The Jeff Bradbury Show

In this episode of EdTech in the Classroom, we welcome Jeff Meyer, the Director of Education for Learning.com. * New Integration with Google Classroom (Fall 2018 Release) * How are school districts consuming digital literacy * How can we assess the technology skills of our students? * Aligning data against the ISTE standards * 4 pillars for Learning * Keyboarding * Do we still need keyboarding skills in our curriculum? * Keyboarding vs Voice to Text * When to start teaching Keyboarding Skills * Online Safety / Digital Citizenship * When to start teaching Digital Citizenship * Coding and Computational Thinking * Business Applications * Spreadsheets and Word Processing * STEM Education * Gamifying Learning in K-5 * Text-based learning modules * Python Coding in Middle School * The importance of teaching computational thinking skills. Why Learning.com? By 2020, it is estimated that nearly 80% of jobs will require some level of technical proficiency. We live in a digital society. Students must be given the opportunity to learn and develop digital literacy skills – starting as early as Kindergarten. From keyboarding and word processing to coding and computational thinking, digital literacy skills are needed more than ever. Learning.com makes it easy to teach students the critical digital literacy skills they must have to succeed. About our Guest Jeff Meyer is the Director of Education and is Learning.com’s resident product expert for our digital literacy solutions who works to identify best practices for internal and external audiences. Jeff has 34 years of experience working in education as a public-school teacher and coach, district curriculum and technology director and administrator. He is passionate about the need to transform education using data-based, inquiry-driven approaches and digital resources, especially with urban students and educators. Prior to his eleven years of service with Learning.com, Jeff worked in the Austin and Eanes school districts, Education Service Center, and University of Texas at Austin, Texas. Links of Interest * Learning.com Homepage * Digital Literacy Curriculum * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * LinkedIn

In this episode of EdTech in the Classroom, we welcome Rachel and Shlomi from Smore on the program to discuss how educators and school districts are using Smore’s robust platform to communicate with students, their communities, and each other. Check out EdTech in the Classroom today for other great podcasts featuring your favorite EdTech companies. In this episode, we discuss: Creating a newsletter should be easy and fun, and deliver professional results Using Smore to update parents, staff (internal newsletter) and the greater community Learn how your audience engages with your newsletter through live analytics so that you can build smarter newsletters that you know your audience will love Analytics will show who opened your newsletter, which links were clicked the most, how much time was spent on the newsletter, etc. Using Smore for your entire school Streamline school communications and maintain the school's brand with all educators using Smore Control, track, analyze The School or District License's Admin can actually maintain some control of the content going out to ensure that teachers and staff using Smore stay on brand. They can do this by creating beautiful templates that are on brand to send out to other educators on the License so those educators can use the pre-made templates and drop in their original content for their desired audiences. Admin (or admins) of the license have access to a Management Dashboard to view everyone who is active on the license and take a look at what is being sent out! We even have some schools who use the dashboard to create fun games and incentives for teachers/staff to communicate more. Smore Academy built in on-boarding. The built-in on-boarding ensures that all teachers/staff on the license get the proper training they need to be successful Smore users. The future of Smore Even better analytics Smart tracking (how people engage with your newsletter to help you learn from Your audiences behavior) Hot spots on the newsletter Built-in onboarding with Smore Academy coming now + more in the future Newsletter template sharing About Smore Smore enables you to create beautiful newsletters, share them everywhere, and track your results. It's fast and easy to update your class, colleagues, and community members. More than 800,000 educators across the globe use Smore to create gorgeous newsletters. Features like custom designs and enhanced analytics enable educators to quickly master their message and update students, parents, and colleagues in an engaging, professional way. It's easy to look amazing. How Can Smore Be Used In The Classroom? In this example, we are using Smore to create professional development tutorials for our teachers.  About our Guests Rachel Epstein My name is Rachel Epstein and I am the Head of Business Development and Sales at Smore. I've been with Smore for 3 years and I love working here! We are a fun, dynamic and creative team that makes coming to work a pleasure, really! I am originally from New York and went to college at the University of Colorado at Boulder. I received my MA from Tel Aviv University in Environmental Science. Outside of work, I love backpacking trips, skiing on powder days and traveling whenever possible

