2024VSTE Annual Conference

In this session, attendees will hear from three educational technology leaders as they share their experience in successfully navigating change in the field over the years, and then engage in a roundtable conversation with peers as they share their experience with navigating change in the ed tech landscape. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies that they can implement to help them successfully adapt in the field.

Participants will experience a strategy called ?Become a Youtuber? in which students, in a blended learning format, teach their ?subscribers? a topic. Attendees will observe 3rd graders using the strategy and have time to plan, prepare, and practice.

You may not be able to increase teacher compensation, but you do play a critical role in keeping new teachers in the profession. This session will be interactive as we examine how we help novice teachers from an ed tech perspective as they move from treading water in the classroom to swimming laps!

Data-informed decisions are critical to quality decision-making in education today and the ability to be able to process data into understandable reports and visuals is vital. This session will walk participants through using tools provided by Google Workspace, primarily GoogleSheets, that allows data to be collected and analyzed - then built into clear reports.

When you need a firm foundation in the seas of education, you must drop an anchor. Lumio and AI can help by being that Anchor. Let?s drop anchor and see how these evolving educational tools can work together to innovate teaching and learning. In this session, Kevin Marcus will be looking at how LUMIO allows for the importing of different media and supplies instant feedback with documentation from its Game-Based Learning Activities and Response. He will also focus on how using AI can help educators improve their workflow and allow them more time to focus on instruction in their classroom. This session will be hands-on so that attendees can receive a first-hand experience they can take back to their classrooms.; When you need a firm foundation in the seas of education, you must drop an anchor. Lumio and AI can help by being that Anchor. Let?s drop anchor and see how these evolving educational tools can work together to innovate teaching and learning. In this session, Kevin Marcus will be looking at how LUMIO allows for the importing of different media and supplies instant feedback with documentation from its Game-Based Learning Activities and Response. He will also focus on how using AI can help educators improve their workflow and allow them more time to focus on instruction in their classroom. This session will be hands-on so that attendees can receive a first-hand experience they can take back to their classrooms.

Did you know Desmos is a FREE resource that offers more than just a calculator? Discover how Desmos can transform your teaching with interactive asessments! In this session, I will show you how to create self-checking assessments using Desmos' powerful features. Plus, you will receive a reflective tool to help students identify areas where they need more support while using Desmos.

Give students the navigation system to explore how they would like to express their learning through the power of choice, portfolios, centers or stations, virtual field trips, or Project Based Learning. Let's step your toes in the shallow waters and allow your creativity to take you to new waters.

Every great journey begins a plan. Discover how one school division is charting the course towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation with an excited crew of educators at the helm. Through their story, identify common obstacles facing initiative planning. Discover tools to help navigate rough seas in planning and avoid common missteps that sink or stall progress. Leave with resources to guide your next journey.

Just as an anchor provides stability and direction in turbulent waters, a well-crafted competency model can ground and guide educational practices. This session will explore a school division's journey in developing and implementing the ITRT (Instructional Technology Resource Teacher) Competency Model, aligned with VDOE ITRT best practices. This model serves as the foundational step in creating effective school learning support teams to drive innovation. By working together, ITRTs and other coaches can create synergy, providing comprehensive support and driving student success and teacher development. Join us to discover best practices, strategies, and collaborative approaches for anchoring excellence and building a cohesive and effective instructional leadership team.

Leveraging the data that is commonly collected and regularly updated in spreadsheets to support decision-making in your school is a crucial component of school-based leadership. This session will help guide you through developing clear and trackable monitoring tools using common (*.xls, *.csv, etc.) reports and the capabilities of Google Workspace.

In this interactive and collaborative session, you?ll dive into the exciting world of student self-animation using digital tools. Discover how to empower learners of all ages to express themselves through animation, characters, and creativity. We?ll explore user-friendly platforms, share practical tips, and reflect on integrating self-animation into your curriculum. Participants will leave with practical ideas, resources, and newfound confidence to nurture creativity in their students. Don?t miss this opportunity to ignite imagination, foster collaboration, and inspire your students with captivating animations!

Anchors away! Unbatten the hatches! Come cruise with us through the vast opportunities of Book Creator. It is time to relinquish control and liberate your students? creativity, engagement, and innovation along the open seas of imagination. Book Creator gives students the freedom to become published authors/illustrators through the creation of digital books. Through this collaborative and comprehensive tool, students transition from interacting with books to becoming published authors and illustrators. Join us for a session where we explore the open waters of Book Creator and how it enables students to navigate the winds of innovation, be captains of their own learning, and chart their course towards boundless creativity and scholarly achievement.

The Invention Education workshop will equip teachers with the necessary skills and resources to support students as they prepare for invention expos at local, state, and national levels, including the annual National Invention Convention. By fostering a supportive and encouraging environment, educators can help students refine their ideas, develop prototypes, and effectively communicate their inventions. This workshop will provide strategies for guiding students through the entire invention process, from initial concept to polished presentation. Teachers will also learn how to connect students with mentorship opportunities, industry experts, and additional resources to enhance their learning experience. By actively participating in these expos, students gain valuable feedback, build confidence, and develop a passion for innovation that can lead to future academic and career opportunities. By embedding the Invention Process within STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, this workshop aims to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. The hands-on, problem-solving nature of invention education makes STEAM subjects more relevant and appealing, as students see the real-world applications of their knowledge. This experiential learning approach not only sparks curiosity and motivation but also helps students develop essential 21st-century skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. By empowering educators with the tools and techniques to foster a culture of innovation, this workshop will inspire the next generation of inventors and innovators.

Anchor your PD in something solid & consistent: a theme! With a theme you have a strong framework to build a good yearlong PD plan that incorporates the strong instructional strategies you want your teachers using in class. So build a shared culture of consistent terminology, strategies and support for your teachers by keeping your professional learning anchored with a theme!