Educational Technology

We’re doing it again! Another year of the EdTech Webinar Series! 

This year's series is a sequence of monthly professional learning opportunities designed to empower Fresno Unified educators with the skills and confidence to effectively integrate technology into instruction. Each session is strategically aligned with the FUSD Student Outcomes Focused Governance goals and the district's Technology Scope and Sequence, focusing on practical, relevant, and accessible training. 

The series kicks off on Wednesday, September 17th, with our first webinar: Digital Assignments and New Features in Teams EDU. This session will help educators start the school year strong by exploring the latest updates in Class Teams with a focus on Teams Assignments. Participants will learn how to streamline digital assignments and leverage new tools to enhance daily instruction. 

This webinar will be held virtually in a Teams Meeting from 4:00 to 5:30 PM and is open to all FUSD teachers. To register, simply complete the EdTech Webinar Registration Form. Additional details and resources are available on the Ed Tech Webinar Website. 

TK-12^th grade teachers, get ready for a morning of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration at EdTech Camp, Fresno Unified’s educator-led event focused on educational technology.

Held at the Farber Educational Campus on Saturday, September 27, 2025, the event begins at 8:00 a.m. with check-in, coffee, and a light breakfast. Participants will then co-create the day’s schedule through a collaborative session board-building experience. The learning continues with three engaging session blocks, each led by fellow teachers and centered on practical, tech-integrated strategies for the classroom.

The event concludes by 12:30 p.m., offering a flexible and energizing start to the weekend.

 Spots are limited—register today!
 👉 https://forms.office.com/r/HWqZpAHD04

Note: This event is optional and does not include compensation.

For More Information:
📧Contact the FUSD EdTech Team at edtech@fresnounified.org
🌐Visit the EdTech Camp website.

If you’ve logged in recently, you may have noticed a sleek new look to the M365 home screen. This redesign is all about making your workflow smoother and more intuitive—perfect for our busy educators, students, and staff. Please note that the URL is also changing from office.com to m365.cloud.microsoft and update your bookmarks as needed.

Where Did the Waffle Go?

One of the biggest changes you’ll notice is that the app switcher (a.k.a. the waffle icon) is no longer visible on the main home screen. Don’t worry—it hasn’t disappeared completely!

How to Access Your Apps Now

To open your favorite Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, Outlook, or Teams:

1. Look to the bottom left side of the new home screen.
2. Click on “Apps”—this is your new gateway to all the tools you know and love.

It’s a small change, but it helps keep the interface clean and focused.

The Waffle Returns—When You Need It

Once you’re inside any Microsoft app or document (like Word Online or Outlook), the waffle icon will reappear in the top-left corner. This means you can still quickly switch between apps while you’re working—just like before.

Pro Tip

Pin your most-used apps for even faster access! Just click the three dots next to any app in the “Apps” menu and select “Pin to launcher.”

Want to watch a video tutorial to help you navigate M365 more efficiently? Check out the video below, created by the one and only - EdTech Evangelist! As always, if you have any questions or need a hand, don’t hesitate to reach out to the IT Help Desk.

Hey there tech enthusiasts! 👋 Today, I'd like to share another great Windows 11 tip: The Taskbar. It's more than just a bar; it's a powerful command center waiting to boost your efficiency. Let's make it work for you.

Your Taskbar, Your Rules: Key Features for Productivity

1. Pin & Unpin for Quick Access:

Got favorite apps? Pin them to your taskbar for one-click access. Just right-click an app in search results and select "Pin to taskbar." For less-used apps, unpin them to keep your space tidy. A clean taskbar means faster navigation and less visual clutter.

2. Customize Taskbar Items:

Head to Taskbar Settings (right-click a blank space on the taskbar). Here, you can toggle off default icons like Task View and Widgets, if you don't use them. Reclaim that valuable taskbar space and reduce distractions.

