MESD Digital Learning News

Welcome!

Welcome to the MESD Digital Learning Newsletter! This monthly newsletter includes resources and information to support digital learning in the classroom to empower students to become active critical thinkers, creators and responsible digital citizens.

This month's newsletter includes:

Google Gemini for Education Updates
Common Sense Media Report: Talk, Trust & Trade-Offs: How & Why Teens Use AI Companions
News Literacy Project Back to School Toolkit
ISTE GenerationAI Professional Learning
Articles for Thought
Monthly UDL Resources
AI Resources
Monthly Tech Highlight: Gemini Guided Learning

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Don't have time to read and explore all the resources in this newsletter? Listen to a 20 minute Audio Podcast of the information created by Google NotebookLM. Click Here to Listen

Google made several updates and announcements related to their tools for AI in education spaces this summer. Check out the resources below to see what is now possible for you and your students with Google Tools. Click Each Item below to learn more!

AI Deep Dive for Educators

ISTE+ASCD will be launching a new 15-hour course titled AI Deep Dive for Educators. AI Deep Dive for Educators provides a complete introduction to artificial intelligence in education, guiding teachers from foundational AI concepts through practical implementation strategies. Participants will learn to leverage AI tools for designing engaging learning experiences and transforming their instructional practices.

Applications are now open until September 14, 2025. The course will run from September 29-November 30, 2025. Participants who successfully complete the course will be provided with a one-year ISTE+ASCD membership.

Generation AI: Transforming Teaching and Learning

ISTE+ASCD launched a new course, GenerationAI: Transforming Teaching and Learning. This 5 hour self-paced course guides educators through practical applications of ai in teaching and learning. Applications accepted on rolling basis. Learn more and apply today

AI in Education Leadership Catalyst

The AI in Education Leadership Catalyst, a joint initiative with the Center for Black Educator Development and Latinos for Education, is designed to empower PK-12 school, district, and government education leaders* with foundational knowledge and skills to leverage AI in transforming teaching and learning. Through a community first approach, we aim to create a supportive and collaborative learning environment where participants can explore the core components of AI, understand its applications in education, and develop ethical guidelines for its use. Learn more

Universally Designed Family Engagement Guide

Novak Education has developed resources to support educators in enhancing family engagement practices. These resources include a comprehensive guidebook containing strategies for:

Providing options for recruiting interest
Optimizing relevance, value, and authenticity
Fostering Collaboration and Community
Supporting Planning and Strategy Development
Facilitating personal coping skills and strategies

Gnerative AI & Assessment Webinar — AI for Education

This webinar featuring international AI consultant and author Leon Furze explored how recent advances in GenAI have exposed the vulnerabilities in existing assessment methods, and offered proactive ideas and practical strategies for addressing the technology in classrooms - including Furze's AI Asse

aiforeducation.io