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Planning and Preparation

Supercharge your technology planning with the AI Plan Analyzer

Supercharge Your Tech Plans with the AI Plan Analyzer

by Miguel Guhlin October 30, 2024

written by Miguel Guhlin

In the ever-evolving world of technology, having a robust and comprehensive plan is crucial for organizations of all sizes. But how can you ensure your technology plans are up to par? Enter the AI-Powered Plan Analyzer, a cutting-edge tool designed to revolutionize the way we assess and improve our technology strategies. While it can’t dig a trench, run fiber, or set up a printer, it can free up some time for you to knock out those other .

What is the AI-Powered Plan Analyzer?

The AI-Powered Plans Analyzer is designed to provide:

In-depth assessments of various technology-related plans and strategies
Valuable insights, key performance indicators, service-level agreements
Recommendations for improvement

Plus, you can access the ChatGPT Custom GPT, TCEA AI-Powered Plan Analyzer at no cost!

What Problems Does It Solve?

You may be wondering, “What problems does this solution solve?”

Well, quite a few! Here are some:

Problem	Solution
Inconsistent Assessment of Technology Plans	Generates standardized assessment rubrics to evaluate District Technology Plans aligned to criteria
Lack of Expertise in Cybersecurity and Incident Response	Detailed analysis and scoring of plans, including cyber, incident response, and disaster recovery
Visualizing Complex Network Maps	Create visual representations of network maps and diagrams
Too Much Data in Tech Support Metrics	Assess metrics and offers feedback
Managing Ed Tech Deployments	Evaluates Ed Tech deployments
Inefficient Project Planning and Execution	Offers Project Management Support
Time-Consuming Documentation and Content Creation	Output Rubrics and Assessments in various formats

You now have an idea of what Analyzer can do. Let’s take a look at the rubrics powering the Analyzer. You can print them in a variety of formats, including PDF, markdown, MS Word, etc.

Comprehensive Assessment Rubrics

Diverse assessment rubrics, each tailored to evaluate specific aspects of technology planning, are available. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Cybersecurity Plan Assessment. This rubric evaluates the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of your cybersecurity strategies. It aligns it with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and other relevant regulations.
Cybersafety Plan Assessment. This rubric focuses on user education, content filtering, and privacy protection. It aligns to important regulations like CIPA and FERPA.
Network Map Assessment. This tool evaluates the clarity, security, and scalability of your network maps. It ensures your infrastructure documentation is up to standard.
K-12 School District Technology Plan Assessment. This rubric assesses technology plans against state education technology standards and E-Rate program requirements.
Helpdesk and Technology Support Assessment. This rubric evaluates the efficiency and quality of your IT support services. The goal is to help you optimize your technology assistance strategies.
Equipment Replacement Plan Assessment. Stay ahead of technological obsolescence with this rubric. It focuses on maintaining and upgrading technology infrastructure.
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plan Assessment. Ensure your organization is prepared for the unexpected with this rubric. It evaluates the effectiveness of your disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Access all the rubrics online via this document. Remember, you can customize them via the prompts you use; sample prompts are available to get you started. You will also find additional tools available based on infographics.

Project Management Action Phases

One of my favorite assignments for candidates for the IT/Tech Director certification has been to have them plan a project. They often rely on a tool like the one below:

Now, you can ask the AI-Powered Plan Analyzer to generate the various components reflected in the action steps.For example:

Phase	Action	Example
Start	Define the project scope, objectives, and key stakeholders.	Objective: Deploy 50 wireless access points (WAPs) across the campus to enhance network coverage and performance.
Plan	Develop a detailed project plan, including a timeline, resource allocation, and risk assessment.	Task: Schedule site surveys and allocate team members for each building, ensuring equipment availability and addressing potential interference issues.
Execute	Implement the project plan by installing and configuring the wireless access points.	Action: Deploy WAPs in Building A and B in the first week, conducting tests to verify signal strength and coverage before moving to the next buildings.
Stop	Review the project outcomes, close out any remaining tasks, and document lessons learned.	Task: Conduct a final inspection of the deployment, gather feedback from IT staff, and document any challenges encountered for future reference.

This can be translated into a Gantt chart easily, one that you can adapt and use right away.

Give it a spin.

Alignment with Industry Standards

One of the key strengths of the AI-Powered Plans Analyzer is its alignment with various state and federal standards. Whether it’s the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ITIL best practices, or FEMA guidelines, these rubrics ensure your plans not only meet your organizational needs but also comply with relevant regulations and industry standards.

Let’s take a closer look under the hood of the Analyzer and see how it aligns to various standards and guidelines.

CyberSecurity Focused

Document/Resource	Related Standards/Guidelines	Alignment Notes
K-12 Cybersecurity Implementation Guide	Texas K-12 Cybersecurity Framework, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) CSF	Aligns with guidelines for implementing impactful cybersecurity measures in schools, addressing state and national standards for cybersecurity.
Implementing Most Impactful Security Measures	NIST Cybersecurity Framework, Texas Cybersecurity Framework	Provides recommendations aligned with recognized cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring that schools adopt effective and compliant security measures.
Texas K-12 Cybersecurity Initiative	Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR)	Adheres to state directives on cybersecurity initiatives tailored to the K-12 environment.
Guide to Cybersecurity Risk Assessment	NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)	Guides risk assessment processes in accordance with national and federal risk management standards for cybersecurity.
Cyber Insurance Standards	Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Guidelines	Provides insurance guidelines consistent with CISA’s recommendations for managing cyber risks in K-12 environments.
National Cybersecurity Review (NCSR) 2024 FAQ Sheet	NCSR, DHS Cybersecurity Performance Goals	Aligns with national cybersecurity performance review standards to guide school districts in meeting cybersecurity expectations.
Safeguarding Sensitive Data – Encryption/Decryption Tools	Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2, CISA Guidelines	Provides encryption/decryption tools recommendations that adhere to federal standards for data protection.
Key Findings and Recommendations in K-12	U.S. Department of Education, State Cybersecurity Laws	Highlights best practices and recommendations aligned with federal and state regulations for cybersecurity in K-12 education.

Technical Standards and Metrics

Document/Resource	Related Standards/Guidelines	Alignment Notes
Standards for Permissible Electronic Devices and Software Applications	Texas Education Agency (TEA) Guidelines	Ensures compliance with state-level requirements for electronic devices and software applications used in educational environments.
Technician Appraisal Checklist	Texas Educator Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS)	Evaluates technician performance using criteria consistent with state guidelines for educational staff appraisals.
Tech Instructional Programs Purchasing Rubric	Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 44, Subchapter B, National Education Technology Plan	Evaluates purchasing decisions in alignment with state procurement standards and national technology planning guidelines.
Technology Support Metrics	Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)	Establishes support metrics that align with ITIL standards, ensuring efficient and standardized technology support in educational settings.