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick answer the questions you have emailed, tweeted and left voice messages about.   In this episode, we discuss: Reflections and reactions from Episode 15 “Tech Coach Round Table” Loved hearing about the difference between a Tech Coach and a Digital Learning Specialist How to best keep track of your teacher interactions Calendar Use appointment slots Give teachers a place to access the calendar and book when needed Manage share settings and restrict who has access Google Forms More for you (the tech coach) to use to keep track of interactions Gives more options to assess and view data/results Embed graphs into a Google Site YouCanBook.Me/Appoint.ly Simple layouts and templates Minimal options to customize unless you pay for premium Difficult to arrange when needing custom time layouts/ hall transition Best way to communicate with your teachers? Email The simplest option, but teachers can get overwhelmed by the amount of email sent daily. Newsletter Great for monthly/quarterly distribution Smore makes for a great option. Other possible app choices: Canva, LucidPress, etc. Great way to touch on a variety of things at once while also highlighting staff accomplishments. Slack/Remind/LMS? Slack is something new to try out. Live feed- makes for a great way to stay in contact//share teacher accomplishments. Remind is great to keep teachers in the know of the building you are currently. Acts as a text without having to share your personal phone number. LMS One-stop-shop for everything teachers need (if it is what is used most/heavily. Website One-stop-shop. Houses everything teachers need. Eases teachers from email burnout. How should Tech Coaches be using Social Media to promote classroom activities and student achievement? Social Media is great to highlight the accomplishments of both teachers and students. Great way to build the school/districts brand. Helps the community get a feel for what is going on in the classroom. Use it to keep staff in-the-loop and up-to-date with workshops, etc. What have you learned from your first few years of being a Tech Coach that you wish you had known in your first year? Take it slow. Teachers want time to collaborate and just play. Too often they try something once and never get an opportunity to try it again. Give them time to play. Where do you go to find resources that are helpful when working with your teachers? Iste.org Blogs that you follow Fellow educators Helps build relationships while also getting a professional in the field you need. * On the Next Episode How to create a Professional Development session that meets the needs of all learning styles and grade levels How to pick a topic How to prepare a topic How to present a topic What resources to give out How to make an “I have to be here” session enjoyable for everyone involved. Ask The Tech Coach Mastermind Sign Up Today to get on the list and be notified when it launches!

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we welcome Teaching Matters CEO Lynette Guastaferro on the program to discuss how school districts can improve teacher moral and improve student test scores by building a culture of positive professional learning. In this episode, we discuss: Who is Teaching Matters? Emerging Teacher Leaders Program The importance of collaboration in and out of the classroom between teachers “It’s not my kids … it’s our kids” Culture change starts with leadership How to define success when there is a culture shift involved Micro-credentials “Competency-Based Evidence of Learning” How do you set up a system surrounding micro-credentials Why are micro-credentials good for school systems? Why are micro-credentials good for teachers? What is the value of micro-credentials for teachers? What does “good” look like? About our Guest Lynette Guastaferro, Chief Executive Officer, has more than 20 years of experience in education. She possesses a unique blend of education, non-profit and private-sector experience. Under her leadership and responding to both research and what is happening in real classrooms, Teaching Matters has quadrupled its reach and spearheaded the design of award-winning, scalable teacher development models designed to improve teaching in over 700 urban schools. Ms. Guastaferro has worked as a classroom teacher, a school-network leader, and a senior management consultant for Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC). At PWC, she led projects to innovate and improve the performance of government and educational agencies. Her work in education led her to Baltimore, where she took a classroom teaching position and designed her school's first technology-based learning support lab for literacy and mathematics. Ms. Guastaferro holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. from Williams College. Links of Interest * http://teachingmatters.org/about * https://www.facebook.com/teachingmatters/ * https://www.linkedin.com/company/teaching-matters/ * https://twitter.com/teachingmatters Follow our Podcast The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast Follow our Host Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury Let’s Work Together Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury Email: info@teachercast.net Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes Check Out More TeacherCast Programming TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/tcp) Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today) The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com) Ask The Tech Coach (http://www.AskTheTechCoach.

