Dynamic Landscapes 2014: Full Schedule

7:30am EDT

Registration

Receive your packet, name tag, lunch tickets and other important information.

Thursday May 15, 2014 7:30am - 8:20am EDT
IDX Student Life Center

8:20am EDT

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Welcome to the conference! Please settle in with a continental breakfast and hear of the important logistics for the day. The keynote will follow immediately.

Thursday May 15, 2014 8:20am - 8:30am EDT
Gym - IDX Student Life Center

A-Thursday

8:30am EDT

Keynote - Making, Love, and Learning

Learning outside of school is being transformed by the trends of tinkering, maker culture and personal fabrication. Educators need to be mindful of this major shift in digital learning, married to craft traditions, and student agency to create productive contexts for learning.

The Maker ethos of constructionism, or learning-by-making through first-hand experience will be explored in the context of projects using a range of analog and digital "construction" materials. Children can now use technology to create and solve their own problems. Affordable tools and materials, such as 3-D printers, laser cutters, Arduino microntrollers, Makey Makey construction kits, conductive paint and wearable computing components allow students to go farther than was imagined just a few years ago. Junk, high-tech gear, art supplies and engineering principles collide to expand human potential.

Art and science converge and are amplified by computing. When the artificial boundaries between subject areas are blurred and every student requires the same process skills and tools, the distinction between vocational and academic education are obliterated. In order for schools to seize the opportunities afforded by this "Maker" spirit, educators need more than awareness that the world is changing. They need to develop new skills and redesign classroom environments to support learner-centered practices in order to prepare kids to solve problems their teachers never anticipated.

Thursday May 15, 2014 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Gym - IDX Student Life Center

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

3D Printing: Prototypes, Products, and Processes

What’s more powerful than designing your own product? Watching it 3D printed before your eyes! This is the new reality at both of Burlington’s middle schools. All Burlington students will now have the opportunity to design an object for a specific purpose and have it printed in a matter of minutes. Come and see what the process is, how it works, and meet a few students who are in the 3D printing vanguard!

Presenters

Eric Schoembs

students

Dan Treinis

Design and Technology Education teacher, Hunt Middle School

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Auditorium

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

Augmented Reality and the Olympics

Session Resources and Materials

In Williston, we have a theme week each year for our school with grades 3-8. This year’s theme was the Olympics. One workshop this year for students in those grades (about 120 students overall) was focused around an augmented reality project. Using iPads, students created short videos about an athlete, a country, a sport and more. They then created Auras (using the Aurasma app) to share their videos around the school.
Come check out the auras, learn about the successes and challenges, and see how augmented reality spread into other areas of the curriculum and school beyond that week.

https://sites.google.com/a/cssu.org/augmented-reality/

Presenters

Bonnie Birdsall

Director of Digital Learning, Champlain Valley School District

Bonnie Birdsall is the Director of Digital Learning and Communication for the Champlain Valley School District in Vermont, serving the communities of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Williston, and St. George.

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
GBTC 112

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

BeyondThePane™ in K-12: Open Hardware, the Maker Movement and Big Data

Bringing the Maker Movement and the Internet of Things into the classroom represents a huge opportunity to get students to realize computers and the Internet are not just about tapping on a pane of glass. This talk will share the exciting results of piloting a high school design course that teaches students how to build their own custom data gathering devices and thereby create their own Big Data sets.

