#EdTech Insights from School District Tech Leaders at #ISTELive23 - HoET226

Feedback & Shout Outs (1:24) It was great to meet so many new people and connect with old friends at ISTE Live 2023 in Philadelphia! EdTech Thought (4:13) Threads, a new social media platform developed by Instagram, is gaining traction among educators. It allows users to share text updates, join public conversations, and importantly for educators, link directly to resources. Despite early challenges with search functionality and account management, Threads holds significant potential for revolutionizing how educators connect and share resources. Takeaways: Threads provides a new avenue for educators to connect and engage in in-depth conversations, overcoming limitations of platforms like Instagram. Despite its early-stage challenges, such as a lack of support for hashtags and account deletion tied to Instagram, Threads' potential to transform educational resource sharing and networking is significant. Let's connect on Threads! EdTech Recommendation (9:16) Explore mmhmm, a dynamic and user-friendly tool that's revolutionizing virtual classrooms for K-12 teachers. mmhmm offers a suite of features designed to make online teaching more engaging and memorable. From presenting on-screen alongside any content to hosting interactive activities and discussions on video calls, mmhmm is compatible with platforms like Zoom, Meet, Teams, and Webex. Teachers can record lessons, design custom video sequences, and even add special effects to their presentations. Once a lesson is ready, it can be shared with students or published to a school's video library, with closed captioning options for improved accessibility. Available for Mac and Windows, mmhmm also offers web and studio versions for added flexibility. Featured Content (12:32) Crystal Samuels, John Terlecki, and Douglas Timm discussed their roles in their Delaware school district as instructional technology leaders. The team is in charge of instructional technology for a district of 14,000 students across 33 schools, and they cater to diverse student populations, including those with unique needs such as a school for the deaf, students with disabilities, and autistic-centric programs. They each emphasized the collaborative nature of their team, stating that they work well together because of their differing approaches and personalities. They stressed the importance of having a 'can-do' attitude, always striving to find ways to implement new ideas. Topics discussed include: Technology Education and Support Challenging Assumptions Micro Credentialing Technology Adoption and Feedback Connectivity House of #EdTech VIP (37:16) Nicole Lipps is a seasoned educator with a fervent passion for integrating digital tools and resources into the educational landscape. Her mission is to revolutionize the way we teach and learn, and she has a proven track record of successfully leveraging technology to enhance student engagement and achievement. Nicole takes immense pride in leading other educators on this transformative journey.