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” we welcome Kerry Gallagher, Sean Hackbarth, and Michael Krauszer on the program to discuss the many things that happen in the first month of being a Tech Coach.  For so many of us, the first month is filled with excitement but also misery when things don't go so well.  What is important is that we all learn how to get our first few staff encounters to be positive ones so that we have a fantastic program that is built on relationships and not just on tech. Next week on the show, we will be doing a Tech Coach Q/A and would love to have your questions be apart of the group.  If you have any questions you would like to ask about Tech Coaching, please email us at feedback@teachercast.net. In this episode, we discuss: Tech Coach … or Classroom Coach that features Tech? Tech Coach vs Digital Learning Specialist Role of an educator coach vs. Role of a technician What should the first month of Tech Coaching look like? The Tech Coach Introduction to Staff Members Role of admin in building the role and expectations Don’t overload staff members with lengthy presentation on first meeting The Tech Coach Website Mike’s Tech Coach Website Communicating with Staff Members both in large and small groups Working with the Go-Getters Breaking through to those not interested Creating PD for teachers of all shapes and sizes … that works Breaking an hour down into 20 min chunks that address each of the grade levels Think about Instructional Design * On the Next Episode Tech Coach Q/A Send in your questions: feedback@teachercast.net Ask The Tech Coach Mastermind Sign Up Today to get on the list and be notified when it launches! Membership in an exclusive team of Tech Coaches Peer to Peer Mentoring 2 Monthly Video Collaboration Meetings Mastermind Exclusive FREE Lesson Plans to share with your teachers Mastermind Exclusive FREE Templates to share with your teachers A Positive and Friendly learning environment to help you grow your program Access to our Private Ask the Tech Coach Facebook Group *Bonus: Exclusive Ask the Tech Coach Podcast Episodes *Bonus: Exclusive Tech Coach Blog Posts Download Our FREE Google Drawing Self-Assessment! Follow our Podcast The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast Ask the Tech Coach Podcast | @AsktheTechCoach Follow our Hosts Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury About our Guests Kerry Gallagher Kerry Gallagher is the Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts. She’s also the Director of K-12 Education for ConnectSafely.org – internet safety non-profit in Palo Alto,

In this episode of EdTech in the Classroom, we welcome Asmund Furuseth from Kahoot! To share the launching of a brand new Kahoot! Certification program for educators worldwide.  For more information about Kahoot!, please visit www.Kahoot.com In this episode, we discuss: New Kahoot! Certification Program Launching on August 22, 2018 How to create “Game Based Learning” with Kahoot! Formative Assessment To Introduce new topics To reinforce learning goals Why is it important for students to be able to create Kahoot! games Students can think about quality questions and answers Students have a deeper understanding of the content when creating questions for their peers New Integrations with Apple’s Schoolwork App Amazing use cases of Kahoot! in the classroom “Blind Kahoot” Where teachers use Kahoot to introduce a new topic New In-App Quiz Creation New user interface and spreadsheet importer for importing questions into Kahoot! About Kahoot Since its launch in 2012, Kahoot! has turned game-based learning into a pop culture phenomenon around the world. The game platform hosted over 70 million monthly active users and has a library with more than 50 million learning games, created and shared by fans in more than 200 countries. Kahoot! is on a mission to make learning awesome for learners in all contexts. The company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway with offices in London, Austin and Palo Alto. Let’s play! About our Guests Before meeting Kahoot! co-founders in 2013, Åsmund ran a wind turbine technology company called ChapDrive. He also advises and secures funding for various startups, where he holds Board Director roles.  Åsmund has a Master of Science Degree in Physics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He owns a vintage sailboat and would like to spend more time sailing in the Oslo fjord (that he can see from our office window). Links of Interest https://www.facebook.com/getkahoot https://twitter.com/getkahoot https://www.linkedin.com/company/kahoot/ https://www.instagram.com/getkahoot/ Follow our Podcast The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast Edtech in the Classroom Homepage – www.EdtechInTheClassroom.com Follow our Host Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury Explore these Resources In this episode, we mentioned the following resources: Kahoot Certification Program (Launching August 29) Kahoot! Integrates with Apple’s Schoolwork App Create Quizzes from inside Kahoot! App Join our PLN Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by