3. Master Corner Icons & Behaviors:

The far-right corner holds system tools (Wi-Fi, volume). In Taskbar Settings, you can choose which overflow icons always display. Under Taskbar behaviors, enable options like:

• Automatically hide the taskbar: Maximize screen space.
• Show badges on unread message counter: Stay informed at a glance.
• Select the far corner... to show the desktop: One click to hide all windows and access your desktop instantly.
• Align the taskbar back to the left if that suits your style better

By customizing these features, you transform your Windows 11 taskbar into an efficient tool that saves clicks and boosts your focus. Want a video that shows how to customize the Taskbar? I thought you might. Check out the video tutorial below created by your pal, the EdTech Evangelist.

Hey there, tech lovers! 👋
Do you ever wish you had a personal assistant who could type everything you say into a document, email or chat message? Well, guess what—Windows 11 has a built-in speech-to-text feature that’ll totally blow your mind (and maybe give your fingers a break too)! 💥

It's called Windows Dictate and all you have to do is press Windows + H, and a microphone toolbar pops up, ready to transcribe whatever you say. Once you start speaking, Windows 11 gets to work, turning your voice into text in real time. It even lets you toggle on auto punctuation, so you don’t have to say things like “period” or “question mark” out loud unless you really want to. There's also a feature called the voice typing launcher, which keeps the tool accessible whenever you're in a text box—so you can use it while filling out web forms, drafting posts, or jotting notes in just about any app.

In the video below, I provide quick demos in Word, PowerPoint, web email, and Microsoft Teams to show how versatile the tool really is. It’s not perfect—sometimes it might mishear something or insert a quirky bit of punctuation—but it learns your voice over time and gets more accurate the more you use it. You may still need to do a little cleanup afterward, but hey, it beats typing a long message one keystroke at a time.

Whether you’re multitasking, dealing with typing fatigue, or just want to boost your productivity, voice typing in Windows 11 is seriously worth trying. It’s fast, surprisingly smart, and built right into your system. So go ahead—press Windows + H, speak your mind, and let Windows do the rest. Your keyboard (and your fingers) will thank you.

For more Windows 11 tips and tricks, visit our Windows 11 support page here.

As testing season winds down, a great opportunity emerges for students to apply their new knowledge: collaborative, project-based learning (PBL). This is the perfect time to explore future-ready learning—where students engage in real-world challenges that build critical thinking, creativity, and digital fluency.

PBL isn’t just about applying new knowledge and completing a project—it’s about developing essential life skills. Students learn to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve while using technology in meaningful ways. And the best part? You don’t have to start from scratch.

Tech Tools for PBL

The Fresno Unified EdTech team has curated a powerful set of tools to help you plan, manage, and elevate your projects. Here are just a few highlights from the Tech Tools for PBL guide:

• Teacher Planning & Management: Use Copilot to plan a standards-aligned project and Teams Assignments to organize tasks, track progress, and streamline communication.
• Collaboration: Foster teamwork with Teams Channels, Posts, and Whiteboard for brainstorming and group planning.
• Research & Data Analysis: Empower students to gather and interpret data using Excel, Forms, and Search Progress.
• Multimedia & Presentation: Let students showcase their learning through PowerPoint, Speaker Progress, Canva, Clipchamp Video, or Adobe Express.

These tools are not only easy to use—they’re already available to you and your students.

Ready to Get Started?

Click here to explore the PBL Tech Tools Menu and find inspiration for your next classroom project. Whether it’s a student-led podcast, a digital portfolio, or a community impact campaign, the possibilities are endless. And who knows - Perhaps after this experience, you may find yourself using PBL throughout the school year.

Have you noticed that Copilot is now available within the Microsoft 365 portal? You may have also noticed that Microsoft 365 is now Microsoft 365 Copilot. One of the most exciting new features? You can now attach files directly to Copilot and ask it to analyze them.

One word of caution! Be sure that you are logged into office.com with your district account and never attach files that contain personal or confidential information!!!

Whether it’s a complex Excel spreadsheet, a lengthy Word document, an image, or a PDF report, Copilot can:

• Extract key insights
• Summarize content
• Compare documents
• Generate charts or summaries
• Answer questions about the file’s contents
• Generate similar style images

This is a game-changer for professionals who deal with large volumes of information and need quick, actionable insights.

