PD Opportunities in Technology

Join us for one of the following technology professional development sessions. Certified staff can register for PD classes on Frontline. When registering and attending after-school sessions, staff receive clock hours (CEUs) toward re-licensure and the hourly staff development stipend (as per the teacher contract). Is there a technology topic you would like to see presented?... Submit a technology PD request form.

Wednesday, April 2nd

[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation Location: Google Meet

Khan Academy recently partnered with Microsoft to provide their AI tool, the Khanmigo Writing Coach, at no cost! Unlike other AI-powered writing tools, Writing Coach isn’t limited to giving feedback on sentence- or language-level issues alone, like grammar or spelling. Writing Coach goes beyond surface-level fixes to guide students through the entire writing process to produce better writers. Join this session to explore this tool from both the student and teacher perspectives. If you support students in any writing process, you won't want to miss this session.

Wednesday, April 16th

[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (Secondary)

[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation Location: Google Meet

Discover NotebookLM, Google's innovative AI tool, designed to help users understand complex information and organize their research by leveraging the power of AI to analyze and synthesize information from various sources. Learn to upload and analyze lesson plans, research, and policies, generating instant summaries and insights. You can even create a personalized podcast based on the resources! This session will equip you with practical strategies to leverage NotebookLM, enabling you to ask complex questions, extract vital information, and boost productivity.

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📆 Sessions offered in the past...

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Monday, March 10th

[Register] 7:30 - 8:30 am (NPMS)

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

This is a follow-up PD session to the presentation in March of 2024. We will review the basics of generative AI tools in education, use AI prompts to create lesson plans, explore Brisk to give student feedback, and guide student AI use with MagicSchool Student.

Wednesday, March 5th

[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (Secondary)

[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Session Resources

Ready to supercharge your workday? This session equips you with a toolbox of time-saving tech tricks. Master productivity tips, conquer keyboard shortcuts, and explore powerful Chrome extensions. Learn how to leverage Google tools for ultimate efficiency. Leave empowered to reclaim your time and maximize your impact!

Wednesday, February 5th

[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (Secondary)

[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Session Resources

You may have used Jamboard as an online, interactive whiteboard tool during distance learning. Jamboard has been discontinued, but FigJam has become a popular alternative. In this session, we will explore the FigJam features and 10 ideas for brainstorming, diagramming, and classroom collaboration.

Wednesday, January 22nd

[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (Secondary)

[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Recording | Slideshow

Have you ever needed to record a demonstration or presentation for your students? You may have an upcoming absence and it would be easier to record the lesson than explain it to the substitute teacher. This session will demonstrate a variety of free, user-friendly screencasting tools.

Wednesday, December 11th

[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (Secondary)

[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Recording | Slideshow

Google Sheets is a powerful tool for collecting, sorting, filtering, and presenting data. It’s also a tool many teachers do not feel confident using. Join this session and learn how to sort and filter data, insert formulas, apply conditional formatting, create charts, and more!

Wednesday, November 20th
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow | TIP Sheet

The IC Progress Monitor tool helps elementary teachers record, monitor, and report standards-based grades. With Progress Monitor, teachers can post assessment scores throughout the semester, making it more efficient to post grades at the end of the semester. Join this session to learn how Progress Monitor can save you time.

Wednesday, October 30th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Session Resources

Are you interested in introducing your students to the appropriate uses of AI but unsure where to start? Do you wonder if AI can be used for learning without compromising academic integrity? This session will provide practical guidance on using MagicSchool and BriskBoost to enhance student learning while maintaining ethical standards. We'll explore strategies for the gradual release of responsibility, ensuring students are empowered to use AI effectively and responsibly.

Thursday, August 15th
[Register] 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Topic Categories: Technology • Academics • Best Practices • Equity & Diversity • Special Education • Early Childhood • Re-Licensure Requirements

Registration is open for the annual Powerful Learning Conference! The conference is free and open to educators at New Prague Area Schools, St. Wenceslaus, and Holy Cross. We also welcome our substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and clerical staff. Attendees will receive clock hours (CEUs) toward re-licensure, a continental breakfast, and lunch. In addition, NPAS certified staff receive the hourly staff development stipend (as per the teacher contract).