TCEA Project Management Action Phases and Supporting Documents

Document/Resource	Purpose	Alignment Notes
TCEA Project Management Action Phases Infographic	Guides users through the project management phases: Start, Plan, Execute, Stop	Aligns with PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) standards, providing structured guidance for managing tech-related projects.
De-Implementation Options Infographic	Offers strategies for de-implementation processes	Supports strategic project management by guiding the discontinuation or re-engineering of ineffective practices.
TCEA Equipment Replacement Plan Assessment Rubric	Assesses equipment replacement plans	Aligns with asset management best practices and TEC standards, ensuring strategic planning and budgeting for technology lifecycle.
TCEA Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Guidelines	Suggests actionable KPIs for various technology areas	Aligns with ITIL and strategic management practices, providing metrics for evaluating and improving technology operations.
Executive Summary Utilization Guide	Guides in creating tailored recommendations based on executive summaries	Aligns with strategic planning guidelines by ensuring that project recommendations are grounded in thorough analysis and context.

What’s more, the Analyzer gets new update from time to time to reflect the changing realities of technology planning.

Why Use the AI-Powered Plans Analyzer?

Want more reasons to use it? Here is a quick wrap up of what it can do:

Comprehensive Evaluation. Get a holistic assessment of your technology plans across multiple domains.
Standards Compliance. Ensure your strategies align with important industry standards and regulations.
Actionable Insights. Receive valuable feedback to improve and refine your technology plans.
Time-Saving. Streamline the assessment process with this efficient, AI-powered tool.
Versatility. The analyzer has rubrics tailored to your needs.

To use it, follow these simple steps:

Upload your district technology plan, cybersecurity plan
Ask the Analyzer to assess it and
Ask it to give it a score with suggestions for improvement
Review changes then make them if appropriate

That is all. Easy, right?

The AI-Powered Plan Analyzer

The Analyzer is a powerful tool for school tech planning. It’s not just for assessment, it’s your planning assistant. It uses clear guides and follows industry rules. This makes planning faster and better. As a tech director, I wish I had enjoyed access to it. Use it to make complex planning tasks simpler and easier.

October 30, 2024 0 comment

English Language Arts Planning and Preparation Reading Writing

Write to Learn: Creating a Districtwide Culture of Literacy

by Taylor Brock September 11, 2024

written by Taylor Brock

In recent years, writing across content areas has become a highly discussed literacy problem of practice. As assessments across the country—including the redesigned STAAR exam—incorporate cross-curricular passages and varied writing tasks, many districts are asking, “How do we build a culture of literacy that spans content areas?”

While we can all agree that building student literacy is incredibly important, different educators are likely to come up with different definitions of what “literacy” means. For the sake of the discussion below, I want to offer a definition that many of our teams at NoRedInk utilize: Literacy is the ability to read, interpret, write, and discuss ideas across varied contents and contexts.

This expansive understanding of literacy makes space for literacy interventions not just in ELAR classes, but in all classes. By embracing this kind of “disciplinary literacy,” districts can equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school, higher education, the military, and the workplace.

What Does Disciplinary Literacy Look Like?

Promoting disciplinary literacy involves helping students step into the shoes of experts in a given field, asking them to engage in social and cognitive practices consistent with those content experts. Doing so gives purpose to classroom reading and writing tasks, which in turn gives students greater access to texts and artifacts.

In practice, this might look like preparing students to read a cartoon like an historian, note features of a painting like an artist, read a graph like a scientist, write a song like a musician, or analyze a play like a football coach.

Naturally, non-ELAR teachers are uniquely equipped to help students develop these varied literacies. What they may be less equipped to do is teach spelling or conventions or proper essay structure—and that’s okay! Just because a district incorporates writing across its curriculum doesn’t mean that every teacher must moonlight as an ELAR teacher. Rather, an effective disciplinary literacy initiative draws on the strengths of each teacher to support the development of historically, artistically, scientifically, musically, and athletically literate students.

Building a Culture of Literacy

As the research of Paige Whitlock, EdD, illustrates, coming to a shared understanding of what disciplinary literacy does and doesn’t mean is just the first step in building a culture of disciplinary literacy in a district. Leaders must also invest in clear planning and communication to get teachers on board with their initiatives.

First, leaders should foreground the “why” behind the move toward writing across the curriculum (or whatever disciplinary literacy initiative they’re rolling out). Every district faces a unique set of circumstances, but as a leader, you should be sure to make it clear why it’s important to you, your district, and your community to increase literacy across content areas.

It’s equally important to draw clear connections between new disciplinary literacy initiatives and ongoing initiatives in various content areas. Literacy cannot seem like yet another thing competing for space on non-ELAR teachers’ plates. Better thinkers and better writers make better historians, artists, scientists, and so forth, which means disciplinary literacy is not “for someone else,” but a powerful tool for teachers in every subject. Get non-ELAR teachers involved in planning literacy initiatives so that these initiatives fold into what these teachers are already doing.

Finally, on a similar note, lean into distributed leadership. ELAR leaders may be in the best position to spearhead a literacy initiative, but they shouldn’t hesitate to leverage the expertise of central office specialists, school administrators, and, as mentioned above, strong teachers (both ELAR and non-ELAR). Create a literacy team dedicated to mapping out essential steps in your literacy initiatives and exploring opportunities for the district to embrace a more expansive definition of literacy.

A South Texas Success Story: Creating a Culture of Disciplinary Literacy

After adopting NoRedInk Premium across all their secondary schools in the ‘21–‘22 school year, Weslaco ISD, a suburban district in the Rio Grande Valley serving almost 20,000 students, noticed that writing was happening almost exclusively in ELAR classrooms. They decided to craft a plan for increasing writing across content areas starting in the spring of 2022.

Weslaco assembled an implementation team made up of both Social Studies and ELAR teachers that zeroed in on prioritizing non-fiction, analytical writing skills and providing feedback on students’ writing through their respective content area literacy lenses. The implementation team then introduced the Weslaco curriculum team to their new approach, and the latter worked to incorporate Social Studies-related prompts into their ELAR scope and sequence and align Social Studies writing tasks with the skills students were learning in their ELAR classes.