This year at ISTE, I had the opportunity to sit down with the Windows Device team at the Microsoft Education booth.  Shindy and Javier talked with me about the power of inking, and what advantages it brings to the classroom. Ever since the big keynote address in New York last year, I have been extremely impressed with how much power is being put into classroom level Windows 10 and Windows 10S devices.  I am totally convinced that students with a pen in their hands have an advantage over students only using a keyboard. Topics Include * What's new in Windows 10? * Windows 10 S Mode * Why should schools upgrade to Windows 10 S? * Should students use devices with inking? * Is inking a simple substitute for the traditional pencil? *  Using inking technology in the Math Classroom * OneNote – Replay Feature * What advantages does the Edge Browser bring for classroom teachers? * Immersive Reader * The MIE Program About our Guests Shindy Skaar Sr Product Marketing Manager, Windows Devices, and Experiences, Microsoft Corp Shindy has the honor of being able to speak with and visit school and IT leaders, and students from around the world. Shindy is passionate about enabling student learning through technology and bringing stories of digital transformation to light. Follow our Podcast * iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/MIEAudio * YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/MIEVideo * Show Notes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/MIESpotlight * The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast About Microsoft Education * https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/windows-10-s * https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/devices How are Windows Devices being used in the classroom? How are you using YOUR Windows 10 devices? We would love to capture your story about how you are delivering creative and collaborative lessons to your students. Please leave a message below and share your story with us.

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss why it’s important to start the school year off on the right foot.  So many times, tech coaches want to jump in and impress their teachers with how much they know and how big their website is.  In reality, this is the opposite. In order to have a successful start to the school year, it is important that you ask questions of your staff and get them to learn about your program and your intentions for working with them as a coach. It’s also important that you make yourself available to their needs as teachers. Do you have suggestions or tips for starting the school year off on the best foot?  We would love to have you leave a comment or contact us to be a part of our Tech Coaching community. In this episode, we discuss: * Reflections and reactions from Episode 13: How to provide staff self-assessments. Blog Post: What should we be asking our teachers when it comes to technology? Should we be collecting data on our teachers? Who sees that data? How to collect accurate data but not use it to harm our staff/administration relationships * The Instructional Technology Coach Mastermind What is a Mastermind? An exclusive community of Tech Coaches Peer to Peer Mentoring A place where Tech Coaches Help other Tech Coaches How will it work? Monthly Video Meetings To share and collaborate To learn best practices To support each other What do Tech Coaches get for joining? Free Resources created by members of the group News and Updates from our EdTech Community BEFORE everyone else An extended Network of Tech Coaches to learn on throughout the year Accountability During each meeting, we will set goals for each other to help our programs move forward A positive environment for learning how to be a tech coach Access to our Private Tech Coach Facebook Group How to participate? Fill out this form and we will send you information in September Who should join the Tech Coach Mastermind? Instructional Technology Coaches Full Time Part Time Teachers interested in learning about becoming an Instructional Tech Coach Goal Setting Individuals Tech Coaches who are looking to contribute to a community just as much as they are looking to get something back from a community. * How to Introduce Yourself on the First Day of School Blog Post: How to Introduce Yourself and Have a Great First Week of School as a Tech Coach The importance of “not over doing it” on the first day You don’t have to impress them … just impress ON them what your goals are for helping them AND their students Listen, Listen, Listen What was exciting about last year? What was frustrating? What are your plans for this year and how can I help you achieve those goals? Showcase … don’t Show Off your resources Leave with with something they can use tomorrow in their classes.

