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EdTech Connect

December 2024

EdTechConnectDecember 2024
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Welcome

This newsletter has been designed for anyone who may be interested in what the Kent ISD EdTech Team has been working on. Through a monthly recap of our work, we share Educational Technology tips, tricks, and trends. Feel free to connect with us with questions, comments, or new ideas! Contact our team at edtech@kentisd.org.

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2024-2025 Professional Learning & Events

Want to know what we have available for you in the 2024-25 school year? Check out our Events Page to see the professional learning, networks and resources available to our Kent County and REMC 8 educators. Check it out at bit.ly/iamedtechevents!

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Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Have you checked out our previous EdTech Connect newsletters and liked what you have seen and would like to share with a friend? Well, today is your day! Share the link here with someone you feel would enjoy receiving email updates so they can subscribe and receive it when we publish it!

For the Purpose Of... Podcast For the Purpose Of... Podcast

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There is a NEW episodes of For the Purpose of...podcast available now! Join Keith, Sarah, and Katherine as they chat about all things EdTech! Listen on your favorite podcast platform or at bit.ly/ftpopod.


Check out our most recent episode: Generative AI


If you are a listener of our podcast and would like to earn SCECH credit for listening, make sure to check out our PodcastPDx professional learning! You can register at any time through the Kent ISD PD Hub.

Professional Learning Recap Professional Learning Recap

A robotic hand with glowing blue lights reaches out on a dark blue background. The text "AI Ethics" is displayed in large, green letters, with a subtitle explaining it as "The intersection of digital citizenship, media literacy, and computer science." A link to follow along is included at the top.
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EDU.AI for Northview Staff

The team presented to Cedar Springs itinerant staff on the fundamentals of AI in Education and ways teachers could use AI to enhance their teaching and learning practices. https://bit.ly/nvps-eduai1

A robotic hand with glowing blue lights reaches out on a dark blue background. The text "AI Ethics" is displayed in large, green letters, with a subtitle explaining it as "The intersection of digital citizenship, media literacy, and computer science." A link to follow along is included at the top.
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EDU.AI for Kenowa Hills Staff

The team presented to Northview staff on the fundamentals of AI in Education and ways teachers could use AI to enhance their teaching and learning practices. https://bit.ly/khai1124

A digital graphic titled "5 Big Ideas in AI" features a futuristic, tech-themed design. At the top, large white text reads "5 Big Ideas in AI," with "Big Ideas" highlighted in green, adding emphasis. In the center, a circular diagram outlines the five key ideas of artificial intelligence in education: 1. Perception, 2. Representation & Reasoning, 3. Learning, 4. Natural Interaction, and 5. Societal Impact. Each idea is illustrated with small icons and descriptions around the circle, showing concepts like sensors, decision-making, and positive and negative societal impacts. At the bottom, a realistic robotic hand reaches upward, symbolizing the integration of AI into human life and education. The background is a deep blue with a dotted gradient, adding a digital feel to the design. Logos for ISTE, MyEDTECHWorld, and AI4K12.org are displayed at the bottom, indicating collaborative organizations associated with AI education. The overall design is modern and informative, showcasing key AI concepts in an engaging visual format.
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EdTech Cheer 2024

The theme for EdTech Cheer 2024 is The 5 Big Ideas in AI. Check out the learning here and if you decide you would like to receive SCECH credit, it isn't too late to sign up! Register with the Kent ISD PD Hub, go through the Introduction and the 5 Big Ideas, and leave a reflection on each page to earn credit!

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AI for Educators

The EdTech Team hosted Day 1 of Cohort 1 of the AI for Educators workshop. This is a two-day immersive workshop where you'll gain expert insights, practical strategies, and hands-on experience to confidently integrate AI into your educational practice. There are still spaces available for Cohort 2 - register soon before they are gone!

Resources & Information from Our Team Resources & Information from Our Team

The EdTech is always creating new resources to support educators to not only inform, but also save time. Here are some of the latest resources they have created!

