Learn: Discover how to design, implement and teach students to create their own personal learning hubs. These hubs can focus on a single content area or serve as a tool across multiple subjects, empowering students to organize and manage their learning.
Engage: Actively explore the structure and benefits of a learning hub, with dedicated time to develop your own hub template. Collaborate with peers and experiment with different components to create a model tailored to your classroom needs.
Apply: Gain a completed or partially developed hub, along with the knowledge to guide students in building their own. Be equipped to implement this tool in your classroom, fostering student ownership and supporting independent, organized learning.
Learn: Discover Cisco’s Global Problem Solvers (GPS) program as a powerful framework for Genius Hour, guiding students to tackle real-world issues. Learn how GPS cultivates critical thinking and digital storytelling to address local, national and global challenges.
Engage: Through live polls, collaborative brainstorming and Q&A, actively explore digital storytelling techniques and educational tools to enrich student-led projects. Small group discussions will foster idea-sharing and practical insights.
Apply: Gain ready to implement Genius Hour projects with Cisco's GPS resources, using digital storytelling to empower students to address contemporary challenges with creativity and precision.
Learn: Discover how Discovery Education Experience supports career exploration from kindergarten through high school. Explore engaging tools like career path quizzes and career-focused resource collections to inspire students about their future possibilities.
Engage: Participate in an interactive career path quiz to align your interests with potential careers and discuss ways to implement similar activities with your students. Collaborate with peers to explore curated career-focused resources and strategies for integrating them into your teaching.
Apply: Gain practical methods for sharing career-focused collections within Discovery Education Experience and actionable strategies to guide students on their career journey and spark excitement about their future aspirations.
Learn: Discover the transformative potential of Generative AI in K-12 education through a no-cost, 90-minute virtual readiness session tailored for educators and administrators. Gain insight into the opportunities and challenges AI brings to learning environments.
Engage: Collaborate with seasoned consultants from Advanced Learning Partnerships (ALP) and CDW in exploring practical strategies for AI implementation. Participate in guided discussions and real-world scenario planning to understand how AI can shape your district’s educational practices.
Apply: Leave equipped with actionable insights and a strategic framework to define and scale AI-infused learning environments in your district. Start your AI journey with confidence and clarity.
Learn: Discover the expansive, free curriculum offered by Code.org, created to make computer science education accessible in every classroom. Attendees will explore the K-12 resources that align with state standards, focusing on foundational digital skills and computer science principles.
Engage: Through interactive discussion, participants will examine how Code.org’s curriculum integrates with their own teaching goals and classroom settings. We’ll also dive into available support, including teacher training funded through DESE, ensuring a fully supported rollout of these resources.
Apply: By the end of this session, participants will be prepared to bring Code.org's curriculum into their schools. They will leave with actionable steps and knowledge on accessing the resources, securing teacher training, and engaging students in computer science.
Learn: Discover how to harness the features of your learning management system (LMS) to support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and create more inclusive, accessible learning experiences. Explore insights from a district collaboration with the DESE AEM Cohort, demonstrating how UDL principles were translated into actionable goals to make the LMS a tool for diverse learners.
Engage: Explore district-created UDL resources and experiment with tools in an Open Canvas Course designed around UDL principles. Gain insights into how other districts are addressing barriers to learning and making their LMS more inclusive.
Apply: Put UDL into action by mapping UDL principles to your LMS, adapting shared Canvas examples, and developing personalized implementation goals that make your LMS a dynamic platform for learner-centered education.
Learn: Discover a powerful framework for sparking curiosity and driving learning. Explore how developing a "Big Question" can inspire students to dive into meaningful, interdisciplinary exploration with the support of their communities and global mentors.
Engage: Through interactive activities, role-playing and collaborative discussions, practice building networks of support within your communities and connecting with expert mentors worldwide. Experience hands-on strategies and effective techniques for integrating Open-Source Learning principles into classrooms or other learning environments.
Apply: Gain a foundational Open-Source Learning model, complete with your own “Big Question” to guide further inquiry and community-based exploration in addition to practical tools for fostering collaborative learning environments that encourage curiosity, interdisciplinary connections and impactful discoveries.
Learn: Discover how to incorporate students' personal vocabulary and experiences into literacy instruction, making the learning more meaningful and relevant. Identify various literary structures found across curriculums and learn how to use these structures to enhance students' reading and writing skills. Explore how dictation technology can be leveraged to support struggling readers and writers in capturing their thoughts and ideas.
Engage: Participate in interactive activities that model classroom practices and foster a positive learning environment. Create your own literary examples and experiment with dictation technology on your own device to understand its application for students.
Apply: Gain practical examples of literary structures and techniques for integrating students' personal language into literacy instruction. Reflect on how to use dictation technology to support struggling students and leave with strategies that can be transferred directly into your teaching practice.
Learn: Understand how intentional, age-appropriate use of technology can enhance learning for young students. This session explores strategies for incorporating technology naturally into the classroom to meet the unique abilities and developmental stages of early learners.
Engage: Experience interactive demonstrations showcasing how tools like iPad can empower young learners to communicate, create, and explore at their own pace. Participants will also engage in small-group discussions to share ideas and insights on technology's role in early childhood education.
