetings that may have popped up so you’ll never have to scramble at the last minute. If Google is more your thing, the same rule applies. Google Tasks can only keep you on, well, task, if you use it on a daily basis.

3. Set up email filters. Whether you use Gmail or Outlook, filters are wildly available. With filters, you can automatically sort your emails and move them into folders. You can filter messages by subject line, sender, large attachments, etc. and even send canned responses. If you’re not filtering your emails, you could be missing the important ones because they’re lost in all the junk that’s littering up your inbox.

4. Download a personal dashboard extension. This can be a real timesaver, especially if the first thing you do in the morning is look at your laptop. Wake up knowing your to-dos, the weather and even add words of inspiration.

5. Keep your digital workspace tidy. It’s easy to let general digital housekeeping duties fall to the wayside, especially when you’re busy. But, if it takes you forever to wade through your files, folders or desktop to find what you need, skipping clean-up tasks won’t do you any favors. Set a reminder for the end of each day or week to clear out your downloads and desktop.

Put these hacks into practice and you’ll be on your way to your most productive year yet! Let us know how it goes in the comments.

Administrators: Here is your Summer Reading List

Whether you’re hitting the road this summer or just lounging by the pool, a great book can really enrich the experience. Why not make it one that puts you ahead of the game with education technology for the fall term? Wondering about Chromebooks, G Suite or Google Classroom? Brush up on your knowledge or even demystify a topic with a paperback. We’ve chosen a couple guides for mastering tech in the classroom that are a must-have on your summer reading list.

4 Books to Read on EdTech

• The Chromebook Classroom: If you’re considering Chromebooks for your school, you need this guide by John R. Sowash. It gives a fast, clear roadmap for turning a new fleet of Chromebooks into rich learning tools for a single classroom or an entire district. The Chromebook Classroom is the perfect companion for any educator just getting started with Chromebooks, or one that’s looking for new ways to boost their students' learning through technology. Buy it here.

• The Google Infused Classroom: This paperback, by EdTech experts Holly Clark and Tanya Avrith, is perfect for any educator looking to use technology in the classroom. It is filled with practical ideas and strategies about using G Suite. It focuses on 20 essential Google tools that will help your teachers learn to incorporate into their classrooms. Buy it here.

• Shake Up Learning: This book by Kasey Bell is divided into three parts to help educators explore why they need to shake up learning with technology and what changes you can have your teachers make in their classrooms. The book also includes ideas for lesson planning and tips on digital learning, plus free downloads. Buy it here.

• 50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom: Educators Alice Keeler and Libbi Miller have answered one of the most frequently-asked questions with this book, “How can I effectively implement digital tools in the classroom when I don’t fully understand them myself?” It offers a thorough overview of the Google Classroom App, including how to create a paperless classroom, set up a Google Classroom, share announcements and offer virtual office hours. Buy it here.

Dive into these books this summer and then put them in the staffroom this fall to share with your teachers. They are a great resource for anyone who wants to successfully incorporate technology in education. Have another great read that’s changed your thinking? Share it below!

Why Administrators Should Use OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is changing the way students learn and teachers stay organized. But, did you know it is also ideal for administrators who need to keep everyone on the same page and make sure processes run smooth?

 OneNote has a lot of moving parts, but its main purpose is organization. It keeps everything in its place and has a place for everything. Once you use it, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.

Staff Notebooks Are Where It’s At

Throw the binders away. OneNote’s Staff Notebooks have everything you need to improve your school’s efficiency. It streamlines communication, keeps tracks of meeting agendas and minutes, and allows you to post faculty teaching assignments and professional development trainings.

Staff Notebooks contain three parts: a collaboration space, a shared content library and a personal workspace for every staff member.

• Collaboration Space: Everyone in your school or on your team has access to view and edit the content found here. This is a perfect place for to post staff meeting agendas, discussions and brainstorming. You can ask faculty to work together on initiatives and projects and to post their ideas for guest speakers and events.

• Content Library: Here you can add content for the staff leader to view. Add pages for professional development, data analysis workshops, school calendars and schedules - basically any information that would normally be sent out over multiple email attachments. It’s also organized and searchable.

• Personal Workspace: Use this space for communication between yourself and staff members. Parent communication notes, student support team information, lesson plans and evaluation and observation reflections can all be organized and kept here. You can also search and find multiple documents over multiple years.

OneNote’s Tools Make It All Come Together

Not only are OneNote’s features, like Staff Notebook and Class Notebook, awesome for educators, but the practical tools built into the design are mind-blowing.

• Add Any Content: Text, images and video can be added to any page and can be enlarged and minimized while presenting live, with a pinch and zoom. Plus, OneNote is an infinite canvas that expands at-will.

• Digital Inking: This is just one of the many ways you can add content to a page. You can project the device and annotate text, including highlighting words and lines. Plus, there are handy “Ink to Text” and “Ink to Math” options.

• Available On Everything: OneNote can be accessed on a variety of devices – PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and even Chromebook. It updates in real-time, so multiple devices, i.e. a phone and laptop, and can used simultaneously.

• Saving Is Automatic: Everything is always saved when you work in OneNote. There are no buttons to click; ideal for teachers and staff who need to refer to the information later.

Do you love OneNote as much as we do? Tell us in the comments!