How It Works

Just drag and drop your file into the Copilot chat, and ask questions like:

• “What are the key trends in this sales report?”
• “Summarize the main points of this proposal.”
• “Compare this document with the previous version.”

Copilot uses advanced AI to understand the context and deliver precise, helpful responses — all while keeping your data secure and private.

Why It Matters

This update transforms Copilot from a helpful assistant into a true collaborative partner. It’s not just about saving time — it’s about unlocking new levels of creativity, clarity, and confidence in your work.

To see how this works in action, check out the video below.

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to have two windows side by side on your monitor to increase your work productivity? Well, what you say about three or even four windows equally arranged on your monitor? Did you know that there is a quick and easy way to do this in Windows 11? That's right - It's called Snap Layouts, and it allows you to quickly choose from open windows on your computer for a custom arrangement.

Snap layouts can be accessed from the top-right corner of any open window, where you can select a layout option and quickly choose where each application or window should be placed. Rather than try to explain it all here, we found a fantastic tutorial from the EdTech Evangelist himself. Check it out below and enjoy snapping those layouts and increasing your productivity! 🤓🎉

The latest Learning Accelerator in Microsoft Class Teams is here and available to all FUSD teachers! It's called Math Progress. This new feature can be used to assign, assess, and support math learning — and it's incredibly easy to use.

With Math Progress, you can quickly create math assignments directly in Class Teams using a library of standards-aligned questions. Whether you're covering basic arithmetic or more advanced concepts, it's all there — no need to create problems from scratch. Even better? The platform auto-grades most of the work, giving you more time to focus on instruction and support.

One of the biggest wins is the real-time data you get. Math Progress shows insights into individual and class-wide understanding, making it easier to identify students who need extra help. You’ll see which concepts students are mastering and where they’re struggling — no guesswork needed.

Another standout feature is how seamlessly Math Progress works with Immersive Reader and other accessibility tools built into Microsoft Education products. Every student can engage with the content in a way that meets their needs.

In short, Math Progress in Class Teams is a simple, powerful tool for making math more personalized, data-informed, and stress-free — for both teachers and students. If you're not using it yet, now’s the time to give it a try.

To create a new Math Progress assignment, go into the Assignments module in your Class Team, choose the Create button, and then Learning Accelerators, Math Progress. Want to see it in greater detail? The video below provides a thorough look at the process and reports available.

The Spring 2025 update to Microsoft Teams introduces ten new features aimed at improving user experience, customization, and productivity. My favorite is the name pronunciation feature. What's yours?

1. Users can now schedule posts in channels, allowing messages to be planned and published at a later time.
2. The default “General” channel can finally be renamed, offering more flexibility in organizing teams.
3. The Teams calendar has been significantly enhanced, integrating many Outlook-style features such as multiple calendar views, delegate access, shared calendars, and additional customization options like weather and time zones.
4. Visual adjustments are also improved, with the ability to resize both the left navigation rail and right-hand side panels for a more personalized layout.
5. Hyperlinking is now faster and more intuitive, simplifying the process of embedding links in messages.
6. Notification positioning is customizable, enabling users to select where alerts appear on the screen.
7. In chats, the “Files” tab has been renamed to “Shared,” making it easier to find documents and links exchanged during conversations.
8. Teams also introduces a name pronunciation feature, allowing users to record how their name is spoken, which promotes better communication and inclusivity.
9. Emoji reactions can now be personalized with different skin tones to better reflect user preferences.
10. Finally, meeting join times in the web version have been dramatically reduced, providing a quicker, more seamless transition into calls.

Together, these updates enhance both the visual and functional aspects of Teams, supporting a more efficient and inclusive digital collaboration experience. Wondering how to use these new features? We thought you might, so we found this great tutorial from Microsoft's own Mike Tholfsen.