Apply: Gain practical tips for implementing technology in your classroom in ways that align with developmentally appropriate practices. Leave with a toolkit of strategies to foster creativity, self-expression, and individualized learning for your youngest students.
Learn: Explore the findings of our nationwide survey involving 119 high school English teachers regarding their attitudes toward ChatGPT integration in instructional practices. Gain insights into ethical concerns, common usage patterns and current perceptions of ChatGPT in the classroom.
Engage: Learn how English teachers are utilizing ChatGPT for personal planning and classroom instruction as you are guided through the process of creating a ChatGPT account. Learn how to differentiate lesson plans for various learning levels, develop new lesson plans and streamline administrative tasks. Depending on compurter availability, work independently or interact with demonstrations.
Apply: Get hands-on experience with ChatGPT as you explore its capabilities using your own classroom materials. Gain practical strategies for integrating ChatGPT into your teaching, along with take-home materials such as printouts and access to our presentation to support future application.
Dr. Simmons is a dedicated high school English teacher in Southern Illinois and an adjunct instructor at a community college. She received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (2012) and a Master of Arts in Education (2018). Holding a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy with a focus... Read More →
Dr. Cara Bertelmann holds a Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2015), a Master's in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University (2018), and a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy with a specialization in English Language from... Read More →
Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 3Marriott St. Louis Airport
Learn: Explore the transformative potential of Open-Source Learning in today’s rapidly changing world. Discover how this approach empowers students to pursue interdisciplinary goals and unique personal projects, from leading wilderness expeditions to publishing original research, that go beyond traditional classroom experiences.
Engage: Dive into the "Sixth Fitness" model, which centers on five core strengths—mental, physical, civic, spiritual and technological fitness—unified by a sixth quality that drives purpose and achievement. Through group reflections and real-world examples, discover how this framework can reshape learning in any setting.
Apply: Gain practical strategies and tools to assess your own Open-Source Learning fitness and design an action plan tailored to your learning environment. This session provides a road map for fostering a dynamic, self-directed learning culture that helps students and educators alike realize their potential.
Learn: Discover the latest Apple products, tools, and programs designed to transform education. Explore how innovative technology supports productivity, collaboration, and enhanced learning experiences in the classroom.
Engage: Participate in a dynamic session featuring live demonstrations of Apple’s newest educational tools. Collaborate with peers in small-group discussions to exchange ideas and explore how these innovations can benefit your teaching environment.
Apply: Leave equipped with practical knowledge and inspiration to integrate Apple’s cutting-edge solutions into your teaching. Take actionable steps to leverage technology for better productivity, seamless collaboration, and enriched student engagement.
Learn: Discover the latest AI resources and how to leverage them to streamline daily tasks, enhance instructional practices and engage students meaningfully, prioritizing effective learning outcomes.
Engage: Actively explore and utilize AI tools to design a classroom-ready lesson that incorporates practical applications, enabling students to engage actively with an AI platform.
Apply: Gain a ready-to-implement lesson plan that integrates AI, enhancing student engagement and facilitating deeper learning experiences in the classroom.
Learn: Discover how music can enhance STEM education! Explore the power of creating songs as a tool to reinforce key concepts, making learning both memorable and engaging.
Engage: Dive into a hands-on STEM activity, then work in groups to create a simple, catchy song about the STEM principles you explored. Through collaboration, experience the excitement of combining learning with creativity and discover firsthand how music can deepen understanding and retention in any subject area.
Apply: Each group will showcase their song teaching a STEM concept, modeling how this approach can spark interest and aid retention for students. Gain a memorable strategy to energize learning in your classroom.
Learn: Discover how augmented reality (AR) can transform learning experiences, offering students unique opportunities to explore concepts and engage with content in innovative ways. Gain insight into how AR can be effectively integrated across subjects, from science to social studies and more, using iPads.
Engage: Participate in an interactive session where you’ll explore AR applications, engage in hands-on demonstrations, and collaborate with peers to brainstorm ways to align AR activities with your curriculum goals.
Apply: Walk away with actionable strategies and best practices for incorporating AR into your teaching. Learn how to design immersive AR experiences that captivate students while enhancing their understanding of complex concepts across various subject areas.
Learn: Discover the expansive, free curriculum offered by Code.org, created to make computer science education accessible in every classroom. Attendees will explore the K-12 resources that align with state standards, focusing on foundational digital skills and computer science principles.
Engage: Through interactive discussion, participants will examine how Code.org’s curriculum integrates with their own teaching goals and classroom settings. We’ll also dive into available support, including teacher training funded through DESE, ensuring a fully supported rollout of these resources.
Apply: By the end of this session, participants will be prepared to bring Code.org's curriculum into their schools. They will leave with actionable steps and knowledge on accessing the resources, securing teacher training, and engaging students in computer science.
Learn: Discover how to incorporate students' personal vocabulary and experiences into literacy instruction, making the learning more meaningful and relevant. Identify various literary structures found across curriculums and learn how to use these structures to enhance students' reading and writing skills. Explore how dictation technology can be leveraged to support struggling readers and writers in capturing their thoughts and ideas.
