Join us to explore the power of integrating computer science with elementary math concepts! Discover how integrating unplugged activities and Scratch can deepen student understanding of math content while increasing engagement. Gain valuable insights, resources, and inspiration to empower your students to become confident mathematicians and coders.
Corey Rogers is a Computer Science Consultant and co-owner of Reboot Learning Solutions. Corey has experience as a middle school STEM & Computer Science Teacher, Media Specialist, and Area Education Agency School Improvement, Digital Learning, and Computer Science Consultant. She... Read More →
Expanding computer science offerings throughout your district is a big undertaking.This session is geared for administrators and coaches interested in learning more about supporting your staff in implementing CS in all grade levels and content levels. We’ll share examples from Iowa districts and ideas on how to find success.
Samantha Dahlby is a recovering software engineer with passions for public transportation, kids, and technology. She currently works at the New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo), a nonprofit in Cedar Rapids, as the Director of K–12 Education. Samantha promotes and supports K–12 computer science education in Iowa, oversees NewBoCo’s K–12 programs for students and educators, and tries to find as much time as possible to play with technology and kids... Read More →
Barb Schwamman is in her 8th year as Superintendent of the Osage Schools and is in her 6th year as a shared superintendent at the Riceville Schools in northeast Iowa. Before taking over in Osage, Barb served as PK-8 Principal at South Winneshiek from 2007-2015. Previously she taught/coached... Read More →
Come check out dynamic block-based coding tools such as Finch, Meowbits, Drones, etc. Students witness their code leap from the computer into a physical form , from robots to interactive games. It's education brought to life in an electrifying way!
Science Program Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
I taught high school science for fifteen years in Bettendorf before becoming the district's STEM Coordinator for eight years. I have been at the Iowa Department of Education since August 2022. In terms of specialties, I would include science education and research, computer science... Read More →
This interactive workshop explores how the principles of minimalism can be applied to create calmer, more focused learning environments and instructional practices. Participants will learn strategies for decluttering physical & digital classroom spaces for efficiency, streamlining procedures and routines, focusing on essential skills and content, and cultivating calmness. The workshop incorporates small group discussions, hands-on activities, and mindfulness practices to further how teachers and administrators can focus on what is and isn't necessary for success.
Instructional Technology Coach, Learning Technology Center of Illinois
Brian Krause is an Instructional Technology Coach for the Learning Technology Center of Illinois (LTC). Brian coaches in the classroom in support of digital learning, digital citizenship, emerging technologies, instructional issues and trends, technology integration, and best practices... Read More →
Learn about the Winterset CSD AI Task Force journey in developing an AI policy, crafting a AI tools & resources vetting rubric, empowering educators to use AI tools & resources, share classroom teacher experiences, and building AI prompt writing skills. Lots of resources to share & guide your district.
Currently serving as the 7-12 Assistant Principal at Winterset - and loving it! AI Task Force leader with representation from each building to successfully navigatig AI in education. We'll address district AI policies, a vision for AI in the district, and recommendations for AI tools... Read More →
Explore dynamic, research-based computer science pedagogies designed for K-12 classrooms. This hands-on session offers modeling, practical application, and resources to help you engage students in meaningful sense making and collaborative CS learning. Whether you're integrating CS into elementary content or teaching HS cybersecurity, we've got powerful pedagogy for you! Slides 🔗 bit.ly/ITEC24Pedagogy
Emily is elementary educator and educational consultant with 15 years of experiences across multiple grade levels. Her passion for equitable access opportunities, learning experiences, and computer science drives my work to serve building and district equity teams and leadership teams... Read More →
Corey Rogers is a Computer Science Consultant and co-owner of Reboot Learning Solutions. Corey has experience as a middle school STEM & Computer Science Teacher, Media Specialist, and Area Education Agency School Improvement, Digital Learning, and Computer Science Consultant. She... Read More →
Learn how to create custom A.I. chatbots for students to use, regardless of content area. Expect to leave this session with the confidence of coaching your students to use AI in an honest and safe way while also making progress towards learning targets.
Experience a day in the life of a Thinking Classroom student from entry to exit. Where do I sit? What do I use? What do I do? What do I write? What did I learn and how do I show it? For all grade levels and all content areas! BTC Presentation Link
Discover how digital whiteboarding tools like Miro and FigJam can streamline 21st century skills and project-based learning. Participate in mini activities and leave with a wealth of templates to kickstart your digital whiteboard journey. Perfect for enhancing collaboration and creativity in your classroom. Find session materials here.