In the fall of 2022, Weslaco trained all Social Studies and ELAR teachers on the new approach and orchestrated norming conversations so teachers understood which content areas owned which components of writing. Before the start of the ‘23–‘24 school year, Weslaco repeated the same process with Science teachers across the district.

As a result of these efforts, the amount of writing students completed more than doubled from the ‘21–‘22 school year to the ‘22–‘23 school year. Critically, much of this growth was the result of a significant uptick in the amount of writing happening in non-ELAR classrooms.

Prior to ‘22–‘23, the overwhelming majority of writing in the district was occurring in ELAR classrooms. In ‘22–‘23, ~76% of student writing submissions came from ELAR classrooms, whereas ~20% came from Social Studies classrooms and ~4% came from Science classrooms. In the first half of ‘23–‘24, ~60% of student writing submissions came from ELAR classrooms, whereas ~16% came from Social Studies classrooms and ~24% came from Science classrooms.

How to Get Started

As the initiative in Weslaco ISD illustrates, building a strong districtwide culture of disciplinary literacy is a multistep process that can take time to execute effectively. That said, there’s nothing wrong with starting small.

To get the ball rolling, consider organizing a book study, incorporating more reading and writing tasks into PLCs, or putting together a cross-curricular team tasked with defining “literacy” within each discipline. Especially at the start, baby steps are much preferable to no steps at all, because ultimately, regardless of your district’s specific goals, developing student literacy across multiple content areas is a surefire way to set your students up for success.

September 11, 2024 0 comment

Back to School Planning and Preparation STEM/STEAM

Ignite Innovation: Online Contests to Spark Makerspace Inspiration

by Peggy Reimers August 6, 2024

written by Peggy Reimers

Educators, are you looking for ways to spark your classroom’s makerspace inspiration and ignite a love for learning in your students? Look to the incredible world of contests and challenges available online! From engineering marvels to artistic expressions, these opportunities offer students a platform to showcase their talents, build critical skills, and have some serious fun in the process.

This blog post explores a variety of contests and challenges across different disciplines, from the classic Rubber Band Contest to the innovative Rube Goldberg contraptions. Whether your students are passionate about science, art, technology, or something in between, there’s a challenge out there waiting to be explored.

Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors

The University of Akron’s Rubber Band Contest challenges students in grades 5-8 to design and create a working invention or artwork that incorporates at least one rubber band. This competition allows students to explore their creativity and problem-solving skills while learning about the properties of rubber. Participants can compete in two divisions: Arts & Leisure or Science & Engineering.

The information for the 2024-2025 school year has not been released. But I would think the contest would follow the same timeline. Contest opens in October and runs through February with finalists announced in April.

Global Cardboard Challenge

The Global Cardboard Challenge ignites the spark lit by Caine’s Arcade. In case, you have never heard of Caine’s Arcade. Here’s the story: In mid-2011, 9-year-old Caine Monroy built a mini-arcade out of cardboard boxes in his father’s East Los Angelese auto parts store. A local filmmaker becomes his first customer and then creates a 11-minute short documentary film released in April 0f 2012. Check it out here.

The Global Cardboard Challenge encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and imagination as students transform cardboard into structures, costumes, or fantastical creations. With no entry fees or limitations, it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase ingenuity and have a ton of fun – all while following in the spirit of Caine’s inspiring cardboard legacy!

Rube Goldberg Contests

Perhaps the most classic and well known source of makerspace inspiration is that of the Rube Goldberg. The Rube Goldberg Institute is a non-profit organization celebrating creativity and problem-solving through the lens of Rube Goldberg machines. They host annual contests where people design and build overly-engineered contraptions to complete simple tasks, inspiring innovation and fun through applied science.

My favorite video for a Rube Goldberg machine is from Audri that was posted on YouTube 12 years ago. It is priceless and shows the joy in failure.

As the website’s tagline states, “There’s a competition for everyone!” The Rube Goldberg Institute for Innovation & Creativity has several contests happening throughout the year all with different problems and deadline dates. Check out this list of Rube Golberg contests:

Cartoon
Miracle Machines Playground
“Feed a Pet!” Rube Goldberg Machine Online Contest
NASEF Minecraft Challenge
Unreal Engine Challenge
The Rube-A-Thon Contest

Red Heart Crochet Challenge

While the Red Heart Crochet Challenge may be over, that doesn’t mean the fun of learning and creating with yarn cannot go on! Crocheting fosters creativity, improves hand-eye coordination, and promotes mindfulness – all qualities that contribute to a well-rounded educational experience while providing quality makerspace inspiration that carries over into other subjects. The repetitive nature of crocheting can also be incredibly calming and reduce stress, contributing to students’ mental well-being. Still available are the teacher’s guide and four guides:

The Basics of Crochet
Making a Red Heart Crochet Banner
Making a Red Heart Smiley Emoticon Key Chain
Making a Red Heart Crochet “Egg Guy”

3D Printing Contests

There are a ton of 3D printing and 3D design competitions on the internet. Usually these are geared toward older competitors or company-sponsored, but perusing the websites might give you ideas for K-12 challenges. Check out these blog posts for inspiration and entry requirements:

3D Printing Competitions 2024 – List of Contests

3D Design Contests on Printables.com

Instructables Current Contests

Duct Tape

A quirkier makerspace inspiration source is the Duck® Brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest, a unique competition for high school students (individually) to design a prom outfit made entirely of Duck® Brand Duct Tape and/or Crafting Tape. The contest period runs from March to June. Students are encouraged to impress the judges with their dazzling constructions of gowns, tuxedos, or other creative ensembles. Substantial scholarships are awarded in various categories.

Perler Beads

This is not really a contest, but you could certainly turn this idea into a design challenge during any month of the year. Each month, makers try their hand at a different mini Perler bead challenge. A calendar of mini Perler bead challenges are set up for each month. The above web page has a bunch of ads so be prepared. A library or classroom certainly could set up their own challenge where the design is not provided. Students are encouraged to create their own design within the 9 X 9 grid. Ideas off the top of my head:

January – snowflake
February – hearts galore
Spring – flower or insect
July – fireworks
October – Halloween
November – fall leaf

The competitions and challenges highlighted in this post are just a starting point. With a little creativity, you can tailor these themes to fit your curriculum or classroom focus. Remember, the most important ingredients are fostering a supportive environment for exploration and celebrating the ingenuity of your students. So, get ready to unleash their creativity and empower your students to become the next generation of innovators.

And have you discovered a fantastic contest that would be a perfect fit for your students? Please share it in the comments below. I certainly believe that inspiring content should be shared, so let’s add to this resource together.