Presenters

Bryant Patten

Education partner, Long Arc Learning

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Joyce 201

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

Making It in Your Community

Session Resources and Materials

Come and see what the kids will be making and learning this summer!
A grant from the Vermont Community Foundation was awarded for children and teens in Vermont’s public libraries to support this summer’s Collaborative Summer Library Program theme, Science. The project will create five innovative STEAM modules - E-textiles, E-Origami, Toy Hacking, Squishy Circuits, and Plastic Plankton Chandeliers, train science educators, provide equipment, and bring the programs to libraries around the state. Libraries will keep the curriculum and materials for future use.
In this session, we present the different modules. We will also share other programming happening in public libraries that supports students in their creative STEAM adventures and discuss ways to foster collaboration between schools and public libraries.
We will be presenting the STEAM Modules but not doing demos. http://steam-e-zine.com/index.php/spark-a-culture-of-innovation

Presenters

Jenn Karson

Founder, Vermont Makers

Jenn Karson is an artist and designer. She is the founder of Vermont Makers, STEAM-e-ZINE and the principal at Sesamedia New Media, an early sponsor of Champlain Mini Maker Faire. She has a Master of Fine Art in Design and Technology from the San Francisco Art Institute and teaches... Read More →

Susan O’Connell

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Joyce 210

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

Mastering the Writing Process

Tanya Lee Stone’s books for kids and teens have received multiple awards and honors, including a Sibert Medal (Almost Astronauts) and two Red Clover lists (Sandy’s Circus and Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?). An educator herself, Stone will share how and why she chooses the topics she does, and discuss her approach to Research, Drafting, and Revision. She will also discuss how to help students master these three main phases of writing. Handouts available.

Presenters

Tanya Lee Stone

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
GBTC 114

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

MineCraft: We’ve Hit the Mother Load!

Session Resources and Materials

Do you want to make learning fun, creative, and engaging for your students AND for you! Then join Mike Beardsley, Grade 4 teacher as he shows you the many uses of Minecraft Edu from around the world, makes Common Core connections, and leads you on a tour of the Putney Central School Minecraft Edu CreativeBuild! Think Common Core, Creativity, and Fun all rolled into one presentation! It’s never too late to learn!

https://docs.google.com/a/vita-learn.org/document/d/1m74V_uegTFN1bkYFFH1Y6uvXc9RoWjilY87kfhd3c5g/edit

Presenters

Mike Beardsley

Grade 4 Teacher, Putney Central School

Using games to teach, Minecraft Edu in the classroom, keeping learning fun and entertaining, ......

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
GBTC 117

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

The Other Google Bits and Pieces

Session Resources and Materials

You probably know about many of the common Google tools- Drive, Gmail, Blogs... but are you aware of the other underused features Google offers? Come explore the other side of Google and learn how you can use them in your classroom. This is a hands on workshop, so have a Gmail account and get ready to dive into the back side of Google, like creating custom search engines, hidden Easter eggs, explore Mars, use striking visual data, QR codes and shorteners, geo games and much more.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1P5ZesOYvlhrRq6DhD7GkOuITDya0rCxWLT4WbA2KK8Y/edit#slide=id.p

Presenters

Jessica Wilson

Digital Learning Leader, Champlain Valley School District

Jessica Wilson is the Digital Learning Leader at the Williston Schools . She works closely with the PreK-8 teachers and staff to help transform the school into a flourishing learning environment that incorporates 21st century skills through the use of technology, so everyone can develop... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Joyce 310

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

We Research and We Create with Google's WeVideo

Session Resources and Materials

Using Google’s We Video students, in this Vermont History class, demonstrate their hypotheses of life in early Vermont. The research includes a visit from the state archeologist and gathering primary sources and first hand experience from field trips to cemeteries, state parks, libraries and museums.

https://docs.google.com/a/cesuvt.org/presentation/d/1ArVHK0wy05txscoI1tTk1nG74Q1CDq_aoHAne18AU6c/edit?pli=1#slide=id.g33b454100_2_143

Presenters

Genevieve Knight

Librarian, Spaulding High School

Christine Smith

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
GBTC 217

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

Write>Create>Animate

Session Resources and Materials

Inspired by The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, one teacher dared to ask third and fourth graders to write the story of their lives. From “ joys and sorrows” to “all that (you know) and everything that (you hope for)”. These memoirs, autobiographies and dreams transformed into art-journals, which then became the backgrounds for bringing their words to life through voiceover, green screen, and stop action movies.

http://tinyurl.com/fesmovies

Presenters

Carla Lewis

Third & Fourth Grade Teacher, Fayston Elementary School

Allison Schlageter

Technology Integration & Library Media, Fayston Elementary School

@allisonschlags

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
GBTC 017

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

You Can Be a Maker, Too!

