Spring is in the air, and that means one thing—March Madness! No, we’re not just talking about basketball—we’re talking about the EdTech March Madness Challenge!
This is your chance to score big while exploring new tech tools and strategies. Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, there’s a challenge for you:
✅ Free Throws (1 point each) – Quick and easy tech wins
✅ Jump Shots (2 points each) – Mid-range challenges
✅ Three-Pointers (3 points each) – Level up with advanced tasks
Complete 25 points or more, and you’ll be entered to win an Amazon Gift Card! 🏆 The deadline to submit scores is Friday, April 4, so don’t wait—get in the game today!
🎭 Copyright, Fair Use, & Creative Commons: Play by the Rules!
In today’s digital world, educators and students have unlimited access to content, but with great access comes great responsibility. Understanding copyright, fair use, and Creative Commons is essential to being a responsible digital citizen.
Here are 4 key factors of fair use you should keep in mind when using online content in your classroom:
✔ Purpose & Character – Is the use educational or transformative?
✔ Nature of the Work – Is the material factual or creative?
✔ Amount Used – Are you using only what’s necessary?
✔ Effect on the Market – Does it impact the creator financially?
🔹 Transform, Don’t Just Copy! Encourage students to remix and create rather than simply repurpose existing content. Need to find legally usable images? Try Google’s Creative Commons search filters to refine your results!
🤖 AI in the Classroom Spotlight
AI isn’t just for tech enthusiasts—it’s transforming education! This month, Tracy Fix from Braham Public Schools shared how her 7th grade STEAM students used AI to design their own seed packets for fictional plants! 🌱
✨ How AI Boosted Learning:
Brainstorming Assistance – AI helped students generate unique plant names and descriptions
Image Generation – Students created AI-assisted visuals for their seed packets
Deeper Understanding – Through this creative process, students learned about plant classification and care
"My students had a blast bringing their plants to life! AI made the process more engaging and thought-provoking." – Mrs. Fix
💡 Looking for AI resources? Check out how NotebookLM can help analyze student IEP progress data in this 10-minute video: Watch Here
🔥 EdTech Potpourri: This Month’s Tech Treasures
🌟 FigJam Add-On for Google Classroom – A powerful collaborative whiteboard alternative to Jamboard and Padlet. Learn More
🌟 Canva Accessibility Checker – Ensure your designs are inclusive for all learners. Go to File → Accessibility → Check Design Accessibility to improve readability!
🌟 Adobe Express Future Self Template – Students imagine themselves 15 years into the future with AI-generated visuals. Try it out
🌟 42 Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Activities – Bring a little leprechaun magic into your classroom! Explore activities
Let’s make March a month of innovation, creativity, and ethical digital use! Get involved in the EdTech March Madness Challenge, explore AI, and embrace responsible digital citizenship.
💬 What tech tools are you excited about this month? Drop us a comment and let’s chat!
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