Always Learning - JA

In this post, we’re exploring one of my favorite things: using technology to make learning more engaging and meaningful. I’m always searching for new ways to move beyond static slides and worksheets. Lately, I’ve been exploring how generative AI can help facilitators transform lessons into something truly immersive: digital escape rooms. Imagine your students stepping into a story where they crack codes, solve clues, and collaborate to “escape” while learning your content along the way. With the right AI tools, it’s easier than you might think to bring these experiences to life. 🎯 Why Digital Escape Rooms? Immersion through Storytelling Every great escape room starts with a story. Using AI, you can quickly build a narrative where learners become active participants, rescuing a lost artifact, uncovering a mystery, or solving a real-world challenge, instead of passively consuming information. Engagement through Puzzles When puzzles connect to your content, they turn learning into an irr...

Are you an educator looking for innovative ways to increase student engagement? The message is clear: when students are engaged, they attend more consistently and perform better. However, many schools still overlook strategies that foster engagement. This post offers practical, creative methods to turn every classroom into a center of active learning learning. Game-Based Learning Game-based learning taps into students’ natural drive for competition and achievement. By incorporating elements of play into lessons, you can transform review sessions and practice activities into engaging and memorable experiences. Simple classroom games : Try “ Game of Risk ” to turn any worksheet into a game or “ Roll A Word ,” to use dice to allow learners to show their mastery of vocabulary. Review games : Favorites like Grudgeball , The Unfair Game , and Tic-Tac-Toe make test prep more engaging. Digital tools : Explore Flippity , Wordwall , or Breakout Rooms for tech-enhanced options. Student-created...

Google Workspace has become an essential part of education, providing powerful tools that change how students learn and teachers teach. Below are some key features that can enhance learning and benefit you and your students. The Power of the “@” Symbol in Google Docs Typing @ in a Doc opens an instant shortcut menu packed with options: Smart chips for people, places, dates, and files Prebuilt building blocks for common layouts Quick inserts for bulleted lists, images, tables, and more This simple keystroke can shave minutes off every document you create. Stay Organized with Dropdown Menus Dropdown menus in Docs and Sheets enable you to create custom selection lists using the @dropdown feature . Use them for: Project or assignment status Group member responsibilities Simple in-document surveys It’s a fast way to track progress or collect data without extra spreadsheets. Structure with Paragraph Styles Applying heading styles is about more than looks. Proper structure enables: Automa...