Control Alt Achieve: EdTech Links

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:

🔗 View all EdTech Links of the Week: bit.ly/caa-links

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📧 Join the "Control Alt Achieve" email discussion group: bit.ly/caa-emailgroup
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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 3 resources from around the Internet and 4 resources from my blog.

📚 Plot Point

Resource Link

My friend Miguel Guhlimn from TCEA has created yet another awesome learning tool for schools. Last time it was DrawSplat, and this time it is Plot Point. Here is how he describes it:

PlotPoint is a literature learning arcade featuring over 100 titles.
Teachers can search by title, author, or idea, which should make the growing library easier to navigate.
The goal of PlotPoint is to turn reading into an investigation.
It offers interactive learning opportunities for students and stories appropriate for grades six through twelve.
Students examine artifacts, solve evidence-based breakouts, play short literary games, and explain the thinking behind their choices.

📖 Wonder Stories

Resource Link

Another friend of mine, Elliot Hedman, has created the website Wonder Stories with over 80 free interactive stories for kids PreK through Grade 6. Here are the details:

Built for Reluctant Readers - Every story has choices, questions, and scoring, so reading feels like a game, not a chore.
Research-Backed Design - Every book is designed around how kids actually learn to read. Short segments, immediate feedback, and comprehension checks built into the story, not bolted on at the end.
Completely Free - No subscription, no account, no ads.

🤖 TypeTastic AI Literacy Lessons

Resource Link

I am always on the lookout for more resources to teach students about the appropriate use of technology, especially artificial intelligence. I have a blog post that I continue to update with new AI lessons for students, and was excited to come across another new entry to add to the list.

TypeTastic has been known for years as a great free site to help students learn keyboarding. Recently they added curriculum resources including:

Digital Literacy, K-5. How to thrive in the digital world
Digital Citizenship, K-5. How to behave online
Computer Science, K-5. How the digital world works
AI Literacy, grades 3-5. What AI is, how it is used, how it learns, and how to think critically about it

As with all their resources, everything is free, with no ads and no login required.

💬 Upcoming Webinar - Promptcraft: Building a Better AI Prompt

Resource Link

I am excited to be presenting a free webinar about creating better AI prompts. And what better time than September to have a "Promptember" event! In this session we will explore hundreds of examples of excellent prompts, learn the top 10 tips for better prompts, and explore free tools to help you make the best prompts for your needs. Details for this training:

💬 Promptcraft: Building a Better AI Prompt
🗓️ Thursday, September 24th, 2026
⏰ 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / Noon PT
▶️ The webinar will be live-streamed and also recorded for those who can't attend live
✅ Register at bit.ly/sep24prompt or in this Google Form

💎 New EduGems

Resource Link

Each week I try to add new Gems to my EduGems website. Since last newsletter the site has now reached 155 Gems! Below are the newest ones added to the site:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Simple Terms for Parents - Translate policies, guidelines, test results, curriculum concepts & more into clear, engaging, and parent-friendly communications
🎯 Educator SMART Goals - Help educators create professional, instructionally impactful, SMART goals and ready-to-use companion files for themselves
📝 OST ELA Generators - Generate practice items and text-based writing prompts that mirror the Ohio’s State Tests (OST) for Grades 3 through HS ELA II
✅ Check for Understanding Generator - Design formative assessment checks before, during, or after instruction to gauge the level of your learners' understanding

📛 Google AI Badgeathon

Resource Link

Looking for a great free day of virtual PD to kick off the new school year? Google is hosting their "AI Educator Series Badgeathon: Day of AI Learning" and here are the details:

Date: September 19, 2026
Time: 9:00am-7:00pm ET
A fast-paced, drop-in learning festival designed for your busy schedule.
Pop in for a 30-minute power session or stack a few together to level up your AI skills on your own terms.
Every 30-minute block packs a punch.
Lightning Talk: Real-world AI inspiration and classroom use cases from fellow educators.
Live Badging: Follow step-by-step guided demos, get real-time chat support from Googlers, pass the check-in, and walk away with official digital badges earned live on the spot.

And I am excited to be presenting one of the sessions on Gemini Notebook! Get more details and register at the link above. I hope to learn with you!

📰 What's New in Google - August 2026

Resource Link

For an easy way to catch up on everything new in Google for Education from the summer, check out the recorded video, detailed agenda, and all the links from the GEG-Ohio August 2026 Meeting. We covered lots of new Google updates and helpful ideas and resources for schools.