Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

How to use the new AI PPT:PDF to video generator now available in Flexclip

November 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

Turn your slides into videos in seconds!
FlexClip’s new AI tool converts PPT/PDF into dynamic videos with voice-over. Perfect for educators & creators!
🎥 Watch my quick demo: youtu.be/Gm1O6n-d_iM
#EdTech #AItools #FlexClip
#PresentationTips

A step by step guide to using Microsoft Planner

November 12, 2025 at 10:26 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In my latest #EdTech video, I walk you through Microsoft Planner step by step, perfect for managing and tracking projects with ease.
Learn how to set up tasks, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress.
🔗 youtu.be/kohAhmYQuCo
#MicrosoftPlanner #ProjectManagement #DigitalTools

How to use the edit with transcript feature in MS Clipchamp

October 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In the latest in my series of #MSOffice #Shorts, I show how to simplify your editing by using the edit with transcript feature in #Microsoft #ClipChamp simply edit the transcript and, it will edit the video or the audio. #edtech #edusky

youtube.com/shorts/2vlZy...

Differentiate the questions asked by using the branching feature in MS Forms

October 20, 2025 at 8:14 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

🚀 In the latest #MSOffice #shorts, I show how to use branching in #MicrosoftForms to create a smarter, more dynamic quiz that varies the route through the questions depending on the answers given.

youtube.com/shorts/upxzM...

#EdTech #Microsoft365 #DigitalLearning #edusky

The End of Choice? How Subscription Models Are Reshaping EdTech Use in the Classroom

October 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In my latest #edtech blog post, I explore how the way we subscribe to edtech tools is changing models, and this could reshape which EdTech is used in the classroom. Read more: wix.to/3BTtcDQ #Education #Digitalskills #SubscriptionModels #AmplifyFE #edusky

As with most educators just prior to the start of the new term, I spent some time going through and updating my resources to ensure they were current. At the start of the year, I run several new teach...

wix.to

September 27, 2025 at 3:07 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

Want to make your PowerPoint lessons more interactive?
🎡 In this quick tutorial, I show you how to create a randomiser spinning wheel—perfect for quizzes, student names, or activity choices.

Watch the video
#EdTech #PowerPointTips #TeachingTools #Microsoft365
#edusky
youtu.be/G-5KWl2N1sQ?...

How to create a randomiser spinning wheel in PowerPoint

Study Smarter Time Saving Hacks in Word & PowerPoint

September 11, 2025 at 7:01 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

With the new term started, in this, my latest in a series of #MSOffice #shorts, I go through my top time-saving approaches for students using #Word and #PowerPoint, including: Dictate, Immersive reader, Designer, and Editor
#edusky
youtube.com/shorts/T-KjQ...

Create a video overview of your class notes or resources using Google's Notebook LM

September 3, 2025 at 11:10 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

🚀 Want to turn your class notes into a quick video overview in minutes?
In this video, I show how to do just that using Google's NotebookLM. Perfect for teachers & students looking to create a summary of content covered! 🎓📹
👉 youtu.be/FvckqYbxOm4
#EdTech #NotebookLM #edusky

A quick guide to creating interactive activities using Wordwall

August 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

🎨 Want perfect colour matching in PowerPoint?
Use the Eyedropper tool to grab any colour from your screen—fast and easy! 👀
Watch the quick tip 👉https://youtube.com/shorts/ZS0aQMtWMMo
#EdTech #PowerPointHack #AmplifiyFE #DigitalLearning

August 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

New #edtech video shows you how to use #Wordwall to create engaging, interactive lessons. Use them with the whole class on the main board or have students access them individually on their own devices.
youtu.be/Mm5wsC04wt8?...
#TeachingStrategies #ClassroomEngagement #FE

Walk through of updated calendar in MS Teams #office365

August 2, 2025 at 7:34 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

A change of name and a move to a new business model. If you used #Quizziz last term, beware that the free for school account has gone, access is limited to a few question options, now requires a school/organisation to access the wider feature of #waygroundai
#edtech #amplifyFE #edusky

July 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In the latest in my series of #MSOffice shorts, I go through the changes recently made to the Calendar in #MicrosoftTeams, including new view options and improved functionality #Digitalskills #edusky

youtube.com/shorts/IcN80...

How to create a quiz template with a countdown timer using the Zoom feature in PowerPoint

July 25, 2025 at 1:52 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

🚨 New #edtech Video!
Want to make your PowerPoint quizzes pop? 🧠⏳
Learn how to create an interactive quiz using the Zoom feature and a horizontal countdown timer in #PowerPoint!
🎥 Watch now: youtu.be/vbvg5rNB8rc
#EdTech #TeachingTools #edusky #DigitalLearning

Creating and adding a signature to a Word document using MS Office lens

July 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

Want to add your signature to documents without the hassle? Check out my latest #edtech video where I demonstrate two quick methods, using MS Office Lens and MS Word's draw feature. Say goodbye to printing and scanning! #DigitalSkills #MSOffice #edusky

youtu.be/fWaEp5l5bHQ?...

A quick look at new application home pages in #office365

June 30, 2025 at 4:28 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In this the latest of #MSOffice #Shorts , I highlight the new look of the #Office365 application home page ,That makes it easier and quicker to locate the files you need 📂✨
youtube.com/shorts/s0j8A...

#Office365 #Productivity #TechTips

A guide to using the free editing tools available in Canva's Photo editor

June 19, 2025 at 7:17 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

Discover the power of #Canva's free photo editor in my newest #edtech video! I'm highlighting every free feature designed to help you perfect your photos.

#Creativity #Digitalskills #Photography #Edusky

youtu.be/3lPJTlIuRQM?...

Converting date format to UK in Excel

June 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

New #edtech video, continuing my series of #msoffice #shorts, this time I go through how to convert the date format from US to UK in #MSExcel
#Digitalskills #amplifyFE

youtube.com/shorts/Jckqq...

Summarise a document quickly using the Add content with Microsoft Copilot sidebar

May 19, 2025 at 10:10 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In my latest #MSOffice #Short, I go through how to summarise a document quickly, using the add content feature now available in #MSCopilot side bar to upload an attachment #AI #Timesaver

youtube.com/shorts/c-TL5...

A step by step guide to creating and refining a quiz assessment in Quizizz

May 13, 2025 at 8:04 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In my latest #edtech video I go through to leverage the power of AI available in #Quizizz to create and refine your quiz, Check out my latest step-by-step video on how to make the most it!

🎥 youtu.be/qvJMFdhK4Qk?...

#AI #QuizCreation #Tutorial #AmplifyFE #Edusky

Creating horizontal countdown timer in #Powerpoint

April 28, 2025 at 7:43 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In my latest #edtech video, I show how to add a horizontal #countdown timer to a slide in #PowerPoint. It's great for group work and timed activities!
#Digitalskills #MicrosoftEDU #Edusky

📺 Watch now:

youtu.be/s-Cz7yvE71g?...

How to create a 5 minute circular countdown timer in PowerPoint

April 16, 2025 at 10:23 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In my latest video, I show you step-by-step how to create a circular countdown timer that keeps students focused and on track. Perfect for group work, and timed activities!
📺 Watch now: youtu.be/UUtKbVydfRo?...

#EduSky #EdTech #CountdownTimer #PowerPoint #YouTubeTutorial

How to create drone style animations of any where in the world using Google Earth Studio

March 31, 2025 at 10:04 AM

James Kieft

@james-kieft.bsky.social

In my new #Edtech video, I explain how to create drone-style animation of anywhere in the world using Google Earth Studio. #Digitalskills #AnimationSchool #edusky
youtu.be/DzwKQvYqS2w