Welcome to Cool Tools for School 2016-2017

August 2017: Cool Tools is moving to cooltoolsforschool.net for the 2017-18 workshop. We'll be getting underway in late October or November. We'll also be using Google Classroom for participants taking the workshop for continuing education credit. Interested in participating? If you're in New York State, contact your regional/BOCES School Library System administrator. Happy to have educators from other states participate as well. Contact me pollyalida at gmail for pricing and details.

July 2017: Cool Tools is over for the 2016/17 school year. What a great turnout we had! Thanks to everyone who participated and to the School Library System administrators who made the workshop possible by funding their participants.

• 145 people participated this year
• 106 people finished the workshop
• 1430 Professional development hours were awarded.

And we're already thinking about next year! Hope to see you then! If your school system/region is interested in participating, let me know! (comment below or email pollyalida at gmail)

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Tracks 1 to 4 are gone and replaced with "Cool Tools 101" (Things 1-10) and "More Cool Tools".

Cool Tools 101 is generally intended for people who haven't participated in this, or a similar, program before. You'll pick 5 or 10 topics to complete. The place to start is with Thing 1: Blogging where you'll get your blog setup. You'll use the blog to write up your reflections through the workshop. You could pick topics just from the first 10 Things, but feel free to pick topics from the other tracks if they interest you more. There are also the  extra "DIY" and "Final Reflection" topics. Lots to choose from!

More Cool Tools:  These lessons used to be split up into Tracks 2, 3 and 4. But those labels have lost any meaning as we reorganize, add, update and delete topics.  If you've participated before, scan all the lesson titles and pick out the topics that appeal to you. Don't forget the extra "DIY" and "Final Reflection" topics as well. Everyone is encouraged to do these.

Repeating a topic:  Since most of the lessons have lots of options and there are always new things to explore, feel free to repeat topics that are of particular interest. Just be sure to truly explore some new aspects or try new tools.

AND REMEMBER that your posts need to reflect how the topics relate to your work as an educator. It's great to include fun, personal ideas too if you like, but don't forget the educational connections.

Cool Tools 101

• Thing 1: Blogging (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 2: Photo Fun  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 3: Twitter and Other Online Communities  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 4: Digital Storytelling (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 5: Presentation Tools (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 6: Curation Tools  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 7: Audio Tools    (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 8: Screencasting & Screen Sharing   (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 9: Databases and Search Tools  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 10: Personal Learning Networks & Connected Educators   (updated for 2016/17)

Extra topics for everyone. Each carries the same 2 PD hour credit.

• Thing 11: DIY – You Pick - Have a topic or tool you want to explore? Go for it! You can repeat this one if you like.
• Thing 12: Final Reflection  – Everyone is encouraged to submit a final reflection.

More Cool Tools

• Thing 13: Coding (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 14: News Literacy  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 15: Emerging Tech: Scanning the Horizon (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 16: Media Skills  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 17: Digital Tattoo & Digital Citizenship  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 18: Student Assessment & Feedback Tools  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 19: Evidence Based Practice – Getting Started (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 20: Evidence Based Practice – Collecting Data  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 21: Taking the Lead: Connecting with your Stakeholders   (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 22: Annual Reports – Make them Matter! (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 23: Infographics & Data Visualization (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 24: RSS & Feed Readers  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 25: App-palooza!  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 26: Makerspaces (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 27: Power up your Browser!  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 28: Online Learning (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 29: OER – Open Educational Resources  (NEW for 2016/17)
• Thing 30: Flash Cards, Quiz Games and more   (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 31: Digital Portfolios for Students  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 32: Global Connections & Collaborations (NEW for 2016/17)
• Thing 33: eBook Creation  (NEW for 2016/17)
• Thing 34: Collaborating, Connecting, Sharing   (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 35: Web Presence (including LibGuides)  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 36:  Create a Resource Guide: Explore subject area resources and ways to share content with colleagues  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 37: Social Reading & “Book Stuff”  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 38: Augmented & Virtual Reality   (NEW for 2016/17)
• Thing 39: Productivity Tools  (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 40 : Geolocation & Mapping Tools (updated for 2016/17)
• Thing 41: Anything Goes Google  (NEW for 2016/17)

AND THAT'S IT – Odd to end with #41, but that's how it worked out!

Final Completion Dates

Dates will be posted later in the school year. Each School Library System will set their own deadlines.