Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Effective vocabulary instruction is essential for academic success, but many students struggle to move terminology from short-term exposure to long-term retention. This workshop combines Marzano's research-based vocabulary strategies with engaging digital tools to create learning experiences that deepen understanding and application. You'll explore free, web-based resources that support concept development, visual representation, and self-assessment. Whether you're tech-savvy or still developing your skills, you'll leave with practical, classroom-ready activities to strengthen vocabulary instruction and boost student achievement. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply Marzano's six-step vocabulary acquisition model and use appropriate digital tools to move terminology from short-term to long-term memory. 2. Use free web-based tools to design interactive vocabulary activities that promote student collaboration and engagement. 3. Implement tech-enhanced formative assessments that provide immediate feedback on vocabulary comprehension. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): professional development (395), reading strategies (98), vocabulary (242), vocabulary development (97)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline your teaching workflow and enhance instructional design. During this hands-on workshop, you'll learn practical strategies for using AI to automate time-consuming tasks like assessment creation and feedback generation while maintaining pedagogical control. Discover how to leverage AI as a thought partner for lesson planning, differentiation, and creating materials that engage diverse learners. Leave with ready-to-implement techniques for using AI to reclaim your time for what truly matters--building meaningful connections with students. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement AI-powered strategies to streamline administrative tasks, provide timely feedback, and create differentiated learning materials. 2. Evaluate and select appropriate AI tools based on instructional needs, ethical considerations, and pedagogical best practices. 3. Design AI-enhanced learning experiences that prioritize student agency and critical thinking while addressing diverse learning needs. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), professional development (395)

This blog post celebrates the power of student voice and offers four creative, cross-curricular activities designed to strengthen oral language skills across grade levels. Teachers can engage students through collaborative storytelling using Padlet, art description with Adobe Animate, living history monologues via Vocaroo, and scientific presentations on Presentio.us. Each activity blends speaking, creativity, and content knowledge while providing flexible differentiation for elementary through high school students, including multilingual learners. With a focus on expressive communication, vocabulary development, and higher-order thinking, these strategies help students become confident, articulate communicators across subjects.

tag(s): blogs (73), digital storytelling (156), multilingual (78), vocabulary development (97)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from May 2025. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Discover how Code.org's comprehensive platform can energize learning across all subjects and grade levels. Through hands-on exploration, you'll learn how to use students' intuitive programming tools to strengthen problem-solving skills and bring computational thinking into your curriculum. Whether you teach elementary science or high school literature, you'll leave with practical strategies that will engage students in coding while meeting your content area objectives. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the fundamentals of Code.org resources and their applications across different grade levels and subject areas. 2. Learn strategies for scaffolding coding activities to meet diverse student needs and abilities. 3. Develop a plan to incorporate Code.org activities into their specific content area and grade level. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), professional development (395)

Take your Canva skills to the next level by harnessing the power of AI to create more engaging and interactive instructional materials. In this workshop, you'll discover how Canva's AI Magic features can streamline your lesson preparation, generate creative content, and enhance student learning experiences. Learn to use AI-powered tools for text generation, image creation, and design enhancement while maintaining pedagogical effectiveness. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Master Canva's AI Magic tools (Magic Design, Magic Edit, and Magic Write) to enhance instructional materials. 2. Create differentiated learning resources using AI-assisted features while maintaining instructional integrity. 3. Develop practical strategies for incorporating AI-enhanced Canva projects into existing lesson plans and assignments. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), creating media (18), professional development (395)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from May 2025. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

In today's digital age, the ability to critically evaluate information and engage responsibly online is essential. This workshop is designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies they need to help students recognize bias, misinformation, and propaganda. Participants will explore methods for enhancing students' critical thinking skills, fostering responsible digital citizenship, and preparing students for active and informed civic engagement, including voting. Join us to empower the next generation of digital citizens! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Identify misinformation and teach source credibility. 2. Promote critical thinking and analytical skills. 3. Encourage ethical online behavior and respect for diverse perspectives. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): digital citizenship (93), evaluating sources (30), professional development (395)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from April 2025. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Discover the power of using instructional video in your classroom by exploring Clipchamp, Microsoft's user-friendly video editing tool. In this workshop, you'll learn to create engaging videos that enhance instruction, support differentiation, and cater to the needs of all learners, including multilingual students. This session will equip you with the skills you need to leverage Clipchamp's latest features for effective teaching and assessment. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Master the fundamentals of Clipchamp. 2. Implement strategies for using video content to differentiate instruction. 3. Collaborate on strategies for incorporating Clipchamp into classroom instruction and assessment. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): creating media (18), professional development (395), video (267)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from April 2025. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Discover free digital tools that empower students to creatively demonstrate their learning! Explore the TeachersFirst Edge--a collection of web-based resources that enable quick, engaging project creation. Learn how students can easily make explainer images, concept maps, videos, and more to showcase their understanding across different subject areas. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Navigate and understand the organization of TeachersFirst Edge resource categories. 2. Identify and select free digital tools that support creative, student-centered knowledge demonstration. 3. Develop a practical plan for integrating an Edge tool into an upcoming instructional unit by creating a sample learning artifact. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): creating media (18), professional development (395), student-centered (8)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from April 2025. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Dive deeper into Project Zero Thinking Routines to focus on perspective-taking strategies that build empathy and social-emotional skills. This workshop explores innovative ways to help students think about their thinking, listen with understanding, and take responsible risks. You'll learn how to integrate digital tools and AI technologies to transform perspective-taking routines into engaging, interactive experiences. Discover practical techniques for fostering empathy, critical thinking, and meaningful classroom discussions that encourage students to see the world through diverse lenses. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand perspective-taking thinking routines and their impact on developing students' empathy and social-emotional skills. 2. Develop strategies to help students reflect on their thinking processes and listen with understanding and empathy. 3. Integrate digital tools and technologies to enhance perspective-taking thinking routines. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): critical thinking (137), differentiation (86), empathy (37), professional development (395), social and emotional learning (110)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from April 2025. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

HyperDocs have evolved beyond simple digital worksheets into powerful, flexible learning experiences that transform classroom instruction. In this workshop, participants will discover how to leverage HyperDocs as versatile instructional tools that support diverse learners, empower student voice, and facilitate the integration of cutting-edge technology. Learn how to design interactive, differentiated lessons that maximize student engagement and learning potential and gain new insights into using AI to streamline lesson planning and support multilingual learners. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the core principles and benefits of using HyperDocs in instruction. 2. Identify effective design strategies by exploring sample HyperDocs and templates. 3. Learn techniques for integrating AI tools to assist in HyperDoc creation. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): Google (48), teaching strategies (52)