Summer is typically a season dedicated to relaxation and reflection but for educators it’s an
ideal time to refresh digital spaces, reassess their habits, and set the stage for a strong start to
the new academic year.
A mid-summer tech reset encourages you to purge clutter, opening more doors for efficiency and
making it easier to transition into the new year. Whether you’re a classroom teacher planning
for new students, an instructional support staff member preparing to become a digital learning
specialist, a digital reset might be just the thing you need to start the coming fall term on the
right foot.
10 Tech Reset Steps for Educators
The following is a TCEA-recommended checklist to help maximize the summer. Kick off the
school year by using it to portray clarity and confidence.
1. Declutter Your Digital Desktop
A messy desktop will sap your energy and also slow you down. Create a clean folder structure
by subject, semester, or tool, and archive last year’s documents. Also, delete any duplicates. A
tidy workspace clears your mind and enhances focus. You will appreciate this in August. When
the digital environment is cluttered, it fatigues the decision-making process.
“A cluttered digital environment leads to decision fatigue. Clearing it isn’t just about space—it’s
about headspace.” — Inspired by Digital Minimalism.
2. Update Passwords and Enable MFA
The first step in cybersecurity is building strong credentials. Change your passwords on your
most frequented websites and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to provide an additional
layer of security online. In addition to protecting your information, it also sets a good example for
your students and colleagues.
“Cybersecurity is not a product, but a process.” — Bruce Schneier.
3. Clean and Prep Classroom Devices
Teachers must take an inventory and clean all of their devices. Also, they should note down
anything that needs repair. IT teams check updates, renew licenses, and test performance, so
devices are ready on day one.
4. Reset Your LMS or Learning Platform
Archive old courses now, then update your welcome message. Revise all links, as well as
prepare some new content, regardless of whether you use Google Classroom, Canvas, or
Schoology. Begin again with both clarity and structure.
5. Review Your Ed Tech Toolkit
Which tools made a difference last year? How did they fare? Take the time to streamline your digital toolbox by removing tools that are no longer useful to you and exploring new options that align with your instructional goals to enhance your performance.
Looking for some ideas? Join a discussion in the TCEA Community!
6. Sync Calendars and Notifications
You can simply sync your LMS with Google or Outlook calendars. By integrating tools like this
into your daily routine, you can stay well organized by syncing calendars and make sure that
you do not miss any critical deadlines or meetings. It simplifies planning and saves time, making
it easy to schedule both professional and personal commitments. Having reminders for events
like grading periods, school activities, and individual objectives can be achieved using tools like
Asana or Trello. Automation can easily be your second brain, holding down the fort when the
mental load is overwhelming, and you need more assistance and less hands-on work.
7. Refresh Your Digital Citizenship Plan
Your policies should keep pace with the evolution of the digital environment. Policies that have
been effective in the past could become outdated or work against you. Getting them refreshed
and revised periodically keeps you on top of them and effective at serving your purposes.
Taking this proactive measure encourages flexibility and continuous improvement in your online
practice. Consider how you could integrate AI literacy, data privacy, cyber well-being, and
ethical technology use into your classroom practice.
8. Reconnect with Your Professional Learning Network
A summer collaborative learning platform could be what you need to strengthen your
professional learning community. Consider joining a community of educators to exchange ideas,
share resources, and collaborate on innovative teaching strategies. A professional development
network can keep you up to date on the latest educational technology trends and advance your professional growth.
9. Plan Your Learning and Professional Development
What do you aim to achieve this year? Will you need coaching, AI integration, or certification
services? Take a moment to reflect on teaching goals and how embedding technology can
enhance learning activities. Set specific, measurable objectives that relate to your vision of
student academic success. From fostering digital literacy to improving collaboration, a clear plan
will guide your efforts and maximize your impact in the classroom. TCEA offers on-demand PD
and self-paced courses to support your goals in your own time.
10. Create Space for Innovation
Leave room to try something new. Pilot a gamified unit, explore classroom AI, or launch a
student-led tech project. Low-stakes experimentation now builds momentum for future creative
teaching.
“Technology will not replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can
be transformational.” — George Couros
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a complete overhaul to feel prepared. Even a few intentional actions now can
transform your transition into August. Use this tech reset to enter the new year more focused,
organized, and ready for whatever comes your way.