Wednesday, April 24th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Session Resources

Welcome to the final installment, Part 4, of our 4-part series on AI in education! This session serves as a culmination of our exploration, offering valuable insights and closing discussions on the impact of AI in educational settings. We'll revisit key themes, recap foundational AI concepts, and discuss practical applications that educators can implement in their classrooms. Engage in interactive discussions and activities that tie together the concepts covered throughout the series. No prior AI knowledge required; just bring your curiosity! Note: While attending all 4-parts is encouraged, each session stands independently.

Wednesday, March 13  - & -  Wednesday, April 10

[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Session Resources

Is your Gmail inbox a random mess of opened, unopened, and starred messages? Let's do some spring cleaning to clear the clutter and develop some habits to keep it organized. Join this 2-part workshop to learn Gmail strategies for managing your email and reaching Inbox Zero!

Wednesday, March 20th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Session Resources

Join us for Part 3 of our 4-part series on AI in education. This session continues our exploration from earlier discussions, offering a deeper look into how AI continues to shape education. We'll delve into expanding applications of AI in teaching methods, personalized learning enhancements, and the latest trends driving educational innovation. Engage in interactive discussions, activities, and practical examples that build upon the foundational concepts introduced in the preceding sessions. No prior AI knowledge required; just bring your curiosity! Note: While attending all 4-parts is encouraged, each session stands independently.

Wednesday, February 21st
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Session Resources

Join us for Part 2 of our 4-part series on AI in education. This session continues our exploration from Part 1, focusing on the ongoing journey of AI's impact in the classroom. We'll revisit foundational AI concepts, delve further into personalized learning, ethical considerations, and continue exploring innovative tools transforming educational landscapes. Engage in discussions, activities, and practical insights that build upon the fundamentals introduced in the first session. No prior AI knowledge required; just bring your curiosity! Note: While attending all 4-parts is encouraged, each session stands independently.

Wednesday, January 24th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Session Resources

Join us for Part 1 of our 4-part series delving into AI's influence on education. In this session, participants will learn about AI basics, explore productivity tools, discuss ethical issues, and discover classroom applications. Engage in interactive discussions, activities, and collaborative dialogue to delve deeper into AI's impact on teaching and student learning. No prior AI expertise needed; just bring your curiosity! Note: Attending all 4-parts is encouraged, but not required.

Wednesday, December 13th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow | TIP Sheet

NPAS uses a single sign-on (SSO) solution called Clever. This FREE program gives teachers and students the ability to sign-on once, and access many apps with a single click. It also saves time by automatically syncing your student rosters nightly. Teachers can even add their own bookmarks to frequently used websites and resources. Join this session and learn how to add resources to your Clever Teacher Page.

Wednesday, November 29th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Grades 2-12)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Recording | Slideshow

Google Classroom was released in the fall of 2014. It started as a simple management tool to help teachers and students share Google Drive files. Since that time, Google Classroom has continued to add features making it an essential tool for 1:1 Chromebook classrooms. Teachers in grades 2-12 will learn about the most recently added features.

Wednesday, October 11th
[Register] 7:30 - 8:30 am

Audience: Grades K-5

Presenter: Shawn Brandt

The IC Progress Monitor tool helps elementary teachers record, monitor, and report standards-based grades. With Progress Monitor, teachers can view all students, assessments, and subject standards on one screen. Join this session to learn how it can save you time.

Wednesday, September 13th
[Register] 7:00 - 7:55 am

Audience: Grades 2-12

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

GoGuardian helps teachers monitor student Chromebook activities in their classrooms. This includes the ability to open web pages, lock screens, block websites, and limit the number of opened tabs. Join this session to learn the basics or ask questions about a specific feature.

