November EdTech Monthly Newsletter
November 2025 EdTech Monthly Newsletter
Welcome Back, PL Calendar Updates, and TIPS Support
Welcome back everyone. We recognize that this is a time of transition with a wide range of feelings for all of us, and the TIPS team is here to support you and your school community as we all move forward.
Professional Learning (PL) Calendar Update
First, a quick logistical note: Our professional learning is continuing, with our next PL session on November 25, 2025 (AI Community of Practice), and another PL session on Dec 2, 2025
session (Guided Staff Use of AI). Check out PDR to register for those upcoming sessions.
PL sessions that were cancelled earlier, (other than the Community of Practice) will be offered again in Semester 2, beginning in Februrary 2026. Please see PDR or our professional learning calendar for more details on those dates.
TIPS Supports for You and Your School
As you and your students settle back into the classroom, please remember that we are ready to support your school in using educational technology to its fullest potential. Supports include school/catchment professional learning and technology planning on topics such as:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy, Ethics, and Teaching Tools
Digital Citizenship
Interactive Display Training
New Features of Google Workspace
And More!
You can find your school's TIPS person here. We look forward to working with you!
Google Classroom Updates - Gemini Classwork Integration
EDU 595 - Still Open for Spots (First Class - November 19th)
EDU 595 Technology in Schools, a collaboration with the University of Alberta, allows participants to get University credit for their EPSB professional learning and learn about how educational technology is positioned at the Division, provincial, and international levels, including through the lens of research. This year's discussions and explorations of topics will use the topic of Artificial Intelligence to connect learning to participant's experiences.
If you are interested, the first class begins November 19th, with more classes throughout the year. Check out EDU 595 in PDR for more details and to register.
Featuring Randolph Su for November
Randolph is a Jack-of-all-trades educator who has just transitioned into his role as a Career Pathways consultant, leaving behind his classroom at Bessie Nichols School. His current passions include exploring emergent technologies through the lens of Indigenous Knowledge and pedagogy.
A big influence in Randolph’s pedagogical practice is the need to energize the current fine arts curriculum (which hasn't been updated since 1984!). While he was teaching, Randolph utilized new(er) tools and techniques such as digital, 3D printing, airbrushing, street art and coding as a way to introduce core concepts of the curriculum while allowing students to explore culturally relevant and exciting career paths within art and design. Randolph has also helped create the Edmonton Public’s guiding document for ESports, a new form of competitive play that is increasingly recognized as a valid extracurricular activity that provided many students with the experience of playing on a school team for the first time.
He has developed a handful of PD opportunities for teachers that include using role playing games as a form of social skills development and a miniature painting course Let's Sweat the Small Stuff: Using Miniature Painting in the Classroom. Most recently he has been developing a presentation titled Stones and Their Stories, exploring the intersection between indigenous perspectives and emergent, AI technologies.
After School Tech Tips Theme: Exploring Google Read and Write
Welcome back! TIPS is continuing with its monthly After School Tech Tips which showcase updates, step-by-step tutorials, and tips and tricks with technology for teaching and learning. These videos will be available on our TIPS PL Calendar and the YouTube After School Tech Tips Playlist.
For the month of November, our theme is “Exploring Google Read and Write!” Our lineup for this month is:
November 6 - Basics of Google Read and Write
November 20 - Deep Dive into Text to Speech with Read and Write
November 27 - Deep Dive into Translation with Google Read and Write
Subscribe to our channel to get all of the updates.
Doug Unplugged - A Digital Citizenship Children's Book
Doug Unplugged - is a children's book about a robot boy who decides to unplug from his parents' information download and explore the city to learn about the world firsthand. Doug's adventure teaches him that experiencing and interacting with the world, rather than just downloading facts, is a more rewarding way to learn, especially when he makes a new human friend. This story illustrates what it means to Be Balanced, showing children the importance of finding a healthy mix between their digital real-world landscapes.
Doug also models how to Be Informed, learning to think critically about where his information comes from and discovering the value of firsthand experience. Finally, by stepping away from his passive downloads and making a new friend, he learns how to truly Be Engaged with the world and people around him.
Google Workspace Updates
- Google Calendar Appointment Schedule Update: Appointment schedules are now easier to use than ever! Learn about how you can access your schedules right from your main Calendar screen. Read More Here
- Upcoming Change to Drive Sharing Permissions: Earlier this year, Google announced that we would be updating the access experience in Google Drive. With this update, Google will stop allowing restricted access on specific files and folders within a shared folder, starting September 22, 2025. Limited access should instead be managed consistently via the limited access folder setting. Read More Here.
- Google Gemini Gem Sharing: The ability to share user created Gemini Gems is coming to all staff. Read More Here
AI Features Within Google Read & Write
Google Read & Write - an innovative AI-powered toolbar designed to create more inclusive and accessible learning environments. It leverages artificial intelligence to provide powerful supports directly within the browser. For students, AI-driven features like text-to-speech make reading more accessible, while speech-to-text and predictive text help overcome writing barriers.
The smart highlighters allow students to collect key information from any web page and automatically create a vocabulary list with definitions. For teachers, this tool is invaluable for differentiating instruction and supporting students with diverse learning needs.
For more AI tools and resources from previous months, see our AI resources website.
Want to keep up to date with technology tips and tricks or hear more TIPS updates?
- Click the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of this newsletter (if you're not already subscribed)
- Join our Google Space for regular technology announcements - EPSB EdTech Announcements
More Questions? Looking for technology PD for your school? Email the TIPS team or connect with your TIPS team member directly. Bookmark our TIPS.epsb.ca website for more updates and resources.