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Workshop Presentation Schedule here: ACADEMICEXPERTS.ORG
- AI-Enhanced Design Thinking in Teacher Education: A Practical Workshop
- Teaching Elementary Science and Mathematics Integrated with Computer Science at Linguistically Diverse Classrooms via Educational Robotics
- Implementing Virtual Reality in the Classroom
- Hands-on Generative AI for the K-12 Classroom
- Technology Infusion Characteristics in Preparation Programs: Create a Three-Year Adoption Plan
- Let’s Explore STEM Learning Centers: Offering a Variety of Digital Tools Facilitates the Practice of 21st Century Skills, Personalized Learning, and Agency In Young Learners While Engaging in STEM Activities
- National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Grant Program: Proposal support for research and development projects that equitably integrate technology in pre-K through 12 STEM learning and teaching
- What’s in Your Digital Toolbox: 10 Wonderful Technology Tools to Enhance teaching and Learning
- Touring the XR Ecosystem: Infusing Immersive Technologies in Teacher Education
- Using a Simulated Teaching Platform to Improve Teacher Practices
- AI and Education – Resistance is Not Futile – Changing the Arc of What We are Building as Educators and Humans
- AI Explorations in Teacher Education: A Hands-On AI Workshop for Faculty and EPP Leaders
- STEM Engagement Teaching and Learning Opportunities During the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
- Level Up Your Online Course: Gamification for Engagement and Community Building
- Bridging ISTE Standards to Teacher Education: Exploring New Frontiers with Educational Technologies, Generative AI, and Faculty Development
Monday, March 25 • 12:00-2:00 PM, Sunset 4
AI-Enhanced Design Thinking in Teacher Education: A Practical Workshop
Abstract: This workshop aims to equip educators with strategies for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and design thinking into preservice teacher education. Participants will engage in hands-on activities to explore how AI can transform teaching methodologies, enhance creativity, and foster critical thinking skills. The workshop will showcase the collaboration between AI’s adaptive learning environments and data-driven insights with the collaborative, innovative problem-solving approach of design thinking. Emphasizing practical applications, the session will delve into various models and case studies, including Buchanan’s concept of ‘wicked problems’ and Altringer and Habbal’s multidisciplinary curriculum development. Attendees will gain valuable insights into preparing future teachers for 21st-century classrooms, learning to navigate and leverage technology effectively in teaching practices. Through this interactive workshop, participants will develop a deeper understanding and practical skills to integrate AI and design thinking into teacher education, addressing the dynamic challenges of modern educational settings.
Presenter: Jennifer Petit, Kent State University
Monday, March 25 • 12:00-3:00 PM, Sunset 2
Teaching Elementary Science and Mathematics Integrated with Computer Science at Linguistically Diverse Classrooms via Educational Robotics
Abstract: This workshop will engage participants in how to teach science and mathematics integrated with computer science using Finch 2 robots at linguistically diverse upper elementary classrooms. Participants will be able to develop skills to address the Next Generation Science Standards, CSTA Computer Science Education Standards and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
Presenters: Our interdisciplinary team will provide the workshop with diverse experience and expertise in the fields of science-engineering-computing education, and MLs. Erdogan Kaya, an Assistant Professor of CS Education at George Mason University, has expertise on integrating CS concepts and practices with STEM for K-12 classrooms. Ezgi Yesilyurt, an Assistant Professor of Science Education at Weber State University has expertise on developing integrated K-12 science and engineering curricula focusing on epistemic aspects of science and engineering. Refika Turgut, an Assistant Professor of Literacy and Language Education at University of South Carolina Upstate has expertise on literacy education with MLs focus, Elif Adibelli-Sahin, a teacher professional development specialist at Development Workshop, Ankara Turkey, Dilara Kara-Zorluoglu, a doctoral GA at UNLV Center for Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education, and Hasan Deniz, a Professor of Science Education at University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) has expertise in STEM education professional development and research.
