Tech Matters

We are 1 week away from ending the inaugural year of the EdTech Explorer Program! Year 1 will officially close on the last day of classes. Your enthusiasm, affirmation, and dedication to professional growth in EdTech has been truly inspiring!

We understand that in a world saturated with technology, it can be easy to underestimate the value of EdTech professional development. That's why the EdTech Explorer Program was born - to highlight the professional development KATE offers within the college and for the K-12 community and celebrate the effort you are putting in to grow!

This year's results were exciting! We saw a remarkable increase from an average of 15% active participation to 30% active participation!

Thank you for being champions of this program and making its first year a success.

Jennifer and I are committed to continuing to grow the support we provide, particularly to students and faculty, surrounding EdTech pedagogy. We have several exciting initiatives that we are looking forward to unveiling in the Fall semester!

I can't say thank you enough to those of you who participated and were my biggest cheerleaders. You are the reason this program was successful.

Share your thoughts and feedback ANONYMOUSLY in this survey. I would love to have your feedback on Year 1 and changes or additions that you would like to see in Year 2!

Want to get a jump on professional development and earning points for next year?! Summer is the perfect time to learn something new!

Join the fun in the #eduKATE Community's Summer PD Series and ignite your teaching superpowers. Some courses may look familiar, but you can always take them again to earn points AND a limited edition superpower trading card.

We are also opening back up four of our badge courses. Completing a badge course will earn you points, a superpower trading card, AND a limited edition badge.

Click on the attachment below to see everything that's being offered this summer!

Want to talk more about how any of these courses could have a tangible impact on your classes or teaching?! Come drop by my office on the second floor, or I'm only a phone call or email away! (270.809.6866, rsimons@murraystate.edu)

Check out how Dr. Simons used what he learned in the Google Sites badge course to create a program website for his students. Click the image below to explore!

You NEED to learn about Brisk Teaching! This is a tool that not only is beneficial for you as a teacher, but is an AMAZING tool to share with your students who are certifying to become teachers.

In this course you'll learn how Brisk can help you in the classroom with:

• streamlining content creation
• leveling text to meet diverse student needs
• providing feedback on student writing
• analyzing student writing for potential AI use with the 'Inspect Writing' tool

New to Brisk? It's easy to use! I'll show you how to install it and get started!

Flexible Learning

🚫 No Deadlines - Register and complete as you have time! The only deadline for COEHS would be if you want points! 🙂

⏰ Time Commitment: 1 Hour

🏆 Points: 75 points

Don't forget... We have free FigJam swag for 11 more people! Be one of the lucky recipients in our college by finishing the FigJam course!

Here's WHY you should you register for the course and learn about FigJam!

• Create opportunities for engagement in your classes (especially if you teach online!)
• Amplify student voice by creating a space where ALL students can share their thinking
• Visually organize your lesson and resources

Flexible Learning

🚫 No Deadlines - Register and complete as you have time! The only deadline for COEHS would be if you want points! 🙂

⏰ Time Commitment: 2-3 hours

🏆 Points: 150 points

Spend a lot of time trying to locate the files and resources you need? Wish that you had a one-stop shop for your students to make finding program information easier? Then you might need a HUB!

Click on the image below to see Rebecca's HUB.