UEN Teacher Tips

Reimagining Learning through a Phenomena-Based Approach

Join UEN's Lora Gibbons at the Natural History Museum of Utah as she explores phenomena-based learning and introduces Research Quest, a free interactive online platform that transforms students into active investigators. Perfect for grades 6-8, this innovative tool aligns with ELA Common Core Standards, Utah SEEd Standards, and NGSS Science Standards, making it easy for teachers to spark curiosity and foster critical thinking in their classrooms.

Unlock Free and Accessible Professional Development with the Utah Education Network

As educators, finding high-quality professional development that fits your schedule and budget can be challenging, however. In this UEN Teacher Tip, Kayla highlights some of the flexible and focused professional learning opportunities UEN provides year-round.

Personalized Learning Through Filmmaking

In this UEN Teacher Tip, Katie Blunt shares how to integrate filmmaking into your classroom to enhance student learning and creativity! This episode explores three powerful ways to use digital video creation as an educational tool. Perfect for educators looking to engage students through creative digital projects while teaching responsible content creation and media literacy skills.

Visualize, Learn, Grow

Are you new to using the Lucid integration in Canvas? In this UEN Teacher Tip, Val shares ideas on how you can use this new tool in Canvas to empower students to visualize their thinking. Helping you foster engaged learning and powerful cognitive development in the classroom.

Six Strategies for Getting the Most From AI

Discover how to craft effective prompts, understand AI's strengths and weaknesses, and avoid common pitfalls. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting your AI journey, this UEN Teacher Tip will provide valuable insights to enhance your teaching and empower your students.

Finding Digital Balance

Discover practical strategies and tools to help you foster a classroom culture that encourages students to reflect on how their digital use can significantly impact their overall well-being.

Using and Creating Podcasts in the Classroom

Podcasts can be a powerful tool to engage students and deepen their learning. Let's dive into some exciting ideas to kickstart the integration of podcasts into your classroom!

Making Technology-Aided Music with Your Students

Don't miss a beat - learn about 3 readily available tools making it easier for teachers to incorporate music into lessons!

End-of-Year Celebrations and Activities

Need a little help planning year-end celebrations? This article by Kayla Towner guides educators on creating unforgettable end-of-year activities, from choosing meaningful themes to selecting the right tools for virtual excursions, artistic projects and more.

Empowering Secondary Students Through Media Making Challenges

Tired of boring class projects? Try media projects to engage your students. PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs offers StoryMaker, a free resource for educators to integrate media-based challenges into any subject area. Learn more in this UEN Teacher Tip Article by Katie Blunt.

Fighting Mis, Dis and Mal Information

In our digital age, equipping students with information literacy is key to their future success. This article provides a quick guide to help you empower your students to navigate the complex information landscape, preparing them as critical thinkers.

Revolutionize Elementary Math

Nearpod is a must-have tool for elementary math education! Learn how to turn lessons into engaging and accessible experiences that captivate young learners with this UEN Teacher Tip.

Using Nearpod's Draw-It Tool for Formative Assessment

Want to improve formative assessments in your classroom? Learn how Nearpod’s “Draw-It” tool can elevate your assessments by encouraging student creativity and providing valuable insights into their learning progress.

Tech Tools to Enhance Effective Classroom Management

Even the most seasoned teachers have struggled with classroom management at some point. Let’s explore some of the many tech tools available to help you create a positive and focused learning environment in your classroom!

The Art of Note-Taking

Where do you start when teaching students how to take notes? In this week’s Teacher Tip, Kayla Towner shares note-taking strategies for K-12 students, including using Microsoft OneNote and Canva templates to take these strategies online.

Better Discussions, Better Engagement

Discover the benefits of online discussions and how they can supercharge your lessons and create a dynamic learning environment for all students. From boosted engagement and deeper understanding to accessibility and inclusion, explore the advantages of incorporating online discussions into your teaching strategy.

Get Ready for UCET/UELMA 24 with UEN Tools

Utah Coalition for Educational Technology is excited to partner with UELMA, Utah’s librarian association, for an amazing 2024 conference. Join UEN, along with speakers from across the country, on March 19th-20th at the Salt Palace.

UDL: Flexible Expression of Learning (and Instruction!)

Forget one-size-fits-all! In this article, you’ll learn how Canvas provides a variety of tools that enable both teachers and learners to access learning materials and demonstrate mastery in an engaging and truly personalized learning experience.

Three Ways to Ensure All Students Have a Chance to Answer Content Area Questions

Research has shown that active student participation, such as engaging in class discussions, leads to improved learning outcomes compared to passive listening to lectures. In this article, we explore three effective strategies to ensure that all students have the opportunity to actively participate in class discussions and share their insights.

Five Tips for Embracing the Holidays in the Classroom

Celebrating holidays in the classroom can be an exciting and fun experience, albeit somewhat exhausting. In this article, Kayla Towner shares five tips for incorporating holiday celebrations into your classroom. Learn how to foster an inclusive learning environment, introduce students to new cultures and traditions and make your lessons engaging and educational throughout the school year.

Screen Time: It’s About Quality

As educators, we often struggle with the question of screen time for our students. Instead of focusing on time limits, let's reframe our approach and focus on the quality of screen time. High-quality screen time aligns with the 4 C's: creating, collaborating, critical thinking, and communication, by prioritizing these we can transform screen time from a passive activity into an enriching learning experience.

Safely Try Out AI Tools in Your Classroom

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in education, but many educators are unsure how to use it safely and effectively in the classroom. In this article, we'll discuss a few safe ways to explore large language models and generative AI tools using tools that may already exist in your classroom technology toolset.

Time-Saving Tips for Finding Premade Teaching Resources

Finding time to make high-quality teaching resources can be challenging. In this tutorial, Katie Blunt demonstrates how to find engaging learning materials in an eMedia collection. eMedia is a digital library that provides access to a wide range of educational resources, including videos, images, articles and more.

Grading Strategies and Reteach Opportunities

Looking for ways to streamline your grading and enhance your students' comprehension of their scores in Canvas? Join Val O’Bryan to learn a few tips for grading student work and providing substantive feedback.

Tips For Building a Supportive Classroom Culture

It's important to check in with our students regularly to see how they're doing and ensure that they're feeling supported. In this UEN Teacher Tip episode, Nicole Johnson shares four quick and easy check-in activities that you can use in your classroom to enhance student well-being and promote a positive classroom experience.

3 Surefire Ways To Increase Student Engagement

As we settle into the school year, it’s sometimes hard to keep students engaged. Luckily, Rob Bentley has some great ideas to keep students motivated. Join Rob as he explores educational games, animations and artificial intelligence.

How To Evaluate Online Sources To Find Credible Information

In this quick tutorial Kayla Towner shows you how to find and use Utah's Online School Library Nearpod Scavenger Hunts. These scavenger hunts are a fun and engaging way for students to learn about the different resources available in the library and how to evaluate them for credibility.

5 Tips To Talk About Digital Citizenship Every Day

Need ideas for talking about digital citizenship in your classroom? UEN Product Manager, Dani Sloan, suggests making it a daily practice. In this episode, learn five ways you can model digital citizenship every day.

Helpful Tools For When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

The first few weeks of school were always some of my favorite weeks of the year. The getting-back-to-school energy always made me so excited to be an educator! However, these weeks can also be overwhelming, especially for new teachers. There’s so much to do and plan, and finding time to create engaging lessons can be hard