2024VSTE Annual Conference

Explore how one school successfully implemented instructional changes to enhance diversity and accessibility within its programs. By examining real-world strategies, statistical data, and their impacts, attendees will gain practical solutions and valuable resources to foster inclusive and innovative environments in their own schools. The presentation will also highlight the integration of inclusive literature featuring diverse representations to further support and inspire students. Join us to discover actionable steps, key data insights, and literature recommendations for promoting a diverse and accessible STEM and computer science education.; Explore how one school successfully implemented instructional changes to enhance diversity and accessibility within its programs. By examining real-world strategies, statistical data, and their impacts, attendees will gain practical solutions and valuable resources to foster inclusive and innovative environments in their own schools. The presentation will also highlight the integration of inclusive literature featuring diverse representations to further support and inspire students. Join us to discover actionable steps, key data insights, and literature recommendations for promoting a diverse and accessible STEM and computer science education.

This session will focus on innovative partnership ideas currently being used by the University of Mary Washington's College of Education to support local students, teachers, and districts. Partnerships discussions will center around the use of community partners, partnerships that span district lines, partnerships that engage and further teachers' STEM understanding and confidence, and partnerships that foster a strong sense of STEM outreach to support all students.

The session will help develop a person's interest and skills using Google Sheets. There are many functions within Google Sheets including Conditional Formatting and Specific formulas that can assist a teacher in providing student centered learning activities. Come learn how to make a self-correcting interactive assignment.

This session focuses on leveraging Canva for a Shark Tank Project-Based Learning (PBL) activity where students develop businesses aligned with their passions or community needs. Students will be empowered through voice and choice and will bring their ideas to life by creating custom-designed t-shirts to wear during their presentations.

Join us for an insightful session where we delve into the integration of technology in local elementary schools. This research-driven presentation focuses on identifying the technological resources currently utilized by local teachers and assessing their effectiveness through the lens of the Triple-E Framework: Engagement, Enhancement, and Extension. We will present findings from a comprehensive study that explores how various digital tools and resources are being employed to support instructional practices. Our research analyzes their impact on student engagement, the enhancement of learning goals, and the extension of learning beyond the classroom. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the current landscape of educational technology in elementary schools and leave with actionable insights to improve their own teaching practices. This session is ideal for educators, administrators, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and education.

Who is truly using the technology in your classrooms the teachers or the students? Is a worksheet on Canvas or Schoology more effective than one on paper? Are teachers getting the most out of the interactive board at the front of their classrooms? The PIC-RAT model for Technology Integration provides educators with a framework to assess the impact of technology on student learning. This model not only evaluates whether new tools are transforming instructional practices but also examines whether students are interacting with the technology in active or passive ways. In this interactive session, you will practice using the matrix and discuss how the tool can be used for self-reflection or coaching teachers to improve their practice.

Become inspired by the story of how one class overcame the challenge of acquiring scarce and expensive textbooks by creating their own resources and discover how you can implement these activities in your classroom. Challenge Based Learning (CBL) provides an effective framework for learning as we seek to solve real-world challenges. In this workshop, the facilitator will not only share processes to create your own textbooks, but offer ways in which students can be involved and even lead the process to create their own textbooks; textbooks that can support future learners in the same classroom and beyond. Participants will be provided with iPads for this session and will walk through the steps to create their own book. Resources will be provided to support participants as they embark on their book creation journey with students.

This question often plagues those in a coaching or supportive role. Join members of the Newport News Instructional Technology Team as they discuss their journey to answer this question over the last 15 months. Come see the products they've created using a design-thinking process and learn about their next steps to collect data on their impact as coaches. Leave with copies of their products to remix for your coaching program.

How to use AI to help support and assist with your classroom duties. Using AI programs like BriskAI, Curipod, Quizizz, and Question Well to help make review material and resources for your classroom.

Focus on integrating WWII across disciplines, emphasizing real-world applications. Explore lessons spanning psych, stats, health, mapping, physics, and more. Gain tips, free resources, and discover effective strategies for bringing veterans into the classroom. I'll offer practical assistance for teachers to create their own veterans projects, from field trips to grant writing to teacher workshops

Attending professional development can be both radically rewarding and overwhelming. The rush of valuable and applicable learning can quickly overcome participants, leaving them treading water to stay afloat. Learn some quick strategies for the mind and body to help ride the waves of learning like a pro. Participants will leave the session with organizing tips and tricks, goal setting strategies, and fun, hands-on tools to focus the mind and optimize the PD experience.

In this interactive session, we'll take a deep dive into the latest additions to eMediaVA, focusing on resources that spark curiosity, ignite critical thinking, and empower student learning. We'll explore what's new for the 2024/25 school year, including new collections for social studies, environmental science, STEM, and more. Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating eMediaVA into their curriculum, making learning more dynamic and accessible. Additionally, participants will learn how to create and manage custom collections, enabling them to organize and personalize content for their specific classroom needs.

In an era of rapid technological advancement, the integration of AI into education has created two distinct camps: those who embrace it and those who wish to ban it. How can educators become anchors of innovation, guiding their teams and students through these contrasting perspectives? This session will explore coaching moves that build trust and foster innovation, focusing on the critical skills of positive presuppositions, coaching stances, paraphrasing, and active listening.

Delve into the creative power of Adobe Express. Discover how to harness its potential to ignite creativity and enhance learning experiences for students of all ages, providing you with the foundational knowledge to kickstart your journey towards leveraging this powerful tool in the classroom. Learn how to find stunning templates and effectively utilize them with your students. Unlock the secrets of template creation as we demonstrate how to strategically lock down elements, ensuring that students stay focused while still allowing room for individual expression and customization. Explore innovative pedagogical approaches to using templates beyond their traditional roles, such as repurposing previous templates to inspire new projects and foster deeper understanding of concepts.