Engage: Participate in interactive activities that model classroom practices and foster a positive learning environment. Create your own literary examples and experiment with dictation technology on your own device to understand its application for students.
Apply: Gain practical examples of literary structures and techniques for integrating students' personal language into literacy instruction. Reflect on how to use dictation technology to support struggling students and leave with strategies that can be transferred directly into your teaching practice.
Learn: Explore how to effectively use video to record and teach lesson demonstrations that can be uploaded to a dedicated YouTube channel. Discover how recorded lessons can capture students' attention through step-by-step modeling for projects, skill development or desired behaviors.
Engage: Utilize project materials, acquired skills and a cell phone camera to practice teaching and demonstrating a lesson that will be uploaded to your YouTube channel created for this purpose.
Apply: Gain skills to launch your own YouTube video lesson demonstration to support students who may struggle, provide resources for absent learners and maximize preparation time during lessons, especially when teaching multiple classes back-to-back.
Learn: Discover the transformative role of becoming a lead learner in the Open-Source Learning model. Dr. David Preston will guide you through the principles of full engagement, vulnerability and restorative dialogue that empower educators to inspire learners by example.
Engage: Participate in reflective exercises and discussions that help you uncover opportunities for personal growth and empathetic facilitation. Collaborate with fellow participants to explore strategies for building meaningful connections and fostering resilience in learning environments.
Apply: Gain actionable steps to embody the lead learner mindset. You’ll gain clarity on how to model risk-taking and vulnerability while supporting your students' learning journeys, ensuring every moment becomes an opportunity for growth and discovery.
Learn: Explore how Pear Deck by Go Guardian enhances classroom learning through an integrated suite of tools designed for instruction, engagement, assessment, and intervention. Understand how these tools are rooted in learning science and tailored for K-12 classrooms.
Engage: Discover best practices for using Pear Deck to actively engage students, gather real-time feedback, and assess understanding. Engage in interactive demonstrations that highlight how Pear Deck can transform your teaching approach and improve student outcomes.
Apply: Leave with practical strategies and the confidence to incorporate Pear Deck into your curriculum. You’ll learn how to utilize the platform’s features to enhance instruction and support student learning, helping both teachers and students reach their full potential.
Learn: Discover a 3-step strategy for leveraging AI to enhance student engagement with culturally responsive content. Explore how to utilize AI tools for creating station activities, weekly lessons and customized resources that address diverse student interests and needs.
Engage: Experience a demonstration of the AI strategy and practice crafting classroom activities using AI tools. Engage in collaborative discussions to share ideas and insights with fellow educators.
Apply: Be equipped to apply the 3-step strategy to streamline lesson planning, increase efficiency and create F.R.E.S.H. lessons and activities that are both relevant and engaging for all students.
Dr. Stephanie R. Boyce is an Edupreneur driven by her passion to reshape the educational landscape by making culturally responsive teaching a way of life.For the last decade, Boyce has focused her studies and work on matters of racial justice and equity for historically marginalized... Read More →
Tuesday February 25, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST
Grand PavilionMarriott St. Louis Airport
Learn: Explore how Discovery Education Experience can enhance every part of your school day, from sparking curiosity with immersive videos and virtual field trips to providing engaging, standards-aligned content for lesson planning.
Engage: Bring your laptop and dive into hands-on activities that demonstrate how to use Discovery Education for transitions, recess or downtime. Collaborate with fellow educators to uncover creative ways to integrate these tools seamlessly into your daily routines.
Apply: Gain strategies to captivate students and extend learning beyond the classroom by sharing resources with students and families. Whether you’re new or experienced with Discovery Education, you’ll gain practical tools to elevate your teaching and engage your students.
Learn: Discover the latest AI tools and their potential applications in the classroom. Discover cutting-edge technology and showcase how AI can create new learning opportunities, sparking innovation for both educators and students.
Engage: Actively experiment with AI tools while engaging in thought-provoking discussions on the broader impact of AI on education. Collaborate with peers to explore AI's role in transforming the learning experience.
Apply: Gain practical ideas and strategies for leveraging AI in your classroom. Be prepared to create transformative learning experiences that harness AI's potential to engage and inspire students.
Learn: Delve into the latest and most effective AI for all students but especially those who require additional support.
Engage: Take part in a hands-on, station rotation discovery model to create high-quality task(s) tailored to your subject area and instructional goals.
Apply: Gain new found insights that are ready to be applied into your classroom fostering an open-minded approach to integrating AI responsibly.
Learn: Discover the essential components of an AI Transformation vision, including strategies for data protection, fostering student well-being, and preparing staff and students for AI integration. Gain insights into best practices for creating a forward-thinking plan that balances innovation with responsibility.
Engage: Collaborate with peers through interactive discussions to identify common challenges and share ideas. Participate in guided exercises to outline initial steps for building an AI vision tailored to your school or district's unique needs.
Apply: Leave the session equipped with a structured framework for developing a comprehensive AI Transformation vision. Gain practical steps to kick-start your journey, from addressing readiness gaps to planning for implementation and monitoring progress effectively.
