UTB eNews NZ: May 2022

As Term 2 kicks off we want to give all you teachers the shout out you deserve for the outstanding job you do and your ongoing commitment to your students.

Despite the upheaval and ongoing unpredictability caused by teachers and students isolating at home, you have risen to the challenge with bravery and grace. We salute you!

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed being back in schools working with teachers and students again. It’s been a real joy watching spirits soar when students and teachers unleash the power of tech in the classroom.

Content Overview


1 Tech Tools for Teachers: How to Use Siri in the Classroom

2 Trainer Tip: Collaborate with Jamboard
3 Lesson Planning Made Simple: Chromebook Accessibility Tools
4 OutClassed Podcast: How To Balance Your Mindset as a Teacher
5 PLD Update: 25hrs FREE PLD
6 Blog Bites: UTB’s #1 Most Popular Blog

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Tech Tools for Teachers


Speech recognition, dictation, text to speech and Artificial Intelligence (AI) continue to make an impact on accessibility in education. And speech assistants like
Siri may well become the next accessibility tool in education. 

Let’s take a scenario using Siri with Year 1 students. They are working on their iPads and it’s time to share their work. Because taking screenshots can be difficult for little fingers, a quick command to Siri is a great way to achieve the same task quickly and effectively. Simply say: “Hey Siri, take a screenshot.”

Trainer Tip

Jamboard is a much-loved collaborative tool that helps make student learning more visible and more interactive.

Perhaps you didn’t know you can add GIFs to Jamboards. You can also add a timer GIF so students can see how long they have to brainstorm, submit work or discuss an agenda in small groups. 

Watch here > to add GIFs to a Jamboard

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Lesson Planning Made Simple

Planning rich, authentic experiences for students is one of the most important elements of teaching. Often teachers rely heavily on technology so all students have access to content. 

Check out this helpful slide deck by Louise Jones, Director of Community & Partnerships at ThingLink which covers baked in accessibility functions with Chromebooks and important 3rd party tools and apps that support student access to information on Chromebooks. 

Click here > to make a copy of Louise’s slide deck

OutClassed Podcast

Ep 31:  How To Balance Your Mindset as a Teacher
In the latest episode, Melbourne based Digital Learning ICT coach and teacher, Cameron Ross shares practical takeaways for leaders and teachers; from tech overwhelm to facing failure to teaching trends you’ll want to give a go.

Click here to listen to Ep 31

Click here > for all OutClassed Podcast episodes (with written transcripts)

PLD Update


MoE Pandemic PLD Relief Package: 25 Hours FREE PLD

It’s not too late for schools and kura to apply for an EXTRA 25 hrs of PLD support while we’re in ‘red’ alert level. Help your teachers navigate hybrid learning with a little extra support from the MoE.

Click here to secure your MoE Hybrid Learning PLD Support.

Term 2 PLD Application Deadline closing soon! 

Get hands-on help from our dedicated trainers to give you the best chance of success.

Click here > to schedule a PLD call to get you moving.

Blog Bites


UTB’s #1 Most Popular Blog
How to See the View History of Google Docs, Sheets & Slides
Hearing your colleagues swear black and blue they haven’t seen your document is frustrating. View History is a handy feature in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides that means you’ll never have to second guess whether they have or haven’t ever again!

Click here > How To See the View History of Google Docs, Sheets & Slides

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