In this episode of the of TeacherCast Podcast, we welcome ASCD Author Dr. Ronald Bethetto on the program to discuss his new book What If? Building Students’ Problem-Solving Skills Through Complex Challenges.  We wish to thank ASCD for making this show possible. In this episode, we discuss: The problem with waiting for “someday” Innovation – Imagination – Creativity Can you teach creativity? Routine tasks vs. complex challenges, Lesson unplanning How to get rid of uncertainty in the classroom Legacy challenges, Stop-Think-Do-Learn action principles How to take risks in the classroom Anything else you’d like to discuss. About our Guest Dr. Beghetto is an internationally recognized expert on creative thought and action in educational settings.  He serves as Professor of Educational Psychology, Director of UCONN's Innovation House and Graduate Program Coordinator for the Cognition, Instruction, Learning, & Technology Program in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut.   Dr. Beghetto is the Editor for the Journal of Creative Behavior, series editor for Creative Theory and Action in Education (Springer Books), and serves as a creativity advisor for Lego Foundation. His work highlights how making slight changes to existing teaching, learning, and leadership practices can result in transformative ways of thinking and acting.   Links of Interest http://www.ronaldbeghetto.com ASCD Author Website Read Chapter 1 Follow our Podcast The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast Follow our Host Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury Join our PLN Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week. Let’s Work Together Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury Email: info@teachercast.net Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes Check Out More TeacherCast Programming TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/tcp) Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today) The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com) Ask The Tech Coach (

This year at the ISTE Conference, we sat down with Alastair from MetaMetrics to learn about their new Growth Planner application that is FREE to all students, parents, and teachers. Who is MetaMetrics MetaMetrics is focused on improving education for learners of all ages and ability levels. The organization develops scientific measures of academic achievement and complementary technologies that link assessment results with real-world instruction. MetaMetrics' products and services for reading (The Lexile® Framework for Reading, El Sistema Lexile® para Leer), mathematics (The Quantile® Framework for Mathematics) and writing (The Lexile® Framework for Writing) provide unique insights about academic ability and the potential for growth, enabling individuals to achieve their goals at every stage of development. Connect with the organization at metametricsinc.com/blog. Topics Discussed * How to bring meaning to measurement * How to help parents understand the meaning of test scores * How to take test score data and have it make sense for student growth * **NEW** Growth Planner * Free Online Tool * Helps students know if they are ready for college and are on level * ccr.lexile.com * Why is it important for students to know their Lexile number? * MetaMetrics * Cross-Platform Application * When should students and parents start to worry about Lexile numbers? Links of Interest * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexileFramework/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetaMetrics_Inc * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/metametrics * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/64469/ * Web Site: http://www.lexile.com

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we welcome author, director, and producer Doug Keith on the program to talk about how we can teach our students the art of writing long form not just in a single storyline, but across multiple projects. In this episode, we discuss: Why is it important to become a Director if you want to see your original content produced? The importance of being a content creator Is it important to be a performer first before being a director? Directing your own material vs Directing someone else's material How to create materials (blogs, podcasts, screenplays) that attract and keep audience attention. Book: Writing Screenplays that Sell How to create a voice for yourself Creative Writing Applications The importance of knowing your audience before you create content Additional Resources Save the Cat – Blake Snyder Write Screenplays that Sell the Ackerman Way- William Ackerman Story – Robert McKee Screenwriting software:  Final Draft, Movie Magic Publications:  Script, Creative Screenwriting The secret to every writer's success About our Guest Doug Keith has been writing, directing and producing films, sketches, music videos, radio series and books since he was in his teens.  Among his credits is the award-winning documentary film, “Embraceable You,” about the culturally diverse but accepting town of New Hope, PA, and an anti-underage drinking public service announcement, created for the United Way of Bucks County, that ran in area movie theaters.  He has made his career in the market research industry for almost than 25 years, testing programs and concepts for broadcast and cable TV networks. After completing a degree in journalism at the University of South Carolina, Doug worked as an on-air host, writer and producer in public radio.  He went on to complete an MA in Communications at Temple University. Since 1998, he has focused his free time on various aspects of filmmaking, including writing, directing and producing films and music videos. Doug was born and raised in Furlong, PA, just outside Philadelphia.  He currently resides in nearby Buckingham, Bucks County, PA. Links of Interest * http://future2research.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-keith-4140052/ * Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/doug.keith.969?ref=bookmarks Follow our Podcast The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network |

