Hello Educators and Tech Enthusiasts! We're thrilled to kick off the new year with our latest issue of the "Tech Integration Newsletter" for January 2024, packed with exciting updates and resources tailored for the ever-evolving educational landscape. Click on the image below to open the Newsletter 🏆 Celebrating Innovation: We start with a celebration of our ISTE Travel Scholarship recipients. These inspiring educators will be attending the ISTE Live 24 Event in Denver, bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the forefront of educational technology. 🌐 Safer Internet Day Focus: The digital world is an integral part of our students' lives. This month, we delve into the importance of Safer Internet Day, emphasizing the role of AI in fostering a safer online environment. 🛠️ Tech Tips and Tricks: Our practical session using Google Slides reveals how to craft engaging classroom newsletters, a fantastic way to keep your community informed and involved. 🎧 Podcast Power: Don't miss our "Integrate This!" Podcast series. We're discussing the myriad applications of Google Workspace tools, offering insights and strategies to enhance your classroom experience. 🤖 Preparing for an AI Future: The future is AI! We provide valuable tips on preparing students for a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, ensuring they're not just ready but also excited for what's ahead. 📚 Combating Misinformation: In recognition of National News Literacy Week, we've curated essential resources to help educators combat misinformation. It's more crucial than ever to equip our students with the skills to discern fact from fiction. 🌟 Engaging Resources: As always, we've compiled a variety of tech-related activities and resources. Whether you're looking for classroom inspiration or professional development, we've got you covered. We hope this issue sparks new ideas and enthusiasm as you integrate technology into your educational practices. Dive in, explore, and let's make 2024 a year of tech-empowered learning and growth! Stay Innovative, Jeremy

Season's Greetings, Educators and Tech Enthusiasts! As we wrap up the year, we're excited to bring you the December 2023 edition of our Tech Integration Newsletter, filled with educational technology insights and festive cheer. Click on the Image to open the Newsletter Introducing "Integrate This! EdTech Podcast" We're kicking things off with our brand new "Integrate This! EdTech Podcast." Join us every two weeks as we explore the latest in technology tools, tips, and trends. Our first episodes dive into ChatGPT 4's image capabilities and how to create your own GPT's in ChatGPT 4 – a must-listen for innovative educators! Hour of Code: AI Edition Celebrate the Hour of Code from December 4-10 with a special AI edition. We've curated activities and videos to introduce computer science and AI concepts in an engaging and accessible way. Don't miss the opportunity to create a virtual dance party with your students featuring today's top artists! Virtual Field Trip Resources Travel the world from your classroom with our virtual field trip resources. These trips provide diverse learning experiences and bring real-world context to your lessons. Discover how to make these connections and enhance your curriculum with interactive video conferencing. Spotlight on AI Tools This month, we highlight several AI tools to add to your tech arsenal. From "Magic School AI" for creating immersive learning experiences to "My Lens AI" for timeline creation, these tools are designed to foster creativity and critical thinking in your students. Managing Digital Clutter: The Impact of Too Many Open Tabs Does your browser resemble a crowded tab mess? Learn how to manage your digital workspace efficiently with our tips and tricks. We recommend trying the browser extension 'Toby' for organizing your tabs and enhancing your online productivity. Stocking Stuffers: Tech Treats and Surprises Don't miss the 'Stocking Stuffers' section for a collection of tech goodies. From educational games like Moose Mission to the iconic Oregon Trail, there's something for everyone to enjoy and integrate into their teaching. We invite you to explore these topics and more in our full newsletter. Your feedback and engagement are what drive our community forward, so please share your thoughts or any tech tool recommendations at jmikla@ecmecc.org. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a tech-filled new year! Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

Hello Tech Aficionados and Education Professionals! We are delighted to present the November 2023 edition of our Tech Integration Newsletter, packed with cutting-edge insights and educational technology trends. Click on Image to Open Newsletter Blending Technology with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) This month, we spotlight Braham Area Elementary School's innovative "Bomber Bands" program. It integrates wearable technology, such as heart rate monitors, into SEL curricula, helping students become more attuned to their physical and emotional wellbeing. Learn how these tools are transforming the classroom experience. Demystifying AI in Education Ever wondered how AI learns and evolves? Our newsletter delves into the world of machine learning, offering practical lesson plans and hands-on applications like Quick Draw! and AutoDraw. These resources are perfect for introducing AI concepts to students across various grade levels. Latest Google Updates and Alternatives With Google phasing out Jamboard in 2024, we explore new alternatives for collaborative work, including Google Slides' "Live Pointer" feature and FigJam. These tools offer exciting ways for students to collaborate and engage in creative projects. Tech Potpourri: A Mix of Helpful Tech Tips Our section 'Tech Potpourri' features an assortment of tech finds, including Google’s Interview Warm Up tool, Math Solver, and the LIFE Tags project. Plus, learn about proper email etiquette with our "Captain Communicator" video lesson and helpful poster. Get Involved! Dive into these topics and more in our latest newsletter. Your input makes our tech community stronger, so please share your thoughts or recommendations at jmikla@ecmecc.org. If you'd like to directly subscribe to future newsletters, complete this form. Thank you for joining us on this journey to integrate technology into our educational practices. Let's continue to innovate and inspire together! Happy Exploring!

