Teach with Tech

Hello Techy Educators!

This edition includes tech tips for using SchoolAI- an AI platform that gives teachers the ability to moderate and manage AI chat access for students. Also included are some tech tips for optimizing your usage of Google Drive.

Warm Regards,

Ayla

Home: In November (with a full release to all users in January) Google introduced a new view feature in Google Drive titled Home. This features is designed as both a more intuitive file search: showing recently accessed files and folders along with filter chips including file type, people, modified date, or location.

Workspaces- Google Workspaces allow you to curate a collection of files from different sources (shared drives, shared with you, and files you own) without changing their location or permissions. Workspaces can are limited to 25 files and cannot be shared. But they are great for easy access to documents being currently used for projects.

Photo & Scan in Drive- Google has also finally added a feature that allows a user to TAKE (not just upload) photos and scans to their Google Drive from a personal device (think phone or tablet) without first having the device take the photo or scan the document. Open your drive, select the colorful + button and you can scan documents or take photos. This is a time-saver as you save student work or share learning with families and colleagues.

School AI is an AI platform designed specifically for classroom teachers to use with students. The platform provides teachers the ability to manage, moderate, and steer how students use AI.

The free version currently allows for 150 student logins per day, per teacher.

Spaces are customized chats that you can can Discover (there are over 1000 pre-created spaces) or Create your own. Discover includes three general Spaces that include:

• Sidekick: give students a space to take advantage of AI's powerful capabilities to explore various topics, answer questions, quiz themselves, or receive tutoring and support. Sidekick specialty is that you can also specify what the AI can't do with students (for example- give answers, give examples, write an essay).
• Bell Ringer: start your class with an involved conversation about a specific topic/subject and you can specify a specific question the AI should ask each student. Get a snapshot of what your students know and how they are feeling about the topic.
• Exit Ticket: The exit ticket chat asks students to reflect on their learning and test their knowledge through questions about the outcomes based on your summary/overview of what was learned.

Other spaces include historical figures, novel characters, authors, books, tutoring sessions, and a variety of topics and subjects.

If you don't see what you want you have the option to create your own chat space for students. These are easy and simple to create.

The best part of School AI is the ability of the teacher to monitor the chat- and see where students are struggling and what connections students are making about the topic. Teachers also have the ability to pause and end access to the chats.

The Assistants tab includes a variety of AI specialists to chat with- these have been designed for specific educator needs. Some of the options include:

• Coteacher- a teaching assistant
• AI in Education Coach- answer questions about how AI can be used in the classroom
• Common Core Expert- ask about Common Core, standards, and how to implement them
• Essay Grading Assistant- help grade essays based on a specific rubric

The Tools tab contains similar tools to those found on other education AI websites like MagicSchool. However, this is one area that SchoolAI is still working to develop and they currently only have a few generative tools. A few highlights of AI Tools:

• lesson plan
• worksheet
• IEPs
• Rubrics
• Vocab List

The EdTech Huddle is for all educators who want to expand their knowledge and use of educational technology. Especially those who use technology in the classroom, actively work to integrate technology into their lessons and curriculum, and are willing to share/model instructional tech to others in their schools and districts. There will be three in-person EdTech Huddles at the Pendleton IMESD. This year there will also be three Virtual Tech Talks- these are shorter and are more presentation based.

• Virtual Tech Talks 4:30-5:15pm Link to Meeting
• September 20, 2023
• November 15, 2023
• February 21, 2024
• EdTech Huddles 4:30-5:30pm in Lodgepole/Ponderosa at the Pendleton IMESD
• October 25, 2023
• January 24, 2024
• April 24, 2024

This is a monthly newsletter from the Instructional Services Department of the IMESD. It includes current issues and concerns of tech (within the realms of education), tips and tricks, resources, and suggestions.

If you would like more information 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