Monday, March 25 • 12:00-4:00 PM, Sunset 3
Implementing Virtual Reality in the Classroom
Abstract: Implementing new technologies in our classrooms is becoming more and more critical. As instructors, we need to learn how these new technologies can add more excitement to our classrooms. However, it can be challenging to learn and implement these new technologies. Virtual Reality (VR) is one of those technologies we all are excited about and want to implement in our classrooms. Even though the technology behind it looks complex, implementing these technologies is not as challenging as you think.
This workshop will introduce bvb instructors to the VR environment and give them hands-on experience building their own VR environments. The attendees will start using Engage to develop their own VR environment, and they will experiment with what this VR environment feels like. The workshop will guide the attendees through Engage basics, and after creating their Engage accounts, they will start creating meetings, lectures, discussions, presentations, and assignments. Not only will we test them using laptops but also using a VR visor. At the end of the workshop, we will discuss how this technology could be further used in their classrooms.
Presenter: Gulsebnem Bishop, Campbellsville University
Monday, March 25 • 1:00-4:00 PM, Sunset 6
Hands-on Generative AI for the K-12 Classroom
Abstract: What is AI and how can it help K-12 teachers with their daily tasks? This hands-on, BYOD (bring your own device) workshop will show K-12 educators how to leverage generative AI to create lessons, activities, quizzes, handouts, graphics, and much more. Participants will learn how to create descriptive, detailed prompts and the importance of checking the accuracy of output. Finally, participants also will brainstorm how to address hot topics, such as cheating, plagiarism, bias, privacy, overreliance on technology, and equity issues.
Presenter: From her early years as a K-12 teacher, Dr. Joanne Beriswill has embraced new technologies that can help make instructional design quicker, easier, and more effective. An award-winning educator and instructional technology expert, Dr. B’s interests in generative artificial intelligence (AI) focus on creating instructional materials and assisting students in the ethical use of AI. With over 35 years of teaching experience, she currently teaches instructional design, multimedia design, and distance learning topics at Mississippi State University.
Monday, March 25 • 1:00-4:00 PM, Sunset 5
Technology Infusion Characteristics in Preparation Programs: Create a Three-Year Adoption Plan
Abstract: In this workshop, participants will explore the pillars of a technology-infused preparation program and how this paradigm for addressing teacher candidates’ technology teaching can be advantageous for them in their future teaching. Attendees will then explore the Technology Infusion Characteristics and indicators as a tool for envisioning technology infusion in their teacher preparation programs. The core of this workshop will involve attendees creating a skeletal plan to adopt an infused approach that considers all the characteristics. Through a step-by-step process, facilitators will guide a discovery-oriented and collaborative experience where teacher educators and administrators from a variety of preparation programs support one another to develop a skeletal three-year adoption plan that can be expanded in their colleges of education. Plans will account for systems change, professional development, and stakeholder involvement.
Presenters: Teresa Foulger, Arizona State University; Jo Williamson, Kennesaw State University; Debra Sprague, George Mason University; Ray Buss, Arizona State University
Monday, March 25 • 1:00-4:00 PM, Wilshire A
Let’s Explore STEM Learning Centers: Offering a Variety of Digital Tools Facilitates the Practice of 21st Century Skills, Personalized Learning, and Agency In Young Learners While Engaging in STEM Activities
Abstract: The purpose of this session is to describe and practice a STEM learning environment using centers as a way for young learners to construct knowledge while engaging in personalized learning as they complete student learning outcomes. The use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning centers offers young learners an opportunity to experience STEM content aligned with other appropriate grade-level content. Research-based instructional practices that facilitate feelings of agency and ownership in learning will be included to support the independent skills young learners need to practice. Early childhood educators teach young children up to 2nd grade and recognize that young children learn best when they are engaged in play using hands-on activities when experiencing new content. This presentation would provide the same experience for participants.
STEM activities provide opportunities for educators to introduce STEM content in a non-siloed manner including other grade-appropriate content from fine arts, ELAR, and social studies. STEM content aligns well with the practice of the 21st-century skills of creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking (4 C’s). As such, educators need to offer young children opportunities to independently, and in small groups, engage in center activities purposefully designed to support 21st-century skills while motivating them to discover and demonstrate their personalized understanding of learning outcomes.
