Click on the Image above to open the full newsletter. As we roll into spring, the April Technology Integration Newsletter is blooming with inspiration, ideas, and opportunities! Whether you're deep into MCA prep, experimenting with AI in the classroom, or itching to present at this summer’s Lake ECMECC Conference, there’s something here for you. 🏆 EdTech March Madness Winners! Let’s kick things off with a big congrats to our EdTech March Madness Amazon Gift Card winners: Anne Meyer (SCRED)  and Jason Sjoberg (Mora) ! Huge thanks to everyone who played along—it’s always fun to stir up a little friendly competition around educational technology! 📣 Be a Presenter at the Lake ECMECC Conference! We’re gearing up for the 12th Annual Lake ECMECC Conference  on August 5, 2025 , and it wouldn’t be possible without the amazing educators in our community. 👉 Presenters wanted! Have an idea, strategy, or story to share? We want to hear it! Whether you're a seasoned presenter or brand new to the stage, this is your chance to inspire and connect with other educators. 🔗 Submit your proposal now 📝 MCA Test Prep Tools That Work Testing season is here, and we’ve gathered some high-quality digital resources to support students during MCA prep. From sample items to full simulations, these tools help students build confidence and familiarity before test day. Minnesota Testing 1-2-3 Sample Items Minnesota Questions Tool (MQT) MDE Student Resources 🎙 Don’t Miss This: Integrate This! Podcast We’ve got two major drops  this month on the podcast: Exploring and Creating GPT Chatbots Jeremy and David dive into how educators can personalize chatbots for instruction using ChatGPT, Canva, and SchoolAI. Super practical. Totally fun. ▶️ Watch Part 1  | Watch Part 2 COMING MAY 1 A must-listen interview with Matt Miller  (Ditch That Textbook) where we chat about AI’s role in education, digital literacy, and where it’s all heading. 🎨 Canva Just Got a Major Upgrade Big things are happening in Canva, and it’s all designed with educators in mind! With Canva for Education , K–12 teachers get access to a suite of new AI-powered tools—for free! Here’s what’s new: ✨ Magic Studio Tools  – Create lesson plans, writing prompts, or differentiated text instantly📊 Canva Sheets  – Visualize class data with zero spreadsheet stress🗳 Interactive Tools  – Build dynamic, digital lessons with embedded questions and media 👉 Check out Canva’s latest updates Need a refresher? Thanks to Ashlee Georges & Brittany Misuraca, we’ve got three quick and helpful training slides ready for you: Getting Started with Canva Design Tips for the Classroom Advanced Canva Magic 🤖 A Popourri of AI Tools & Resources Whether you're just dipping your toe into AI or fully diving in, we’ve got a mix of cool tools and ideas to explore: AI for the Curious and Cautious Watch Aunt Chippy’s hilarious Waymo ride to understand how many of us feel about AI in schools.▶️ Watch on YouTube Offline, Open-Source AI Try Jan.ai , Nomic, or Ollama—ChatGPT alternatives that run locally for extra privacy and control. Create Infographics in Seconds InfographAI  lets you turn plain text into polished visuals instantly. Elementary AI Activities aiEDU’s Explorations  are fun, short, and perfect for grades 3–5. Better Class Discussions with AI Parlay Genie  crafts engaging, grade-level discussion prompts on demand. Let us know what you’re trying out and loving—we’re always looking to spotlight great ideas and tools from across our ECMECC schools. Until next month, happy experimenting! 🧠💡

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! 👉 Sign up and track your points here 👉 Challenge directions and activities 🎭 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! 🚀 Learn more about Creative Commons here 🤖 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! #KeepLearning #EdTechMadness #AIinEducation 🎉

