ESC 18 - Taco Tech Tuesday

Microsoft recently made its AI-powered tool that provides learners with personalized reading practice, available at no cost to anyone as long as they use a Microsoft account. Reading Coach helps by having learners identify words they struggle with the most and presenting them with tools to support independent, and individualized practice. Based on an educator’s preferences, the tools available can include text to speech, syllable breaking and picture dictionaries. The new "choose your own story" imparts AI to allow the reader to select a character, setting and reading level to immerse the reader in their own story made specifically for them. To learn more about Reading Coach or how it can impact your classroom click here.

Do you write tons of emails with the same basic text, do you give back feedback that typically repeats itself, do you write responses in Google Chat or other online platforms? Text Blaze can save and utilize all these generic responses and call them back with a simple command. Instead of writing out that generic Thank You for the comment or feedback you can type /ty and Text Blaze will call back your saved comment. Same thing can be done for numerous repetitive emails, texts, comments because Text Blaze is a Chrome Extension which opens up any possible response that you utilize on the internet. There are built in templates for your use or save personal snippets. To learn more or to start utilizing Text Blaze click here.

Tin Eye is a pretty neat tool which scours the internet to reverse image search. From figuring out where someone found or copied an image, to is it copyrighted or free source material, to has the image been doctored or edited in any way. Not only can this tool help teachers find where an image came from but students can use the tool to identify if the image is legitimate or if it has been doctored in anyway. In a world of news and stories you just can't tell if they are true or not, this tool can help unmuddy the news waters. To learn more about Tin Eye or to use it click here.

Blended Learning is a hot topic, and most districts claim to be utilizing it since COVID, but did you know actual Blended Learning processes rarely get utilized in the COVID virtual or in-person classrooms!?! Learn what Blended Learning actually looks like in the classroom and how to utilize it in your school/district. Blended Learning Made Easy sessions are given throughout the year, please see our PD calendar for info or see our more intensive Blended Learning Package below. Please contact me if you are interested or want to learn more! cenriquez@esc18.net

Google Educator Certification Training or Google Suite training is available. Google Certification ensures teachers are well based and take full advantage of the wide-spread capabilities that the Google Suite offers to make teaching and learning more tech-friendly, accessible, and efficient.

We also offer training in Google Suite applications like Gmail, Drive, Slides, Calendar, and others to increase your staff/campus productivity. Feel free to contact me to learn more. cenriquez@esc18.net

Remember to submit a Technology Help Desk ticket for any technology needs or services. Email Technology at help@edlink18.net or call the Help Desk at (432)-561-4321.

Director of Instructional Technology and Analytics

Email: cenriquez@esc18.net
Location: 2811 La Force Blvd, Midland, TX 79706, USA
Phone: (432)- 567-3249

Chief Technology Officer

Email: critchie@esc18.net
Location: 2811 La Force Boulevard, Midland, TX, USA
Phone: (432)-567-3250

Click on the image below to learn more about becoming certified as a Google Educator Certification Level 1 and Level 2.