Presenters: Peggy Lisenbee and Jennifer Flanagan, Texas Woman’s University
Monday, March 25 • 1:30-3:30 PM, Wilshire B
National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Grant Program: What is expected in proposed projects that equitably integrate technology in pre-K through 12 STEM learning and teaching
Abstract: The nation needs a diverse and highly proficient technological workforce to continue to advance new discoveries in science, engineering, and technology. The National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Program is one way NSF has responded to this challenge. ITEST is a funding opportunity that supports applied research and development projects with goals to advance the equitable and inclusive integration of technology in the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from pre-kindergarten through high school. The program’s objective is to support all students’ acquisition of the foundational preparation in STEM disciplines. Preparation for the current and future workforce is increasingly dependent upon the application and use of technology and computing. This workshop will provide researchers, educators, and interested collaborators who are new to ITEST information about the National Science Foundation’s funding priorities and a deep dive into the requirements for the ITEST proposal process.
NSF Program Officers will describe the ITEST solicitation, provide examples of funded projects, introduce resources designed to support the development of a competitive ITEST proposal, and answer questions. Competitive ITEST proposals involve collaborations and partnerships from a variety of stakeholders, including researchers, educators, industry partners, and community members. This workshop will provide an opportunity for people who are interested in similar topics to break into groups to discuss their ideas and network for potential collaborators. Attendees will be able to have short one-on-one conversations with NSF Program Officers to review initial concepts and address proposal-specific questions in preparation for the August 2024 solicitation deadline.
Presenters: Toni Dancstep, Lynn Tran, Leilah Lyons, National Science Foundation; Joyce Malyn-Smith, Education Development Center; Beatriz Perret,Education Development Center (EDC);
This workshop will be led by a group of NSF ITEST Program Officers. Program Officers are researchers who guide grant proposals through NSF’s Merit Review, which is the process that determines if a proposal is funded.
Monday, March 25 • 3:00-6:00 PM, Celebrity 5
What’s in Your Digital Toolbox: 10 Wonderful Technology Tools to Enhance Teaching and Learning
Abstract: The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the landscape of education, offering an abundance of tools and resources that have the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning. Whether in physical or online settings, cultivating an environment where learning becomes a dynamic, interactive, and memorable experience is at the top of all educators’ lists. Educators seek resources and strategies that not only captivate students’ attention but also facilitate retention and comprehension of the subject matter.
This workshop will delve into a comprehensive overview of ten transformative digital tools poised to enrich the teaching and learning experience. These tools are carefully curated to cover numerous educational needs.
It will also guide educators, administrators, and technology enthusiasts through a showcase of the tools’ functionalities, providing practical insights into their application within diverse educational settings. Each technology will be demonstrated in action, emphasizing its unique features and the pedagogical advantages it offers. Participants will discover a rich array of resources to enrich their digital toolkit, utilize the tools during the workshop, and leave equipped with a deeper understanding of how these technologies can be seamlessly integrated into their teaching practices, fostering an enriched and dynamic learning environment.
BYOL-Bring Your Own Laptop
Presenter: Dr. Jerri Ward-Jackson serves the College of Education at the University of West Alabama as chair of the Department of Instructional Leadership and Support, assistant professor, and the graduate program coordinator for the Learning, Design, and Technology program. She teaches numerous courses, including technology education, instructional design, technology tools for education, and others. Dr. Jackson prepares elementary, secondary, and special education majors to integrate technology into the classroom. She has over 15 years of experience in technology education and distance learning, including online teaching and learning, instructional design, faculty training and development, and faculty and online student orientations. She is a national presenter and has presented at numerous technology conferences, including the International Society for Technology for Education (ISTE), Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT), Creating Futures Through Technology (CFTTC), and numerous others. Her belief is distance learning and online technologies are some of the most significant contributions to education that have provided numerous students with the opportunity to succeed. Lastly, Dr. Jackson actively participates in multiple educational groups and provides education technology training for area school districts.