February is here , and so is our latest Technology Integration Newsletter , packed with AI-powered insights, interactive learning strategies, and creative edtech tools  to make your lessons more engaging than ever! Whether you're looking to streamline formative assessment, enhance collaboration, or empower students with digital portfolios, this month’s edition has something for everyone. Access the Full Newsletter using the Canva Link 🔍 What’s Inside This Month’s Issue? 💡 AI for Formative Assessment  – Discover how tools like Brisk, Diffit, and SchoolAI  can help you provide instant feedback, personalized learning paths, and data-driven insights —saving time while supporting student growth. 🎨 Interactive Learning with Digital Whiteboards  – Engage students beyond traditional slides! Explore FigJam, Lumio, and Canva Whiteboards  to create collaborative activities, mind maps, and visual learning experiences. 📂 Creating Effective Digital Portfolios  – Help students document and reflect on their learning journey with Seesaw, Google Sites, Wakelet, and Book Creator . This section provides a guide for choosing the right tool based on age, subject, and learning goals. ⚡ Tech Potpourri: New & Trending EdTech Tools  – This month’s feature includes Jeda.ai , Dashtoon, and Google’s Learn About —exciting AI-powered platforms designed to spark creativity and enhance engagement in the classroom. 🌟 Why You Should Check It Out 🔹 Save time with AI-powered lesson enhancements 🔹 Engage students with hands-on, collaborative tools 🔹 Get inspired with fresh edtech ideas you can apply right away 🚀 Get Involved! Got a favorite edtech tool or a creative way you’re using AI, digital whiteboards, or portfolios  in your classroom? We’d love to hear from you!  Share your ideas and let’s keep the conversation going. 📧 Email me at:   jmikla@ECMECC.org 🎙️ Listen to the latest Integrate This! Podcast:   www.youtube.com/@Integr8This 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:   www.youtube.com/@Integr8This Let’s keep innovating, collaborating, and making learning more engaging  for our students! 🚀 📥 Read the Full Newsletter Here: 📌 https://www.canva.com/design/DAGfX0q-_No/vHmuWdSsu00zWdVEHRDaGQ/view?utm_content=DAGfX0q-_No&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h3e5da2f111

Happy New Year! 🎊 We’re kicking off 2025 with an exciting edition of the ECMECC Tech Integration Newsletter , packed with valuable resources, upcoming events, and tech tips to help you start the year strong. Click on the image above to view the full Newsletter 📅 What’s Inside This Month? Safer Internet Day – February 11, 2025 ECMECC is once again partnering with ConnectSafely to provide K-12 lesson plans focused on Wellness, Identity, and Self-Respect  in digital spaces. Topics include managing device distractions, cyberbullying, and practicing online civility. Let’s empower students to navigate the digital world safely! 🎉 ISTE Scholarship Recipients Announced A big congratulations to our educators who received an ISTE Travel Scholarship and will be presenting at Lake ECMECC  this summer. We’re proud of your dedication to advancing educational technology! 🕶️ Check Out ECMECC’s New VR Headsets Thanks to grant funding, we now have 8 VR headsets available for schools to borrow for STEM, Virtual Tours, and Career Explorations.  Reserve your headset today and bring immersive learning to your students! 🎥 Google Vids – Your New Go-To Video Creation Tool Discover how Google Vids makes it easier than ever to create educational content with intuitive drag-and-drop features, built-in music, and seamless Google integration. 📝 Google Forms Update Say goodbye to the "Send" button—Google Forms now features a “Publish” button  to make sharing forms easier and more flexible. Learn how to manage your form’s visibility with a few simple steps. 🎨 Fun with Tech Potpourri! This month’s section features cool tech tidbits, including: Unzoomed:  A daily geography guessing game using satellite images to challenge your city-spotting skills. Animated Drawings by Meta:  Bring your Bitmoji to life with simple animations. Emoji Shortcuts:  Quick tricks to add emojis on Mac, Windows, and Chromebooks. 📩 Don’t miss out!  Check out the full newsletter here   and stay in the loop with all things EdTech. Got questions or ideas for future newsletters? Reach out to Jeremy Mikla , our ECMECC Instructional Technology Specialist, at jmikla@ecmecc.org . Stay inspired and keep integrating technology to enhance learning! #EdTech #ISTE #SaferInternetDay #GoogleVids #VRinEducation

