Teach with Tech

Get Ready for the EdTech Summit!

Educators, mark your calendars and register for our upcoming EdTech Summit on February 17! This one-day event features hands-on workshop exploring the design program Canva and several Generative AI tools. Don’t miss this opportunity to spark innovation and enhance your teaching with the latest in educational technology. Registration is now open- Register here!

For students, Google Sites shifts learning from “turning in work” to creating something meaningful. Students can design pages that show their thinking, reflect on their progress, and connect ideas across units. Because Sites is flexible, it works well in almost any subject area.

Ways students can use Google Sites:

• Build digital portfolios to showcase growth over time
  

• Publish writing pieces, book projects, or multimedia presentations
  

• Create research projects with text, images, videos, and links
  

• Document science experiments and explain results
  

• Explain problem-solving strategies in math using words and visuals
  
  

Google Sites also supports student ownership and authentic learning. When students create a site, they are making choices about organization, design, and content. That process helps build communication and digital literacy skills while giving teachers a clearer window into student thinking.

Additional classroom uses:

• Capstone or end-of-unit projects
  

• Cross-curricular projects that connect multiple subjects
  

• Student-led conferences or reflection pages
  

• Collaborative group projects with shared ownership
  
  

Revisiting Google Sites with a fresh perspective can open up new possibilities. It is simple, flexible, and student-centered, making it a tool worth pulling back out of the toolbox.

My own students have utilized Google Sites for a variety of passion projects, portfolios, and as an option for multi-genre presentations. Below you can see a Mythology ELA classes Trickster website, and two student-driven passion projects on equine therapy and the Titanic.

If you are teaching in rural Oregon, you already know the reality: you aren't just a teacher. You are likely a curriculum developer, a counselor, a tech support specialist, and occasionally the bus monitor!

When you wear that many hats, time is your most precious resource.

Enter Gems. Think of them as custom versions of Gemini that you build once to help you save time over and over again. They are easy to make, free to use, and don't require a degree in computer science.

Here is everything you need to know to get started.

Imagine you have a student teacher who is very smart but needs very specific instructions every single time you ask them to do something.

• Standard Gemini is that student teacher. You have to say, "I am a 4th-grade teacher in Oregon. Please write a lesson plan about the Oregon Trail, keep it to 45 minutes, and make sure it aligns with state standards."

• A Gem is that same student teacher, but after you’ve trained them. You’ve already told them who you are and what you like. Now, you just tap a button, say "Oregon Trail lesson," and it knows exactly what to do.

In short: A Gem is a shortcut. It remembers your preferences so you don’t have to repeat them.

In a rural district, you might be the only teacher for your grade level—or you might be teaching three grade levels in one room. Gems allow you to clone your best self to handle the workload.

Here are three specific Gems you can build to handle your biggest daily tasks:

1. The "Differentiation" Gem

The Reality: You have a 5th-grade class, but reading levels range from 2nd grade to 8th grade. You found a perfect article on the Columbia River Gorge, but half your class won't be able to read it. How to build it:

• Name: The Leveled Reader

• Instructions: Tell the Gem to act as a reading specialist. Instruct it to take any text you paste in and rewrite it at three distinct Lexile levels (e.g., struggling, on-level, and advanced) while keeping the core vocabulary words the same.

• The Result: You paste the article once. Seconds later, you have three versions of the text ready to print, ensuring every student can access the same content.

2. The "Oregon Lesson Planner" Gem

The Reality: You need a science lesson that hits the new Oregon State Standards (NGSS), but the textbook examples are all about ocean tides, and you live in the high desert. How to build it:

• Name: Lesson Architect

• Instructions: Tell the Gem to act as a curriculum director. Instruct it to create 45-minute lesson plans that always include: specific Oregon State Standards, a "hook" relevant to rural life (like agriculture, forestry, or local history), and a hands-on activity using cheap materials.

• The Result: You type "Water Cycle." Instead of a generic plan, it gives you a lesson on snowpack in the Wallowas and irrigation, complete with the correct state standard codes.

3. The "Parent Communication" Gem

The Reality: It’s 4:00 PM on a Friday. You need to email a parent about a behavior issue, or send out the weekly newsletter, but your brain is fried and you’re worried about striking the wrong tone. How to build it:

• Name: Classroom Correspondent

• Instructions: Tell the Gem to act as a master communicator. Instruct it to take bullet points and turn them into a warm, professional, and clear email. Tell it to avoid educational jargon and focus on partnership.

• The Result: You type: "Johnny had a hard time focusing today, didn't finish math, need to sign permission slip." The Gem turns that into a polite, supportive email that invites the parent to help, rather than sounding like a complaint.

You don't need to be a coder. If you can write an email, you can make a Gem.

Step 1: Open the Gem Manager Go to Gemini on your computer. On the left-hand menu (or sometimes near the top right, depending on your version), look for "Gem manager" or the "Gems" button. Click "New Gem."

Step 2: Name Your Gem Give it a catchy name so you remember what it does.

• Example: Lesson Planner Pro

Step 3: Give the Instructions This is the most important part. You are giving the AI its "permanent" instructions. Be specific!

• Copy and paste this example for a Lesson Planner:

  "You are an expert K-12 educator in Oregon. Whenever I ask for a lesson plan, you will provide a structure that includes: Learning Objectives, Oregon State Standards alignment, a 'Hook' to get students interested, and a differentiation strategy for struggling learners. Tone: Professional and encouraging."

Step 4: Save and Use Click Create. Your new Gem will appear in your side menu. Now, whenever you click it, you don't need to explain who you are or what format you want. You just type your topic, and it gets to work.

Tips for Success

• Be Specific: The better your initial instructions, the better the Gem. If you like your handouts to always be in bold text with bullet points, tell the Gem that in the instructions!

• Iterate: You can always edit a Gem later. If it’s being too formal, go into the settings and add, "Please use a friendlier tone."

• Share the Load: If you make a great Gem for writing IEP goal drafts, show your colleague down the hall how you did it.

Join us for a yearlong series of virtual Tech Talks focused on how AI is reshaping teaching and learning. Explore practical tools, ethical considerations, and classroom-ready ideas with fellow educators. All sessions are recorded and posted to our YouTube Channel.

Goals
🔹 Build AI literacy for teachers and leaders
🔹 Explore ethical, student-centered applications of AI
🔹 Connect and collaborate in a growing AI-focused educator network

Dates & Topics

Tech Talks will run from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Register for each Tech Talk on the IMESD Events Calendar. Each month is linked to it's specific registration page.

• January 13: AI for Feedback & Grading — and the Ethics Behind It
• February 10: AI & Writing: From Brainstorming to Revision
• March 10: AI for Visual Learning
• April 14: AI as a Thinking Partner – Using AI to Spark Deeper Inquiry
• May 12: Future-Proofing: Where AI is Headed — and How Educators Can Prepare

December's Tech Talk focused on how to improve efficiency with all the other tasks that teachers and other educators have including a variety of tips and tricks for communication, scheduling, and looking at data.

• Presentation Slides
• Video Recording

This is a monthly newsletter from the School Improvement Department of the InterMountain Education Service District. If you would like more information on EdTech tools, resources, or training, please contact:

Ayla Olson

Instructional Coach

Email: ayla.olson@imesd.k12.or.us

Phone: 541-966-4657

Website: sites.google.com/imesdapps.org/instructional-coaching