Ph.D. in Instructional Systems and Technology (2018)
Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology (2009)
Mississippi State University
Monday, March 25 • 3:30-5:30 PM, Sunset 2
Touring the XR Ecosystem: Infusing Immersive Technologies in Teacher Education
Abstract: Over the last decade, extended reality technologies (XRTs) have become increasingly commonplace. While once thought of as mostly augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), XRTs now include simulations, 360° media, digital twins, and more. Plus, they are expected to continue rising in popularity. In the context of teacher education, it is important to prepare pre-service teachers to infuse XRTs into their instruction, so their students can use them proficiently in their personal, professional, and civic lives.
Currently, researchers have identified that pre-service teachers need support in using XRTs for instructional purposes, and teacher educators can contribute to that work. However, teacher educators need a deep understanding of the XRTs along with the pedagogical strategies for using them to teach content. This workshop will (re)introduce XRTs to both novices as well as those who have used AR and VR technologies and want to learn about their other forms.
This workshop will begin by sharing key types of XRTs along two continuums. Next, it will present the XRT ecosystem as an innovative environment where XRTs are developed and made available before sharing cutting-edge pedagogies that utilize their affordances for teaching and learning. Throughout the workshop, attendees will use different XRTs and experience them as learners before considering their instructional benefits. For equity purposes, all the XRTs being demonstrated will be freely available online.
Presenter: Todd Cherner is a member of SITE’s Teacher Education Council, and he was a founding member of the organization’s XR SIG. He has significant experience studying and using XR technologies, as both a scholar and practitioner. Plus, throughout his career, he has organized and led numerous workshops and professional development sessions tailored for faculty members, instructional designers, teachers, and pre-service educators, with a specific focus on digital tools and instructional technologies.
Grace Willard is an instructional designer with a passion for XR learning in the workplace and bringing this technology to scale. She has worked as an instructional designer for interactive VR content to improve soft skills in the workplace. She has previously presented and published her work in VR to teach interpersonal skills in higher education environments at SITE.
Hannah Garcia is a graduate student in an edtech innovation program. She is passionate about providing meaningful learning experiences through emerging technology and design thinking, and she works as an instructional designer at a media lab that uses emerging technologies to tell interactive stories for clients.
Monday, March 25 • 3:30-5:30 PM, Sunset 4
Using a Simulated Teaching Platform to Improve Teacher Practices
Abtract: To address the diversity of student differences, educators need to actively recognize and counter patterns of bias in their teaching practices as well as in their classroom environments. The topic is highly relevant to the education field including faculty of educator preparation programs, classroom teachers and administrators. The simulated teaching environment includes research-based outcomes that show improvement in teaching efficacy and culturally diverse teaching practices. The simulation is focused on allowing educators to “practice teaching” in a variety of content areas any time benefitting from the simEquity experience by learning how to change instructional practices based on bias awareness and guided improvement through targeted feedback. Context appropriate recommendations for improvements in equity-based teaching practices will provide participants with the tools needed for reducing implicit bias in instruction. The cycle includes planning instruction, teaching in a simulation, receiving feedback, improving instruction for subsequent simulations and reflecting on the practices that were used with the artificially created students. One strength of using simulations is the objective feedback provided to participants that allow improvements based on actual choices made with each of the simStudents. All participants will have access for any of their colleagues and students to the “Teaching without bias” module for one year.
Presenters: Rhonda Christensen has been an educator of elementary, middle, preservice and practicing teachers for 37 years. She is the PI and Project Director of the simEquity project funded by the NSF aimed at recognizing, remediating and reducing implicit bias to improve equitable teaching practices in schools. She has been working on the use of an innovative simulated teaching environment to improve teaching practices since 2006 and has published multiple papers in this area.
Gerald Knezek has been involved in developing standards for and delivering preservice / inservice teacher education for more than 30 years. He assisted in the design, development, and evaluation of teacher training simulators for the past 20 years.
Samantha Norton is a PhD candidate at the UNT and has been both a participant in the project as a teacher and also as a trainer of teachers. She is a fifth-year educator in Texas.