An illustrated holiday-themed digital graphic titled "EdTech Cheer 2024." The background is a light blue, snow-filled sky with scattered snowflakes, creating a wintry feel. At the top of the image, bold white text reads "EdTech Cheer," with "2024" displayed in four hanging ornament baubles, each showing one number in dark blue with a snowy base. Below this, a black sound wave graphic stretches horizontally, hinting at an audio component. Centered within the image is a character encased in a glass dome. This cartoon character, a person with long brown hair, wears a black winter hat with a pom-pom, black glasses, and a cozy black coat with white fur lining. They wave cheerfully with a gloved hand. Next to them is a small, animated sloth character dressed in a blue beanie and scarf, sitting on the snow at their feet, adding a playful touch. A green pine tree stands in the background, enhancing the seasonal theme. The base of the dome features logos for "MyEDTECHWorld" in colorful text and "Kent ISD" with a green geometric logo, indicating the educational organization associated with the graphic. The overall aesthetic is cheerful and festive, designed to celebrate educational technology in a fun winter setting.
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EdTech Cheer 2024 Song

Have you tried out the AI music-making tool yet? Suno was used to create this song to summarize the 5 Big Ideas in AI, which was the focus of this year's EdTech Cheer.

This image is a dark background with a white Google Keep logo in the center. The logo is displayed on a dark background with a pattern of small, glowing dots. The image also includes a button that says "Let's go!" with a play button icon. The text "a microlearning adventure from Kent ISD" is also displayed below the logo.
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Google Keep Microlearning

Looking to learn more about Google Keep? Check out this FREE on-demand micro-learning opportunity! No need to register, simply click and learn. bit.ly/kentisdml-googlekeep

A graphic with the word "AI" in large, bold, green letters. To the right of the "AI" are vertical bars in various colors, representing the word "educators" in a visually creative way. The phrase "FOR EDUCATORS" is written in bold, black letters below the bars. The phrase "PACK AND PLAY" is also written in bold, black letters on the right side of the image.
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AI Pack and Plays

These Pack and Plays are designed for anyone to use at staff meetings, professional learning events, or PLCs. It will equip you with the materials and information you need to have interesting conversations and learn about AI with your colleagues regardless of your AI knowledge and comfort. bit.ly/aipackplay

Latest REMC Information Latest REMC Information

A circular diagram illustrating the four key components of computational thinking: Abstraction, Algorithmic Thinking, Debugging, and Decomposition. Each component is represented by an icon and a brief description explaining its role in solving problems. The text "Let REMC support your Computational Thinking journey" appears on the right side of the image.
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Computational Thinking Resources

REMC Courses are FREE to take, offer FREE SCECHs and are scheduled for the current school year. Specifically, we have the following courses related to Computational Thinking:


  • Assessment Tools for the Classroom - June 2025
  • Exploring Formative Assessment Tools - January 2025
  • Power Up: Meaningful Data - June 2025
  • Coding in the Classroom - May 2025
  • Increase Math Engagement with Technology - February 2025

For more information on REMC Computational Thinking resources, please visit their website.

A green graphic with the REMC SAVE logo in the top left corner. A large speech bubble says "DID YOU KNOW?" and below that, it says "Big Savings in 2024!" The text underneath the speech bubble explains that schools saved money on supplies, technology, and more through REMC SAVE contracts. The graphic encourages viewers to visit remcsave.org to learn more.
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REMC Save: Did You Know?

Schools saved big in 2024 with REMC SAVE compared to educational list price. Check it out:


  • Copy Paper: 54% savings over ed list price.
  • Supplies: 47% savings over ed list price.
  • Tech: 38% savings over ed list price.