As the snow begins to fall, the December Tech Integration Newsletter  is packed with ideas to keep learning lively, creative, and calm as we wrap up the year. Click on the image below to open the full newsletter ❄️ Tech Tools for a Frosty Classroom RoomRecess.com  offers over 160 free, engaging learning games in math, reading, typing, and more. No sign-ups required – just jump in and learn! SantAI  Activities: Infuse holiday cheer with AI-powered creative projects. Use tools like SchoolAI , MagicSchool , or ChatGPT  for: Teacher-led holiday prompts. Fun chatbot creations tailored for your classroom. 🚀 AI for Creative Holiday Projects Unleash student creativity this season: Story Co-Creation : Explore unique perspectives like Christmas Eve from the Reindeer’s Point of View  with tools like SchoolAI and MagicSchool. AI-Generated Cards & Art : Use Canva  or Adobe Firefly  to design festive cards and posters. Collaborative Playwriting : Draft scripts with AI, act them out, or create podcasts with tools like Screencastify Submit  or Vocaroo . 🐾 Take a Virtual Sleighride Explore virtual field trips with Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants . Popular tours include: Animal Christmas at The Toronto Zoo . Polar Passion  Live from Antarctica – A winter South Pole adventure. 🌟 Tech Etiquette for the Holidays Encourage screen time balance  with families: Tech-free dinners, gift-wrapping lessons, and mindful "pause before posting" practices. Set Teacher Tech Boundaries : Learn how to set up your Gmail Vacation Auto-Reply and enjoy a well-deserved break! 🎁 Professional Development Gifts ISTE Live 2025  Scholarship: Applications are open for this San Antonio conference! Deadline: January 10, 2025 . Ditch That Textbook Summit : A free online PD conference (Dec 16 - Jan 10) with top educators sharing tech insights. 🎙️ Integrate This! Podcast – Holiday Special Mark your calendar for December 19 ! David and I exchange “gifts” and share on-the-spot integration ideas. Catch up on previous episodes for quick, "byte-sized" inspiration. Let’s celebrate a joyful, balanced, and creative holiday season together. Wishing you strong Wi-Fi, smooth tech tools, and cozy days ahead! 🎉

As we dive into November, it’s a great time to reflect on how technology can transform our educational practices. This month’s highlights bring opportunities for professional growth, practical tips for staying organized, and inspiring ideas for integrating AI into classrooms. Let’s explore! To open the full newsletter in Canva, click on the above image. 🌟 Attend ISTE Live 2025 with ECMECC Support Imagine being surrounded by thousands of educators who share your passion for innovation. The ISTE Live 2025 Conference in San Antonio, TX (June 28 - July 2) is your chance to explore cutting-edge tools, attend hands-on workshops, and network with global edtech leaders. ECMECC is offering a scholarship to cover travel and lodging. Applications are due January 10, 2025 —don’t miss out on this game-changing opportunity! Learn More and Apply Here . 🗂️ Tame Your Google Drive Chaos Does your Google Drive feel like an endless maze? With Ashley Haken’s tips, you can turn your digital chaos into a serene workspace: Declutter first:  Remove unnecessary files to create breathing room. Rename or delete duplicates:  Search for “untitled” or “copy of” files. Organize by category:  Create folders with meaningful names and add colors for easy identification. Leverage Workspaces:  Group commonly used files for quick access. Want more? Register for our Tech Tidbit  on December 3  for additional tips and tricks. Can’t attend live? Register anyway to receive the session recording! Register Here . 🤖 AI in the Classroom: Enhancing Lessons, Engaging Students AI tools are reshaping how we teach and learn. In the latest “Integrate This!” podcast, Paul Ivers shared how tools like Canva AI, ChatGPT, and Google Slides boosted engagement in a Spanish communication lesson. David and Jeremy also explored AI in education: David’s media literacy project:  Students generated podcast ideas using MagicSchool, scripted episodes, and recorded them with Screencastify or Vocaroo. Jeremy’s Mars design challenge:  Students used AI to address environmental challenges for colonizing Mars. Stay tuned for Jeremy’s episode debuting November 21  on the Integrate This! YouTube Channel . 🍁 AI Potpourri: Food for Thought This Thanksgiving season, explore these thought-provoking AI insights: AI won’t replace teachers:  Adaptive tools enhance learning, but human connections remain central. Matt Miller’s AI framework:  Use AI for trivial tasks, preserve meaningful ones, and augment the rest. Enlighten AI for grading:  Collaborate with AI to make grading more efficient while keeping it personal. Notebook LM:  Google’s research assistant can summarize content, draw connections, and even generate AI podcasts. Try Notebook LM Here .

