*Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
Sparking Curiosity: Using Questions to Fuel Instruction
Using examples from the classroom, research, literature and film, this session will explore curiosity as a omnipresent motivational force in our world. Simple resources and instructional strategies used to spark curiosity will be modeled, case studies will be analyzed, and personal stories will be shared. An emphasis will be made on tangible strategies for sparking student curiosity, and how technology may operate as a strategic partner in this process.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Using examples from the classroom, research, literature and film, this session will explore curiosity as a omnipresent motivational force in our world. Simple resources and instructional strategies used to spark curiosity will be modeled, case studies will be analyzed, and personal stories will be shared. An emphasis will be made on tangible strategies for sparking student curiosity, and how technology may operate as a strategic partner in this process.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
AI-Powered Pedagogy: Unleashing the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching
Recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer an incredible opportunity for teachers and students. Whether it be in the engineering, traditional science, or humanities disciplines, when approached through a thoughtful and critical lens, AI can truly empower the process of learning and instruction. Although this session will address innovate uses of ChatGPT and other applications, philosophical dilemmas and case studies around student and teacher use will also be featured and debated.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer an incredible opportunity for teachers and students. Whether it be in the engineering, traditional science, or humanities disciplines, when approached through a thoughtful and critical lens, AI can truly empower the process of learning and instruction. Although this session will address innovate uses of ChatGPT and other applications, philosophical dilemmas and case studies around student and teacher use will also be featured and debated.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Students as Heroes: The Learning Cycle as a Call to Adventure
When analyzed side-by-side, Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, and representations of the Inquiry-Based Learning Cycle, have much in common. Both begin with an engaged, challenged participant, involve intervention from a mentor, and lead the learner to a state of physical and mental transformation. This session will provide tangible strategies for interpreting and leveraging the Hero's Journey as a lesson planning tool and instructional device.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
When analyzed side-by-side, Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, and representations of the Inquiry-Based Learning Cycle, have much in common. Both begin with an engaged, challenged participant, involve intervention from a mentor, and lead the learner to a state of physical and mental transformation. This session will provide tangible strategies for interpreting and leveraging the Hero's Journey as a lesson planning tool and instructional device.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Explore-Flip-Apply: An Inquiry Approach to the Flipped Classroom
Despite recent buzz, misconceptions about the "flipped" classroom are rampant. This session will deconstruct and re-define this concept, placing multimedia in the context of an inquiry based learning cycle where videos facilitate, rather than provide, knowledge construction. Current research, tangible tools, and an instructional model will be presented.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Despite recent buzz, misconceptions about the "flipped" classroom are rampant. This session will deconstruct and re-define this concept, placing multimedia in the context of an inquiry based learning cycle where videos facilitate, rather than provide, knowledge construction. Current research, tangible tools, and an instructional model will be presented.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Reflective Practice: Embracing the Mess of Learning
Despite current research that calls for educators to place exploration before explanation, the "mess" of student discovery, and awareness of student misconceptions can challenge any teacher's pedagogical tool kit. Through case studies and classroom examples, this session will help inspire educators to "embrace the mess" of active learning!
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Despite current research that calls for educators to place exploration before explanation, the "mess" of student discovery, and awareness of student misconceptions can challenge any teacher's pedagogical tool kit. Through case studies and classroom examples, this session will help inspire educators to "embrace the mess" of active learning!
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Invention, Design, and NGSS: A Structure for Empowering Student Creation in the Sciences
Often viewed as a roadblock, standards such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) can be powerful formats for lesson planning and student learning. This session will introduce teachers to a scaffolded invention cycle designed to position student invention in the context of NGSS. Subsequent activities will leverage a myriad of easy-to-use, cutting-edge, technologies for engaging students in design and invention.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Often viewed as a roadblock, standards such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) can be powerful formats for lesson planning and student learning. This session will introduce teachers to a scaffolded invention cycle designed to position student invention in the context of NGSS. Subsequent activities will leverage a myriad of easy-to-use, cutting-edge, technologies for engaging students in design and invention.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Practical EdTech: Leveraging Simple Tools in Powerful Ways
Although impressive on paper, the newest tool or application can often distract, rather than empower, meaningful learning. Through classroom examples and live demonstrations, this session will help teachers develop, and more importantly, trust in, a simple and streamlined set of tools. Great teaching has been happening long before the advent of technology, and by simplifying our approach to technology integration, we can merge the best of both worlds!
