OTIS Professional Development for Educators : Blog

Six Strategies to Boost Math Engagement with Unruly Splats

Ready to revamp your classroom? Let’s get unruly! Unruly Splats are colorful floor tiles that light up, track points, and trigger sounds. Using a simple Bluetooth connection, they link to any device and allow students to play interactive games. Get the class out of their seat while boosting STEM skills and student engagement. Splats are […]

The post Six Strategies to Boost Math Engagement with Unruly Splats appeared first on Teq.

August 07, 2025

Enhance iBlocks and Classroom Learning with Killer Snails

Imagine being able to put the excitement of making new scientific discoveries in students’ hands. Well now you can make your dream come to life, with Killer Snails! Through extended reality experiences and games, students are able to connect with real-world issues in a fun, engaging, and immersive way. This is the perfect complement to […]

The post Enhance iBlocks and Classroom Learning with Killer Snails appeared first on Teq.

July 24, 2025

We’re Headed to the Sunshine State for FACTE!

Teq is soaking up the sun for the 59th Annual Florida Association for Career and Technical Education Conference (FACTE)! Taking place from July 20th to July 23rd, 2025, this premium event serves to connect career and education professionals. We’re ecstatic to network with educators and vendors to make this event come to life. Don’t miss […]

The post We’re Headed to the Sunshine State for FACTE! appeared first on Teq.

July 18, 2025

New Online Professional Development for July

OTIS for Educators has rolled out a fresh lineup of online professional development courses for July 2025. Thus, continuing its mission to support educators with flexible, high-quality online training. Here’s some of what’s available and also what educators can expect for PD in July: Online PD for AI in the classroom 1. Best Practices for […]

The post New Online Professional Development for July appeared first on Teq.

July 17, 2025

We’re Flying Down South for the 2025 NCAPCS Annual Conference!

Teq is headed to the beaches and mountains for the 2025 North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools Annual Conference (NCAPCS)! Taking place from July 16th to July 18th, 2025, this top-tier event features our premier edtech, STEM, and project-based learning solutions. Don’t miss out on this amazing event! Come see it for yourself at […]

The post We’re Flying Down South for the 2025 NCAPCS Annual Conference! appeared first on Teq.

July 16, 2025

4 Summer Microlearning Essentials

It’s summertime and life is feeling easy! You’ve done what feels like the impossible and made it through another school year. Now that you’ve gone through some highs and lows, it’s time for a little relaxation! Once you’ve decompressed, it may be time to start thinking about the upcoming school year. One option is turning […]

The post 4 Summer Microlearning Essentials appeared first on Teq.

July 10, 2025

Building Connections with PenPal Schools

Why PenPal Schools? Want to unlock a world of learning for your students? PenPal Schools should be your next destination. They have connected over 500,000 learners in over 130 countries with the mission to promote learning and empathy for people everywhere. Motivate students to learn a new language and build connections with PenPal Schools! […]

The post Building Connections with PenPal Schools appeared first on Teq.

July 02, 2025

Hands-on Manipulatives for ELL Comprehension

Learning a language can be fun but it can also be a bit overwhelming at times. When learning English, it can be especially difficult due to the unique nuances. Between idioms, words that start with silent letters, to homographs and tenses, there is a lot to take in. To top it off, some letter combinations […]

The post Hands-on Manipulatives for ELL Comprehension appeared first on Teq.

June 26, 2025

7 Apps for Early Childhood Education

Apps can provide a way to introduce and reinforce concepts across a variety of disciplines. Whether used in class, after school, or to prevent a summer slide, there are a variety of options to keep students engaged in their learning. Here are some of the top apps for early childhood education. Note: the following content […]

The post 7 Apps for Early Childhood Education appeared first on Teq.

June 12, 2025

Learn While Staying Active With Lü!

When thinking of our fondest memories in school, many of these moments that we remember were when we were actively engaged. In elementary school, I fondly remember playing thrilling games of “Capture the Flag” in gym class or taking part in competitive review games to help study for upcoming exams. The Lü Interactive Playground can […]

The post Learn While Staying Active With Lü! appeared first on Teq.

May 22, 2025

9 Resources for Enriching Civics Education

In recent years, schools have seen a decline in the emphasis of civic literacy throughout student learning. This can be attributed to sources including the Brookings Institution and the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy. What is civics education? Civics includes knowledge of governmental structures (local, state, and national), constitutional principles and rights. In […]

The post 9 Resources for Enriching Civics Education appeared first on Teq.

