Tuesday, February 11, 2025

EdTech Links - Week of 2-10-25

Each week I keep an eye out for the latest edtech resources through blogs, social media, podcasts, videos, user groups, and more. I then try to reshare these resources in many ways.

One way I share these is here on the blog in these "EdTech Links of the Week" posts. See below to explore the latest batch of resources, and be sure to share with others who may benefit.

If you want to make sure you don't miss new resources, you can:
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And as always, please let me know of any resources that you recommend. I would love to learn from you!

This week I have 4 resources from around the Internet and 3 resources from my blog.

🤯 AI-AI-Oh! Awesome AI Uses in Education

Recently I recorded a 45-minute webinar where I covered a wide range of helpful and creative ways to use AI in schools including:
  • 🤔 Brainstorming
  • ✍️ Creating Content
  • ✂️ Altering Content
  • 🔎 Processing Information
  • 💯 Grading & Feedback
  • 🗣️ Student Conversations
You can watch the video and access the session resource document and slideshow through the link above. In what creative ways have you been using AI? I would love to hear your ideas to add to the list!



🗣️ My 2025 OETC Sessions

I am excited and honored to be presenting at the 2025 Ohio Educational Technology Conference (OETC25) in Columbus, Ohio this week (February 11th through 13th). My sessions will include:
  • 🚦 Managing AI Concerns in Schools
  • 👓 Hipster Google: Lesser Known Tools
  • 🧰 AI Toolbox: Best AI Tools for Schools
  • 📛 Classroom Guest: Mr. A.I. Chatterbot
If you will be attending, I hope to connect and learn with you. Either way, you can get all the details and resources for my sessions at the link above.




❤️ Googley Valentine Activities

With Valentine's Day coming up, here is a collection of some of my Valentine-related Google activities for students to practice writing, math, and creativity:
  • 📊 Hearts and Charts Google Sheets Math Activities
  • 😍 Valentine Emoji Rebus Stories in Google Docs
  • 🧲 Valentine Magnetic Poetry with Google Drawings
  • 💌 Valentine Cards with Google Drawings
You can get copies of all the templates, as well as detailed directions for use at the link above.



🕹️ Khanmigo Blooket Generator

Just like peanut butter and chocolate, Khanmigo and Blooket are two of my favorite things that are better together!
Well now Khanmigo has a free Blooket Generator that allows you to:
  • Create custom question sets on any topic in seconds.
  • Export them directly to Blooket.
  • Turn them into fun, gamified learning experiences for your students!




🔊 New Voices for Read&Write

The Read&Write extension is one of my all-time favorite educational tools. It is a powerful collection of accessibility tools that can support every learner. One of its best known features is its text-to-speech tool which will read aloud content. I was super excited to see that they have upgraded the tool with brand new high quality voices!

Texthelp has partnered with Elevenlabs to add 50 new AI voices that sound much more natural and expressive. You do need to have the premium version of Read&Write to use the new voices, but this is still free for all educators. Simply fill out the educator upgrade form to get moved to the premium version if you have not already done so.

These new voices can be used with content that is read aloud in your class, as well as with the "Audio Maker" tool that lets you make recordings of text for students. You can listen to a sample recording I made here.

And if you want to learn more about Read&Write in general, be sure to check out my resource document "Read&Write Can Do That?!" here https://bit.ly/curts-rwtips



✨ Brilliant for Educators Video

Last month I shared about Brilliant for Educators and mentioned a free webinar they would be hosting. If you missed that webinar, they have now created a short 12-minute video to cover all the key information you need to get going with this free tool. You can watch the video here - YouTube link

As a reminder, here are the basics about Brilliant:
  • Brilliant is an online supplemental curriculum offering thousands of interactive and engaging lessons designed to inspire a love for STEM subjects and foster a deep understanding of key concepts. 
  • Thanks to generous grant funding, Brilliant is completely free for K-12 teachers and their students. 
  • Ideal for middle and high school students, Brilliant can be used by teachers to support self-directed learning, provide enrichment opportunities, and offer fresh perspectives on many math, science, and computer science topics.
  • Brilliant encourages students to think critically in a supportive environment where they can learn from their mistakes. 
  • To get started, simply register as an educator at educator.brilliant.org




🔊 Mote supports diverse classrooms

Last week I introduced Mote’s new Read Aloud feature, and this week we’re seeing how Read Aloud combines with Mote’s other features to support diverse learners and classrooms.

Mote’s features can be used in a number of ways to support UDL principles and to meet IEP and 504 plan requirements, including through:
  • Read Aloud. Can be used by any learner, but is especially helpful for struggling readers and ESL students. It offers human-like voices that make listening to written content fun and rewarding.
  • Voice Recording. Voice feedback is inherently accessible, and is a proven way to engage students in their development, but voice recording also empowers student choice and creativity. Mote’s speech-to-text and translation features are all designed to maximize learner choice and engagement.
  • Translation. With options to translate text on any web page to over 50 languages, this feature provides scaffolded support to ESL students. Students can also listen to translated text in their native language.
Mote has recently launched a new Community site with some high-quality PD that covers accessible learning amongst other topics - check it out at community.mote.com




Post by Eric Curts
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