August 6, 2024 2 comments

Back to School Good Teaching Planning and Preparation

Summer Blog Recap

by Macee Hall July 29, 2024

written by Macee Hall

Back-to-school season is just around the corner and whether you’ve spent your summer studying or catching up on the latest binge-worthy seasons of your favorite shows, we hope you were able to take a moment to rest and recuperate from another busy year. But now that educators everywhere are gearing up for another school year, we figured it was a great time to round up some of our top blogs from this summer (and new school years past) to help you get ready for the semester ahead. Once you’ve skimmed through all the handy dandy resources provided, let us know what part of this summer blog recap was the most helpful in the comments below!

Summer Blog Recap: Blogs You May Have Missed

The Learns Cycle: Putting AI in Instruction, Part I

This blog explores the ways in which educators can directly utilize AI when implementing the Learns Cycle into their classroom planning and management.

Customizable Drag-and-Drop Google Slides Templates

Interactive Google Slides activities are a great way to keep your students engaged. Find a list of fully-customizable, drag-and-drop templates in this helpful blog post.

The NEW K-8 Tech App TEKS and Free, Editable Spreadsheets

For Texas educators, specifically, it’s time to implement the news TEKS requirements in your classroom. Check out these editable spreadsheets for grades K-8 and learn how to incorporate the new Tech App TEKS into your lesson plans.

Seven Ready-to-Use Story Bin STEM Activities

STEM story bins provide a background story and present a challenge where students must use their reasoning, logic, and teamwork skills to build something to help the story’s main character. Explore seven ready-made story bin activities here!

Leveraging Next-Gen Tools for Education 4.0

“Education 4.0 marks a significant milestone, blending traditional pedagogies with the latest in AI and digital tool integration,” Learn how to utilize the latest tools and resources in this in-depth blog post.

Back to School Blogs From Years Past

Eight Back to School Icebreakers for Team Building and Bonding

Getting students to open up in the early days of a new school year can be tough, but it can also be beneficial in building long-term trust and partnership within your classroom! Try out some of these fun and interactive ice breakers (guaranteed not to earn a groan of disapproval)!

Back to School: Primary Sources, Interactive Resources, and Maps for Teaching History

One major benefit of technology is the extensive collection of primary, interactive resources students can access from anywhere in the world. Explore a vast list of these resources in this blog post.

Transitioning Back to School After a Holiday Break

Beating the Summer Slump is no easy task. Check out these tips for transitioning back to school after a major holiday vacation to kick your school year into high gear from day one!

Additional Blogs to Help You Prep for 2024-2025

Shake Up Your Lesson Plan with Microlearning in the Classroom

In today’s age of overstimulation from every angle, one of the best ways to combat learning burnout and encourage retention is to implement microlearning in your classroom. Learn how!

Engaging Students with Current Events

It’s no secret that there’s a lot going on in the world today, and teachers know better than most that students are more observant than we give them credit for. Discover helpful tips for incorporating current events into your lessons with this blog.

Some Advice for Veteran Educators

After a few (or more!) years of teaching, it can be easy to fall into the same old patterns and find yourself in a rut. Combat this slump by following our helpful tips for making the most of your new school year!

But wait, there’s more!

Looking for more back to school tips than our summer blog recap can provide? You’re in luck! Every week in August, we’re posting a special blog that’ll walk you through various school year preparations, from self-care to ice breakers and beyond. Make sure to keep up-to-date with our daily TechNotes blog posts so you don’t miss out!

July 29, 2024 0 comment

Digital Citizenship Libraries Planning and Preparation Technology Applications

CIPA Compliance Made Easy with Learning.com

by Rachel Minton July 25, 2024

written by Rachel Minton

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), enacted by Congress in 2000, addresses
concerns about children’s access to harmful online content. It specifically applies to schools and
libraries that receive discounts for Internet access through the E-rate program, which provides discounts to schools and libraries across the United States to help them
with affordable Internet access).

CIPA Compliance Requirements

To maintain CIPA compliance, schools and libraries must focus on several key standards, including:

Internet Safety Policy: Schools and libraries must have an Internet safety policy that includes technology protection measures. These measures block or filter access to obscene, child pornography, or harmful content for minors.

Monitoring Online Activities: Schools must monitor minors’ online activities.

Educating Minors: Schools must educate students about appropriate online behavior, including social networking and cyberbullying awareness.

Who is best equipped to help schools meet CIPA Compliance?

We know that Librarians wear many hats throughout the craziness of a school year, but in many ways, they are a great fit for helping schools meet CIPA requirements and bring digital citizenship education to students. The AASL standards include digital citizenship as an important component, so if you can work to align district or school E-Rate goals with your standards and curriculum, students and educators will both benefit from the time saved and added organization.

Plus, Librarians are information and media literacy experts! They have the knowledge and skills to evaluate the credibility and reliability of resources, navigate digital information landscapes and critically analyze media messages. This expertise allows them to guide students in developing the necessary skills to be discerning and responsible consumers of digital content.

Tips for Success:

Planning

The most effective planning tactic you can use is communication. Always ensure everyone in the school or district is aware of the plan to avoid confusion. Some districts file E-Rate through E-Rate coordinators or Technology Directors, so my suggestion for librarians or library teams is to select curriculum for each grade level, ensuring that it meets the CIPA for E-Rate requirements and coordinate the plan with the person responsible for filing for E-Rate funds.

Implementation

Make sure that you, or the educators that will be leading the curriculum, have familiarized yourself with the lesson plans and student expectations. Print out any posters or resources you plan on using in the classroom.

Documentation

This is one of the most important steps in CIPA Compliance for E-Rate. It’s vital that you stay organized and document your process in case of an audit.

For a comprehensive list of all documentation required for E-rate, the USAC website offers an Auditor’s Checklist.

How Learning.com Helps Schools Meet CIPA Compliance Regulations

1. Comprehensive Curriculum

Learning.com offers a K-12 digital literacy curriculum that aligns with CIPA requirements. Educators can seamlessly integrate lessons on internet safety, responsible online behavior, and cybersecurity.

2. Engaging Content

Our interactive modules keep students engaged while building essential digital skills. From multimedia presentations to understanding cybersecurity, Learning.com provides dynamic learning experiences.

3. Professional Development

We support educators too! Learning.com offers professional development resources to keep teachers informed about the latest trends in digital literacy. From on-demand training to webinars and blogs, our Online Training Center has a ton of resources for educators.

