Learn21's Weekly EdTech Update

November 16, 2023

I'm not there... yet

Fixed Mindset: “Nope Avenue”

Imagine a fixed mindset as living on a cul-de-sac called “Nope Avenue.” It's where self-improvement is non-existent and talent is seen as something you are born with, not something you can gain. The residents here hit an obstacle and say, "Well, this is my life now." They see potential as predetermined, not something you can attain.

Growth Mindset: “Just Around the Corner”

Growth mindset folks live on a winding road named “Just Around the Corner.” They view challenges as a buffet—more is always better. Can't do something? It's coming, and could be just around the next corner. They're collectors of failed attempts because anytime they do something, they know they're going to gain something. It just might not be evident... Yet.

The Mindset Merge



Turning a fixed mindset into a growth one is less about turning someone's life upside down and more about nudging. It's like telling someone who's only ever eaten Ramen noodles that there is a whole world of pasta out there - it's available to them if they would only try a taste. After a little effort and perseverance the “can't” starts to get cozy with the “yet.”

The trick is to treat the fixed mindset like a skeptical friend. You don't have to unfriend them; just introduce them to phrases such as “maybe I should,” “I think I could,” “ok, I'll try.” Small steps until they're ready to graduate to the big time, and treat improvement with a “Heck YES!” instead of a “I'm sure I can't.”

In the end, the journey from "I'm not there and I can't get there" to "I'm not there, yet" is all about embracing the adventure, the hiccups, and the occasional faceplants. It's the old saying, "it's not about getting to the destination; it's how you got to the destination.” That is where legends are made.

We're all about upgrading our mental maps from "I can't get there" to "I'm not there, yet," because sometimes, the scenic route is where the magic happens. We'll all get there... eventually.

Tips and Tricks

Rearranging the waffle menu in Google Workspace. If you use the waffle menu in the Google products, this tip is for you:

If you click and hold one of the icons in the waffle menu, you can drag and drop it wherever you want. You can now drag that Classroom icon to near the top instead of scrolling through. Wouldn't it be great if you could add your own launch icons to the menu? Yes it would! Unfortunately, Google doesn't offer anything for users to be able to do that. Google Admins can jump through some hoops and do it, but it's a pain.

Building your own city in IsoCity. Sometimes you come across a fun little website that isn't educationally focused but could absolutely be used in your classroom. IsoCity is one of those sites. The site doesn't have a login and it saves your creation in the url. This means students can bookmark their city and return to it by using that bookmark. I could see this site being used in language arts to create fictional cities, social studies to recreate cities, or just as a reward.

Students can share their creations with the link, or create a screenshot of their city to use in their multimedia presentations. Because their city is stored in the link they can create multiple bookmarks as they go, so they never lose their city.

Highlight text on a webpage with a link. Sometimes when you share web sources with students you would like to draw their attention to a particular sentence or paragraph. Google Chrome lets you do that with the right-click menu. Navigate to the page you want to share. Click and drag on the page the text you want to highlight. Right click on the highlighted text and select Copy link to highlight:

Now you have a link to the page, along with what text to highlight on the page stored in the clipboard. Paste this link in whatever you use to share resources. Be aware that the link is going to be obnoxiously long.

AI Campground "campers" trying out AI Apps at Camp Learn21!

Learn21 Update

Leading the Charge in Educational Technology: Learn21’s Conference Contributions 

Last week the Learn21 Team led several key sessions, workshops, and conversations at the Ohio CoSN-ISTE conference. Our team led over 10 sessions and workshops all focused on helping tech directors and educators continue to grow in their educational practice. Below are brief summaries of the presentations we shared at the conference. 

AI Campground with The Learn21 Team

This year Learn21 hosted their first AI Campground where participants could try different AI apps with prompts to experience first hand practical uses of AI in education. The Campground was full of new discoveries, engaging conversations, and even s’mores! 