21st Century Learning Specialist/Clearinghouse for Work-based Learning Coordinator, AEA Learning Online
Laura is a certified Scrum Master, Product Owner, Agile Classroom Teacher Trainer, and loves project management. Over the past 10 years, she’s dedicated herself to transforming education through incorporating authentic learning experiences with area partnerships into PK-12 classrooms... Read More →
In this session, participants will begin with a concise overview of Artificial Intelligence's (AI) fundamental concepts. Next, a hands-on exploration of free AI tools will be provided. Through this interaction, educators will witness firsthand how these innovative technologies empower personalized learning experiences, fostering academic growth and student engagement.
Happiness is a skill we can cultivate. Discover brain science-backed practices and EdTech tools to promote genuine well-being in staff and students. This engaging session offers actionable strategies to implement immediately, focusing on sustainable happiness without the pitfalls of toxic positivity.
Teachers may feel crunched for time giving feedback, inputting grades, lesson planning, researching content, etc. This session will teach you how AI can support you while being your “assistant.” You will walk away with countless items to begin implementing tomorrow at school and at home.
Hailee is an educator and Instructional Guide for the Nevada Community School District. She has taught all grade levels 5-12 (literacy-focused) and currently serves as an IG implementing job-embedded professional learning for her colleagues. She assists teachers in using strong instructional strategies and improving their craft by implementing new and upcoming resources... Read More →
Technology Integrationist, Nevada Community Schools
Carrie is an educator who has always had a passion for using and integrating technology in meaningful and powerful ways. Carrie is the Technology Integration Specialist for the Nevada Community School District. She assists teachers and students with infusing technology into the curriculum while inspiring them to think and learn in new ways. Carrie also is an assistant teaching professor at Iowa State University, in which she works with pre-service teachers on designing effective courses... Read More →
Discover how mentoring and induction programs enhance teacher retention. This session explores effective strategies, real-world examples, and measurable outcomes supported by research and data from a school district’s mentoring program. Learn how support for new teachers fosters professional growth and stability.
We will talk about how we have grown our Special Olympics and Peer STEM class to encompass robotics, movement, engineering challenges, and computer science all while teaching about empathy, friendship and inclusion.
We will discuss how we use a Go1 Robot to enhance our curriculum. We will include how we use the Go1 Robot to excite MS students about the features and general use. We will then discuss how we can program the robot at the HS level. We will then discuss how it can be used for safety in our buildings.
In this interactive session, teachers will explore three keys to navigating the unique challenges of teaching in order to maximize both their effectiveness and efficiency: setting boundaries, creating systems for both students and themselves, and leveraging their strengths to maximize their impact. With a focus on actionable strategies, teachers will explore ways to streamline both their class processes and workload to help them feel good about working their contract hours... making time for the things that are most important to them.
Jen Manly is the CEO of The Strategic Classroom. She has taught middle school, high school, and university computer science and written curriculum. She is a skilled facilitator and has presented to thousands of educators at the local, state, and national levels, including at CSTA... Read More →
Monday October 21, 2024 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
316/317
This session shares the story of Woodward-Granger's Innovation Team and how they are working to build capacity as a district to find integration opportunities for UDL, Computer science, and 21st Century skills within their core instruction. We will explore how this work aligns with instructional frameworks, and share how our team has identified core apps for effective integration.
Cheat codes in video games grant success; similarly, UDL and effective technology in classrooms can overcome learning barriers, turning challenges into easy wins. By using UDL and simple tech tools, we can help students achieve maximum success in learning.
Instructional Coach at Ames High School in Ames, IA and Esports coach at Ames High School. Past Board President of the ITEC Board. Former Technology Integrationist, HS Science Teacher, Director of Technology.
Explore how AI tools like Chat GPT, Goblin Tools, and Canva can streamline school leadership. Learn to enhance productivity, improve collaboration, and implement AI responsibly. Gain practical strategies for integrating AI into your school’s workflow, fostering innovation, and ensuring ethical use.
In this session, participants will learn some immediate applications of AI in the classroom, showcasing examples from my 4th Grade Classroom from teacher planning, creating engaging learning materials, to impacting the way students engage in learning.
Administrators are crucial to implementing an effective Computer Science program, but they sometimes need some help seeing the value of it. Learn about how you can use a tool from the CSTA Equity Fellowship work to have conversations to help administrators come to their own conclusions about why implementing Computer Science is important.