Unlock State Funding with Ease

By using Learning.com to ensure the educating minors aspect of CIPA compliance, schools can more confidently access state funding. Our user-friendly platform simplifies the process, empowering educators to create a safe digital environment for students.

Remember, CIPA compliance isn’t just a requirement—it’s a way for schools and libraries to demonstrate their commitment to creating a safer online environment for students and library users!

July 25, 2024 0 comment

Educational Trends Planning and Preparation

Shake Up Your Lesson Plan with Microlearning in the Classroom

by Macee Hall July 22, 2024

written by Macee Hall

We live in a time of sensory overload where we’re constantly being bombarded with information. And, unfortunately, students are also experiencing this same phenomenon while still trying to make sense of the world around them. How do we combat the associated brain drain and mental fatigue? We integrate microlearning into the classroom setting!

Defining Microlearning

The term “microlearning” refers to the intake of any highly focused, bite-sized educational content. At its core, microlearning is a way of delivering tidbits of important information that usually gives learners the ability to customize their own education and work at their own pace.

Although the term was officially coined in the 1960s by renowned scholar Hector Correa, the movement picked up speed first in the 1990s and then again in the 2010s with the growing popularity of the smartphone. Nowadays, we’re exposed to microlearning every day without even realizing it!

Benefits of Microlearning in the Classroom

From educational video clips to gamified quizzes and assessments, microlearning has tons of great applications for K-12 teachers. In fact, microlearning has been proven to help students with improved retention of information, increased engagement in classroom activities, more flexibility and control (which leads to a higher sense of self), and access to customized, differentiated learning pathways.

Integrating Microlearning into Your Lesson Plan

So, the question is then, “How can I integrate microlearning into my classroom and give my students the best shot at success?”

There are several ways to weave microlearning into your existing lesson plans! Here, we’ll provide some ideas for including microlearning strategies from warm-ups to homework and beyond.

Warm-Up Activities

Utilize microlearning strategies and classroom tech to bring warm-up activities to life!

Create introductory videos that provide background information and relevant data. Use the video to spark interest, then end with a slide introducing the question or topic you’ll cover in class.
Gamify your warm ups by utilizing a quiz application like Kahoot! or by creating bellringers for your specific subject and grade level.

Self-Study

Microlearning makes education available around the clock! Plan a mix of homework and study techniques to better your students’ engagement and keep them interested in the material.

Encourage regular 5-minute study sessions to improve retention in an easy way. You can use an app like Flashcard Factory or Quizlet to keep students engaged.
Find and introduce relevant podcasts. Sometimes, all it takes to get back on task is to hear a different voice discuss the topic for a few minutes. Some educational podcasters even provide snack-sized content for this very purpose!

Quick Assessments

It’s been proven in countless studies that continued exposure to material drastically improves retention. Make regular, short quizzes to drive home your lessons!

Use AI to make a YouTube quiz for a quick, gamified way to check students’ progress and help them see the material another time. Plus, for those students with testing anxiety, a quick, gamified quiz may feel lower stakes than a more traditional assessment.

Tips and Tricks for Using Microlearning in the Classroom

When integrating these microlearning strategies into your lesson plan, it’s important to keep a few best practices in mind. Always remember to:

Keep content specific and concise. Microlearning sessions should last no longer than 15 minutes and should only focus on one clearly defined topic.
Use a variety of formats. Utilizing the same app or platform every day is likely to get old fast for both you and your students. Shake things up with videos, quizzes, podcasts, and more.
Make sure your content is age-appropriate. Some external content, like podcasts or YouTube videos, may be geared toward different age groups or contain inappropriate material. Always vet your sources and watch the content yourself before sharing.
Encourage active participation. If your students aren’t engaged with the material, they’re not going to retain it. If you’re having trouble getting students to focus, try incentivizing the material with small prizes or homework passes.

And, most importantly, have fun with it! If you’re having fun while creating lessons, your students are more likely to enjoy them, too.

July 22, 2024 0 comment

Libraries Planning and Preparation

Five Ways to Make Research More Engaging

by Claire Reddig July 16, 2024

written by Claire Reddig

When most students (and many teachers) hear the word research, they often cringe — maybe they’ve been frustrated in the past while researching or they see research as an isolated academic task that does little to spark intrinsic motivation. As a school librarian, my goal is to transform research projects into opportunities to spark student creativity and tap into intrinsic interest while still effectively teaching foundational researching skills through collaborations with classroom teachers. Here are five ways to make research more engaging in your classroom!

1. Tackle Real-World Challenges

Research projects that reflect real world tasks encourage students to see research as a valuable life skill. For example, a 7th grade science teacher at my school wanted her students to learn more about radioactive elements. We worked together to create several real world research challenges to engage her students.

Our final prompts included one that asked them to pretend they worked at Chernobyl and to take steps to protect their families when they uncovered information about a potential accident. Another challenge asked students to go back in time and share what we know today about x-rays and their radiation with famed scientist Marie Curie. Both challenges required students to engage in more traditional research before applying critical thinking to complete the challenge.

Resources:

Marie Curie ChallengeDownload

Radioactive Survival ScenarioDownload

Nuclear Waste Makerspace ChallengeDownload

2. Get Persuasive

Another type of real-world research encourages students to view their surroundings critically and suggest improvements in a persuasive way. As a 5th grade Language Arts teacher, I ended the year with a persuasive writing unit and, one year, I had students research effective learning spaces. They explored different types of furniture, decorations, lighting, and even layouts. They even collected and compiled their own research data by creating surveys and conducting interviews. Then, they chose a learning space at our school to evaluate based on their research and suggest changes in the form of a persuasive letter to the person in charge of the space. This encouraged students not only to research thoroughly to back up their claims, but also provided a sense of agency.

Resources:

Learning Space Brainstorming WorksheetDownload

Learning Spaces Paragraph WorksheetDownload

Checklist for Rethinking Learning SpacesDownload

Proposal for Rethinking a Learning Space WorksheetDownload

3. Start a Debate

Another way to make research more engaging is to utilize it as preparation for a debate. For example, I partnered with an 8th grade humanities teacher to craft a list of debate questions that reflected her curriculum as her year end wrap up. We had students work in groups of four to research their assigned question and then split them into pairs, with one pair supporting each side of the debate.

Questions again included real-world applications, including, “Should the US government sponsor and promote pro-war propaganda during times of war?” and “Which invention was more significant, the telephone or the lightbulb?” Students chose topics that reflected their interests and were motivated to research by their competitive nature. These debates also put their research to the test and taught them to select their most effective findings to support their own arguments.

