Ask a Tech Teacher

JANUARY 18, 2024

As a working technology teacher, I get hundreds of questions from parents about their home computers, how to do stuff, how to solve problems. Each week, I’ll share one of those with you. They’re always brief and always focused. Enjoy! Q: I teach Spanish and need a quick way to add accents to words. Can you help? A: You can go through the symbols library, but there’s an easier way.

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How To Digital Citizenship Libraries Training 334

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JANUARY 9, 2024

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education. Today’s tip: Print a selection off a Webpage Category: Printing Q: I only want to print part of the webpage, not the entire thing.

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Digital Citizenship Software Training Strategy 368

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DECEMBER 21, 2023

DialMyCalls (an AATT sponsor) has a special Christmas offer for kids: Free Santa Calls To Your Family This Christmas This Christmas we have a great gift for everyone! Whether you’re an existing DialMyCalls user or not, you can take advantage of our completely free phone call from Santa. Imagine the look on your child’s face when they receive a personalized phone call from Santa with his or her name on it!

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Digital Citizenship Resources Technology Learning 375

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DECEMBER 13, 2023

This week, I’ll post updated suggestions to get your computers and technology ready for the blitz of projects you’ll swear to accomplish in New Year resolutions. Here’s what you’ll get ( links won’t be active until the post goes live ): 12 Ways to Update Your Online Identity — December 11th 8+ Ways to a Speedier Computer — December 12th Backup and Image your computer — December 13th (today) Regular readers of Ask a Tech Teacher know these are updated each December.

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How To Digital Citizenship Data Resources 221

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DECEMBER 12, 2023

This week, I’ll post updated suggestions to get your computers and technology ready for the blitz of projects you’ll swear to accomplish in New Year resolutions. Here’s what you’ll get ( links won’t be active until the post goes live ): 12 Ways to Update Your Online Identity — December 11th 8+ Ways to a Speedier Computer — December 12th (today) Backup and Image your computer — December 13th Regular readers of Ask a Tech Teacher know these are updated each December.

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Digital Citizenship Data Resources Technology 195

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DECEMBER 4, 2023

Here’s Why Kids Should Participate in Extracurricular Activities Most parents ignore this, but playtime activities significantly contribute to a child’s overall development. The key to raising children successfully is acknowledging that learning doesn’t take place only within the classroom environment. Similarly, academics aren’t the only key to success in the future.

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Digital Citizenship Study Resources Classroom 316

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NOVEMBER 7, 2023

Technology Use and Wellness: How to Guide Students in a Digital Age The amount of time young Americans spend staring at a screen has reached unprecedented levels. In 2021, they were logging more screen time than bedtime: Teenagers spent an average of eight hours and 39 minutes on a digital device, but only 22% were getting eight hours of sleep. Most alarmingly, a recent study found that as little as one to four hours of daily screen time among children aged one is linked with higher risks of de

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Technology Digital Citizenship How To Social Media 346

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NOVEMBER 6, 2023

A mind map is a visual representation of information and ideas that helps organize and connect various concepts, making it easier for individuals and groups to understand, remember, and communicate complex topics. Some reasons why people use mind maps: Organizing Information : allow you to break down a topic into key components and show how they relate to each other.

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Resources Digital Citizenship Mobility Study 358

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Here’s a short list of good ESL and ELL resources. For updates, click here : Digital Storytelling for Language and Culture Learning (PDF) – National Writing Project [link] L2 Digital Storytelling MCC ESL Digital Stories Teaching English – Digital Storytelling [link] Web English Teacher – Digital Storytelling [link] ESL English Tools- -digital tools to assist learning English as a second language Resource Guide for ESL SuperProf –private ESL online tutoring The TEFL Academy –cou

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Resources Digital Citizenship Course Tools 352

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SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

I’m taking Labor Day off so thought I’d do a labor-free article– Labor Day, the first Monday in September , is an American holiday (though it occurs throughout the world, with different names and dates) dedicated to the achievements of workers. I take it literally. A keyboard, three screens, four tasks, and a six-pack of Red Bull Monster (less sodium), I’m ready to work!

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Digital Citizenship Resources Technology Learning 306

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AUGUST 16, 2023

It sounds easy, but to a five or six year old, holding the mouse, clicking that left button, dragging and dropping while holding a finger down is darn difficult. Here’s a list ( click for updates ): Dragon Drop Jackson Pollock artwork with mouse skills MiniMouse Mouse and Pointer Tutorial (freemium) Mouse Practice –several choices Mouse practice—drag, click Mouse skills Mouse Song OwlieBoo –mouse practice Silk –draw with mouse movements This Is Sand –make a sand pic

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Digital Citizenship Resources Technology Learning 269

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AUGUST 15, 2023

It’s easy to confuse ‘using technology’ with digital tools. Your school passed iPads out to all classes. Some of your colleagues think having students read in this tablet format means they’re integrating technology into their curriculum. Kudos for a good start, but they need to use the tablets to differentiate for student learning styles, enrich learning materials, and turn students into life-long learners.

