Involving students in classroom responsibilities isn't just about easing the teacher's workload (although that's a nice perk!).  It's about creating a vibrant learning environment that fosters essential skills like responsibility, collaboration, and leadership.Encouraging student participation and fostering a sense of ownership in the classroom environment can be achieved through the simple yet powerful tool of […] The post Getting started with classroom jobs appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

The LEGO Movie. Scooby Doo. Wonder Woman.If we could package THAT into a lesson, it'd probably make it more engaging, right?How about free pre-made lesson plans that incorporate those movies and TV shows? (And they're not illegal to show in class???)You have to check out The Achievery, a free digital learning platform designed to spark curiosity […] The post 35+ engaging lessons you can use in class tomorrow appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

Padlet is a web app that lets users post notes on a digital wall. The uses for this site in the classroom are virtually endless!There’s a good chance you’ve done the “write on a sticky note and put it on the wall” activity — or have seen it happen before. Padlet lets those sticky notes have images, […] The post 20 useful ways to use Padlet in class now appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

This post is written by Caleb J. Wilson, a District Coach of Instructional Technology and Innovation for Worcester County Public Schools, Maryland, where he leads the AI4WCPS initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into his school district. His work emphasizes the importance of accessibility and practical innovation in education, ensuring all students are prepared for the […] The post Classroom AI 101: Imagining Story Setting with Text-Evidence Supported Prompting appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

Artificial intelligence continues to grow by leaps and bounds.  For many of us, when we met ChatGPT for the first time, we started asking lots of questions ...What can these AI assistants do -- and what CAN'T they do?Will students use these to cheat? How will this change the workforce -- and what we need to do […] The post Why artificial intelligence won’t replace teachers appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

It's one thing to teach students about characters in history -- or the characters in a book. Students can read their words, learn about those people, analyzing what they've learned and applying it to their own lives. But having simulated conversations with those characters? That's a whole different story.Use an AI assistant like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Bard, Anthropic's Claude, etc. Prompt […] The post Classroom AI 101: Simulate conversations with characters using AI appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

Post sponsored by Wakelet  Digital portfolios are a great way for students to demonstrate their learning, achievements, and growth in education. They can also help students keep track of their work even after they finish a class.  But how can teachers and students create and manage digital portfolios easily and effectively? Answer: Wakelet (wakelet.com)What is Wakelet?Wakelet […] The post Unlock the power of student portfolios with Wakelet appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

Choose Your Own Adventure books were always a hit for me in the school library. As a student, I probably read all of those CYOA books -- and read them over and over again. The premise was pretty innovative at the time: Start the book. Then give the reader a choice. Turn to a certain page to […] The post Classroom AI 101: AI text adventure stories for your class appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

Over the years, YouTube has grown and become a more common part of the classroom. So have student video assignments.Sometimes, students watch the videos all together in the classroom.Sometimes, they watch them individually.Pretty much all the time, we want to know that students paid attention and remember something from the video.How? Guided notes.Recently, a subscriber […] The post Classroom AI 101: Create guided notes for videos with AI appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more

Need quick substitute teacher plans? AI-powered tools can help. Here's how you can create sub lesson plans in 15 minutes (so you can go back to bed). We've all had those days, you wake up sick with no warning and you know you need to stay home and rest. Ah, but you're a teacher. You can't […] The post How to create substitute teacher plans in 15 minutes with AI appeared first on Ditch That Textbook ..read more