Resources:

Nuclear Accidents DebateDownload

Russias Nuclear Threat DebateDownload

Sample Debate Topics and GuidelinesDownload

4. Lean Into Trends

In my 5th grade Language Arts class, we ended the year by researching the pros and cons of using fidget toys in classes. We explored different types of fidget toys, then interviewed teachers and students about their experiences with them. The unit culminated in students creating their own fidget toy and then writing a persuasive letter to a teacher in the next grade encouraging them to let their students use the toy next year.

Resources:

Brainstorming for the Ideal Fidget Toy WorksheetDownload

Exploring Fidget Toys WorksheetDownload

Fidget Toy Interviews and Reflection WorksheetDownload

Fidget Toy Research WorksheetDownload

5. Embrace the Makerspace

Recently, I partnered with our school’s Latin teacher to create makerspace research projects for her 5th-8th grade students. Her 5th graders researched armor and animals found in Ancient Rome before creating armor for a stuffed animal based on their research. Her 6th graders each researched a different merchant from the Ancient Roman forum (marketplace) and then created items to sell in our forum simulation. Her 7th graders chose different structures from Ancient Rome to research and then created models to use in a presentation where they convinced a panel of Ancient Roman government officials to fund their idea. Her 8th graders researched chariots in Ancient Rome and built their own life-sized chariots out of cardboard and PVC pipes to race. These hands-on activities transformed traditional research projects into collaborative, competitive, and creative endeavors.

Makerspace Madness: Making Research More Engaging

What if you could leverage research to encourage creativity? You can! Research-based makerspace projects allow space for research magic to happen. Makerspace projects can take many forms, but the ones I’ve referred to throughout the article are those where students use readily available (and inexpensive) craft supplies and recycled materials to create items based on their imagination and research.

Are you excited about dipping your toe into the wonderful world of makerspace research projects but not sure where to begin? Start small by using building challenges as bell ringers or brain breaks. These challenges help students build their creativity, collaboration, and grit and prepare them to tackle larger projects. Then, take a trip to The Dollar Tree and begin building your stash of maker supplies. My shopping list even includes mock “prices” because I often give my students a budget for projects so they have to be more intentional in planning their creations.

Makerspace Supply List (with prices)Download

July 16, 2024 0 comment

"Eat That Frog" by prioritizing tasks and tackling the biggest ones first.

Leadership Planning and Preparation

Eat That Frog: Reduce Procrastination and Improve Task Management

by Dr. Bruce Ellis April 2, 2024

written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

“Eat That Frog!” is a popular productivity book written by Brian Tracy. The title is derived from a quote often attributed to Mark Twain. The quote suggests that if you have to eat frogs, eat the biggest one first. Then, you can go through the rest of the day knowing the worst is behind you. In the context of the book, “eating the frog” refers to tackling your most challenging or important task first thing in the morning. This increases productivity and reduces procrastination.

If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.
Mark Twain

Three Steps to “Eating the Frog”

If you are like me, it is typically easy for me to identify the most challenging or important task. It’s especially easy to identify if it’s something I want to avoid doing. But by focusing on completing the most challenging task early in the day, we can build momentum, boost confidence, and set a positive tone. To be most effective in “eating the frog,” follow these steps:

1. Set clear goals.

Setting clear goals involves defining specific, measurable objectives that align with your vision and mission for the educational institution. Clearly articulated goals provide you with a roadmap for guiding decision-making, resource allocation, and strategic planning efforts within your school or district. Here is a roadmap created by TCEA’s Miguel Guhlin that can support you in defining SMART goals:

Define SMART goals for improved efficiency and productivity. — **Access the template.**

2. Prioritize tasks.

Prioritizing tasks requires you to assess the importance and urgency of various responsibilities, initiatives, and projects. By prioritizing tasks based on their alignment with organizational goals and impact on student outcomes, you can allocate time and resources effectively to address the most critical needs first. If you want to explore a process for prioritizing tasks, try Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix. Here’s an article that outlines the four-quadrant matrix (see number 5).

Covey's Time Management Matrix can help you prioritize tasks and "eat that frog." — Davidjcmorris, **CC BY-SA 4.0**, via Wikimedia Commons

3. Break tasks down into actionable steps.

Breaking tasks down into actionable steps involves dividing larger initiatives or projects into smaller, manageable components. By doing this, you create clear pathways for implementation, delegation, and progress tracking, ultimately facilitating efficient execution and achievement of your goals.

“Eat That Frog!” is beneficial for anyone looking to overcome procrastination, improve time management skills, and increase productivity. This can happen in both personal and professional contexts. It is particularly relevant for individuals who struggle with prioritization, time management, or maintaining focus on important tasks amid distractions and competing demands. Use time-blocking or other time management techniques to schedule dedicated time for tackling your “frog” task each day, ensuring you have sufficient time and focus to make progress towards your goals.

April 2, 2024 0 comment

Artificial Intelligence Planning and Preparation

Five AI Lesson Plan Generators

by Miguel Guhlin November 6, 2023

written by Miguel Guhlin

One of the most tedious tasks a teacher endures is lesson plan creation. Some draconian school districts make teachers turn in lesson plans. It’s such a contentious issue that school unions make it a plank in their platform. What if you could turn this tedious task into a fun exploration of the possible? Now, with AI-powered lesson plan generators, that’s easy to do. Let’s explore my top five lesson plan generators.

Did You Know?

Have you read the blog entry, Prompts for Lesson Planning with ChatGPT? Get access to an editable prompt template and a variety of prompts for several content areas.

A Quick Checklist

Wish you had a checklist to assess these AI lesson plan generators? Here’s a checklist I came up with that outlines what I’m looking for in these tools. You may be looking for something different, so feel free to customize the checklist for your own use.

A checklist outlining features of several AI lesson plan generators. — **View Google Sheet** | **Get a copy**

Checklist items on my list include:

No account creation necessary. Who wants to create yet another account?
Single sign-on (SSO). If login is required, will it allow me to sync up to Google or Microsoft?
Copy and paste. Is it easy to copy the lesson plan format to another doc or platform (e.g. Google Docs, MS Word, etc.)?
TEKS alignment. Does this lesson plan document sync with state or national standards?
Lesson plan format. Is the generated lesson plan organized into elements included in traditional lesson formats?

Many lesson plan formats follow Madeline Hunter’s lesson elements. You might expect to see some of these elements in the lesson plans AI tools can generate.

