TeachersFirst Professional Exclusives
TeachersFirst’s Professional Exclusives help you learn as a teacher, try new technologies, explore new teaching strategies, or understand student differences. Discover how and why to use wikis from the Wiki Walk-Through. Learn to adapt for ESL students in a regular classroom. Learn the how and why of better rubrics – and locate or create them easily. Every TeachersFirst professional exclusive is written by experienced teachers and includes the pragmatic, teacher-friendly details that you count on from our Thinking Teachers.
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Edpuzzle Student Projects - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 12Looking for an engaging...more
Looking for an engaging and unique way for students to demonstrate competency? Try Edpuzzle student projects. This free and flexible online tool helps students show-what-they-know while honing real-world skills. Annotating video provides students with opportunities to practice communicating complex ideas and creating authentic media. Allowing students to reflect on what they've learned and their learning process using a nonstandard assessment measure provides a more accurate assessment of what the students know. Plus, it's just fun! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore Edpuzzle student projects; 2. Create an exemplar to share with students; and 3. Plan for the use of Edpuzzle student projects as part of instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (70), professional development (395), video (258)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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OK2Ask: No Fail Google Quizzes - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12We all know that...more
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 (70), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Keep On, Keepin' On - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Simple, powerful,...more
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 (70), Google (46), organizational skills (90), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Honing Your Craft During the Dog Days of Summer - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6tag(s): book lists (161), independent reading (85)
In the Classroom
Mark this one in your TeachersFirst favorites, even if you have NO time to even LOOK at it right now. Share it with your student teacher, mentoree, recent teacher ed graduate, and newbie teachers as they go off on break, too. Read what you have time for this summer, and save the rest for a break later on.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Facts Are Facts...Aren't They? - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Can your students tell...more
Can your students tell facts from fiction? Do your digital natives suffer from "digital naivety"? They may be fluent enough with technology to create and post their own work but may not be aware that not everyone who posts online is credible. Teaching students to sift through multiple sets of information allows them to learn the difference between propaganda, advertising, and factual reporting. This is a skill that students need in order to be truly digitally literate. Join us to learn strategies to help your students determine if information is reliable. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore tools and strategies for teaching media literacy; 2. Learn strategies that promote critical examination of online resources; and 3. Plan a learning activity that fosters digital literacy. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): evaluating sources (28), media literacy (102), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Game-Based Learning Basics - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Learn the basics...more
Learn the basics of game-based learning (GBL)! In this session, we will explore tools that you can use to incorporate GBL into different content areas, talk about strategies for implementing games, and discuss classroom management tips you can use while your students are learning. Participants will leave knowing how to choose a learning game for use in their setting. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Review the meaning of game-based learning (GBL); 2. Explore tools used for GBL; and 3. Discuss classroom management strategies to support implementing GBL. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): game based learning (170), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Reading Treks - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12TeachersFirst...more
TeachersFirst Reading Treks are built using Google Maps to chronicle the journey that a story character takes over the course of a book. Each stop along the way adds to student comprehension as they explore the information, visuals, and videos embedded in the map. Give your students context for the stories they are reading by using Reading Treks in your lessons. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand how to use Reading Treks in the classroom; 2. Learn how Reading Treks are created; and 3. Plan a new Reading Trek you will create for your instructional setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): literacy (110), professional development (395), reading comprehension (143), reading strategies (98)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Build Community in Your Classroom with Tech Tools - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Research shows...more
Research shows that students who feel safe and included are more likely to be academically motivated. Take time to focus on supporting and facilitating students' sense of belonging in the classroom. Join us to explore tools that will help students communicate and collaborate, support their social and emotional needs, and build a safe and inclusive environment. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn community-building strategies; 2. Explore tech tools that support communication and collaboration; and 3. Plan to use community-building strategies in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): communication (136), communities (36), professional development (395), social and emotional learning (81)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Formative Assessment - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Students achieve more...more
Students achieve more when we engage them during the learning process. Come to this session to learn the three steps in the formative assessment and feedback loop, explore three online formative assessment tools that will help you gather evidence of student progress, and discuss a variety of formative assessment strategies you can use to increase gains in student learning. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the three steps in the formative assessment feedback loop to support learning gains; 2. Explore three tools and how each gathers evidence of student progress in content areas; and 3. Plan for the use of digital formative assessment tools in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (70), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: TeachersFirst Tech Tools Smackdown - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Many technology...more
Many technology tools are available for classroom use, but which are teachers' favorites? This session will share and compare some of TeachersFirst contributors' favorite resources. Help us decide which tool is this session's winner of our Smackdown! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about and compare some of TeachersFirst contributors' favorite technology tools; 2. Evaluate uses for one or more tools for classroom use; and 3. Share ideas for using resources with other participants. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): classroom management (128), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Social Media Literacy: Purposeful Practice in Every Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12As educators, we...more