Stacy Kruse is the Director of Education and Serious Games and Strategic Partnerships for simSchool. She has spent the last 17years developing expertise in designing learning, recognition, and assessment systems for formal and informal K20, corporations, and military organizations. Ms. Kruse’s focus is in finding the intersection of engagement, optimized learning outcomes, program sustainability, and equity in teaching and learning. Ms. Kruse is a recognized expert in embedded assessment and the execution of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the context of games, simulations, and assessment at scale.
Monday, March 25 • 3:30-6:30 PM, Santa Monica 2
AI and Education – Resistance is Not Futile – Changing the Arc of What We are Building as Educators and Humans
Abstract: We believe that a great deal of the rhetoric (and hype) in the last few months around generative AI tools and their uses in educational settings has been quite shallow. It has focused around two strands: 1) We must protect against plagiarism; and 2) Another magical tool that will disrupt/transform education as we know.
This workshop is intended to provide a forum for teachers, teacher educators, and AI tools developers to engage powerfully with a set of generative AI tools (some of which were designed by teachers for teachers) while engaging in a deep and powerful discussion about what it really means to teach and learn and how these types of tools can deepen our work as educators and learners.
The workshop is organized around a set of questions: 1) What are large language models and how do they do their work? 2) What are some generative AI tools that can be used powerfully by teachers and learners; and 3) How can the effective and skillful use of these tools further enrich and expand the depth of sophistication we can bring to teaching and learning? 4) What are the moral and ethical implications of the use of these tools in educational settings?
Presenters: Dr. Siri Anderson’s has a doctorate in Critical Pedagogy. She teaches for Bemidji State University’s online teacher licensure and graduate programs. She has designed graduate programs for K-12 teachers in: computational thinking and coding, ethics in the information age, documentary film making, STEM, digital video, animation, and physical computing. She recently served on the MN Social Studies Standards Review Board to integrate 21st century digital literacies into expectations for K12 students.
Dr. Gerald Ardito is an Associate Professor of Science and Computer Science Education and Associate Dean in the School of Education at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. His doctoral work focused on ways that learning technologies can be used to increase student autonomy, engagement, and learning. He has been a teacher and teacher educator for almost twenty years and has focused on the development of technology-enhanced learning environments that support and promote teacher autonomy. He brings a background in computer science and educational technologies to this work.
Tuesday, March 26 • 1:45-4:15 PM, Celebrity 5
AI Explorations in Teacher Education: A Hands-On AI Workshop for Faculty and EPP Leaders
Abstract: Are you an AI novice or the AI faculty champion at your institution? This hands-on session is designed to give participants of all levels the skills needed to articulate complex AI processes to teacher education faculty colleagues and pre- and in-service teachers, demonstrating AI’s applicability in teaching, integration of AI literacy in lesson planning, and more. We will explore a framework of seven critical strategies to prepare educators to address AI in education. The workshop will also focus on initiating critical conversations about ethics and equity in AI applications. Attendees will learn strategies to address challenging questions and promote responsible AI use through inclusive and informed engagement presented by members of the inaugural AI Explorations for Educator Preparation Program Fellowship.
Presenter: All of the instructors for this workshop were selected to be members of the inaugural group of AI Explorations for EPP Faculty Fellows, launched in 2023 by ISTE and General Motors to address a gap in AI literacy resources specifically designed for teacher educators. Together they developed the framework of seven critical strategies and pedagogical approaches for AI in teacher education that will be presented at the workshop.
- Elizabeth Langran, PhD, is professor of Education at Marymount University and SITE past-president.
- Amy Eguchi, PhD is an associate teaching professor of computing education in the Department of Education Studies at University of California San Diego specializing in STREAM (R=robotics), CS education and AI literacy in K12.
- Camille Dempsey, DEd is an Associate Professor of Educational Technology at PennWest University in northwestern Pennsylvania and has also served as a faculty coach in the ISTE AI Explorations program for K – 12 educators.
- Stacy George is an Assistant Professor in the School of Teacher Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She brings experience as a STEM and robotics resource teacher in schools.
- Lucretia M. Fraga, PhD is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education specializing in the use of instructional technology for pedagogical purposes.
