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Teachers will be able to identify and evaluate appropriate educational technology tools for their K-12 classrooms.

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1. Analyze the benefits of technology integration in education
2. Create a preliminary plan for implementing one new tech tool
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of different ed tech tools for specific learning scenarios

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How can we effectively integrate technology to enhance student learning and engagement in our classrooms?

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Introduction to popular ed tech tools:
- Learning Management Systems (Canvas, Google Classroom)
- Interactive presentation tools (Nearpod, Pear Deck)
- Assessment tools (Kahoot, Quizizz)
- Collaboration platforms (Padlet, Flipgrid)
- Creation tools (Canva, Adobe Express)

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8 Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2024 | Cult of Pedagogy

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Three AI teacher assistants, a curated collection of math activities, a website-building curriculum, a site for helping students change the world, and more.

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In pairs, discuss and list potential benefits of technology integration:
- Student engagement
- Differentiated instruction
- Real-time assessment
- Global connectivity
- Digital literacy development

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Teachers will create a collaborative Padlet wall sharing their favorite ed tech tools and how they use them in their classrooms. Include tools' pros and cons.

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Individual work: Choose one new tool and create a brief implementation plan:
1. Tool selection
2. Learning objective it will support
3. Implementation timeline
4. Success metrics

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Extension: Explore advanced features of selected tools
Remediation: One-on-one tech support and simplified tool suggestions
Additional resources: Tech integration checklists and planning templates

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Integrating Technology into Early Learning: Checklist

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This checklist provides early childhood educators with practical information about integrating educational technology in their classrooms.

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- Observation of tool exploration and discussions
- Review of implementation plans
- Partner sharing feedback

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Teachers will submit their technology implementation plan including:
1. Selected tool
2. Implementation strategy
3. Expected outcomes
4. Assessment methods

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Share one insight about technology integration and one tool you're excited to try in your classroom.

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Complete a quick Google Form answering:
1. What's one tool you learned about today?
2. How will you use it in your classroom?
3. What support do you need to implement it successfully?

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Create a sample lesson or activity using your chosen technology tool. Share your experience in our next session.

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Join at least one educational technology community (Twitter #edtech, Facebook groups, or professional forums) to continue learning about new tools and strategies.

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Professional development and networking are vital in any field, and that's especially true for educators.

Whether it's coming up with fresh ideas for lesson plans and classroom activities, seeking mentorship and support from veteran educators, or cultivating resources for technology integration or for meeting state standards, teachers need one another's expertise.

That's why working with other educators in personal learning networks (PLNs) has become as important in an educator's day as the time he or she spends teaching in class.

Below is a short list of PLNs that already exist, followed by some resources to help teachers build their own

1. The Educator's PLN is a Ning site (or online platform for creating your own social network) that facilitates connections between educators. It features a slew of resources such as downloadable podcasts with education leaders as guest speakers, discussion groups with specific purposes like exploring the iPad's use in the classroom, and links to relevant blogs, videos, resource lists, and events.

2. Powerful Learning Practice is a professional development program for progressive-minded educators. Its year-long curriculum provides cohorts of teachers with new ideas and hands-on practice in order to bolster their tech knowledge and aptitudes, rethink classroom activities to make them relevant for today's students, find other teachers with similar goals, and build their own tech-rich learning tools. It isn't free ($1,500 per person for a year of professional development in a school or district team or $1,000 as an individual), but teachers can usually earn education credits for their participation.

3. Classroom 2.0 is designed for those interested in sharing ideas and resources about using Web 2.0 and new media in education. This means connecting with colleagues, finding out about events, joining different groups, attending Webinars every Saturday, or simply discussing everything from online projects to financial literacy to smart phone apps.

4. began as a Twitter conversation for educators and has now expanded to a PBworks wiki that encourages the ideas spawned on Twitter that translate to practical advice. To get involved in EdChat on Twitter, search for the hashtag #edchat and join in the conversation. EdChat participants can also visit the success stories page, participate in two live conversations every Tuesday, and join the EdChat group at the Educator's PLN.

5. is a free online social network that lets educators connect with colleagues, collaborate on goals and projects, form their own professional learning communities, mentor one another, and practice using a slew of new technologies. Specific initiatives within the network include a game-based learning forum that will bring teachers together with game developers to explore best practices and further the discussion -- and the field.

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5 Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) for Educators | KQED

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Professional development and networking are vital in any field, and that's especially true for educators. Whether it's coming up with fresh ideas for lesson plans and classroom activities, seeking mentorship and support from veteran educators, or cultivating resources for technology integration or for meeting state standards, teachers need one another's expertise.

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Create a digital resource collection using Padlet to bookmark useful educational technology tools and tutorials for future reference.