In this hands-on session, we will take weeded books and repurpose them into works of art. Using old books, scissors, tape and other easy-to-find supplies, we'll transform and recycle discarded books into trees, snowflakes, flowers and more, giving old books new life. Participants will leave with ideas and resources to implement this project with their students.

Presenters

Genevieve Gallagher

Librarian, Winooski Public Schools

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Joyce 211

A-Thursday

9:45am EDT

Engaging Students with Augmented Reality (Harry Potter Move Over!) (Hands-On Double Session)

What is augmented reality and how in the world can you use it? If you have ever seen Harry Potter’s newspaper come alive, watched a movie where they show you the perspective of a robot with information in front of his eyes or learned about Google Glasses, then you have had a glimpse of augmented reality! In this workshop, we will explore what augmented reality is and how it can be useful in the classroom. The presenter will share with you some projects she has done with her class and you will make your own augmented reality channel. Bring your smart phone (download the Aurasma app in advance) and a laptop to this session in order to participate fully.

Presenters

Clarena Renfrow

IT Teacher, Rutland High School

Clarena M. Renfrow, M.Ed., has been an educator for 22 years. She is an Information Technology Teacher (Rutland High School), a Technology Integration Specialist, Educational Technology Consultant, and an Instructor at Castleton University who teaches graduate-level courses in Educational... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 9:45am - 11:45am EDT
Morgan Room - Aiken Hall

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

A Conversation with Gary Stager

This session provides an opportunity for you to interact informally with our keynote speaker, Dr. Stager, in an informal context. Ask any question you might have about making schools more productive contexts for learning and Gary will try to offer some practical advice based on audience questions

Presenters

Gary Stager

Founder and CEO, Constructing Modern Knowledge

In addition to being a popular keynote speaker at some of the world’s most prestigious education conferences, Gary Stager is a journalist, teacher educator, consultant, professor, software developer, publisher, and school administrator. An elementary teacher by training, he has... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Joyce 201

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

Connecting Schools Internationally

Session Resources and Materials

Twenty-first century emerging technologies allow teachers and students across disciplines and languages to be more effective in the acquisition of foreign languages and cultural knowledge. Moreover, educational technology offers teachers and students opportunities for virtual exchange experiences, which give students mobility in the world—independent of socioeconomic means. Participants will learn about a Rowland Foundation-funded project, Virtual Intercultural Avenues, a successful web-based portal creating virtual environments and connections within the Vermont educational community and abroad.

http://www.viavenues.org/

Presenters

Jill Prado

Teacher, A Rowland Foundation Fellow, Essex High School

students

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
GBTC 217

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

Developing a Tech Club and Engaging Student Interest

Session Resources and Materials

In this day and age of No Child Left Behind, it’s difficult to expose students to advanced digital tools when you have a limited amount of student contact time. We all know the realities of tech integration, but for some students, it’s just not enough. In this workshop, see how a club was created for seventh and eighth grade students that was student-led and student-driven that taught them a variety of outcomes. These included: basic coding, podcasting, graphic arts creation, as well as opportunities to work with younger students and staff members requiring assistance with various technology needs. You will see examples of these products, as well as “meet” the students and find out why they signed up and what they’ve been able to take from this group. So if you are looking to develop your own club, or just collect some ideas to challenge your students, check this workshop out.

https://sites.google.com/a/rnesu.org/dynamic-landscapes-2014/

Presenters

Jamie Gallagher

Teacher, Barstow Memorial School

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
GBTC 117

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

Invent Your School!

