Tutorials from THE Journal

Interested in contributing?

We're ramping up our library of technology tutorials for ed tech professionals. And that means we're looking for experts who would like to contribute to the effort.

Our tutorials are goal-oriented. They should solve a problem or reveal something to the user that he or she wouldn't normally know. And they should assume the reader is an intermediate or advanced user. (That said, you can feel free to pitch primers for beginners. We'll consider pitches on a case-by-case basis.) Illustrations (screen shots) are necessary; videos are optional.

If you'd like to contribute, contact David Nagel at [email protected].


How to Plan and Run a Pilot for Video-Driven Teacher Observation

A superintendent and an instructional coach share five best practices for getting started.

Learn how Mozilla

How to Introduce Students to Coding with Mozilla's X-Ray Goggles

Learn how Mozilla's X-Ray Goggles browser extension can make learning to code more engaging.

Can your students build empathy skills even while using technology? Yes! In fact, exercises that help students build empathy in digital spaces are a crucial part of positive social and emotional learning.

3 Ways to Help Students Build Empathy Using Technology

Can your students build empathy skills even while using technology? Yes! In fact, exercises that help students build empathy in digital spaces are a crucial part of positive social and emotional learning.

classroom natural lighting example

4 Design Ideas to Create an Engaging and Comfortable Classroom Environment

Teaching isn't just about transferring knowledge to students. It's also important to create an atmosphere in which kids feel understood, comfortable and supported on their educational journey.

Technology-Driven, Project-Based Learning: A Model for Implementation

We were recently involved in a study of usability and impact of a digital storytelling tool for middle schoolers that yielded a model for implementing technology-driven, project-based learning in the classroom.

5 Tips for Teachers in a New 1-to-1 Initiative

5 Tips for Teachers in a New 1-to-1 Initiative

Seasoned educator Jeff Mao shares insights for teachers trying to adapt to a 1-to-1 environment and come to terms with the impact that has on teaching practices.

How to Assign Group Work in Google Classroom

How to Assign Group Work in Google Classroom

Learn how to use Google Classroom's assignments feature to create and manage group projects for students.

Tips for Great Group Work in the Classroom

Tips for Great Group Work in the Classroom

What makes for better group work? Learn how a shared-ownership model gives every student more of a stake in group work activities.

Integrating Literacy into STEAM Lessons

Integrating Literacy into STEAM Lessons

Both Common Core and NGSS emphasize the importance of speaking, listening and communicating about mathematical and scientific concepts. Integrating literacy tools into STEAM subjects does more than help students and teachers fulfill objectives. Better literacy helps students identify and more thoroughly understand key concepts.

7 Tips for Implementing a Makerspace

After the Planning Phase: 7 Tips for Implementing a Makerspace

Districts with multiple makerspaces describe what works.

7 Tips for Planning a Makerspace

7 Tips for Planning a Makerspace

Districts with multiple makerspaces describe what works.

Conditional Formatting in Google Sheets: This Week, Next Week, Last Week

We've covered a lot about using custom formulas for conditional formatting in Google Sheets, especially color-coding cells based on the date. Now let's look at how to color-code cells based on whether a date contained in a cell falls in this week, next week, last week or any other week.

Typing on a Braille keyboard

Essentials of Digital Accessibility

Digital accessibility is a hot topic in education these days, and training teachers in creating accessible digital materials is on the mind of every instructional designer or educational technology team. Here we look at some of the most common issues that confront educators when making their course content accessible.

technology procurement recommendations for k-12 schools

The Art of Procurement: Balancing Price and Performance

The learning environment is changing in our schools, and technology is playing a big role. How schools are acquiring their resources can be as affecting as the changes in instructional practices used by teachers.

Evaluating the Privacy and Security of Ed Tech

Evaluating the Privacy and Security of Ed Tech

When working with educational technology, responsible decision makers in schools recognize the need for solid security and privacy practice in software applications.

Teaching STEM Skills with NAO Robots

Teaching STEM Skills with NAO Robots

Middle school educator Frank DiMaria uses robots as an interdisciplinary tool to help students learn problem-solving and gain skills they'll need in the future.

Building a Class Helper: A Proposal, Part 3 of 3

In this tutorial, part three in a series of three, Anderson University Associate Professor Emmett Dulaney lays out a proposal for a simple, yet indispensable classroom helper tool.

Building a Class Helper: A Proposal, Part 2 of 3

In this tutorial, part two in a series of three, Anderson University Associate Professor Emmett Dulaney lays out a proposal for a simple, yet indispensable classroom helper tool.

Building a Class Helper: A Proposal, Part 1 of 3

In this tutorial, part one in a series of three, Anderson University Associate Professor Emmett Dulaney lays out a proposal for a simple, yet indispensable classroom helper tool.

how to type an em dash or long dash

How to Create Keyboard Shortcuts for Special Characters in Windows 10

Your Windows mobile device doesn't have a numeric keypad, so how do you type characters like em dashes or bullets without having to open Word or Character Map?