FETC 2020 Wednesday Suggested Sessions
Moving from Pockets of Innovation to a District of Innovation
Wednesday, January 15th, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Tom Ryan, Chief Information & Strategy Officer, Santa Fe Public Schools
No one expects that the use of technology in our society will soon go away. Most people believe it will continue to grow at faster and faster rates. Self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, genetic modification, and biotechnology are not wild future sci-fi concepts, but technologies that exist today. What is our responsibility as educators to prepare students for their future? How can we better prepare students for a changing future? This workshop will challenge participants to look at and discuss system change. How can we move from vision to action?
Design Thinking + Intentional Lesson Planning = Engaged Professional Development
Wednesday, January 15th, 1:00 – 1:40 p.m.
Katie Bond, Digital Learning Specialist, Martin County School District | Douglas Konopelko, Coordinator of Digital Learning, Martin County School District | George Vogeley, Digital Learning Specialist, Martin County School District
Looking to shake up your school’s professional development? What about shifting your school culture to an environment where teachers engage in true collaboration? In this session, we will show you how to use the Design Thinking Model to shape the way you facilitate a collaborative planning time, where teachers walk in with a standard, and walk away with a student-centered lesson in which student tasks are transformed through technology integration.
More days until FETC 2020!
Working Memory and Attention in the Technology Classroom
Wednesday, January 15th, 2:00 – 2:40 p.m.
Debra Jacoby, Computer Science & Educational Teacher, Pine Crest School
Do you struggle with how many devices and machines you should display in your space in order to advocate choice in tools and at the same time notice that these items distract from your mini lesson? Finding the right balance for our 21st Century learners’ motivation to discover while at the same time trying not to tax their working memory can be tricky. Come hear about working memory and find out some teacher strategies to use in the technology classroom. Hear about finding harmony with the benefits technology provides, without being the enemy of attention.
Digital Citizenship: Move From Protected to Protector, Protector to Proactive
Wednesday, January 15th, 2:00 – 2:40 p.m.
Hall Davidson, Senior Director of Global Learning Initiatives, Discovery Education
Citizenship in America has always meant being responsible and proactive, making a difference when needed, and using the tools of the times to strengthen democratic society. Learn about free resources for educators to help students move from the protected to the protectors, to own their (and our) responsibility in a digital age. Rethink digital citizenship as citizenship in the digital age. Privacy, information, and identity have changed. The responsibilities as citizens change with it. School is the place to learn that. Decide what citizenship means for GenAlexa. Resources will be shared, then we’ll have lots of time for discussion! Come and share.
What Is Effective Learning with Technology Anyway?
Wednesday, January 15th, 3:20 – 4:00 p.m.
Steven Anderson, Digital Learning & Relationship Evangelist, Web20Classroom
Each day, students encounter learning designed with technology in mind. As educators and school leaders, how do we know if the lesson is highly effective? What does effective learning really mean anyway? Teachers and leaders need to not only know how to make learning fun and engaging but also know research-proven strategies to ensure learning is effective. When new technologies or instructional practices are introduced into classrooms, it can be a challenge for leaders to communicate how everything fits together to create a richer learning environment. Join us as we will examine the key indicators of highly effective technology use and how school leaders can best identify when technology works and when it does not.
Want to see the full FETC 2020 agenda?
Latest blog articles
How Texas Schools are Planning to go Back to School in August
As the fall semester approaches, K-12 schools have begun to announce their tentative plans for back to school in August while we are still experiencing a global pandemic. Brainstorming and planning for this fall semester began when COVID-19 sent schools into a state...
3 Proven Ways to Create Virtual Professional Development Courses
Professional development is how educators learn, grow, and get inspired throughout their careers. Many districts required ongoing professional development for teachers and staff to ensure continuous growth and to stay in touch with the advances of technology in...
How to Close District Gaps to Align Technology and Curriculum Plans
A common challenge for K-12 teachers is creating a cohesive connection between technology and curriculum plans. The challenge of integrating technology in the classroom does not always result in teachers incorporating technology into their curriculum plans...