April 17, 2025

Pioneering AI in the Classroom with UBTECH Education

UBTECH is an industry leader in STEM education, providing robotics kits for students of all ages and skill levels. These kits provide students with hands-on activities that allow them to develop the necessary skills needed to tackle real world issues. UBTECH uKits allow students to tackle more than just science and engineering challenges. They will […]

The post Pioneering AI in the Classroom with UBTECH Education appeared first on Teq.

April 08, 2025

4 Ways ActiveFloor Encourages Interactivity and Play

Gone are the days of stagnant, traditional classes! It’s time to introduce your students to ActiveFloor! This go-to gadget allows educators to present academic content in a fun and gamified way. How does ActiveFloor work? It’s simple! This interactive learning solution comes with a projector, computer, tracking camera, and floor mat. The system can fit […]

The post 4 Ways ActiveFloor Encourages Interactivity and Play appeared first on Teq.

March 20, 2025

4 DIY Spring Cricut Crafts

Looking for easy DIY crafts? Want to spruce up your classroom? Grab your Cricut and let’s leap into springtime! Cricut-cutting machines are the perfect tool for improving classroom instruction and promoting creativity. With unlimited designs and various materials, the possibilities are endless. Cricut can cut out designs, decals, labels, and assist with any project you […]

The post 4 DIY Spring Cricut Crafts appeared first on Teq.

February 27, 2025

Let Ozobot EVOke the Fun Back Into Math

There aren’t a lot of people who can say that math is their favorite subject. It certainly has never been my strongest. I wanted to run and hide the moment there was any mention of math. The reason why I despised the subject was because in my day, it was all about memorization. There was […]

The post Let Ozobot EVOke the Fun Back Into Math appeared first on Teq.

February 13, 2025

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your SMART Board

As part of Teq’s professional development team, one of the most frequently asked questions we get when doing a SMART Board training is, “How do I clean and/or disinfect a SMART Board or interactive flat panel and its accessories?” Cleaning your SMART Board should never be a daunting task. Lucky for you, the procedure has […]

The post Cleaning and Disinfecting Your SMART Board appeared first on Teq.

January 24, 2025

Creating Your Own Games in Breakout EDU

Are you looking for a fun and interactive tool to engage your learners? Breakout EDU can help students unlock a love for learning by applying knowledge with higher order thinking, a developing growth mindset, and perseverance. The Breakout EDU platform boosts teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving through learner-centered experiences. Students can solve digital and kit-based games, […]

The post Creating Your Own Games in Breakout EDU appeared first on Teq.

January 09, 2025

Ready, Set, Read! – Top 5 Resources for Gamifying Literacy

Reading has a magical ability to transport you to different worlds and forgotten times. It can teach you new things and provide an escape from reality. The writing process can provide authors with alternate forms of communication and imagination. However, for some students, reading and writing can feel like a chore. In order to build […]

The post Ready, Set, Read! – Top 5 Resources for Gamifying Literacy appeared first on Teq.

December 19, 2024

Fun with Lasers in the Classroom Using xTool

When I was growing up, lasers were devices that you could only see in sci-fi movies or cartoons. Lasers were inventions from the distant future. It turns out that the distant future was not so distant! Lasers are now a part of everything from construction sites to medical procedures! We are able to have fun […]

The post Fun with Lasers in the Classroom Using xTool appeared first on Teq.

December 10, 2024

Teq and OTIS Bringing Free Courses to New PA Teachers

The first few years of teaching are daunting enough as it is. As the new school year is underway, the teacher shortage is affecting states across the country, including Pennsylvania. As a result, the Pennsylvania Department of Education developed an Educator Workforce Strategy. This strategy outlines goals and aims to address critical needs in regards to […]

The post Teq and OTIS Bringing Free Courses to New PA Teachers appeared first on Teq.

October 15, 2024

3 Reasons to Update to SMART Notebook 24 for the New School Year

Summer is quickly coming to a close. Let’s make sure we are ready to hit the ground running when your students start walking through those classroom doors. SMART Notebook has recently released the latest update to its software – Version 24. Be sure to check out what’s new and familiarize yourself with these updated features […]

The post 3 Reasons to Update to SMART Notebook 24 for the New School Year appeared first on Teq.