Don’t just use technology at your school – make technology at your school! Encourage student/teacher collaboration and meaningful technology integration by tasking students to invent DIY solutions to authentic school community problems. Students utilize the Design Thinking methodology and integrate skills in communication, programming, and STEAM subjects. Students also experiment with sensors, hands-on practice, and DIY technology commonly associated with the “Maker Movement”. Example student projects from The School at Columbia University will be shared.

Presenters

Dylan Ryder

Teacher, The School at Columbia

Dylan Ryder is an Educational Technologist at The School at Columbia University, the University’s lab school in New York City. He also heads the Innovation Design & Media Summer Camp at the Marymount School Fab Lab. His goals are to integrate computer science, engineering, and design... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Auditorium

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

Learning Management, 1:1 Workflow and Personalized Learning

Session Resources and Materials

How can teachers leverage Learning Management Systems (we use Schoology) and Google Apps to meet the needs of all students? How can these tools be used to differentiate and personalize learning? What is “Gamification” and how can it motivate students? Mount Mansfield UHS has been exploring these and other questions in our 1:1 program. We will share our experiences, strategies and examples of individualized, self-paced learning in a game-like scenario.

https://docs.google.com/a/cesuvt.org/presentation/d/1tEK66h1Bunvo4cDiYLQnjhec3Pe3cnquipcGXVbFkAY/edit#slide=id.p

Presenters

Eric Hall

Technology Integration, Mount Mansfield Union High School

Mike Turner

Teacher, Mount Mansfield Union High School

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
GBTC 112

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

Next Generation Science Standards: To the Library and Beyond…!

As Vermont schools prepare for Next Gen Science Standards, let’s look at the Standards, the resources we can provide, and the librarian's role in implementation.

Presenters

Meg Allison

Teacher-Librarian, U-32

Linda McSweeney

Teacher Librarian, Adjunct Instructor UVM, Stowe Middle High School

Linda is the Teacher Librarian at Stowe Middle High School. A graduate of Dickinson College and Rutgers University, she has over 25 years experience as an academic and school librarian. Her passion is providing professional development for digital immigrant educators (like herself... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
GBTC 114

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

No Summer Reading Nightmare!

Session Resources and Materials

Need to motivate middle school readers over the summer months? Learn how to leverage school and community connections to make summer reading an experience and not a chore. See how teachers, librarians and community members in Charlotte have worked together with the Young Writers Project, giving students time and motivation to read, connect, and create.
We have 3 years of programming to highlight what has worked well, what we've made better over the years, as well as aspects that could still use some work!

http://www.haikudeck.com/p/6FNEAuHHAm/classical-connections

Presenters

Heidi Huestis

Librarian, Charlotte Central School

Cheryl Sloan

Youth Librarian, Charlotte Library

The Charlotte Library and the Charlotte Central School Library have a close working relationship, trying to complement programs and books to better serve the community. Classical Connections has been our most successful endeavor. The library has also committed itself to begin a... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Joyce 210

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

Social Media in Action! …

Session Resources and Materials

Karen McCalla and Debra Gardner-Baasch will share lessons that utilize social media to create student-designed service learning projects. In addition to addressing all the NETS-S standards, the Social Media in Action course explores the question: “How can social media transform education and connect students both locally and globally?”
As part of a semester course, students created interactive websites, learned to use social media tools, developed their online presence, and designed personally meaningful service-learning projects. During this workshop, students will present their projects and share their experiences.

http://goo.gl/POawUp

Presenters

Debra Gardner-Baasch

ELA/Literacy Teacher, Mill River Union High School

Adolescent Literacy and ELA teacher, world traveler, book lover, vegetarian cook, advocate for children/adolescents & social justice.