Do You Have a Data Strategy? We Do and Why You Need One! with Kevin Ghantous 

On Wednesday, the tech team presented a workshop on Data Strategies for your district. Session attendees left with a high level understanding of how data integrations work, the challenges in having high quality data sources, governance, and steps to building analytics.

Driving K-12 Innovation: Reimagining Learning in 2023 and Beyond with Stacy Hawthorne and Edward McKaveney

Stacy presented the 2023 CoSN Driving K-12 Innovation Report with Ed McKaveney from PA. We talked a lot about how we can use the hurdles, enablers, and accelerators that CoSN defines annually to help move our districts forward.

K-12 Cybersecurity Rubric - A Guide to Cyber Preparedness and Training with William Fritz

Using the Cybersecurity Rubric for Education and tailored training and certificate programs, Bill Fritz led participants through looking at ways to enhance school cybersecurity readiness. Learn21 has three CCREs on staff and we're here to help with your cybersecurity needs.

Navigating the Digital Frontier: Empowering Digital Pioneers with Amy Tudor, Danni Tymitz, and Carly Ghantous

In Navigating the Digital Frontier: Empowering Digital Pioneers, Carly, Amy, & Danni shared tips and tricks for teachers and students including an interactive presentation strategy that is sure to engage learners. Participants left with resources for uncovering bias, navigating copyright and emerging as a responsible digital citizen in the age of AI.

Student Data Privacy – Do You Have a Plan? We Do! with William Fritz, Jennifer Fry, Dawn Schiavone, and Ryan Hatch

This workshop offered a comprehensive restart for individuals familiar with Student Data Privacy (SDP) and the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC). Participants delved into the SDP Roadmap, learning key elements to craft a compliance plan for their districts. Through practical ideas and guidance, attendees navigated several key student data privacy issues and collaborated to continue to make student data privacy more secure. Learn21, the team behind Scary Apps, is here to help with your student data privacy needs.

Taking the "AHHH" Out of ADHD with Amy Tudor

In this session Amy shared professional and personal best practices and strategies to help students with ADHD be successful in the classroom via educational technology tools and best practices for all students’ learning goals.

Tech Director Toolbox Lunch Talk Kevin Ghantous and the Learn21 Tech Team

On Thursday, the tech team held a Listening Session during lunch where they highlighted the four tools in the Tech Director Toolbox: Asset, Helpdesk, Identity, and Data Integration. They received valuable feedback from current clients, shared their work with prospective schools, and gave a roadmap for enhancements coming this school year. 

You Only Have One Shot to Get It Right with Stacy Hawthorne and Jennifer Fry

You Only Have One Shot with Stacy Hawthorne and Jennifer Fry, was a great conversation about how to make sure your next edtech initiative sticks. They had an engaged group of participants in their session that led to robust conversations. Attendees brainstormed how their experience aligns with the research on change management.

Extra Credit

There's a rumor that Google is adding a GIF picker to Slides. I've been looking for more information but I haven't found anything yet.

One of my complaints about AI is that they can lie with the confidence of a middle schooler that was just caught vaping. Unfortunately, the problem is more widespread than it appears h/t - Archive Link. This has been my biggest complaint when using chatbots. I'm pretty lackadaisical when it comes to proofreading, which just makes this process more frustrating for me when I have to proofread a mindless robot.

HR Bartender has an article about quitting your job, and the fact that if you quit, it's not a sign of failure. Although the discussion is on jobs, and is relevant to a lot of teachers that are burned out, the article could be looked at about quitting other things and growing while you're at it.

Peter Greene looks at psychologist Russell Barkley's take on how kids grow up and provides a fascinating look at what makes a person who they are:

"You do not get to design your children. Nature would never have permitted that to happen. Evolution would not have allowed a generation of a species to be so influenced by the previous generation. It hasn't happened and it doesn't happen and it especially doesn't happen in children."

Bytes and Insights is written by Eduk8me’s Ryan Collins who writes about education and educational technology. He’s also the Director of Technology for Kenton City Schools in Ohio. Sign up for his Of Bits and Bytes newsletter at https://eduk8.me.

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