20-21 is coming to a close and with the summer break coming now is better than ever to focus on one thing: YOU!

Several things will be on your mind this summer, Students, Learning, STAAR results, Tutoring, Family, How many days of vacation you have left.....But make sure amidst all these swirling thoughts you take time to rejuvenate and reset yourself! This edition of Taco Tech Tuesday is focused on Tech that can help you unwind this Summer!

Everyone knows reading can be a great refresher and relaxer, and audiobooks or podcasts are becoming more popular. But what about all the different text sources you may not be able to but in audiobook form? Speechify is an intelligent text-to-speech audio-reader that turns your reading material into interactive audiobooks so that you can save time, retain more information, and stay focused. Like your own personal reading assistant, Speechify can read books, documents, and articles while you cook, work out, commute, or any other activity you can think of. You can download Speechify and add it to your Chrome Extensions, or download the app from the Android play store, or the Apple App Store.

Start listening and relaxing your summer away and learn more about Speechify here.

Inspired by the New York Times Bestselling book, 10% Happier, the Ten Percent Happier App makes meditation easy and reduces mental clutter and increases focus. Want to sleep better, be more mindful, improve your relationships, and become just about ten percent happier? This is the app for you. The guided meditations, videos, talks, and sleep content will help you build (or boost) your meditation practice, and stick with it. Free content is available but a subscription is needed to unlock the entire content the app offers. To learn more about the Ten Percent Happier app click here.

Playing certain games has proven to reduce or release stress. The Antistress Anxiety Relief Game has packaged several games all in one place to release stress or anger. This is a pack of free antistress games including many fun games such as bubble popper, bubble wrap, and fidget spinner. The game includes a lot of bubble popping and diversion therapies, so you won't run out of options. All the games in AntiStress Anxiety Relief Game can help you to reduce stress and improve focus. Start your free antistress and relaxation therapy now! Click on the following links to download or learn more, Google Playstore or the Apple App Store.

Breathwrk is a free and great way to learn and feel the power of breathing with guided exercises that are backed by science and research. It is a simple yet powerful way to alleviate stress and anxiety, fall asleep faster, energize yourself, or improve endurance. Breathing exercises have proven to reduce stress and anxiety, increase productivity, energy, and focus and help reduce insomnia, and aid sleeping. What better way to introduce yourself to these proven methods than with the free Breathwrk. To learn more click here.

There are tons of relaxing sound or music apps out there that play melodies or sounds and users can click from one option to the next. Relax Melodies though is different in that it allows the user to customize their experience by creating their own mix of sounds. Users can add or remove sounds and increase or decrease the level of the sounds to get a truly personal sound mix. Enjoy a large variety of Nature Sounds, White Noise, Guided Meditations, Bedtime Stories, Brainwaves, Body-Mind Exercises, and Breathing Techniques that you can mix and combine to create your very own Bedtime Experience. To learn more about the app click here.

A Smore on Relaxing during the summer wouldn't be complete without one of the most popular and extensive apps on the internet, Calm. Regarded as one of the best and most abundant apps focusing on sleep, meditation, and relaxation there is an extensive library of meditations, sounds, music, and programs. Trial periods and free content are available but for the whole package, a subscription fee is needed. To learn more about Calm and what it can do for you click here.

Online Conference Begins June 13, 2021

Soak up summer learning and find fresh teaching strategies at a conference for just elementary educators.

Conference Content Available Until July 12

Find fresh insights for your classroom, juicy tech tips, and plenty of lively ways to connect at the 2021 TCEA Elementary Technology Conference. This is the event of the year for those working in primary education.

You’ll get powerful, specific resources for your grade level and specialization along with earning required credit hours. Here’s your opportunity to recharge and renew your commitment to young learners.

REGISTER HERE

Attend the Virtual DMAC Academy and receive training over these great topics:

• Local Assessments & Online Testing
• Data Analysis and Reports
• Student Documentation
• Training Geared Specifically for Administrators

Register for any of the available times based on your individual training needs. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom. NOTE: Any K-12 school in Texas is eligible to register on the link included. Classes are offered free of charge. Register soon -- SEATS ARE LIMITED!

VIRTUAL DMAC ACADEMY FLYER

REGISTER HERE

TWTCON (Teach with Tech Conference) is an entirely online professional development experience for K-12 educators using technology in their classrooms. Teachers participate in a wide range of sessions all online that focus on your classroom teaching strategies with technology. Learn cutting-edge technology integration techniques and lessons from experts delivered via video sessions.

75+ Sessions and it's totally online!

Videos available July 12th - Oct 30th

Learn more

REGISTER HERE

Immersive and exploratory, ISTELive 21 will be unlike any other online education conference out there. We’ve designed a custom experience that allows you to:

ENGAGE

Get expert advice on engaging with students in online, blended and face-to-face settings.

EXPERIENCE

Choose from hundreds of learning opportunities in a variety of formats. Attend live or save them for later.

CONNECT

Connect with presenters, educators and tech company reps via text, chat or video call.

ACCESS

Revisit sessions and review learning materials for 6 months after the conference.

Blended Learning is a hot topic, and most districts claim to be utilizing it since COVID, but did you know actual Blended Learning processes rarely get utilized in the COVID virtual or in-person classrooms!?! Learn what Blended Learning actually looks like in the classroom and how to utilize it in your school/district. Blended Learning Made Easy sessions are given throughout the year, please see our PD calendar for info or see our more intensive Blended Learning Package below. Please contact me if you are interested or want to learn more! cenriquez@esc18.net

Google Educator Certification Training or Google Suite training is available. Google Certification ensures teachers are well based and take full advantage of the wide-spread capabilities that the Google Suite offers to make teaching and learning more tech-friendly, accessible, and efficient.

We also offer training in Google Suite applications like Gmail, Drive, Slides, Calendar, and others to increase your staff/campus productivity. Feel free to contact me to learn more. cenriquez@esc18.net

Remember to submit a Technology Help Desk ticket for any technology needs or services. Email Technology at help@edlink18.net or call the Help Desk at (432)-561-4321.

Click on the image below to learn more about becoming certified as a Google Educator Certification Level 1 and Level 2.