Most schools are facing multiple transformations. These range from digital transformation, to future-skills transformation, to the most important and urgent right now, which is distant-teaching and learning transformation. Whilst the corporate world has innovated with new roles from chief digital officers to agile coaches to futurists to attempt to capture value from these transformations — the roles we have in schools are still operating within the legacy mindset and systems, ranging from Math teacher, English teacher, PE teacher, and Art teacher, representing probably 90% of the roles that e ..read more

We are very fortunate at AskMyClass. Besides helping teachers create a positive classroom experience, we’re also connected to some of the most forward-thinking educators across the country, including a few trailblazers exploring the potential of voice technology and AI.We’re excited to introduce you to one of those trailblazers, Rebecca Dwenger. With more than 21 years of teaching experience and a passion for cutting edge technology, Rebecca works with teachers and administrators to improve their productivity and learning. Her fields of expertise include instructional design, voice assistants ..read more

A teacher’s first-hand experience of the benefits of SEL.I sat in a whole staff meeting anxiously awaiting our class’ standardized test scores. While I knew the numbers I was about to see did not define my students or myself, my nerves were palpable. When the scores were posted, I was shocked that my class had the highest growth scores in the school. I had made a commitment that year to put social and emotional wellbeing of my students above all else.My principal celebrated my students’ growth and asked me to share the reading strategies I used with my colleagues. While I had worked hard to pe ..read more

A few years ago my 9 year old son came home from school with an odd question for me. “Mom, what are you struggling with at the moment?” While my first thought was “well kiddo, how long have you got?”, I instead got curious and asked what he meant by that question.My son explained. He wanted to understand one of my needs — for a school project. Kids know “for a school project” shuts down annoying parent follow-up questions. So he continued, “was there anything not working well in my day?”I was sitting at my desk which was covered in its usual mess: papers, post-its, business cards, and other bi ..read more

Here’s how one teacher’s curiosity, uncovered the hidden value of voice technology in the classroom.When a teacher brings their own passions into the classroom, it makes their students much more engaged. Welcome to the first of a series of stories that we’ll write that shares the voices of educators using voice technology.After 11 years of teaching, Nick R. continues to believe in making the classroom a space that is fun and exciting. He’s passionate about new technology and bringing it into the classroom.“It’s the best job in the world.”— Nick R., 5th Grade TeacherAnd it’s that mindset that l ..read more

Guest post by Becky Au, KG teacher & AskMyClass Voice PioneerI am Becky Au and I teach Kindergarten in New Mexico. I am a Pioneer with AskMyClass and started using AskMyClass in the first pilot stages. I was intrigued to use my Echo Dot with voice technology to assist with student learning.For someone who may be new to this sort of voice technology, it is a way to interact with students by giving simple commands. I decided to make AskMyClass a part of our daily learning to encourage my students since many of them are familiar with voice technology at home.“encourage my students since many ..read more

Question #1: How can I improve how Alexa responds?Check the physical location of your AlexaKeep Alexa away from corners or too close to a wall to prevent bouncing sound waves being picked up by the microphone.2. Voice Train your Alexa device (This is for teachers, not for students)In your Alexa app > Menu (top right) > Settings > Alexa Account > Recognizable Voices > Your Voice > Begin3. Get an Alexa RemoteEliminates background noiseCan mute the Echo speaker, and still use Alexa with the remoteGives you the choice to make it into a teacher-only toolQuestion #2: How can I chan ..read more

Even though voice technology, like Siri, has been used in classrooms for many years, only now are we seeing best practice privacy tips emerge for the classroom. Here are 6 easy to action tips for setting up an Amazon Echo in the classroom.Set up the Echo device with a brand new Amazon account.Use this account only for the Echo device in the classroom. That way, you can keep your other accounts separate, like personal or school accounts, just for purchasing or using Amazon services.2. Keep the Echo device muted when not in useJust as you put away the iPad or Chromebook when not in use, the mute ..read more