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we welcome author and CEO of the 95 Percent Group, Susan Hall on the program to discuss the importance of Literacy Intervention in the primary grades.  Check out Susan’s new book “10 Success Factors for Literacy Intervention: Getting Results with MTSS in Elementary Schools” available from ASCD. In this episode, we discuss: How to support young readers as they develop their literacy skills When parents suspect a reading issue what can they do? Susan advises parents to trust your instincts Ask questions at school such as “Which reading group is my child in?” Ask about assessments, whether there are small groups for those who are struggling, what systems are in place to assist teachers with small group instruction, etc What is the state of literacy in today’s elementary schools? The US is about in the middle of the 37 developed countries This just is not good enough – we should be in the top tier What should we be doing to help our students learn how to read? Schools need to make early literacy a priority. Teachers need the knowledge and resources to help teach ALL students to read. 10 Success Factors for Literacy Intervention: #1 – Students who are getting extra help should be grouped by skill deficit #2 – It’s important to take a few moments to diagnose why the student can’t read Parents have the ability to ask for assessments Does my child’s school assess all students with early literacy assessments 3 times a year (like well baby check-ups)? How did my child score? #3 – Use a “Walk to Intervention Model” – When small-group interventions are offered, the best approach is for children to leave their homeroom and be placed in specific skill groups that are shared across the grade level with plenty of instructors.  The students furthest behind should be in small groups of no more than 5 students. This is more effective than having 1 or 2 groups in a classroom and the rest of the students working alone during this time. #4 – Use an appropriate assessment to monitor progress 1-2 min assessment every few weeks to check to see if students are on progress Chart the progress to see if the student is on an effective trajectory to reach benchmark. These progress monitoring charts can be shared with parents #5 – Flood the intervention time with extra help #6 – Use intervention time wisely There is an urgency to catch a student up as early as possible #7 – Be aware of what makes intervention time work Teachers need to understand what makes a lesson work (or not work) #8 – Provide teachers with good intervention lessons #9 – Invest in Professional Development #10 – INspect what you EXpect Principal walkthroughs during intervention times Being an active part of the process About our Guest Susan L. Hall, EdD. is Cofounder and CEO of an educational company called 95 Percent Group Inc.  The company’s mission is to help teachers and administrators identify and address the needs of struggling readers. 95 Percent Group provides professional development, diagnostic assessments, and instructional materials so teachers have the knowledge base and tools to improve...

This year at ISTE, I had the opportunity to sit down with Tricia Van Hollebeke, Justin Chando and Mike Tholfsen from the Microsoft Education team at the Microsoft Education booth. Topics Include * Brand New Updates * Microsoft Teams * Rubric Grading inside of Teams assignments * Individualized Assignments * Microsoft Forms integration * Sway * Immersive Reader * OneNote * Page Locking * Integration with Teams * Microsoft Education at ISTE * STEM Education * Hacking STEM * Make Code / Computer Science * Minecraft: Education Edition * Personalized Learning * Creating activities that reach each and every student * How to work around the challenges that teachers face in the classroom * Picture Dictionary * Microsoft Innovative Educator * The importance of asking questions and learning  from the education community * Working with the MIE Community * #Flipgrid Fever * Allowing students to share and amplify their voice through video * STEM Saturdays at retail stores * Office Online = FREE Apps! * PowerPoint and 3D Animation * Augmented and Virtual Reality * New Pearson Curriculum for Mixed Reality Headsets * Limitless Libraries Grant * Immersive Reader in Virtual Reality * What is ahead for Microsoft Education in 2018-2019 About our Guests Tricia Van Hollebeke Product Marketing Manager for O365 Education Education has been a long time passion for Tricia! She studied early childhood development and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching. She’s worked with a range of students through a variety of roles from a Pre-K teacher to a High School education coach. After moving to Denmark, Tricia had an opportunity to develop engaging classroom experiences for teachers and students around the world at LEGO Education. As an Education Specialist and Product Developer there, Tricia created LEGO sets and learning solutions for several curriculum areas including Language Arts, STEM, and Robotics. Most recently Tricia brings her passion for education to her position as a Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft for Office 365 Education. Tricia hopes to continue being an advocate for educators at Microsoft to provide amazing tools for teachers! * Twitter * Facebook * YouTube * Blog * Pinterest Mike Tholfsen Principal Product Manager: Microsoft Education Mike Tholfsen is a Principal Product Manager on the Microsoft Education team focusing on ...