Click on the image above to open the newsletter Our October Tech Integration Newsletter is out! 🍁 This month, we’re diving into digital citizenship, media literacy, and innovative ways to replace tools like Jamboard and Flipgrid. From classroom-ready activities to the latest tools and tech trends, this edition is packed with resources to support you in creating engaging and safe digital learning environments for students. Here’s a sneak peek: Digital Citizenship Week (Oct. 14-18) : Discover easy, everyday ways to integrate digital citizenship into any lesson and foster responsible online behavior. Media Literacy & Election Resources : With the election season in full swing, now’s the time to equip students with essential skills to navigate media messages and misinformation. Check out resources from the News Literacy Project and more to help students separate fact from fiction. Tool Replacements : Transition smoothly from Jamboard to FigJam, plus get inspired with creative Flip alternatives from our latest Integrate This!  podcast episodes, including App Smashes with FigJam and Vimeo. And Much More : From mystery science activities to ambient sound websites for student focus, this newsletter has something for everyone. Check your inbox for the full newsletter, or reach out if you need a copy. Let’s make October a month of mindful, tech-savvy learning! 🍂

As we dive into a new school year, I'm excited to share some valuable resources, tech tips, and event recaps that can help you enhance your teaching practices and integrate technology seamlessly into your classrooms. Click on this link or the image below to view the full newsletter. Lake ECMECC Conference Recap This year’s Lake ECMECC Conference, held in Princeton on August 6th, was a huge success! Over 150 educators attended in person, and 10 joined us virtually. Our keynote speaker, Jon Fila, delivered an insightful talk on the impacts of AI in education—a topic that remains at the forefront of educational transformation. Popular breakout sessions also centered around AI, reflecting a growing interest in integrating these tools into our learning environments. If you missed it, no worries! You can catch up on the recorded sessions and access presenter slides here . Mark your calendars!  The 12th Annual Lake ECMECC Conference will be held in Mora, MN, on August 5, 2025. Stay tuned for more details! Tech Tidbits: Quick, Actionable Insights If you’re looking for quick and impactful tech tips, be sure to check out our "Tech Tidbit" presentations! These 25-minute sessions focus on specific tools or strategies you can immediately implement to make your teaching more efficient and engaging. Past presentations can be found here . ISTE Conference 2024 This past June, educators from across our region joined us in Denver for the annual ISTE Conference. It was a week packed with inspiration, new tools, and fresh ideas. If you're interested in attending the 2025 ISTE Conference in San Antonio, start planning now! ECMECC will offer travel and lodging scholarships, with more information coming in November. Learn more about ISTE and how you can apply for a scholarship here . Spotlight on AI in Education Artificial Intelligence continues to revolutionize education, and our focus for this school year is to explore how it can enhance both teaching and learning. From tools that personalize instruction to AI-powered resources that streamline your workflow, the possibilities are endless. Each month, I’ll be sharing AI tools, best practices, and expert insights to help you navigate this evolving landscape. Start small—discover what works best for your teaching style—and don't hesitate to collaborate with your colleagues. Let's embrace AI together to amplify the amazing work you’re already doing! New Tools & Ideas for Back-to-School Looking for some fresh activities to kick off the school year? Check out these fun alternatives to Flip (formerly Flipgrid), which has recently gone behind a paywall: MirrorTalk Gravity ScreenPal Padlet Screencastify Submit Vimeo & FigJam For more creative ways to get your students engaged, Adobe's Digital Action Figures  challenge is a great icebreaker! Encourage students to design their own action figures and share their stories. You can find the step-by-step instructions here . Let’s make this year the best one yet!  Don’t forget to subscribe to stay up to date with ECMECC resources, Tech Tidbits, and our “Integrate This!” podcast for more EdTech inspiration. Feel free to reach out to me at jmikla@ecmecc.org  if you have any questions or ideas to share!