As educators, we can prepare every child to be influential by helping them understand how to leverage the power of social media. While students intuitively understand the mechanics of social media platforms, using them in a responsible, purposeful way to build influence is not instinctual and must be taught and practiced. Learn to develop your students' social media savvy by using practice spaces focused on digital citizenship, critical thinking, persuasion, and communication skills. Explore online and offline strategies and tools to create safe, authentic learning experiences for students in grades 2-12 in any content area. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the importance of responsible social media use by students; 2. Understand the purpose of using social media practice spaces as part of regular instruction; and 3. Explore both paper-based and digital practice spaces that can be used with students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): digital citizenship (89), professional development (395), social media (53), student-centered (4)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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You Are What You Eat - Examining Nutrition through Literature - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 7tag(s): commoncore (75), nutrition (134)
In the Classroom
This is a thorough unit on food and nutrition. Start with activating prior knowledge on your interactive whiteboard or using your projector. Use Padlet, reviewed here, once students have sorted their favorites into categories and project the results on your whiteboard. When teaching science, social studies, or health content about nutrition, foods, plants, or farms, consider pairing fictional books along with informational texts (several are suggested) to maximize the potential of every unit of study. This article is a good starting point. What a perfect way to integrate healthy eating, whether during the holiday season or spring garden planting! Speaking of planting, whether you are considering or implementing a school garden unit you will want to check out this article.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Effective Feedback for Student Growth - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Helpful feedback can...more
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 (8), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Podcasting in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12If you're looking for...more
If you're looking for an easy way to increase engagement in the classroom, look no further. Teachers can use podcasting --creating audio recordings delivered via the internet-- in all content areas to deliver instructional information or as an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned. Join us to learn how to connect your classroom to the world beyond your walls while encouraging students to improve their digital and communication skills. Understand how you can plan, produce, and publish podcasts to support your classroom goals for free. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn ways to use podcasting in the classroom; 2. Explore podcasting tools; and 3. Plan for the use of podcasting to support your classroom goals. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): podcasts (74), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Using AI for Teacher Productivity - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Join us to learn about...more
Join us to learn about and explore artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and tools educators can use to automate administrative tasks and improve student learning outcomes. In this session, you'll learn how to leverage the power of AI to increase your productivity and efficiency in the classroom. We'll also consider how to use AI to personalize student learning experiences and optimize lesson planning. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the basics of AI and how it can be applied to preparing activities for teaching and learning; 2. Explore AI tools and technologies that can be used to increase teacher productivity and efficiency; and 3. Collaborate with other educators and share ideas for integrating AI into teaching practice. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (101), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: TeachersFirst Smackdown (Classroom Management Edition) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Explore new and...more
Explore new and tried-and-true technology tools for your classroom. Join TeachersFirst as we showcase our favorite edtech resources. There are many technology tools available for classroom use, but which ones are teachers' favorites? This session will share and compare some of the TeachersFirst contributors' favorite classroom management resources. Participants during the live session helped to decide the winner of this Smackdown! As a result of viewing this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about and compare some of TeachersFirst contributors' favorite technology tools; 2. Evaluate one or more tools for classroom use; and 3. Share ideas for using resources with other participants. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): classroom management (128), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Visual Essays - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 12Integrating visual...more
Integrating visual and written content can increase the impact of the writing that your students do. As students learn to use imagery to illustrate critical points in an argument or visualize the action in a storyline, they become better communicators. Join this session and help your students develop the ability to communicate clearly and creatively. Model and nurture creative expression while providing a new way for your students to reflect on what they have learned. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the components of a visual essay; 2. Explore a tech tool that can be used to create visual essays; and 3. Create a visual essay exemplar to share with their students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): essays (20), professional development (395), visualizations (11)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: Enhancing Student Voice with Flip (formerly Flipgrid) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Input and expertise...more
Input and expertise from peers can help students learn and grow. Learn to use Flip, a video discussion platform, to increase student voice in your classroom. This tech tool can enhance social learning and ignite discussion through sharing short videos centered around a topic. Getting started is easy. After this session, you will be ready to use Flip to encourage every student to share what they know. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Create your classroom Flip and learn to add Topics with student prompts; 2. Understand ways to use Flip to increase student voice in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the use of Flip in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Microsoft (84), professional development (395), remote learning (61), video (258)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: Computational Thinking and Coding with Google Tools - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 9It's important...more
It's important for students of all grade levels to have exposure to computational thinking and coding. Learning to code helps students understand problem solving and logic while expressing their creative side. While increasing student fluency in coding technologies helps them prepare for many academic pursuits, it also helps them build perseverance, determination, and grit. Join us to explore a few cool tools that will help as you embark on this journey with your class. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the components of computational thinking; 2. Explore Google tools that engage students in coding; and 3. Plan for the use of coding activities in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): coding (88), computational thinking (42), Google (46), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: Questioning Strategies for Engaging Classroom Discussion - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Do you want to...more
Do you want to improve your classroom climate by including better questioning strategies? This workshop is for you! This session will delve into the transformative power of questioning techniques that will help you enhance social and emotional learning (SEL) and foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment. We'll explore how integrating specific questioning strategies can improve engagement and participation. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Identify and use different types of questions to promote higher-order thinking, engagement, and feedback. 2. Explain the benefits of questioning strategies for enhanced SEL and classroom climate. 3. Create an actionable plan to implement improved questioning techniques in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (395), questioning (32)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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