Wednesday, March 27 • 10:15-11:15 AM, Celebrity 5
STEM Engagement Teaching and Learning Opportunities During the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
Abstract: The total solar eclipse crossing the USA on April 8, 2024 will create a teaching and learning opportunity for viewers that will not be repeated until 2045. Its path of totality 60 miles wide will transit from Texas to Maine and be observable in partial or total stage by almost all in the continental US. Technologies and pedagogical practices that can make this a “once in a lifetime” STEM engagement experience for teacher educators, teachers, and teacher candidates will be the focus of this workshop. Engagement of the broader community such as parents/families and K-12 learners will be addressed as well.
Presenters: Gerald Knezek, University of North Texas; Curby Alexander, Texas Christian University; Rhonda Christensen, Institute for the Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning; Samson Lepcha, University of North Texas; Carolyn Ng, NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center
Wednesday, March 27 • 1:45-4:00 PM, Celebrity 5
Level Up Your Online Course: Gamification for Engagement and Community Building
Abstract: While gamification has proven effective for face-to-face and synchronous remote classes, the challenge intensifies in the realm of online education. The solitary and asynchronous nature of most online courses often leaves both instructors and students feeling isolated and uninspired. If you’re on a quest to rekindle the excitement in online teaching and learning, consider a curriculum built on a gaming framework. In this immersive session, you will embark on a journey through the ingenious methods of an experienced online instructor who has transformed a mundane course into an epic adventure of group collaboration, leadership development, and motivates students to exceed course requirements. Discover how learning can be a thrilling experience once more! The workshop will dive into the intricacies of online course game design, from designing challenges aligned to course outcomes to the enticing rewards that fuel motivation. You will receive useful templates and the knowledge to craft a game that leverages the power of collaborative teamwork. But that is not all! You will be encouraged to share your ideas and refine your designs with feedback from a supportive community. This workshop will also unveil the free technologies used to create a captivating game, including the art of ‘hiding’ digital clues within your virtual platform. Join in this transformative adventure and become empowered to reinvent your online courses and reignite your passion for teaching and learning.
Presenter: Dr. Gina Solano, SUNY Oneonta, is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology in the Department of Secondary Education and Educational Technology. She teaches various courses in educational technology, research, and teaching methods on such topics as technology trends, STEM, multimedia, online learning, instructional course design, and more. Her research interests include virtual reality, social media, micro-credentials, digital badges, and the use of technology for service learning, social justice, and improving teaching and learning. Dr. Solano is avidly involved in providing professional development for K-16 educators by participating in conferences and workshops for improving technology adoption practices. When not at work, she loves to travel, craft, and cook with her family. She considers herself a teacher, techie, and traveler!
Wednesday, March 27 • 1:45-4:00 PM, Celebrity 5
Bridging ISTE Standards to Teacher Education: Exploring New Frontiers with Educational Technologies, Generative AI, and Faculty Development
Abstract: It’s hard to imagine that in 2023, a private liberal arts college in the midwest of the United States has no designated technology integration class within their Teacher Education department and no explicit course that highlights the ISTE standards. Following the model of other teacher education programs around the world, this college embeds technology integration into each of the courses in the program. When U.S. News & World Report released the Best Regional Colleges Midwest Rankings in 2023 and 2024, this college was at the top of the list. Earning the designation one of the “Best Value Schools” in the midwest from the same reporting source, this college is known for their Teacher Education program. As teacher education students move through their program, technology integration is said to be embedded within each of their courses. A review of the professors syllabus and Moodle pages shows evidence of technology integration, but are pre-service teachers learning how to integrate technology thoughtfully? This workshop is deigned to support teacher education professors explore instructional technology aligned to ISTE standards and instructional goals and work to embed them in their future learning experiences.
Presenters: Professors Jordan Holub and Rachel Terlop from Simpson College, Teacher Education Department with ABD dissertations in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and Culturally Responsive Instruction (CRI), M.SE – Culturally Responsive Leadership and Instruction, MAT – Early Childhood, BSEd and BA.