Computer Science and Information Solutions Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
Michelle is the Computer Science and CTE Information Solutions Program Consultant at the Department of Education, working with K-12 and community colleges. Previously she worked in the AEA system for over ten years, helping districts implement and integrate computer science and... Read More →
Some of teachers' favorite instructional routines - usually found in math and other core content areas - also work beautifully for teaching coding! These routines generate student talk, grow classroom culture, and create space for seeing and thinking differently as students learn new programming concepts. Get a first-had taste of sensemaking routines you can incorporate into your instruction immediately. Slides 🔗 bit.ly/ITEC2024Sense
Corey Rogers is a Computer Science Consultant and co-owner of Reboot Learning Solutions. Corey has experience as a middle school STEM & Computer Science Teacher, Media Specialist, and Area Education Agency School Improvement, Digital Learning, and Computer Science Consultant. She... Read More →
Learn about how 5th graders in Cedar Falls created and designed their own in person BreakoutEDU! You'll see tentative plans for implementing this in your classroom as well as examples that 5th graders have created after going through their unit.
Hi! This is year 20 for me in public education. For the first 11 years of my teaching career, I was a 2nd grade teacher at Hansen Elementary in Cedar Falls. I took on the job of Tech Integration for coach for 3 years- then became a full time virtual 2nd grade teacher during Covid... Read More →
This session will distill the complex concept of AI into manageable insights, demonstrate practical time saving tools, and provide effective strategies for classroom integration. We'll discuss AI's role in personalized learning, student engagement, and streamlined assessment, explore ethical considerations, and highlight real-world applications.
It’s time to level up! New year, new resources! This session is designed to inspire and validate the super hero educator that you are and equip you with tools to change trajectories! Discover the power of Agile classrooms and the game changing returns of authentic learning experiences. This session also includes a chance to win a free book! #PK12 #AgileEdu #PBL Slides found here.
21st Century Learning Specialist/Clearinghouse for Work-based Learning Coordinator, AEA Learning Online
Laura is a certified Scrum Master, Product Owner, Agile Classroom Teacher Trainer, and loves project management. Over the past 10 years, she’s dedicated herself to transforming education through incorporating authentic learning experiences with area partnerships into PK-12 classrooms... Read More →
Join us for a playful journey into the world of interactive learning, creation, and inquiry! Discover practical approaches for selecting age-appropriate games to align with curriculum objectives and gain insights into monitoring and managing screen time effectively. Unleash the power of digital games in your elementary classroom!
Instructional Technology Coach, Learning Technology Center of Illinois
Brian Krause is an Instructional Technology Coach for the Learning Technology Center of Illinois (LTC). Brian coaches in the classroom in support of digital learning, digital citizenship, emerging technologies, instructional issues and trends, technology integration, and best practices... Read More →
Struggling to find an unplugged activity that teaches problem-solving and meets standards? Join this session to explore Turing Tumble! One of the 2024/25 STEM Scale-Up programs for Iowa, Turing Tumble challenges students to learn coding principles hands-on, screen-free, by building marble-powered computers.
This exciting and fast-paced session, primarily focused on Google Tools, will be filled with A-ha moments. Explore and learn how to maximize your device with tips and tricks to make you more organized, efficient, and engaging.
Andrew Fenstermaker currently serves as the Instructional Technology Coordinator for the Iowa City School District. Even though he is short on hair, he is full of creative ways to inspire and build the capacity of others with innovative practices that leverage the 4Cs and empower... Read More →
Gain practical experience with AI tools in this hands-on session. Explore Chat GPT, Goblin Tools, and Canva through guided exercises and live demonstrations. Brainstorm and implement AI strategies to streamline school processes, share insights, and develop integration plans for enhanced school leadership.
What does computer science and computational thinking look like in different settings? Oftentimes we worry about different educational settings, different student needs, cultural relevancy, and more. This summer I had the chance to test this out on a larger scale through a pilot partnership to bring computational thinking to educators and students in Uganda. Join me to hear what we learned, and how this can inform what we do in the US.
Samantha Dahlby is a recovering software engineer with passions for public transportation, kids, and technology. She currently works at the New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo), a nonprofit in Cedar Rapids, as the Director of K–12 Education. Samantha promotes and supports K–12 computer science education in Iowa, oversees NewBoCo’s K–12 programs for students and educators, and tries to find as much time as possible to play with technology and kids... Read More →
Not sure how to grow your district's CS program to include all students at all grade levels? Come learn how one district set their sites on being a model CS school and has made incremental changes through intentional use of PD, partnerships, and grants. We'll share our successes and challenges on the journey. Leave with inspiration and resources to take back to your district. Slides 🔗 bit.ly/MarionITEC24
Corey Rogers is a Computer Science Consultant and co-owner of Reboot Learning Solutions. Corey has experience as a middle school STEM & Computer Science Teacher, Media Specialist, and Area Education Agency School Improvement, Digital Learning, and Computer Science Consultant. She... Read More →
We will be covering the process of incorporating technology to support core learning. This session will include but is not limited to Goosechase, BeeBots, Sphero Indi Cars, and more. Come learn about how seamless this process can be!
