Recorded PD Sessions
Check out the recent professional development sessions that we've made to empower and inspire you! You will find recorded sessions, slides, and additional resources that we think will help you implement innovative teaching strategies!
Whether you’re revisiting a favorite session or diving into new content, these materials are here to support your professional growth. Stay connected and continue your learning journey with us!
For those interested in a further deep dive of any of the topics below, please contact Billie Jo or Beth and we will be happy to meet with you!
April, 2025
Move Over Edpuzzle, Canvas Studio is in Town
Do you love edpuzzle but are you running out videos? Did you know you have access to Canvas Studio! You don't have to open a new program it's right in your Canvas account.
Animating Student Knowledge
Flip the script and learn how to use Keynote on the iPad to help students create animated GIFs and videos that showcase their learning in new ways! Reach out if you want us to come model for your class.
March, 2025
"I Didn't Know My Projector Did That!"
Watch this recorded session to learn some secret tips about your projector! Trust me, there are some quick useful resources that are on your projector software.
Keynote Secrets!
Watch this recorded session on the presentation tool, Keynote! I share 4 reasons why keynote might be a better tool for you in the classroom.
Engaging Presentations with Canva
Watch this recorded session on the creating presentations in Canva! I share how to use templates, annotate presentations, and take presentations to the next level.
Easy Ways Students Can Create on the iPad
Watch this recorded session to learn how to sprinkle creativity into any subject with quick and easy class activities designed for students of all ages. Discover simple prompts and ready-to-use templates that can elevate your daily lessons. In this session, we’ll explore Apple’s Everyone Can Create resources—designed to help educators unlock student creativity and bring active learning into any lesson with iPad. See firsthand how integrating creativity can engage and empower your students.
IXL: Skill Plans, Reports, & Group Jams
Watch this recorded session on IXL Skill Plans, with a focus on the key plans used in Elkhart, including Indiana Academic Standards, Math Expressions, MyView/MyPerspectives, Fundations, I-READ, and ILEARN. Learn how to filter reports to these specific plans and explore strategies for using Group Jams in direct and small group instruction.
Learn to Create a Digital Escape Room
Watch this recorded session to learn how to create a digital escape room with google forms. You get access to a template to start using it today, so no need to have to start from scratch!
Learn How to Use the App Clips
With Clips, creating quick, expressive videos has never been easier! In this recording, you will learn how to capture photos and videos, enhance them with posters, animated titles, filters, stickers, emoji, and music, and seamlessly combine everything into engaging, easy-to-share videos. Not only can you use Clips to enhance your own instruction, but students can also use it to showcase their learning in creative ways. This session is a great introduction to Clips. Get the Apple Learning Guide here. Watch this video to see more on how to edit live text.
February, 2025
Ready-to-Use Examples in Book Creator
Jump-start your Book Creator journey with real classroom examples you can use today. Learn how to navigate the Book Creator library to find inspiring examples across grade levels and subjects, then discover how to copy and adapt these books for your own classroom. See how to turn existing examples into collaborative projects that get your students creating and sharing immediately.
IXL: Tools for a Highly Engaged Classroom
Watch this PD recording, led by IXL, to dive into some tools such as Group Jams, Focus Zone, Leaderboards, and other general best practices to use and engage students on IXL to support daily lesson objectives.
Seesaw Reading Fluency Assessment Tool
Capture all your students' reading fluency rates with Seesaw's AI-powered Reading Fluency tool. In this quick ten-minute session learn to create and assign reading assessments that automatically calcuate crucial metrics including words correct per minute, percent accuracy, word additions, and removals. You will also discover how to access comprehensive reports for both individual students and entire classes, making data-driven reading instruction more efficient than ever.
Apple Classroom Hacks
Apple Classroom is the teacher assistant you didn't know you had! Trust me, you are missing out on some simple cool apple classroom tips and tricks that will make teaching just a tad more easier. If you can't attend sign up to receive the recording to watch at a later time!
Book Creator: The Basics
Discover the creative possibilities of Book Creator, a versatile digital tool for creating interactive books. We'll explore the basic features including adding text, images, audio, and video to create engaging digital content. See how this tool can transform student projects across all subject areas.
Canvas Discussions
Learn how to upgrade your teaching with Canvas Discussions. This session will show you how to adjust settings and maximize student groups.
Create & Use Template Responses in Gmail
Learn how to create, save, and efficiently use template responses in Gmail. This quick, hands-on session will show you how to save time by turning your frequently-used email responses into ready-to-use templates. Perfect for parent communications, assignment feedback, and common student inquiries.
January, 2025
ILEARN Checkpoints Skill Plans
Discover how IXL’s ILEARN Checkpoints skill plans can provide powerful support for your students, ensuring they meet key benchmarks in both math and ELA.
The Best App You're Not Using
FreeForm is an app on iPads that takes taking notes to the next level. Learn how to leverage this app as a teaching tool in less than 10 minutes, watch this video now!
August, 2024
What's New in Canvas? Grades 7-12
In this session, educators received a brief overview of the latest updates in Canvas for grades 7-12. Key topics included new Mastery Connect standard links, enhanced features in Discussions and Gradebook, feedback in New Quizzes, the Smart Search tool, and assigning modules, pages, and discussions.
Back to School With Mastery Connect: 7-12
Kick off the new school year with this MasteryConnect refresher! In this quick yet comprehensive virtual PD session, participants reviewed the basics of MasteryConnect, including setting up profiles, creating trackers, and exploring the new standard alignment for assignments in Canvas.
Setting Up the Gradebook in Canvas & PowerSchool
This PD session focused on setting up and optimizing the gradebook in both Canvas and PowerSchool for grades 7-12. Participants learned how to set up grade sync, whether using categories or not, and explored features designed to make managing their gradebook more efficient and effective.
Pear Deck: Engaging Students in Real-Time: K-6
This introductory session on Pear Deck provided educators with a brief overview of how to effectively use the platform to engage students. The session covered the basics, including different question types, navigating the Pear Deck dashboard, accessing resources, providing real-time feedback, and finding Pear Deck Certified Slides.
Pear Assessment: A Guide for Grades 2-6
In this introductory session on Pear Assessment (formerly Edulastic), educators received a brief overview of the platform's key features. Participants explored the basic layout and settings, navigated the item bank, and learned how to create and assign assessments. The session also touched on generating reports and insights to track student performance.
What's New in Seesaw? Grades K-6
This session provided a brief introduction to the exciting new features in Seesaw for this year. Educators explored updates, including lessons in the Seesaw library, attaching and grading standards, bulk-assigning activities, and utilizing the new Highlights collection and folder. The session also introduced tools such as the reading fluency assessment, read with me scaffolding, new formative assessment options, flexcards, and focus mode.
In this session, educators were introduced to using Jamf Teacher to manage student iPads effectively. The session covered key features of Jamf Teacher, including how to monitor student device usage, manage apps, and create a focused learning environment.
The following Help Desk articles can be very helpful in navigating JAMF teacher:
Using the Tools in Jamf (this goes over the restriction options you have within Jamf)
Jamf Restrictions (how to quickly set up restrictions)
Jamf Lessons (our favorite way to use Jamf!)
Hidden links (this will help when allowing websites in Jamf)
There are also articles that you can share with parents, if they inquire about managing their student's iPad:
We also discussed that app tiles can get reordered when using Jamf teacher. To eliminate this from occurring, you will want to limit the allowed app to just one. If you allow more than one app, it will reorder the app tiles when the restriction/lesson ends.
For further guidance on using Jamf Teacher in your classroom, please contact Billie Jo or Beth.