Wednesday, August 9th
[Register] 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Topic Categories: Technology • Academics • Best Practices • Equity & Diversity • Special Education • Early Childhood • Re-Licensure Requirements

Registration is now open for the annual Powerful Learning Conference! The conference is free and open to educators at New Prague Area Schools, St. Wenceslaus, Holy Cross, and our substitute teachers. Attendees will receive clock hours (CEUs) toward re-licensure, a continental breakfast, and a boxed lunch. In addition, NPAS certified staff receive the hourly staff development stipend (as per the teacher contract).

Wednesday, April 19th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Recording | Slideshow

Google Drive makes it easy to create, share, and copy documents. But all these files can quickly turn into a hot mess! Spring is just around the corner, and for many, it's a time to thoroughly clean their homes. Join this session and learn some spring cleaning tips to organize your "digital home"... Google Drive.

Wednesday, March 15th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Grades 3-5)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

Quill is a free, online program that offers interactive writing activities, assessments, and instant feedback to help students in grades 3-12 improve their writing skills. The platform is designed to teach various aspects of language arts, including grammar, vocabulary, and writing structure. Join this session to learn more!

Wednesday, February 8th
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm

Audience: Grades K-5

Presenter: Craig Larson  •  Location: Google Meet

Are you looking for a creative way to engage your students? Whether you teach Kindergarten or 12th grade science, Google Drawings can provide for you a canvas to engage your students in whatever way you may need to! Join us online, and take away some practical ideas to use or adapt to engage your students better!

Wednesday, Feb. 1st

[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (Secondary)

[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)

Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Recording | Slideshow

Google Sheets is a powerful tool for collecting, sorting, filtering, and presenting data. It’s also a tool many teachers do not feel confident using. Join this session and learn how to sort and filter data, insert formulas, apply conditional formatting, create charts, and more!

Wednesday, Jan. 11  - & -  Wednesday, Jan. 25
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation Slides: Part 1 | Part 2

Is your Gmail inbox a random mess of opened, unopened, and starred messages? Make a New Year's resolution to clear the clutter and develop some habits to keep it organized. Join this 2-part workshop to learn Gmail strategies for managing your email and reaching Inbox Zero!

Wednesday, December 14th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

NPAS is moving to a single sign-on (SSO) solution called Clever. This FREE program gives teachers and students the ability to sign-on once, and access many apps with a single click. It also saves time by automatically syncing your student rosters nightly. Teachers can even add their own bookmarks to frequently used websites and resources. Join this session and learn how to add resources to your Clever Teacher Page.

Wednesday, November 30th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm
Audience: Grades 6-12
Presenter: Angie Frykman

How do you keep track of meetings, appointments, or your task list? Join this session to see why Google Calendar should be your answer! Participants will learn how to create events, invite guests, attach agenda documents, schedule recurring events, and maintain a task list. Beginners and experienced users will learn tips and tricks to increase their productivity with Google Calendar.

Wednesday, November 30th
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm
Audience: Grades K-1
Presenter: Elizabeth Schoenecker

iPads are ideal for students in the primary grades. Direct interaction with iPad activities are highly engaging for primary learners. Even non-readers can instantly interact with an iPad—they can listen, watch, draw, record audio, take photos, and shoot video. Join this session to learn best practices for managing your devices and engaging K-1 students in active learning.

Wednesday, October 12th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
Audience: Grades 6-12
Presenter: Zach Johnson  •  Presentation: Recording | Slideshow

Student voice is an important part of the teaching and learning process. Flipgrid is a social learning platform that allows educators to ask a question, then the students respond in a video. In this session, learn how to use Flipgrid to engage students at school and home. If you are familiar with Flipgrid, join us to share your experiences and discover new features!

Wednesday, October 12th
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Grades 3-5)
Audience: Grades 3-5
Presenter: Jim Kongshaug

Explore the digital lessons and features available on CommonLit.org. This session will specifically highlight content (text sets, themes, units, book pairings, and standards practice) for grades 3-5. Participants will learn how to create an account, browse the library, assign digital lessons, and access the data dashboards!