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Although impressive on paper, the newest tool or application can often distract, rather than empower, meaningful learning. Through classroom examples and live demonstrations, this session will help teachers develop, and more importantly, trust in, a simple and streamlined set of tools. Great teaching has been happening long before the advent of technology, and by simplifying our approach to technology integration, we can merge the best of both worlds!
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Your EdTech Mission: Grounding Technology in a Timeless Pedagogy
Educational Technology evangelist, Rushton Hurley states: "Technology won't turn a bad teacher into a good one. But a good teacher, using technology well, can do great things!". Using personal stories, case studies, and tangible examples, this session will provide strategies for helping teachers write an EdTech Mission Statement grounded in pedagogy and transcending technology.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Educational Technology evangelist, Rushton Hurley states: "Technology won't turn a bad teacher into a good one. But a good teacher, using technology well, can do great things!". Using personal stories, case studies, and tangible examples, this session will provide strategies for helping teachers write an EdTech Mission Statement grounded in pedagogy and transcending technology.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
PseudoTeaching: Diagnosis and Treatment
Defined by teachers Frank Noschese and John Burke as a lesson that "...looks like it should result in meaningful learning...but was flawed and resulted in minimal learning" this session will share one teacher's PseudoTeaching journey. Through video, classroom examples, and student testimonials, this session will diagnose and attempt to treat this problem.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Defined by teachers Frank Noschese and John Burke as a lesson that "...looks like it should result in meaningful learning...but was flawed and resulted in minimal learning" this session will share one teacher's PseudoTeaching journey. Through video, classroom examples, and student testimonials, this session will diagnose and attempt to treat this problem.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Video as an Instructional Device
Within the last five years, the popularity of You Tube, Khan Academy, and a myriad of different production tools have placed video under an education technology microscope. This session will investigate video through both a lens of inquiry and information transfer, while also sharing useful tools and tricks for curating, sharing editing and tracking video. Emphasis will be placed on Multimedia Media Learning Theory in the context of video design.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Within the last five years, the popularity of You Tube, Khan Academy, and a myriad of different production tools have placed video under an education technology microscope. This session will investigate video through both a lens of inquiry and information transfer, while also sharing useful tools and tricks for curating, sharing editing and tracking video. Emphasis will be placed on Multimedia Media Learning Theory in the context of video design.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Engaging STEM Activities for Camps and Classrooms
Whether you are an elementary, middle, secondary or postsecondary teacher, this hands-on session will arm participants with engaging, cost affordable STEM activities that can be used with students immediately. From chemistry, to robotics, to AI, participants will learn how to implement activities in the context of an inquiry-based learning cycle that can be easily modified and adapted for student prior knowledge.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Whether you are an elementary, middle, secondary or postsecondary teacher, this hands-on session will arm participants with engaging, cost affordable STEM activities that can be used with students immediately. From chemistry, to robotics, to AI, participants will learn how to implement activities in the context of an inquiry-based learning cycle that can be easily modified and adapted for student prior knowledge.
*Available as a presentation or workshop. Description and content is flexible based on need.
Battling Robots Team Building Event
Working with colleagues to accomplish an engineering challenge can be a powerful way for any organization to improve their communication, collaboration, and critically thinking skills. During this workshop members of your team will, in strategically designed groups, engineer a remote controlled robot ready for battle! The workshop will include time for reflection as well as refreshments. Any organizations improve as a team are welcome.
*Available as a 2-hour, 4-hour, or 6-hour workshop. Content is flexible based on need.
Working with colleagues to accomplish an engineering challenge can be a powerful way for any organization to improve their communication, collaboration, and critically thinking skills. During this workshop members of your team will, in strategically designed groups, engineer a remote controlled robot ready for battle! The workshop will include time for reflection as well as refreshments. Any organizations improve as a team are welcome.
*Available as a 2-hour, 4-hour, or 6-hour workshop. Content is flexible based on need.