Q: What technology is available to improve students' writing strategies?

A: There is an option, as I discovered, to contact local researchers at the university who are developing educational technology tools. At Arizona State university we are fortunate to have a Learning Science Institute. Recently I started implementing W-Pal, a writing tutor, in collaboration with Danielle McNamara group at LSI ASU, in the student success class for freshmen. This intelligent tutoring system helps students to make their written communication more effective. http://www.soletlab.com/ I encourage you to expand your network in the direction of artificial intelligence in educational technology - the resources are there.

Q: I'd like to stay tuned in my career as a teacher. Do you have any suggestions how I can squeeze a professional development training into my busy schedule?

A: You can have fun playing video game during your coffee break and refresh the best practices in teacher education. The following article describes “Teacher Leader: Pursuit of Professionalism”. It is the first in a series of interactive, three-dimensional video games being designed by ASU’s Center for Games and Impact and the Sanford Inspire Program.
https://asunews.asu.edu/20130924-future-teachers-games