EdTech Essentials

Book excerpt: An accessible, practical guide to incorporating 12 essential EdTech skills and strategies in every learning setting—expanded and updated for the AI era. In a world awash in technology, what EdTech skills and strategies should educators focus on to ensure they are making the best use of online spaces for classroom learning? How can they sift through the overwhelming number of options in digital tools and platforms? How can they guide students in learning best practices—especially now that generative artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the landscape? EdTech consultant Monica Burns answers these and other questions in this powerful and reader-friendly guide to incorporating EdTech across all grade levels and subject areas. This second edition is updated and expanded to help educators meet the needs of students amid the proliferation of apps that leverage AI, the easy access we all have to chatbots, and the clear need for educators and students to understand the implications of AI. Readers will gain practical advice on * Navigating online spaces effectively * Curating resources to support every student * Generating ideas and resources with AI * Evaluating digital content with an AI mindset * Exploring the world with students * Collaborating across digital spaces * Creating multimodal artifacts of learning * Assessing to check for understanding and pivot instruction * Sharing student creations in big and small ways * Connecting students to authentic audiences * Transferring skills across digital spaces * Planning for tech-rich learning experiences Each chapter explains why the skill or strategy is essential, including supporting research, classroom examples, guiding questions for planning and reflection, and suggested websites and digital tools for classroom use. The book also includes access to downloadable forms to help you set goals, assess your progress, and equip your EdTech tool belt. Timely, accessible, and informed by the author's experience and expertise, EdTech Essentials, 2nd Edition, is a must-read for educators who want proven ways to prepare their students to be productive, responsible users of technology both within and outside the classroom. This second edition is a copublication of ASCD and ISTE.