Learn how to find more savings for your district at remcsave.org

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REMC 8 Services & Resources

What services and resources are available for you at your local REMC 8? Check out the website for the most up to date information! kentisd.org/educators/remc/

Latest MACUL Information Latest MACUL Information

A vibrant image promoting the MACUL conference. The Detroit skyline is prominently featured, with the words "OPEN REGISTRATION NOW" and the conference website displayed in bold text. The tagline "Humanizing Learning in the Digital Age" is emphasized, along with the event dates, location, and hashtag. The MACUL logo is visible in the bottom right corner.
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MACUL Conference Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for MACUL 2025 in Detroit, MI! We are excited to build upon all the great learning of the past year to focus on Humanizing Learning in the Digital Age!
An infographic promoting the 2nd Annual AI Summit, a partnership between Michigan Virtual and MACUL, and the Statewide AI Workgroup. The event is scheduled for December 17, 2024, from 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM at the Lansing Center. The text "THE AI SUMMIT AGENDA IS HERE! PLAN YOUR DAY AND BRING A FRIEND" is displayed in large, bold letters, emphasizing the call to action. The infographic uses a modern design with a black background and white text, making it easy to read.
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AI Summit

MACUL is sponsoring the 2nd Annual AI Summit for Educators with

Michigan Virtual. Join them at the Lansing Center in Lansing, MI on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Register your team today as seats are going quickly! michiganvirtual.org/aisummit

A colorful infographic titled "ABCs of Tech for All." It features a list of technology tools and resources organized alphabetically, each with a brief description and relevant icon. The infographic is designed to promote accessibility and equity in education, with a focus on supporting all learners.
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ABCs of Tech for All and Equity

Let’s work together to promote accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Here are the full resources shared this week for ABCs with the Tech for All Learning Area and Equity Workgroup.

🖼️ bit.ly/t4aabcs-infographic

📄 bit.ly/t4aabcs-document

Kent ISD Happenings Kent ISD Happenings

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School News Network

Are you doing something awesome with technology in your teaching and student learning? Using AI to maximize efficiency, enhancement, or empowerment? School News Network would love to stop by and capture what is making learning fun and unique for students. Contact Erin Albanese at erinalbanese@snnkent.org.

A newsletter from Kent ISD's PD Hub titled "The Bulletin." It contains articles about leadership, professional development, and technology. The newsletter includes a call to action to subscribe and stay connected.
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Kent ISD's The Bulletin

Subscribe to our redesigned Bulletin for valuable insights from Kent ISD consultants and local educators. Discover professional learning opportunities, success stories, and innovative practices that promote equity and excellence in education. Join a community committed to learning and collaboration!

An image promoting a workshop titled "The PBL Workshop: INNOVATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND ASSESSMENT". The workshop is hosted by Kent ISD and offers practical PBL strategies for teachers of any subject and grade level. The workshop will take place on January 16th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Participants can earn 17 SCECHS. The image includes a QR code that redirects to a registration page with the URL bit.ly/25ET0116.
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The PBL Workshop: Strategies for Innovation, Implementation and Assessment

Join us for a transformative three-day professional development series designed to empower educators with the tools and strategies needed to implement and assess a Project-Based Learning unit effectively in their classrooms. This series will guide you through the intricacies of PBL, from understanding its connection to competency-based learning and performance assessments to practical application in your teaching practice. Register Today!

Kent ISD EdTech Team Kent ISD EdTech Team

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Keith Tramper

Kent ISD Educational Technology Consultant

keithtramper@kentisd.org
  • X: @tramperk
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/keithtramper
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Katherine Fredrickson

Kent ISD Educational Technology Consultant

katherinefredrickson@kentisd.org
  • X: @KatFred112233
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katherine-fredrickson-90a3a033
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Sarah Wood

Kent ISD Educational Technology Consultant

sarahwood@kentisd.org
  • X: @myedtechworld
  • Instagram: myedtechworld
  • Facebook: MyEdTechWorld
  • Website: myedtechworld.weebly.com
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/myedtechworld
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