As we approach the end of the 2023-2024 school year, we reflect on the triumphs and challenges we've faced together. It's been a year of growth, innovation, and dedication to enhancing education through technology. While we gear up for summer, we also look forward to the incredible opportunities awaiting us in the next academic year. Celebrating Our Educators of Excellence Starting in 2019, ECMECC launched the Educators of Excellence awards program, recognizing outstanding staff across our districts. These awards honor individuals who exemplify Innovation, Effective Leadership, Community Building, and Impact on Learning. Join us in congratulating the 2024 Educators of Excellence! These remarkable educators will be celebrated at the Lake ECMECC Conference in Princeton, MN, on August 6th. Lake ECMECC Conference 2024 Mark your calendars for the 11th Annual Lake ECMECC Conference on August 6th in Princeton, MN. This event promises an array of technology-based sessions designed to inspire and equip you for the 2024 school year. Attendees will have opportunities to earn CEUs for re-licensure, covering essential areas mandated by the state. Register now and secure your spot: Lake ECMECC Registration. Interested in sharing your expertise? Consider being a presenter at the conference! Your insights and experience are invaluable to our community. Summer PD Opportunities: Embrace AI in Education Earn CEUs this summer with our specialized professional development opportunities focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in education: AI for Educators - Online & On-Demand Course Discover the transformative power of AI in education. Engage in a 4-hour course divided into four modules. Complete the course at your own pace and earn a Certificate for CEU Credits. Join the course: AI for Educators Course. Teaching with Today’s Technology (T3) Workshops Hands-on exploration of generative AI tools. Discuss ethical considerations of AI in the classroom. Workshops held at Braham Area High School, Room B100. Register for a T3 Workshop: Today's AI in Education T3 Sessions June Dates: June 18-20, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM August Dates: August 1, 6, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Catch Up on the Integrate This! Podcast Join Jeremy Mikla and co-host David Berner as they delve into practical tips and strategies to help teachers organize their digital lives before summer. The latest episode, "Don't Forget the Digital Dustbunnies | End-of-Year Tips for Teachers to Tidy Up Tech," offers invaluable advice for a fresh start next year. Upcoming Summer Events Minnesota Learning Commons 2024 Summit on Learning and Technology Date: August 8, 2024 Location: St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN Cost: $50 (Includes Lunch & Refreshments) Register now: Registration Link EdTech Connect 2024 Date: August 8, 2024 Location: Worthington High School, Worthington, MN Cost: $75 (Includes Lunch & Refreshments) Register now: Registration Link These events are perfect for educators looking to explore the latest in technology integration and digital learning strategies. Have a Great Summer! We wish you a restful and rejuvenating summer. Stay tuned for special podcast episodes dropping in late June, and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for tutorials on your favorite Ed-Tech tools. Thank you for being a part of our vibrant ECMECC community. Together, let's continue to inspire and innovate in education. Contact: Jeremy Mikla | jmikla@ecmecc.org Visit: ECMECC

We are thrilled to unveil the April 2024 issue of our Tech Integration Newsletter! This edition is packed with insights, innovations, and important dates that will excite and inspire educators and tech enthusiasts alike. Click on the image below to open the Newsletter What's Inside This Issue? 1. Brisk AI: More Than Just a ToolDiscover the power of Brisk AI in enhancing educational productivity. If you missed our live demo with Jeremy in March, it’s not too late to catch up and see all that Brisk can do to make your educational tasks more efficient. 2. Lake ECMECC & Tech TidbitsThe annual Lake ECMECC Conference is coming up on August 6th in Princeton, MN. Don't miss your chance to share your expertise and innovations. Proposals are due by May 31st. Learn more and submit your proposals here. 3. Integrate This! Podcast & Human Intelligence InsightsWith over 50 episodes available, our 'Integrate This!' podcast offers a treasure trove of bite-sized tutorials on a plethora of EdTech tools. This month, we emphasize the importance of keeping humans in the loop with AI, a crucial perspective for responsible tech use. 4. Celebrating Earth Day with First-Five ActivitiesEngage your students from the moment they walk into the classroom with our First-Five activities, now including special Earth Day themed prompts. Sign up at Edtomorrow to start receiving these creative and fun educational kick-starters. 5. Google Classroom Upgrades & Digital CitizenshipLook forward to new features in Google Classroom that make teaching more interactive and insightful. Plus, explore our thoughts on Offline Digital Citizenship and how essential soft skills can support strong online habits. Dive Deeper Curious to learn more? Each article in our newsletter includes links to further resources and full videos where you can dive deeper into the topics that interest you the most. We hope this issue brings you new ideas, sparks innovation, and gives you tools to enhance your educational environment. Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to your feedback and contributions as we continue to explore the intersection of technology and education together. Happy Reading!