August 28, 2024

Starting the School Year Recycled

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces 4.9 lbs of trash a day. Additionally, public schools are estimated to produce over 14,500 tons of waste every day across the United States, via earthday.org. These statistics are startling, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However, schools can make small and simple changes that […]

The post Starting the School Year Recycled appeared first on Teq.

August 22, 2024

3 Back-to-School STEAM Activities for Little Learners

Back-to-school season is a time of new procedures, learning opportunities, friendships, and so much more. For all students, we want to provide engaging activities that get them excited for the school year ahead. Specifically, for little learners, creating hands-on and interactive STEAM activities will help to promote a positive learning environment that empowers student voice […]

The post 3 Back-to-School STEAM Activities for Little Learners appeared first on Teq.

August 08, 2024

SMART Technology and Transforming Classrooms

Technology continues to evolve in and out of the classroom. It is important that educators understand the solutions they are working with. In many cases, they are left puzzled when faced with new technology, such as display panels, with no one to help troubleshoot. However, the partnership between SMART Technologies and Tequipment Inc. (Teq) with […]

The post SMART Technology and Transforming Classrooms appeared first on Teq.

July 25, 2024

Bringing CTE Into Your School Library

When I entered high school in the mid-to-late 90s, there was still an auto shop located in the school. The class was long gone and the space was used for storage. However, one could tell what its original purpose was. It was a symbolic remnant of an educational past that no longer seemed relevant to […]

The post Bringing CTE Into Your School Library appeared first on Teq.

June 27, 2024

5 Strategies for Teaching Web Safety to Students

Many students are spending more and more time on the internet playing games, using social media, or even completing online assignments. It is crucial that we, as teachers, spend time educating our students on the importance of web safety. When teaching web safety, it’s necessary that we do so in an engaging way to ensure […]

The post 5 Strategies for Teaching Web Safety to Students appeared first on Teq.

June 20, 2024

Simple Steps to “Summer-ize” Your Google Drive

Teachers, you are rounding the final turn. The finish line is in your sights. You are quickly approaching the end of another school year. Like most teachers at this time of year, you may feel that the last day of school can’t come soon enough. Before that day comes, as part of your yearly classroom […]

The post Simple Steps to “Summer-ize” Your Google Drive appeared first on Teq.

June 13, 2024

Student-Made Gifts with Cricut

Students are constantly producing work and taking it home. This may happen less frequently in the upper grades, as students will sometimes bring home something like an art project. However, there are many times when students will create projects to be sent home as a gift to family, friends, or caretakers on special occasions and […]

The post Student-Made Gifts with Cricut appeared first on Teq.

June 06, 2024

Top 4 Reasons to Replace ActivInspire with SMART Notebook

In the world of interactive whiteboard software, there are many available options for educators to utilize. These advanced edtech solutions allow teachers to create engaging content for students that is more efficient and paperless. Many educators use the software ActivInspire from Promethean, which is a fantastic solution, but did you know SMART Notebook can do just as much, […]

The post Top 4 Reasons to Replace ActivInspire with SMART Notebook appeared first on Teq.

May 30, 2024

Explain Everything vs Lumio: Digital Lesson Delivery Showdown

We’re all aware of the explosion of online teaching tools in the wake of the pandemic. While the fervor for new tools seems to have calmed down, the fact remains that there are still so many options out there. How do you choose which is best? What if you spend your time and energy learning a […]

The post Explain Everything vs Lumio: Digital Lesson Delivery Showdown appeared first on Teq.

May 23, 2024

Voice & Choice for Field Day Activities

Ready, set, go! It’s time for a field day! You may remember participating in field day as a kid. Maybe, in more recent times, you’ve hosted a field day for your own students. Either way, field day is a great way to unwind at the end of the school year, participate in interactive activities, and […]

The post Voice & Choice for Field Day Activities appeared first on Teq.

May 16, 2024

5 Reasons You Should be Using Inspirit Virtual Reality

Today’s classrooms are becoming more technologically equipped to meet the needs of students in the digital age. According to CompTIA, 9 out of 10 students believe that using technology in the classroom can help prepare them for future careers, especially in the digital sector. Inspirit is a virtual reality education company that is looking to do just that. […]

The post 5 Reasons You Should be Using Inspirit Virtual Reality appeared first on Teq.

May 09, 2024

LATEST BLOG POSTS