Wednesday, September 21st
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (HS)
Audience: Grades 9-12
Presenter: Angie Frykman

Securly Pass (formerly e-Hallpass) is an online tool used to manage all hall passes at NPHS. The system enhances school security and helps reduce classroom disruptions. This session is designed as a "check-in" for high school teachers. We'll review best practices, discuss challenges, and share classroom success stories. Join this session to review the basics or ask questions about a specific feature.

Wednesday, September 21st
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm
Audience: Grades K-5
Presenter: Craig Larson

A multiple-choice test may not be the best assessment tool in every situation. In this session, participants will explore a wide range of activities that engage students and assess their learning.

Wednesday, September 7th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Grades 2-5)
Presenter: Zach Johnson  •  Presentation: Recording | Slideshow

GoGuardian helps teachers monitor student Chromebook activities in their classrooms. This includes the ability to open web pages, lock screens, block websites, and limit the number of opened tabs. Join this session to learn the basics or ask questions about a specific feature.

Wednesday, August 10th
[Website] 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Topic Categories: Technology • Academics • Best Practices • Equity & Diversity • Special Education • Early Childhood • Re-Licensure Requirements

Registration is now open for the annual Powerful Learning Conference! The conference is free and open to educators at New Prague Area Schools, St. Wenceslaus, Holy Cross, and our substitute teachers. Attendees will receive clock-hours (CEUs) toward relicensure, a continental breakfast, and a boxed lunch. In addition, NPAS certified staff receive the hourly staff development stipend (as per the teacher contract).

Wednesday, April 20th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Grades 2-5)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: TIP Sheet

Similar to cleaning out their desks and lockers, the end of the school year is a great time for students to organize their digital space... Google Drive. This session will provide teachers with tips, strategies, and resources to help students create a folder system and organize files in their Google Drives.

Wednesday, March 16th
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

Google Drive makes it easy to create, share, and copy documents. But all these files can quickly turn into a hot mess! Spring is just around the corner, and for many, it's a time to thoroughly clean their homes. Join this session and learn some spring cleaning tips to organize your "digital home"... Google Drive.

Wednesday (after school)
[Register] February 23rd ... 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] March 2nd ......... 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Grades 3-5)
Presenters: Nelson, Kongshaug, & Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

Explore the digital lessons and features available on CommonLit.org. This session will specifically highlight content (text sets, themes, units, book pairings, and standards practice) for grades 3-5 & 6-12. Participants will learn how to create an account, browse the library, assign digital lessons, and access the data dashboards! In addition, secondary teachers will be introduced to the CommonLit 360 Curriculum.

Wednesday, February 9
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm
Audience: Teachers in Grades 2-5
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

As an elementary teacher, you probably know BrainPOP (& BrainPOP Jr.) offers animated videos that cover a wide variety of topics. But did you know teachers in grades 2-5 can also connect Google Classroom to assign quizzes, games, informational texts, concept maps, and much more? BrainPOP covers hundreds of topics within Math, Science, Social Studies, English, Technology, Arts & Music, and Health. All topics are aligned to MN academic standards. Join this session to explore the BrainPOP (& BrainPOP Jr.) activities.

Wednesday, January 26
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Grades 3-5)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

The new WeVideo Classroom helps teachers create project-based video assignments, monitor students' progress, and give feedback in real-time! Whether you're a WeVideo veteran or just getting started, join this session to learn about the new, collaborative features.

Wednesday, Jan. 5  - & -  Wednesday, Jan. 19
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Elementary)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation Slides: Part 1 | Part 2

Is your Gmail inbox a random mess of opened, unopened, and starred messages? Make a New Year's resolution to clear the clutter and develop some habits to keep it organized. Join this 2-part workshop to learn Gmail strategies for managing your email and reaching Inbox Zero!

Wednesday, December 15
[Register] 3:00 - 3:55 pm (MS & HS)
[Register] 4:05 - 5:00 pm (Grades 2-5)
Presenter: Shawn Brandt  •  Presentation: Slideshow

GoGuardian helps teachers monitor student Chromebook activities in their classrooms. This includes the ability to open web pages, lock screens, block websites, and limit the number of opened tabs. Join this session to learn the basics or ask questions about a specific feature.