Microsoft’s AI-powered Reading Coach is revolutionizing personalized reading practice by offering students an engaging, interactive, and supportive way to improve their reading fluency. Now available as a standalone app on the web, Reading Coach allows learners to generate AI-powered stories, practice passages, and receive real-time feedback—all while earning achievements and tracking progress.

Easy Access and Customization

Students and educators can access Reading Coach through multiple platforms, including Microsoft 365, Office.com, Outlook.com for consumer accounts, and the dedicated website (coach.microsoft.com). The program supports language customization, offering reading practice in over 80 browser languages and supporting out-loud reading in 14 languages with plans for expansion.

Personalized and Interactive Learning

A key feature of Reading Coach is its AI-generated storytelling, which allows students to create and direct their own narratives. They can choose characters, settings, and reading levels from eight difficulty options, ensuring content aligns with their skills. The “Choose Your Own Adventure” style provides an engaging way for students to progress through stories while actively participating in their learning.

For further customization, immersion tools allow students to modify fonts, backgrounds, and line focus. The app even offers unlockable characters and settings to keep reading fun and rewarding.

Real-Time Feedback and Progress Tracking

Reading Coach listens to students as they read, analyzing pronunciation accuracy and identifying words they struggle with. These words are then incorporated into future chapters for additional practice. The app provides detailed progress tracking, displaying total reading time, accuracy percentage, and correct words per minute. Additionally, students can build reading streaks, earn badges, and review previous readings to track their growth.

Built-In Library and Custom Passages

In addition to AI-generated stories, Reading Coach offers a library of curated passages from ReadWorks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to literacy. While currently available only in English, Spanish-language content is expected in the future. Users can also upload their own text to practice reading anything they choose.

New Desktop Version

Reading Coach is also available as a Windows app, which functions similarly to the web version, but can be launched right from the desktop. Whether you are a young reader or you are learning a new language, Microsoft Reading Coach is an invaluable resource for students, educators, and parents looking to enhance reading fluency in a fun and adaptive way. Want to get more detail on how to use Reading Coach? We thought you might ask, so we found this spot-on tutorial from Microsoft's Mike Tholfsen. Watch it now below.

National AI Literacy Day is an exciting nationwide initiative taking place on March 28, 2025. This day is dedicated to exploring the fundamental question, "What is AI?" and aims to engage students, parents, educators, and community members in understanding how AI is shaping our world.

As educators, this is a fantastic opportunity to "Level-Up" your AI skills and leverage AI to enhance student tasks and your teaching strategies. Additionally, you can engage your students in AI-based activities, such as using the image generator in Padlet.

Things to Try:

• Watch our latest webinar on using AI tools as a thinking partner and resource generator
• Use an artistic Padlet wall to have students generate images related to content standards
• Bring in Generative AI learning modules from code.org
• Engage in Microsoft's AI resources to "Level-Up" your AI skills
• Visit our AI Tools support page to learn more about leveraging AI within instruction

Date: Wednesday, April 23rd
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

• How they integrated the tools into instruction.
• Student work samples.
• The impact on teaching practice and/or student engagement and learning.

Imagine turning on your device and not having to type in your password to get to the desktop! Sounds impossible, right? Well, with Windows Hello, this is now a possibility. That's right, Windows 11 has three Windows Hello options that can make the device login process much faster. These include Facial Recognition, Fingerprint recognition, and PIN code.

Picture this: you sit down at your computer, and it instantly recognizes your face, logging you in without you lifting a finger. It's like having your own personal doorman! But maybe you're not a fan of using your webcam for logins. No worries! You can simply use your fingerprint or a 6-digit PIN code instead. It's all about making your life easier and more secure.

These Windows Hello login options are super easy to set up and work seamlessly. Whether you're a tech newbie or a seasoned pro, you'll find the setup process a breeze. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a bit of tech that makes life simpler?

Want a quick tutorial on how to set them up? We thought you might ask, so we enlisted the help of the EdTech Evangelist and a little Text to Speech AI to make a video tutorial. Watch it below now and get ready to say "Hello" to faster logins!