
Why Active Student Engagement Matters
Active student engagement improves student learning. However it is not about entertaining but rather engaging critical thinking.
Teacher Tech is a blog curated by Alice Keeler dedicated to student-centered learning with EdTech, providing practical strategies for using Google tools, AI, and digital resources to enhance engagement and deepen learning. Alice is known as the Queen of Spreadsheets, Teacher Tech features Google Sheets tips to improve workflow, streamline feedback, and create data-driven learning experiences. With a focus on pedagogy before technology, the blog emphasizes Depth of Knowledge (DOK) to move beyond rote memorization and promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and authentic learning. From Google Classroom tips to replacing worksheets with collaborative activities, Teacher Tech supports educators in creating connected classrooms that empower students to take ownership of their learning.

Active student engagement improves student learning. However it is not about entertaining but rather engaging critical thinking.

My opinion, ditch Magic School. Use Google Gemini Gems instead. They are free , integrated into your Google Workspace, safer with your data.

What is the difference between Gemini and Gems? How do I make a Gem? How do I use a Gem?

When using AI, Google Gemini, try out the Gemini Canvas tool to make cool things.

The key to Google Gemini or ChatGPT is having a good prompt, but they are hard to write. Let Gemini help you with that.

NotebookLM is one of the best AI tools an educator can use, and it’s free. However, you want to make sure you also vet the sources.

App Smash NotebookLM and Canva to create custom Infographics.

What is an Agent? It is an AI action that you don’t have to take. As teachers… we need more helpers doing things for us.

Google announced new TPU chips at Google Cloud NEXT 26. What does this mean for education?

Markdown uses simple text symbols to keep your formatting portable and clean across any digital platform. Gemini can help by accurately translating your collaborative drafts into this universal format, ensuring your content is ready for the web in seconds.

Google NotebookLM is AI grounded in the sources you provide it. It makes for a much more focused and accurate result for teachers and students.

AI is built into everything, including Google Sheets. However, how do you easily utilize AI when building spreadsheets, and particularly when you are reviewing student

ReadWorks is a free, research based, tool to aid in reading comprehension. Try the Article-A-Day to save time and provide differentiated options for readers.

DOK is the measurement of critical thinking on a task. Better understanding Depth of Knowledge helps you to better incorporate critical thinking into lessons.

The answer is always a spreadsheet, but sometimes the tips are hard to remember to implement. Practice these 3 Google Sheets shortcuts to really help

Reading logs can lean into compliance over developing a love for reading. Try ReadWorks to help support building knowledge and a love of reading.

YouTube is a powerful tool in the classroom. Here are 10 hacks to help you get more out of YouTube.

Technology should serve as a bridge that connects students rather than a wall that isolates them. Curipod™ helps fulfill the true promise of educational technology by shifting the focus from passive clicking to active student voice.

Collaborative Learning with Google Workspace. Google Workspace provides a wealth of tools that make collaborative learning more accessible and efficient for both students and teachers. By leveraging these tools and techniques, you can create engaging and successful group projects that foster teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. As you implement these strategies in your classroom, you’ll discover the power of collaboration and the benefits it brings to your students’ learning experiences.
As we set sail into the ocean of teaching, we need to cruise to less stress with tech. There is no magic bullet, but tech can provide opportunities for supporting.

In our pursuit of Martin Luther King Jr. and educational equity, it’s vital that we address the digital divide, a significant barrier to equal access to learning opportunities. This reflects the essence of what Martin Luther King Jr. stood for – a relentless quest for equity, particularly in education, where every student deserves a fair chance to succeed.

Is AI going to be the end of teaching and school? There is no doubt that there are some things AI can do better than a human being. So what becomes the roll of school or will AI make school obsolete?

Export your Google Sheets™ tabs to individual sheets. Dynamically update the individual sheets when your spreadsheet is updated.

Wondering what are Single Point Rubrics? They are gaining popularity among educators as they simplify the grading process and focus on essential aspects of a student’s work. Unlike traditional rubrics with multiple performance levels, Single Point Rubrics outline the criteria for proficiency, offering advantages such as simplicity, flexibility, clear expectations, and fostering a growth mindset

Why do you go left to right? Because a teacher said so? It is the rule? Help your students be more flexible by NOT using order of operations. Ditch PEMDAS!!

You have a start and end time, how do you display them together in the format of 8:10 – 8:15???? Harness the power of =TIME()

Need a thermometer to track fundraising goal setting? Alice Keeler has a Google Sheets template that you can provide per student to help them keep track of their goals. Thermometer Goal Setting Template

I was making a Harry Potter themed Quizizz and was sharply reminded that ChatGPT does NOT think. Use AI but be careful trusting the output of AI. ChatGPT is not thinking

When you add text onto Google Slides does it sometimes get lost in the image behind it? Alice Keeler shows you how to adjust the textbox to make it easier to read.

Get free PD hours in this online conference for teachers … with interesting topics and engaging speakers. Register today!

My opinion, ditch Magic School. Use Google Gemini Gems instead. They are free , integrated into your Google Workspace, safer with your data.

If you have wondered What is a #CoffeeEDU it is time to attend or host one! A one hour unconference meetup for educators.

What the Heck is Unreal Engine? Unreal Engine is a game engine and a suite of game development tools for creating 3D video games, simulations and virtual reality experiences. It can be used in the classroom as an educational tool for teaching students programming, game design, and 3D modeling, among other subjects.

FigJam is a collaborative digital whiteboard. Explore 10 lesser-known hidden FigJam whiteboard gems.

Options for how you present your Google Slides. Perhaps you want to present Google Slides NOT full screen.
Pixel Art in Google Sheets is really fun, but how do you know what number corresponds to what color? Add a color key in pixel art.
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Get effective EdTech strategies from Alice Keeler to build a more student centered classroom. Includes unique resources and templates.
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Join Alice Keeler for this session for teaching with AI
Imagine having a team of teaching assistants who already know your syllabus and exactly how you like to give feedback. Join Google Certified Innovator Alice Keeler to learn how to use Google Gems to build a powerful collection of custom AI tools. We will explore how to engineer specific instructions so you can create a Grading Assistant or a Classroom Policy Manager that works for you. You will also learn how to leverage Gems shared by other educators to instantly expand your toolkit. This session is about super-powering your teaching by automating the routine tasks so you can focus on the students.