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AUGUST 14, 2023

Artificial Intelligence–AI–can greatly assist many mundane education tasks. Tools like Siri, Alexa, ChatGPT, and a plethora of apps seem perfect for handling the repetitive and time-consuming aspects of education that take teachers away from the core of most lessons that require critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Done right, this sort of collaboration between AI and teacher results in a better outcome for everyone.

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Tools Classroom Gamification Adaptive Learning 308

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JULY 26, 2023

Learning a second language for many is complicated. Some of us are naturals at linguistics, others, not so much. Teaching means adapting to different students who learn in different ways. Here are four proven approaches, from the Ask a Tech Teacher crew: 4 Approaches to Effective Second-Language Teaching In an article from the Michigan State University website, children who are skilled in at least two languages are known to possess cognitive flexibility.

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Digital Citizenship Training Resources Strategy 291

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JULY 25, 2023

Wondering how to get your students upbeat about learning math? Read how math teachers use modern tools, technologies, and techniques to teach the subject, from one of our Ask a Tech Teacher contributors: How To Boost Student Engagement: Modern Tools for Math Teachers Prospective teachers researching online teaching certification and hoping to learn all they can about being a math teacher will do well to include tech tools in their quest for knowledge.

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JULY 10, 2023

Here are great ideas from the Ask a Tech Teacher crew on how to keep tech fresh this summer. 3 Fun Ways to Use Tech in the Classroom in the Run-Up to Summer Summer is right around the corner and as a teacher, you might be in search of creative ways to leverage technology to ensure your classroom remains an entertaining, engaging and educational space.

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Classroom Elementary Robotics Digital Citizenship 282

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JUNE 22, 2023

Kids love personalizing their computer stations. Show them how to create their own wallpaper using internet pictures, pictures on the computer, or their own photos or drawings Here’s a lesson plan to teach them how to do this, starting in second grade: If the lesson plans are blurry, click on them for a full size alternative –from 55 Technology Projects for the Digital Classroom Copyright ©2023 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

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Digital Citizenship Resources Technology Classroom 266

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JUNE 7, 2023

As a working technology teacher, I get hundreds of questions from parents about their home computers, how to do stuff, how to solve problems. Each Tuesday, I’ll share one of those with you. They’re always brief and always focused. Enjoy! Q: I’m writing a very (very) important paper and all of a sudden, the screen froze. I can’t save it, or anything else.

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Digital Citizenship Resources Technology How To 319

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JUNE 6, 2023

Here are the most-read posts for the month of May: School and Job Tips for Young Adults The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Education Tech Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher-Authors: What’s Happening on my Writer’s Blog Tech Tips to End the School Year Summer Reading Online How to Keep Learning Fresh Over the Summer 5 Surprising Ways Homeschoolers Use Canva for Learning and Fun 33 Online Research Resources 7–no 10–OK, 13 Skills I Teach With Blogging Here’s a preview of what’s comin

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MAY 10, 2023

This article got lots of reads last year, so am republishing with updates. I’ve included information about: How tech teachers are different than other teachers Why tech and the teacher who manages it in your school has become more important than ever How to talk to a tech teacher (hint: they’re a little different; heed these suggestions) Gifts tech teachers will love Tech Teacher Appreciation Week: The First Full Week of May (May 7-13, 2023) There’s always been something mystically cerebral abou

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MAY 1, 2023

With the school year ending, here are some useful tips from the Ask a Tech Teacher crew for students preparing for college or career: School and Job Tips for Young Adults The marketplace for good jobs has always been highly competitive. In the current economic climate, a solid education can serve as the launching pad for a rewarding career. But how can young adults get the training, schooling, and experience to get a job they enjoy?

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APRIL 18, 2023

This article from the Ask a Tech Teacher crew is for new teachers searching for what will be required of them as teachers, how to determine their style, the importance of a mentor, and more secrets to guide them in their new profession: How to Choose Your Teaching Style and Level It takes a certain kind of person to be a teacher. It’s one of the most noble professions you can choose, especially when you think about the powerful impact you can have on your students’ lives.

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APRIL 17, 2023

Every year, the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22nd, a day the United Nations recognizes as International Mother Earth Day. It is a day to remind ourselves of the importance of clean air, fresh water, and unlittered land. It’s when we can all participate in making that happen rather than accepting the trash-filled oceans, the smoggy skies, and the debris-laden land that is becoming the norm in our lives.

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Digital Citizenship Resources Groups Meeting 334

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MARCH 30, 2023

Invention Convention Worldwide is a global K-12 invention education curricular program mapped to national and state educational standards that teaches students problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship and creativity skills and builds confidence in invention, innovation and entrepreneurship for life. Signups for the annual Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention US Nationals (2023) start March 31st.