In this episode of Educational Podcasting Today, we welcome blogger and podcaster Laura Yates on the program to discuss how teachers can help improve student engagement through blogging and podcasting.  If you ever wanted to learn how to write a blog, check out the great resources on Laura's website www.Blogging.com. Check out The Bounce Back Podcast with Laura Yates today! In this episode, we discuss: About Laura’s Podcast Advice for New Podcasters Passions vs Professional “Just start and take your first step” Tips and Tricks for creating a website / blog / brand WordPress vs Squarespace “Don’t make it difficult” Start with Free Know your audience and write for them Understanding how Google works Keywords Should we be teaching the art of blogging to our students? Why Teach Blogging To prove your expertise To build your profile as an influencer To connect with other people a To make their personality stand out How to teach Blogging to young learners Listen to your audience and make your content fit THEIR needs Blogs vs Website What is the difference? Having a blog for your website or a website for your blog When should your blog/podcast move towards monetizing About our Guest Laura Yates is a writer, coach and podcaster has been blogging and writing in the niches of health/wellness, business and personal development since 2009. Laura has been featured in the likes of Glamour Magazine, the Daily Mail, Eharmony, VICE, Entrepreneur on Fire, Tiny Buddha and Mashable. Laura can be found at Blogging.com. Links of Interest * Website: https://blogging.com/ * Personal Website: www.LauraYates.org * Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lauramyates/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.yates/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurayatesUK Follow our Podcast The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast Follow our Host Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury Join our PLN Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week. Let’s Work Together Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury Email: info@teachercast.net Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes Check Out More TeacherCast Programming

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Nick and Jeff take a look at the many ways that school districts can assess the technology skills of staff members. For many tech coaches, the collection of useable and actionable data is the basis for their entire programs.  In this show, we take a look both at traditional surveys that tech coaches can use as well as nontraditional assessment methods for quickly identifying skillsets of individual staff members. In this episode, we discuss: Reflections from Episode 12: How to stay organized while working in multiple buildings How to work in multiple buildings and not go crazy? Have a great website that is teacher friendly How to work with contrasting administrations who want different things from you? How to put yourself in more than one place at a time and not feel like you are constantly “missing” in the other building. (Out of sight, out of mind) Summer Edcamp Wrap up How to assess your staff members Technology Skills … quickly and effectively What should your survey look like When to survey your teachers How to survey your teachers The importance of collecting data What do you do if nobody fills out your form What happens next? On the Next Episode How to introduce yourself and your program to your teachers to get the year started Download Our FREE Google Drawing Technology Self-Assessment! Follow our Podcast The TeacherCast Educational Network | @TeacherCast Ask the Tech Coach Podcast | @AsktheTechCoach Website: www.AskTheTechCoach.com Follow our Hosts Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury Nicholas Amaral | @NamaralEDU Join the Conversation Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.   This weeks question is: How do YOU assess the technology skills of your students and teachers? Tech Coach Tip of the Week Even if you can’t get your teachers to trust you right away … don’t let that get you down.  There is always time throughout the school year to make positive relationships. Join our PLN Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week. Let’s Work Together Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury Email: info@teachercast.net Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes Check Out More TeacherCast Programming TeacherCast Podcast (