EdTechTeacher

Popular EdTechTeacher Workshops Topics

In addition to the topics listed below, we work with schools and school leaders to create custom workshops to meet specific needs. Please contact us to learn more about bringing us to your school.

Why Johnny Can't Search: Teaching Effective Search Strategies and Web Literacy

This workshop provides a variety of teaching strategies for helping teachers and students develop skills for effectively searching and navigating the Web and evaluating Web resources. We will begin by reviewing the “grammar of the Internet” and Web site structure, then compare search directories with search engines, and then learn to use advanced search tools in Google. Participants will also learn effective uses of specialized search engines. We’ll also cover “proactive” searching techniques that create ongoing Web filters. Teachers will benefit in two ways from this workshop: they will develop their own Web literacy considerably and become more efficient Web users, and they will learn a set frameworks, lessons and techniques for developing student Web literacy. The workshop is suitable for all teachers who ask students to search the Web, and the only technological proficiency assumed is the ability to use a Web browser.

The video below, created by EdTechTeacher's Tom Daccord, provides an insight into some of what this workshop includes.

Using Google Docs in the Collaborative Classroom

Google Docs encourage collaborative learning, information sharing, and student engagement. They facilitate communication and community building between teachers, students, colleagues, and parents. Google Docs allows for real-time and asynchronous collaborative content construction and editing from anywhere with an Internet connection. This hands-on Google Docs workshop will feature innovative educational uses of Google Docs in the classroom and provide participants with a hands-on opportunity to explore features and uses of Google "Documents" (word processor), "Presentation" (slideshow), "Spreadsheet," 'Drawing," or "Form" (polls and surveys). Participants will also learn about classroom-ready Google Docs lessons and activities and instructional videos.

The videos below provide some examples of the types of topics and instructions given during our Google Docs workshops. You can also view this sample Google Presentation.

The iPad Classroom

Handhelds are increasingly finding their way into 21st century classrooms and the iPad is quickly emerging as a favorite of primary and middle school educators for a variety of reasons: flexibility, portability, engagement, intriguing apps, and more. In addition, great possibilities exist for integration with Web 2.0: slideshows, podcasts, whiteboards, photo galleries, videos, ebooks, and more. Moreover, as the iPad evolves -- and apps become more powerful -- the device becomes more versatile and its creative potential increases. This session focus on effective iPad integration from both a conceptual and practical standpoint. It begins with understanding what the iPad device provides -- and what it doesn't - and how to maximize its features. The session includes helfpful iPad "tips and tricks," the best and essential apps to boost productivity and ensure smooth workflow. It also provides a look at some of the most intriguing free and low-cost educational apps that up the device's creative potential. Finally, it outlines some of the effective ways that K-8 educators are already integrating the iPad in their classrooms.

When working with iPads, EdTechTeacher takes the approach of identifying learning goals and then determining the apps that may support achieving them. The presentation below supported a T21 workshop on using iMovie and Garageband for creating and presenting.

The Best Web 2.0 Tools & Apps for Teachers

This workshop highlights innovative educational uses of the Read-Write Web and shows how teachers can use Web 2.0 to empower students and facilitate creative and collaborative learning opportunities. The session provides an overview of some of the best and latest Web 2.0 tools and apps for education, and outlines classroom-tested projects and techniques for using Web 2.0 in the classroom. Classroom examples feature blogs, wikis, social networks, podcasts, screencasts, e-book creation, and more. The intuitive, free, and interactive Web 2.0 tools featured in this session allow educators to create online connections that support both classroom instruction and professional growth. Participants will work with a few free and simple tools and may also choose to explore a particular tool of interest in detail.

Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling, in the broadest sense, is about weaving together narrative, imagery, voice and music into media-rich presentations. Educators from various disciplines are using online tools to create engaging and powerful "digital stories" in their classroom. In this workshop we will look at the "Hows and Whys" of facilitating digital storytelling projects. We will look at examples of successful projects including identity narratives, oral histories, social issue documentaries, language activities, math and science demonstrations, and presentations of art and music. We will experience the process of creating a digital story through a hands-on exploration of the popular VoiceThread online digital storytelling platform. Finally we will look at ways teachers can evaluate these projects through process and product rubrics.

Primary Sources 2.0 & Inquiry Learning

Primary sources are increasingly available on the Web and will become predominantly digitally based in the future. Furthermore, as conventional, print-based text gives way to screen-based "multimodal" communication, researchers will be as likely to encounter multimedia primary sources as print-based ones. This workshop develops skills for accessing and teaching with digital primary sources in inquiry learning environments. Participants will learn search techniques for uncovering primary sources and will explore cutting-edge interactive collections from the British Library and National Archives. Participants will also explore interactive e-Reader creation with new Web 2.0 technologies.

Subject specific workshops include: Teaching History with Technology, Teaching English and Language Arts with Technology, Teaching Elementary Grades with Technology, Teaching Science with Technology, Teaching Physics with Technology, and Teaching Foreign Languages with Technology.