AI Prompt

When possible, I used a prompt similar to the one that appears below to test each of these AI lesson plan generators:

Write a lesson plan for Texas sixth grade classroom that addresses the following TEKS:

The student understands the factors that influence the locations and characteristics of locations of various contemporary societies on maps and/or globes. The student is expected to:

(A) identify and explain the geographic factors responsible for patterns of population in places and regions;

(B) explain ways in which human migration influences the character of places and regions;

(C) identify and locate major physical and human geographic features such as landforms, water bodies, and urban centers of various places and regions; and

(D) identify the location of major world countries for each of the world regions.

While a bit long, it worked quite well in some instances. In others, it wasn’t even an option. You can see the results of the lesson plan generators in this Google Doc. The verdict? Claude.ai did the best of them all.

1. Polymath AI Lesson Plan Generator

This free AI-powered website is easy to use and the interface is straightforward, as you can see below:

Playmath AI's Lesson Plan Generator page — Screenshot by the author: Playmath AI, **Lesson Plan Generator page**

One distinguishing feature? The use of a Bloom’s Taxonomy Selection showcases a variety of verbs:

Bloom's Taxonomy drop-down menu. — Annotated screenshot by the author: Polymath AI, **Lesson Plan Generator Page**

The website makes it easy to copy your lesson plan into your device’s clipboard. At that point, you can paste it into a word processor for further editing/revision. The history, civics, and geography subjects are limited to India, so you won’t get US-relevant lessons for those. Science, math, and English are other topics available.

2. Lessonplans.ai

A little bit more robust than the option above, you can see examples for all grade levels (K-12). In order to see the full lesson plan, you must create an account, but you can create an account using a Google login or sign up via email.

Lessonplan.AI options for generating lesson plans. — Screenshot by the author: Lessonplans.ai, **Lesson Plan Generator Page**

3. ChatGPT

As you might expect, ChatGPT does a nice job generating lesson plans. One of the best features of ChatGPT, aside from ease of use, is how it groups activities and offers a time range for each.

For example, a “locating Major Historical and Contemporary Societies” activity takes about 15 minutes. You can see some of the key expectations below:

Locating Major Historical and Contemporary Societies (15 minutes)

Distribute world maps and globes to the students.
Review latitude and longitude and how they are used to determine absolute location.
Teach the students how to locate various major historical and contemporary societies on the maps and globes.
Have the students practice locating and labeling these societies on their own.

One problem with the ChatGPT lesson plans is that they may mention handouts, templates, and worksheets without providing them to you. Of course, you can find a variety of worksheets (e.g. latitude and longitude handout) online. See my full prompt and what ChatGPT generated.

And, again, be sure to check out this blog entry on lesson plan prompts for ChatGPT.

4. Claude.ai

This AI works quite well. You can attach up to five files of 100 mb each, including PDF and TXT. When asked to generate a lesson plan, what it came up with actually referenced specific TEKS. Claude divided the lesson plan in these ways:

Lesson Title
TEKS Addressed
Objectives
Materials
Procedures
Assessment
Accommodations

While it could have provided a little more information on assessments, it’s an easy item to follow-up on. I prompted Claude.ai with this:

Come up with two exit ticket sets of questions that address these TEKS:

6.2A – Locate various major historical and contemporary societies on maps and globes using latitude and longitude to determine absolute location

6.2B – Identify and explain geographic factors responsible for patterns of population in places and regions

6.2C – Explain ways human migration influences the character of places and regions

6.2D – Identify and explain factors responsible for the location of economic activities in places and regions

6.2E – Draw sketch maps that illustrate various places and regions

And, it generated the following:

Exit Ticket Set 1

Using latitude and longitude, locate two major societies on a world map. (6.2A)
Explain two geographic factors that lead to population patterns in Asia. (6.2B)
How has migration from rural to urban areas influenced the character of cities? Explain. (6.2C)
What are two factors that determine where manufacturing facilities are located? (6.2D)

Exit Ticket Set 2

Label the following items on a world map: The Sahara Desert, Mount Everest, Rio de Janeiro, Cairo. (6.2A)
How does access to fresh water impact population patterns? Explain. (6.2B)
Give one example of how immigration has shaped the culture of a place or region. (6.2C)
Why are major seaports often located where they are? What geographic factors determine their location? (6.2D)
Draw a simple sketch map of Europe, labeling at least 5 countries. (6.2E)

Again, what I like about this is how Claude labeled the items. It tied each exit ticket question to a specific TEKS.

5. Auto Classmate

The AutoClassmate website offers some great AI-powered tools. They describe their service in this way:

The Auto Classmate AI-Powered Lesson Plan Generator will enable you to create a highly-customizable, editable, and unique Lesson Plan to implement in your classroom.

The Lesson Plan Generator allows you to easily align your lesson plan with state standards with the click of a button. Powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4, this lesson planning tool will revolutionize the way you create content for your classroom.

After using our AI Lesson Planning tool, you will also be able to have conversations about your lesson plan with our AI-Powered Instructional Coach Chatbot.

Auto Classmate's AI lesson plan generator tool. — Screenshot by the author: Auto Classmate, **Home Page**

As you can see, it offers the ability to align lessons to state standards. You can see what the GPT-3.5 version comes up with. The GPT-4 version requires an account, and pricing is $10 a month.

Other Lesson Plan Generators

More lesson plan generators are appearing every single day. Here are a few more teacher-recommended AI lesson plan generators for your consideration.

Please be aware that they may have free trials but could cost money for extended usage.

You can continue to track available tools via the chatGPT for Teachers Facebook group. A few other groups to explore include ChatGPT and AI for Educators, AI Tools for Education, ChatGPT Teachers: AI Tips and Tricks for Educators. Which AI lesson plan generator will you try first?

November 6, 2023 0 comment

ticking clocks with 10 tips for task management

Planning and Preparation

10 Task Management Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

by Dr. Bruce Ellis October 24, 2023

written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

We all seem to be busier than we would like to be. We have things we need to get done but sometimes have no time to get to them. And, if you are like me, it seems my schedule can go from calm to chaos very quickly! As I’ve reviewed some tips and tricks for schedule and task management with the goal of keeping productivity high, I thought I’d share some of them with you. I have some classic techniques as well as a few contemporary ones that you might consider trying. Let’s take a look!

1. Stop trying to multitask!

It seems we can easily get caught up in trying to do two or more things at once when managing tasks. It is often seen as a sign of efficiency and productivity, but research has shown that this is not the case. In fact, multitasking can actually lead to decreased productivity, increased errors, and increased stress levels when it comes to task management. Can I get someone to testify?! Only about two percent of people can actually multitask without the negative factors. Unfortunately, I am not in this group.