In our continuous quest to blend technology seamlessly into educational practices, the February 2024 edition of the Tech Integration Newsletter is here, brimming with the latest resources, insights, and tools. This issue is particularly special as it not only provides invaluable tech tidbits but also commemorates Safer Internet Day, celebrated with enthusiasm across the globe. Click on the image below to open a pdf of the whole newsletter Celebrating Safer Internet Day Global Participation: Over 5500 educators and students participated in this year's Safer Internet Day, underscoring the global commitment to creating a safer digital world. This initiative emphasizes the importance of digital citizenship and the collective responsibility to foster a secure online environment. Tech Tidbits: Spotlight on FigJam FigJam for Educators: Discover how FigJam can be an essential tool for interactive and collaborative teaching. This digital whiteboard brings creativity and efficiency to your educational toolkit, enabling real-time collaboration and brainstorming among students and teachers alike. Introducing "Integrate This! Podcast" Engage with Experts: Stay tuned to our podcast series, "Integrate This!" where we delve into conversations with educational technology leaders. These discussions cover a broad range of topics, from innovative teaching methods to the latest tech tools that are reshaping education. Future-Proof Your Skills with AI Prompt Engineering RAFT Technique: Learn about the RAFT (Role, Audience, Format, Tone) prompt engineering technique, a method designed to enhance your teaching strategies and engage students in creative writing and critical thinking exercises. The First Five: A Dive into Digital Literacy Resource for Educators: The "First Five" initiative offers practical tips and strategies to promote digital literacy in the classroom. This segment aims to prepare students for the complexities of the digital age, emphasizing critical thinking and responsible internet usage. 5 Must-Watch Video Sources for Science Teachers Visual Learning: We've compiled a list of five exceptional video resources for science educators, including Twig Science Reporter and TED Ed, to enrich your curriculum with engaging and educational content that brings science to life. This newsletter is a treasure trove of knowledge for educators eager to integrate technology into their teaching practices more effectively. From celebrating safer internet practices to exploring innovative tools like FigJam and diving deep into the realms of digital literacy and AI prompt engineering, there's something for every educator committed to enhancing their digital pedagogy. Dive Deeper and Stay Connected To explore these topics further and to stay ahead in the fast-evolving landscape of educational technology, make sure to read the full February 2024 Tech Integration Newsletter. And remember, your feedback and suggestions are always welcome as we continue to explore the intersection of technology and education together. For more details and to access the complete newsletter, visit www.ecmecc.org. Stay informed, stay inspired, and let's transform education together.

We're thrilled to announce the release of the March 2024 edition of our Tech Integration Newsletter, curated with passion and precision for the educators striving to stay at the forefront of technological innovation in education. This issue is packed with insights, resources, and tools designed to empower you and your teaching. Click on the image below to open a pdf of the whole newsletter. Dive into AI with Our Free Course for Educators AI for Educators: A must-have course for any teacher looking to integrate AI into their curriculum. Spread over four comprehensive modules, this 4-hour journey will take you from the basics of AI to its application in education, ensuring you're not just ready but excited to bring AI into your classroom. Revolutionizing Security: The End of the Password Era The Future of Security: Explore the insights from Valentin Vasilyev, CTO of Fingerprint, on moving beyond traditional passwords. Discover the alternatives like biometrics, password managers, and more, marking a pivotal shift in how we think about digital security. Enhancing Media & Digital Literacy Media Literacy Guide: Our newsletter includes a downloadable guide from Britannica Education, offering top tips for fostering media literacy among students. Learn how to value expertise, evaluate objectivity, and fight false information—crucial skills in today's digital age. Accessibility Tools: Breaking Down Barriers Chromebooks and iOS Devices: We share easy-to-follow instructions on activating text-to-speech features, making digital content more accessible to all students, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity in education. Reading Resources: Engaging Digital Apps From Bookshare to Prodigy English, discover an array of online reading programs and apps designed to make learning more interactive and fun for students, reinforcing critical reading skills with innovative technology. Expert Insights: Unpacking AI in Education Tech Tidbits & Potpourri: Don't miss out on our segment featuring Miguel Guhlin's strategies and insights on integrating AI tools into teaching, along with a sneak peek into "The Achievery," an online platform by AT&T and Warner Bros., dedicated to creative educational content. AI Tools to Explore Get hands-on with Generative AI tools offering free trials. Whether it's creating AI-generated videos, voiceovers, or visual assets, these tools open up new possibilities for creativity and engagement in your teaching. Subscribe and Stay Updated! Dive deeper into these highlights and much more by subscribing to our newsletter. We’re constantly exploring the intersection of technology and education to bring you the latest and greatest tools, tips, and strategies. Watch your email for our next issue, which will feature the latest Tech Tidbit about using Brisk Teaching AI. Your journey to tech integration in education starts here. Embrace the future, and transform your teaching with the insights and resources from our March 2024 Tech Integration Newsletter. Happy teaching! For more information and to access the full newsletter, visit www.ecmecc.org/newsletters.