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Digital Citizenship Video Resources Technology 248

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MARCH 29, 2023

Here are popular online resources about Chemistry: Beaker –a digital beaker app Chemistry collection from Carnegie ChemCapers Chemistry instructional videos ChemmyBear –resources for Chemistry and AP Chemistry classes CK12 Chemistry simulations Collisions Chemistry Concord Consortium –chemistry, earth science, engineering, life science, physics Crash Course: Chemistry (videos) EMD PTE — periodic table Interactive Periodic Table Molecules –Molecules is an application for viewing three-dimension

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Resources Digital Citizenship Video Course 303

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MARCH 10, 2023

When you teach typing, the goal isn’t speed and accuracy. The goal is that students type well enough that it doesn’t disrupt their thinking. Let me say that again: The goal of keyboarding is students type well enough that it doesn’t disrupt their thinking. Much like breathing takes no thought and playing a piano is automatic (for some), students must be able to think while they type, fingers automatically moving to the keys that record their thoughts.

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Common Core Classroom Digital Citizenship Examples 368

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FEBRUARY 20, 2023

Here’s the list of Kindergarten websites I use most often during the school year. Notice that many of the headings are links to more websites under that theme: Animals Art Coloring Books Drawing Coding Critical Thinking Digital Citizenship Bullying –a read-along book Cybersmart Hero Hector’s World–Cyberbullying Farms Gamify Kahoot Holidays Keyboarding Learn to Type—Big Brown Bear Turtle Diary –audio prompts as well as visual for learning keyboarding Letters Math Math for K Math Games Shape

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Digital Citizenship Classroom Video Resources 463

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DECEMBER 15, 2022

This week, I’ll post updated suggestions to get your computers and technology ready for the blitz of projects you’ll swear to accomplish in New Year resolutions. Here’s what you’ll get ( links won’t be active until the post goes live ): 8+ Ways to Speed Up Your Computer — December 13th. 9 Ways to Update Your Online Presence — December 14th.

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How To Digital Citizenship Data Resources 284

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DECEMBER 14, 2022

This week, I’ll post updated suggestions to get your computers and technology ready for the blitz of projects you’ll swear to accomplish in New Year resolutions. Here’s what you’ll get ( links won’t be active until the post goes live ): 8+ Ways to Speed Up Your Computer — December 13th. 9 Ways to Update Your Online Presence — December 14th.

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Social Media Digital Citizenship Smartphone iPad 356

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DECEMBER 13, 2022

This week, I’ll post updated suggestions to get your computers and technology ready for the blitz of projects you’ll swear to accomplish in New Year resolutions. Here’s what you’ll get ( links won’t be active until the post goes live ): 8+ Ways to Speed Up Your Computer — December 13th. 9 Ways to Update Your Online Presence — December 14th.

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Digital Citizenship Data Resources Technology 295

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NOVEMBER 15, 2022

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education. Today’s tip: I deleted a file by accident. Category: Problem-solving.

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OCTOBER 21, 2022

Surprisingly, 15-20% of the population has a language-based learning disability and over 65% of those are deficits in reading. Often, these go undiagnosed as students, parents, and teachers simply think the child is not a good reader, is lazy, or is disinterested. Thankfully, the International Dyslexia Association sponsors an annual Dyslexia Awareness Month in October aimed to expand comprehension of this little-understood language-based learning condition.

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Software Assistive Technology Digital Citizenship Tablets 353

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OCTOBER 20, 2022

I don’t write enough about special needs so when Rose contacted me with an article idea, I was thrilled. Rose Scott is a literary teacher with a goal of making education comfortable for students with special needs. Her dream is to help students explore their talents and abilities. In this article, Rose writes about a little-known problem that students may unknowingly suffer from that may make it look like they are plagiarizing when–to them–they aren’t.

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Assistive Technology Tools Technology Digital Citizenship 317

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SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education. Today’s tip: How to Evaluate Apps. Category: Pedagogy.

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How To Digital Citizenship Strategy Data 295

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Here are the most-read posts for the month of August: Tech Ed Resources–Coaching. How to Thank a Teacher. Benefits of a Short Course. Notetaking and Study Apps. Free Keyboarding Posters. Essential Tech Tools for History Class. Habits of Mind. Which Digital Device Should I Use. Lessons Learned my First 5 Years of Teaching. Incorporate Podcasting Into Your Curriculum.

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Digital Citizenship Study Course Resources 79

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AUGUST 10, 2022

Too often, we think ‘taking a class’ requires a commitment of weeks–or months–to master the topic. Sometimes, you don’t have that much time, they’re too expensive, you aren’t ready to commit to college level courses, or you aren’t sure about investing so much time in a topic you might not enjoy. Thankfully, in today’s learning environment, lots of learning is available via short courses–dedicated classes that are completed quickly.

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Course Digital Citizenship Study Personalized Learning 334

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AUGUST 9, 2022

For over two years, many schools, parents, students, and teachers have struggled with how to teach remotely, and then–when can we go back to in-person learning. The education system is comfortable with teaching students face-to-face. For hundreds of years, that’s how it’s been done, but done right, remote learning is a winner. Here’s EdTech’s take on using classroom tech to elevate remote learning: Classroom tech investments elevate remote learning.

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