Karen McCalla

Librarian, Mill River UHS

Passionate advocate of tech in education, readers advisory 7-12, and libraries in schools.

students

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Joyce 310

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

STEMing Your Curriculum With Lego Robotics

Session Resources and Materials

Kids love to build with Legos. Students love to learn with Legos. Watch what happens when you blend kid Lego play with student learning. Now watch the same Legos come to life as robots through basic drag and drop programing. With Lego Mindstorm education kits students quickly can learn about robotics and how to program the robots to do tasks. Come learn more about how you can integrate Lego robotics into everyday classroom learning. Programing and robotics will teach students the skills they need to be ready for the future.

https://sites.google.com/a/cesuvt.org/lego-robotics/?pageDeleted=%2Fresources

Presenters

Dave Bouchard

Enrichment Teacher- Tech support, Jericho Elementary School

As the Enrichment Teacher at Jericho Elementary School I have the freedom to bring creative and innovative learning opportunities into our school. This year we have placed the focus of our Enrichment Program on STEAM learning. I look forward to sharing with you a very popular and... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
GBTC 017

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

The Blue Guitar: Improvising Meaning and Truth through Investigation of Fiction

Session Resources and Materials

Annie Dillard says, "The mind is a blue guitar on which we improvise the song of the world.'' I believe she means that through fiction authors and their readers access the minds of characters who teach us about their worlds and, by association, our own. To give that teaching authority, authors must achieve a verisimilitude through careful research and an honest portrayal of characters in a story. Be prepared to test your own powers of observation and memory and to fill in the gaps with online investigation.

https://sites.google.com/a/vita-learn.org/dynamiclandscapes2014/Fiction%20as%20Research%20Handout.pdf

Presenters

Louella Bryant

Author, writing coach, presenter, Louella Bryant

Louella Bryant’s books include While In Darkness There Is Light, nonfiction about young expatriates during the Vietnam era, and Full Bloom, a story collection. She has three books for young readers and her stories, poems and essays have appeared in magazines and anthologies. Most... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Joyce 211

A-Thursday

11:00am EDT

Staggered Lunch

Eat your lunch at a time of your convenience. NOTE: If you ordered a bag lunch, you may not exchange it for a cafeteria meal, nor may you eat in the cafeteria with your box lunch. It's just the rule - please observe it.

Thursday May 15, 2014 11:00am - 1:15pm EDT
Student Life Complex

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

Capture and Create Engagement with Reading Using Technology

Session Resources and Materials

Have you heard about a high school reading elective where students choose their own books? During this course, technology is used to enhance learning in several different ways. In this workshop, the presenter will share how the following uses of technology has increased reading interest and engagement.

1. Shelfari as a way to help choose books, publish writing through book reviews, and share what each person is reading.
2. Students use their phones on a book scavenger hunt in the library
3. Book trailers are one of the final projects
4. Technology unit that teaches students about the different ways to buy and read books electronically. (Nook, Kindle, iPad, different audio avenues), etc.

http://tinyurl.com/lv6bss5

Presenters

Karen Bohmann

English Teacher, South Burlington School District

Karen Bohmann has been an English Teacher for 19 years. She has an absolute passion for reading. She is an avid runner. At SBHS she teachers Public Speaking, Contemporary Issues in Health and Fiction and Engaging with Literature. Engaging with Literature is fairly unique and was... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Joyce 210

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

Common Core State Standards Exemplar Texts

Session Resources and Materials

Have you had a chance to peruse the list of texts that are recommended as exemplars for complex texts in Appendix B of the CCSS? Are you surprised by what has been included, and excluded? Join a discussion about how teacher librarians can help colleagues with lists of current, engaging literature that meet the criteria for complex text. As resource specialists, teacher librarians are in an excellent position to implement Common Core Standards through quality literature and nonfiction texts. You will also have a chance to help crowd source new lists that will be available on the VSLA website. BYOD.

Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1O7Ts8NsOv80P_PD7zg2c6oNRJV5wwqhx64uR3-vR-q4/edit#slide=id.p

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/commoncoretextexemplars/

Presenters

Judy Kaplan

Carol Scrimgeour

Denise Wentz

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
GBTC 114

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

Exploring the Wonderful World of (Free) Maps

Session Resources and Materials

Are you “stuck” with the idea that maps are only for the social sciences? Allow me to shed some light on other subjects. There are a host of powerful online and offline mapping tools available to you and your students. These tools are appropriate in most subject areas and can be used with students of many ages. Maps can get you from point A to point B… and SO much more. Find your way to this workshop and learn about some tools and their applications you may not have heard about and dig a little deeper into their potential uses! Your students will thank you for it.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0gf84_BEsmobzA4a1gtQVliU1E/edit?pli=1

Presenters

Leslie Pelch

Outreach Coordinator, VT Center for Geographic Information

Helping people understand geospatial technology, the tools that are available, and how to use them.

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
GBTC 217

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

Extending and Enhancing Learning Through Technology

Session Resources and Materials

ooking for a fun, exciting, and meaningful way to use technology to extend and enhance learning? Want to encourage students to develop deeper understanding while creatively demonstrating their understanding of a concept? Why not use digital media? Come see how creation of a music video allowed 5th and 6th graders to deepen their understanding of the elements of fiction. Through collaboratively working to plan, organize, storyboard, film, and edit, students strengthened their understanding of academic content, while developing media literacy and applying the skills needed to create, share, and teach others.

https://sites.google.com/site/learningthroughmusicvideo/

Presenters

Emily Biolsi

Teacher, Marion Cross School

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
GBTC 017

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

Innovative ways to Integrate Emerging Technology into your World Language Curriculum

Discover new ways to engage your students in authentic, purposeful and challenging ways in your language content through the use of technology, as they become creators and collaborators. Web cameras and microphones are now built into computers; this is the perfect era to be a language teacher. In our classes or out of our classes it is extremely easy to add videoconferencing, audio applications, digital stories/photography/video and messaging to fire up reading, writing and speaking skills.

Presenters

Gissele Drpich

Teacher, Burlington High School

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
GBTC 112

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

Kamishibai: Creativity, Collaboration and Common Core

Session Resources and Materials

Middle school students share Kamishibai presentations about the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki from American and Japanese points of view – based on primary source documents. Kamishibai is traditional Japanese storytelling using a tabletop stage and story cards. Featuring original art and writing, the project is a collaboration among ELA, art and library media teachers and encompasses national art standards as well as Common Core reading, writing, and speaking and listening standards.

https://sites.google.com/site/kamishibaicccollaboration/

Presenters

Sharon Hayes

Library media specialist/tech integrationist, Folsom Education and Community Center

A book lover who is passionate about literature, learning and educational technology injected with a heavy dose of TPACK! I love my K-8 students -- past and present -- at Folsom School. And, tennis -- here's to a life with a forehand or backhand winner from the baseline!

students

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Joyce 211

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

LMS with ELL: More than Alphabet Soup

Session Resources and Materials

English Language Learners have a tough time adjusting to the U.S. educational system. Even keeping notes can be a challenge. But by using Schoology as a learning management system (LMS), students have a place to go to ask questions, submit assignments and take quizzes. “I already turned that in” becomes less of an excuse. And when students miss classes, they can go back to view that day’s notes.

But hold on… couldn’t this LMS be of benefit to many students who, in some way or another, feel challenged by school? Attend this session… you may like the answer to that question.

https://docs.google.com/a/bsdvt.org/presentation/d/1ElhFQdB1uePnEJt9sPj--D5mvWaCt3uRJK00UIvmj7c/edit#slide=id.p

Presenters

Beth Evans

Teacher, from ALC Communication workshop

I love teaching my students and learning about new technology and discovering how I can use it in my classroom. I'm a runner (that's the first time I've said that) and I enjoy spending time with my family going on little adventures!