Podcasts provide students with a unique approach to narrative: there’s no bright flicker of a computer screen, no attention-grabbing dancing GIFs -- it’s just story, and every kid loves a good story. Come learn how to go beyond just pressing play, and explore how to connect existing narrative podcasts to your content. Attendees will also learn how to create their own podcasts, with tips on getting started, equipment needed, and more.
Donnie Piercey is the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, and he specializes in using technology to promote student inquiry and engagement. Over the past sixteen years of teaching, these interests have given him the chance to represent his class all around the world, including a National... Read More →
Monday October 21, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
302/303
Learn tangible tools and strategies to help transform your classroom into a place where students do work that matters to THEM right now. Through classroom management methods that empower student coaching and collaboration, assessment tools that amplify and inspire creativity, tips for building student tenacity, and strategies to manage 100+ unique projects all at once without losing your mind, you'll leave this session ready to transform your classroom from student-centered to student-led.
Jen Manly is the CEO of The Strategic Classroom. She has taught middle school, high school, and university computer science and written curriculum. She is a skilled facilitator and has presented to thousands of educators at the local, state, and national levels, including at CSTA... Read More →
Monday October 21, 2024 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
316/317
Graphic design gone wrong is more than just a beauty blunder! It can distract and disengage learners! In this session, we'll explore the intersection of graphic design and accessibility, exploring how educators can use design to create inclusive and engaging learning experiences for all learners. We'll cover the principles of accessible aesthetics and share practical tips for designing with a purpose.
Discover how AI can enhance classroom efficiency and productivity for teachers. Learn practical applications to streamline lesson planning, grading, and student engagement. Explore AI tools for personalized learning and administrative tasks, empowering educators to optimize teaching practices effectively. Join us to harness AI's potential for seamless educational enhancement.
Emily is elementary educator and educational consultant with 15 years of experiences across multiple grade levels. Her passion for equitable access opportunities, learning experiences, and computer science drives my work to serve building and district equity teams and leadership teams... Read More →
Artificial intelligence is transforming education—how can we adapt? This interactive session will explore strategies for teaching in the age of AI. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of AI, tips for classroom integration, ethical and practical concerns, and creative uses, all while emphasizing the importance of human interaction in learning.
Need ideas to promote your books, digital ebook and audiobook collections? Experience how TeachingBooks’ resources bring books to life while connecting students to their favorite titles, authors and genres. We’ll demonstrate a handful of book hooks, including Shelf Talker book trailers, featuring QR codes, read-along audiobook excerpts, and book-related games, videos and activities. Access to TeachingBooks provided to accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools via AEA.
Implementation & Training Specialist, TeachingBooks, OverDrive
Mary Ellen Graf is an Implementation and Training Specialist for TeachingBooks and a licensed educator with a master's in teaching. She taught in a variety of settings before beginning her role with TeachingBooks in 2016. She has presented at the conferences such as Wisconsin Library... Read More →
This interactive session invites educators to explore their beliefs about artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom and beyond. Participants will engage in discussions to articulate their perspectives on AI's role in education and hear other's viewpoints that may differ. Participants will also work to ensure that the integration of AI is effective, ethical, and aligned with their educational goals and beliefs. Session Resources
Technology Integrationist, Nevada Community Schools
Carrie is an educator who has always had a passion for using and integrating technology in meaningful and powerful ways. Carrie is the Technology Integration Specialist for the Nevada Community School District. She assists teachers and students with infusing technology into the curriculum while inspiring them to think and learn in new ways. Carrie also is an assistant teaching professor at Iowa State University, in which she works with pre-service teachers on designing effective courses... Read More →
Hailee is an educator and Instructional Guide for the Nevada Community School District. She has taught all grade levels 5-12 (literacy-focused) and currently serves as an IG implementing job-embedded professional learning for her colleagues. She assists teachers in using strong instructional strategies and improving their craft by implementing new and upcoming resources... Read More →
Explore the innovative use of a SWIVL robot in instructional coaching. This session demonstrates how technology enhances teacher feedback, supports professional development, and improves classroom practices. See how an instructional coach leverages SWIVL technology in coaching cycles, mentoring and induction, and district-wide professional development initiatives.