2. Use the Pomodoro Technique.

Pomofocus Timer offers an effective task management method for timing tasks and breaks. — Screenshot by Emily Horn: Pomofocus Timer, **Home Page**

The Pomodoro Technique, created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980’s, is a time and task management method that breaks down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Each interval is known as a pomodoro. After four pomodoros, a longer break is taken. While he found that 25 minutes seemed to be the best time interval, adapt it to better fit your schedule and time frame.

Here are some tips for using the Pomodoro Technique:

Choose a task that you want to focus on.
Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Work on the task until the timer goes off.
Take a short break (5-10 minutes).
Repeat steps 2-4 until the task is complete.

If you find yourself getting distracted during a pomodoro, take a short break to clear your head. Then, come back to the task and start a new pomodoro. You can use your watch, a website, or phone as a timer to manage your intervals and breaks.

3. Try bullet journaling!

Bullet journals offer a creative option for task management. Canva has many free template options. — **Bullet Journal Template** from Canva

If you like making lists to track things, consider bullet journaling for task management. Bullet journaling is a popular organizational system that can be used to track tasks, appointments, and goals. It’s a flexible system that can be customized to fit your individual needs. Just create a notebook with pages divided into different sections! For example, you might have a section for tasks, appointments, goals, and notes. Then, use bullet points to track your information. Bullet journaling is typically more than just boring bullet points. Creativity reigns when folks are designing bullet journals. If you are new to bullet journaling, check out Jill Staake’s post on 55 Inspiring Bullet Journal Ideas To Try Right Now.

Here are some tips for bullet journaling:

Use a notebook that you love. This will make you more likely to use your bullet journal on a regular basis.
If you are interested in creating one from scratch with your own notebook, you can find many bullet journals waiting for your customized flair.
Use different colors of pens or markers to make your bullet journal more visually appealing.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and find a system that works for you. There is no right or wrong way to bullet journal.

4. Should the meeting be an email?

Before scheduling a meeting, ask yourself if email would be a more efficient way to communicate. Meetings can be time-consuming and disruptive, so it’s important to use them wisely. Each method has benefits and burdens to think through.

Emails	Meetings
Best for one-way sharing of information	Best for dialogues and two-way communication
Great when sharing what is informative but not critical	Great when sharing information that is critical for your team to understand
Inexpensive and quick	Costs more (length of meeting x hourly rate of each employee = cost of meeting)
Excellent method when recipients are already on board with the ideas shared in the email	Excellent method to build buy-in through discussions on opinions and feedback

5. Use the 2-minute rule.

If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it right away. Don’t put it on the calendar or think about when would be the best time to do it. You could spend more than two minutes just thinking through that! This task management rule will help you avoid procrastination and keep your to-do list manageable. Here are some examples of tasks that you can do in two minutes or less:

Respond to a short email
Make a quick phone call
File a document
Schedule an appointment
Take several deep breaths to focus on your next task

6. Set specific times to check email.

Checking email too often can be a major distraction. To reduce distractions, set specific times to check your email each day. For example, you might check email first thing in the morning, at lunch, and at the end of the day. If you find yourself checking email outside of these times, ask yourself if it’s really necessary. If it’s not, try to resist the temptation to check your email. And, too many times, checking emails can disrupt your task management schedule and even usurp your agenda. If you do schedule times to check your email, be sure to clearly communicate your schedule with your coworkers and supervisor so they are aware of when you may have notifications turned off.

7. Create your to-do list before the day begins.

Taking a few minutes at the end of the work day or each morning before your day starts is a great time to make your to-do list. Having a to-do list can help you stay focused on task management and on track throughout the day. When you create your to-do list, be sure to prioritize your tasks and set deadlines for yourself. If needed, consider using the Pomodoro Technique mentioned above.

Here are some tips for creating a to-do list:

Write down everything that you need to do, even small tasks.
Prioritize your tasks so that you’re working on the most important things first.
Set deadlines for yourself so that you don’t procrastinate.
Review your to-do list at the end of each day to adjust it as needed.
Create a side list as a brain dump for minor things that come to mind. This will keep you from forgetting those small but still necessary tasks but keep you focused on the larger tasks at hand.

8. Control your environment’s sounds.

Noisli pop up after logging in let's you know how Noisli can help you with task management and focus. — Screenshot by Emily Horn: **Noisli** Pop-up After Log In

If you find it hard to focus at times, it can be helpful to use music or intentional noise to drown out the sounds that are hindering your productivity. When I find that I really need to focus, I may jump to YouTube and play an extended play video of brown noise in the background or use Noisli to play my playlist of background sounds (my typical combination includes thunderstorms, rain, and wind)

9. Get quick help with spreadsheets!

AI tools like Sheets+ can make spreadsheet formulas easier to create and understand. — Screenshot by Emily Horn: Sheet+, **Home Page**

If I’m working in a spreadsheet (Excel or Google Sheets) I like to use formulas to make more robust cells at times. Unfortunately, some of the formulas can become unwieldy. That’s when I turn to Sheets+. This tool uses AI to help me get past my formula hurdle and on with accomplishing the task at hand. I can use the text-to-formula feature, explain what I want, and get the formula I need. If I’m looking at someone else’s spreadsheet and they have a formula that is convoluted, I can use the formula-to-explanation feature to understand what the formula does. It’s like having a nerdy best friend to help with task management. I don’t use it more than five times a month, so I’m able to stay with the free version.

10. Create a Mood Playlist.

Mood Playlist allows you to make a few choices (mood, artist, songs, era, and/or activity) and have AI generate a playlist to match your mood. You can then export the playlist to Spotify, or upload your own playlist from Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or YouTube for ad-free listening. I’ve used this a few times and found it quite interesting and a good go-to tool for improving focus with it comes to task management.

Bonus Tool: Glimmer AI

While Glimmer AI isn’t out for public use right now, it has enough interesting features for me to sign up for the waitlist. This presentation tool is simple to use, so if you’ve got a presentation on your task list, this could be the tool for you. There are a few other presentation generation tools but they each have enough drawbacks or quirks that I haven’t fallen in love with one yet. I have a *glimmer* of hope that this just might be the tool I’ve been looking for.

So, which technique or tool will you use to boost your productivity and amp up your task management? Do you already use one of the classic techniques mentioned? How about one of the contemporary ideas? Maybe you have a tip or trick not mentioned here – feel free to drop us a comment and let us know what it is.

October 24, 2023 0 comment

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