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
GBTC 117

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

Motivate Your Students To 'Explain Everything'

Session Resources and Materials

End your hunt for a way to access all styles of your students’ learning right here with the Explain Everything app. We all want to provide avenues for multiple means of student expression and to be able to access all they know. Come learn the basics of this app while watching student created videos from across the curriculum. Leave with lessons and projects that will fire up your students and energize your classroom.

iPads are recommended but not essential for participation.

Presenters

Michael Willis

Classroom Teacher, Williston Central School

I am a 3-4 multi-age teacher working towards integrating gardening, music and technology into the very busy world of elementary education. My teaching world has been surprisingly and positively impacted by the growing up my two girls are doing in their own lives. Teaching for me... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Joyce 201

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

TalkCraft: A MineCraft Collaborative Conversation

Session Resources and Materials

Join the MineCraft conversation. How can we capture our students’ passion for MineCraft to support learning goals. 26 VT teachers have already joined together to examine ways to use MineCraft in school. Whether you are already using the game in your classroom, are a MineCraft player yourself or just want to find out more, join this “collaborative conversation” to discuss opportunities for the coming year. We will co-write a plan to support each others learning, successes, failures, and collaborations.

Presenters

Jane Wilde

Teacher, Technology support, University/college personnel, Marlboro College Graduate and Professional Studies (and SUNY Albany)

Use address: http://tinyurl.com/wildedl14 for Dynamic Landscapes 2014 presentation materials Use address: http://tinyurl.com/gie3by3by3 for Games In Education 2013 symposium presentation material. Jane Wilde is a passionate gamer, learner, teacher and flat water kayaker. A... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Auditorium

A-Thursday

12:15pm EDT

The Social Experience: How Young Learners Connect and Model What Digital Citizens Are @vermontkkids123

Session Resources and Materials

Welcome to how young learners connect! In this session you will hear stories about how young learners and their families use social media and other online tools to have conversations inside and outside of our classroom. I will be sharing ways to get started using social media, Skype and Google Plus to connect your students with others. When thinking about digital citizenship my students and I will be sharing how we begin to create a culture inside and outside of our classroom that reflects engagement, captures what we are learning and how through our connections we are inspired to learn new things. You will be able to listen to and view how we are communicating using a variety of tools to have conversations inside and outside of our classroom and the positive impact that it has on our learning.

http://tinyurl.com/ktjoymf

Presenters

Sharon Davison

Teacher, Allen Brook

Sharon Davison is a passionate Kindergarten teacher at the Allen Brook School in Williston, Vermont. She is the Vermont-NEA Angelo J. Dorta Teacher of the Year, a National America Achieves Fellow, Kidblog Ambassador, NEA Foundation Global Leadership Fellow and an online facilitator... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Joyce 310

A-Thursday

12:30pm EDT

New Literacies: Teaching and Learning Digital Literacy with Google Apps for Education (Hands-On Double Session)

Session Resources and Materials

Join Maggie Eaton and Elizabeth McCarthy as they explore what it means to be literate in a digital world and how can Google Apps for Education support digital literacy learning. Understanding digital literacy in the classroom has the potential to transform teaching and learning. In addition to the overview, participants will explore many of the Google digital tools that support facilitation and integration of digital literacy learning.

https://sites.google.com/site/newliteracy14/home

Presenters

Maggie Eaton

Education Consultant , Former Middle Level Teacher and Curriculum Leader in Literacy

Student centered learning, digital literacy, Integrated Curriculum, Google Tools for Ed, empowering educators and students for innovation, independence and creativity in a digital world. Personal Interests: Enjoying the beauty of Vermont, swimming, reading, photography, hiking... Read More →

Elizabeth McCarthy

Google Education Trainer, Digital Learning Specialist

Elizabeth McCarthy has been an educator in Vermont for the past 18 years where she continues to supports teachers and students in leveraging technologies for deeper learning. As a Google Education Trainer, she provides professional development workshops, graduate level courses and... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 12:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Morgan Room - Aiken Hall

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

Benefits of Social Media in Education

Session Resources and Materials

Social media is everywhere; how can these tools possibly enhance your teaching and interaction with students? Learn how to include a variety of social media tools as part of your personal learning network (PLN) to remain current with best teaching pedagogy, and instructional technology. We will also explore the use of these tools with K-12 students to extend the classroom beyond the four walls and into the virtual realm, providing more opportunity for collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.

