Educational Technology

Whether you’re teaching, analyzing data, or conducting research, managing multiple displays in Windows 11 can make your day smoother and more efficient.

Windows 11 gives you flexible control over how your screens work together. You can extend displays to spread your work across multiple monitors—perfect for keeping lesson plans open while sharing content on a projector—or duplicate displays when you want students to see exactly what’s on your screen.

Each monitor can be customized independently. You can choose which screen is your main display, adjust text scaling for readability, and fine-tune resolution to match different screen sizes commonly found in classrooms and offices. Rotated monitors? Windows 11 supports portrait mode, ideal for vertical displays or digital signage.

For troubleshooting, advanced display options allow you to adjust refresh rates to reduce flicker, and the Detect display option helps when a newly connected monitor doesn’t appear right away.

Finally, you can visually rearrange monitors to match their physical layout, ensuring your mouse moves naturally between screens.

Want to see how it's done? Check out the video below from the EdTech Evangelist (aka: Brian Sensei)

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Location: Virtual (Microsoft Teams)

Join us for an exciting webinar where we’ll explore FUSD AI tools for educators—including Microsoft Copilot and Khanmigo. Discover how these intelligent assistants can help you save time, personalize learning, and ignite creativity in your classroom. In this session, you will get to see and practice strategies to boost productivity, create resources, and unlock new ways to engage students. Note: This learning opportunity is optional and not compensated.

✅ Register now: EdTech Webinar Registration Form

If you’re constantly juggling emails, lesson planning, research, and content creation, Microsoft’s Read Aloud feature can be a real time-saver. You can use Read Aloud on a Windows computer to turn text into spoken audio—so you can keep learning while doing other tasks.

Read Aloud is built directly into Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Word, making it easy to use tools you already rely on. In Edge, you can have entire web pages read to you with just a click, perfect for research, articles, or long-form content. The text scrolls automatically, and you can adjust reading speed or choose from multiple voices and accents.

In Word, Read Aloud helps you review documents hands-free. You can start from any paragraph, jump forward or backward, and listen for clarity, errors, or flow while multitasking.

Whether you’re grading, researching, or proofreading, Read Aloud helps you save time, reduce screen fatigue, and stay productive—all without installing extra software. It’s a small feature that can make a big difference in your daily workflow.

Want to see it in action? Check out the video below from the one and only EdTech Evangelist (a.k.a. Brian Sensei).

Boosting your efficiency in Windows 11 doesn’t require new software—just a few powerful keyboard shortcuts. Check out these simple Windows Key combinations that unlock powerful features built right into your PC. Here’s what each of them does and why they’re worth using every day.

Win + D instantly clears your workspace by showing the desktop, giving you a quick way to grab files or reset your view before restoring everything back.

Win + V opens your clipboard history—your personal library of copied items—so you can reuse text, images, and more without having to copy them again.

Win + Tab brings up Task View, a visual layout of your open apps and virtual desktops. It’s perfect for jumping between projects and keeping your digital workspace organized.

Win + H activates voice typing, turning your speech into text wherever you can type. It’s a great hands-free option for notes, emails, and quick thoughts.

Win + L locks your screen instantly to keep your device secure whenever you step away. (Our IT security team will thank you)

These shortcuts may be simple, but together they can significantly streamline your workflow in Windows 11.

Want to see these amazing features in action. Check out the video below, created by The EdTech Evangelist (a.k.a. Brian Sensei)

We are excited to announce the date of our in-person Educational Technology Conference! 🎉 This half-day conference for teachers will take place on February 28, 2026, and will be focused on digital tools in service of instruction and learning. The sessions will be appropriate for teachers at all grade levels. This year we are bringing a Science-Fiction theme to EdTechCon 2026 – A Universe of Discovery! 

Presenters and Volunteers are needed!  

Presenters – Share your interest here. 

Volunteers – Share your interest here.  

Registration will open in January, 2026. 

Note: This event is optional and teachers are not compensated for attending.  

For more information, including the event schedule, click here  

Or email us at edtech@fresnounified.org

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Location: Virtual (Microsoft Teams)

Join us for a 90-minute interactive workshop designed to introduce existing multimedia tools available to teachers and students. Participants will explore how to empower students to show what they know in creative ways through multimedia tools like Canva, Clipchamp, and Teams Assignment Video Response. With these creative tools, students can share their learning through projects that build digital literacy skills from the TK-12 Tech Scope & Sequence.

What you’ll learn:

• How to use Canva for visually rich student projects
• Video creation and editing with Clipchamp
• Adding video responses to Teams Assignments
• Strategies for integrating multimedia into lessons to boost creativity and engagement

This webinar supports Fresno Unified’s Life Skills goal, as it guides educators in how to provide opportunities for students to show their creativity and develop real-world digital skills.

✅ Register now: EdTech Webinar Registration Form

The month of October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month! Every October we recognize this important topic to create awareness and to meet the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). As you know, digital citizenship and cyber safety are critical to preparing our students for college, career, and life. This competency is also called out in our district-adopted Graduate Profile.

During the week of October 20-24, 2025, all students, K-12, will participate in the district’s Cyber-Safety Week. The requirement is that all students receive at least one cyber-safety or digital citizenship lesson during this week or sometime during the month. 

Where to find Lessons:

The EdTech team has curated a variety of resources for teachers to tap into. Cyber Safety and other Digital Citizenship lesson plans can be found on our Digital Citizenship support page. Here you will find resources from Common Sense Media, Netsmartz, EVERFI, Google Interland, and more. The lessons include important topics like password protection, staying safe online, digital etiquette, social media, cyberbullying, identity theft, digital footprints, and more.

Leaders and teachers alike can take this opportunity to surface one or more of these important topics with staff and students.

Microsoft Teams EDU has recently received a set of exciting updates, and teachers everywhere should take note. These updates include shortcuts in grid view, giving quick access to Posts, Assignments, and Classwork directly from each team tile. Another long-awaited improvement is the ability to rename the General channel—finally letting you turn it into something more purposeful, like “Announcements.”

Teachers will also appreciate the option to resize the left navigation rail, creating more room to work, and the new Tips light-bulb, which delivers just-in-time training and updates right inside Teams. Power users can now customize keyboard shortcuts and utilize an expandable, formatted feedback field—perfect for richer student comments or quick speech-to-text notes.

My personal favorite? The new Loop component integration. This turns channels into collaborative spaces with live-editable tables, checklists, and Q&A boards—essentially bringing wiki-style collaboration directly into Teams. It’s a game-changer for student engagement and group projects.

With these features, Teams EDU 2025 continues to refine teaching, learning, and collaboration for the modern classroom. Want to see how to use these new features. Check out the video below taken from a recent webinar lead by the EdTech team.

Tired of digging through endless folders to find the files you access regularly? Windows File Explorer has a simple feature that can save you time and clicks: Pinning folders to Quick Access.

By default, File Explorer already keeps essentials like Desktop, Pictures, Music, and Videos pinned at the top of your sidebar. But here’s the real power—you can add your own frequently used folders to that list. Just navigate to the folder you want, right-click it, and choose “Pin to Quick Access.” Instantly, it appears at the top of your sidebar for one-click access anytime.

The benefits are huge:

• Save time by jumping straight into your go-to folders.

• Stay organized by keeping your work or project folders in view.

• Reduce clutter since pinned folders stay fixed, unlike recent folders that come and go.

Whether you’re managing school projects, work files, or your favorite photo collections, pinning folders makes navigation effortless. It’s a small trick that creates a smoother, more productive workflow.

Wanna see the process in detail? Check out this quick video tutorial. 👇

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.