Greetings, Educators and Tech Enthusiasts! We're thrilled to announce the release of our October 2023 issue of the Tech Integration Newsletter, a treasure trove of resources, insights, and tips to enhance your classroom experience through technology. Click on the Image to open the Newsletter Digital Citizenship Week: A Focus on Digital Wellbeing October 16-20 marks Digital Citizenship Week. We're excited to share Common Sense's free resources and lessons aimed at promoting students' mental health and digital wellbeing. Dive into these 15-minute lessons that tackle the complexities of growing up in the social media and technology era. AI Applications Beyond ChatGPT and Bard Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing education, and we’ve compiled an extensive list of AI tools categorized by their educational applications. From AI security and privacy challenges to prompt engineering for educators, our newsletter covers it all. Accessibility in Tech: Making Learning Inclusive Learn about simple yet impactful accessibility tricks and tools. We cover aspects like color contrast, text font and style, and the new Reading Mode in Google Chrome, ensuring your tech integration is inclusive for all students. Engaging Activities Across Grade Levels Discover AI-generated decodables for primary grades, Halloween-themed Rebus stories for elementary students, digital escape rooms for middle schoolers, and unboxing video projects for high school students. These activities are tailored to make learning engaging and fun! Join Our Community We encourage you to explore these topics and more in the full newsletter. Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable to us. Feel free to reach out at jmikla@ecmecc.org with your thoughts or any AI tool recommendations. Thank you for your commitment to integrating technology in education. Together, we're shaping a brighter, more innovative future for our students. Happy Reading!

Hello, Educators and Tech Enthusiasts! The ECMECC Tech Integration September Newsletter is out, and it is bursting with valuable content that you won't want to miss. From wrap-ups of our previous events to upcoming features and resources, this newsletter is your gateway to elevating your teaching and tech skills. Click on the Image to open the Newsletter A Look Back at the 10th Annual Lake ECMECC Conference First of all, a big shoutout to everyone who attended our 10th Annual Lake ECMECC Conference in Princeton this summer! It was a fabulous day filled with learning, collaboration, and some truly "Off the Charts" ignite speakers. Missed it? Don’t fret! Catch up on what went down by visiting Lake ECMECC. Jeremy’s Tech Tidbits: Keeping Up with Google Google never sleeps, and neither should you when it comes to tech integration! Jeremy’s Tech Tidbits are back this month, featuring the latest updates and features from Google: Sept. 19: Google Slides & Docs Sept. 28: Google Classroom & Chrome Browser Don’t miss out on these nuggets of knowledge; register for the live presentation or request the recording here. AI in the Classroom: No Overlords, Just Aides! Contrary to popular dystopian fantasies, AI is not taking over the classroom—yet. However, Artificial Intelligence is proving to be an effective tool for enhancing instructional practices. Check out the Newsletter for ideas to get started working WITH AI in your classroom Accessibility 101: Large Cursors on Chromebooks Chromebooks have become a staple in classrooms, and they offer a variety of built-in accessibility features. The large cursor/arrow is one such feature that not only helps those of us with age-related vision concerns but also proves to be a useful tool for students with vision or motor issues. Beware of Scams: Federal Student Loan Repayment The Federal Student Loan Pause is ending, and scammers are on the prowl. Always remember: you NEVER need to pay to sign up for government student loan debt relief programs. Click here to learn more about how to recognize such scams. Virtual Field Trips: Inspire Learning from the Comfort of the Classroom Physical barriers shouldn't limit education. Virtual Field Trips are an innovative way to expose students to new experiences. With partners like CILC and programs like Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants, there are countless opportunities to enrich your curriculum. Many of these programs are either free or offer ECMECC funding. Your next step? Make sure to dive into the full September newsletter for even more gems. Technology in education is an ever-changing landscape, and the ECMECC Tech Integration Newsletter is your map. Don't get left behind—stay in the loop and empower your instructional practice today!