Participants should bring their favorite device, their social media experience, and an open mind to approach education from a different lens.

Presenters

Michael Norkun

Science Teacher and Department coordinator, bellows falls union high school

As an educator, I strive to instill a love for learning, provide students with appropriate skills to be lifelong learners and productive members of any community. I hold the status of a Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) of secondary level science with a Master's Degree in Education... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
GBTC 117

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

Braiding Vermont History and Fiction: Inviting Students to the Critical Historian Table

Session Resources and Materials

Beth Kanell, author of three YA and middle-grade adventures framed within demanding historiography, shows how students claim their own history. Using images from hometowns, Beth’s projects engage students in critical evaluation of their history. Using character and plot techniques, she shows how to establish the second and third strands that form a braid for driving writing and research. Realizing changes in how local, state, and national issues are framed is exhilarating and nurtures student-driven work.

http://bethkanell.com/1/post/2014/05/critical-history-classroom-skill-building.html

Presenters

Beth Kanell

Author

I review mysteries! See KingdomBks.blogspot.com. Also talk with me about what makes a great YA mystery or adventure. Also watch for my newest book in 2017: THE LONG SHADOW. More news soon!

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Joyce 211

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

Creating a 21st Century School-Wide Reading Community

Session Resources and Materials

Learn how Edmunds Middle School language arts teachers, the school librarian, and the Young Writers Project director are collaborating to foster a love of reading. Students participate in an online community to share their book reviews and recommendations, using a variety of media: video, audio, images, text, and slideshows. Team, genre, and star rating tags enable students to explore new reading possibilities and have meaningful conversations about books.

https://docs.google.com/a/bsdvt.org/presentation/d/1cGY5gffbPstvKO34gn43wWR3V64JA_Mm9YAGyt8yy_k/edit?usp=sharing

Presenters

Kathy Gallagher

Language Arts Teacher, Edmunds Middle School

Geoff Gevalt

Carole Renca

Teacher-Librarian, Edmunds Middle School

students

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
GBTC 217

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

Creating Global Connections Through Mystery Skype

Session Resources and Materials

California, Texas, Montana, Canada - oh my! Our students are meeting and interacting with students around the country and even around the world! The goal of Mystery Skyping is to locate classrooms using Skype technology as well as research and map skills. We have many different ways of finding the location of different Mystery Skype classrooms and we can’t wait to share them with you!

Mystery Skype

Presenters

Natalie LaRose

2nd grade teacher, Porters Point School

Tessa Warren

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Joyce 310

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

Differentiating Learning using Tablets and Google Play for Education

Come preview the new features of Google Play for Education that puts students and learning at the center. We will demonstrate the new touch deployment features puts teachers in control of classroom sets of tablets and allows you to deploy just the right app, book, videos, and content to each student based on their individual needs. Learn about amazing differentiation features designed in Google Play’s new Book options. Learn how to identify teacher vetted standards based content for different subjects using Google Play for Education.

Presenters

Lucie deLaBruere

Digital Age Learning Consultant, Marlboro College / University of Vermont

After spending 30 years in K12 education, Lucie and her husband Craig currently live and learn in a 1983 vintage Bluebird bus visiting creative spaces around the US and seeking ways to partner with educators and students who are passionate about creativity and innovation. Lucie... Read More →

Blanca Duarte

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Auditorium

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

Earth Science and Integrated Technology STEM project

Tropical Storm Irene brought torrential rains in August 2011 damaging the water intake for Rutland City Water Filtration Plant preventing the city reservoir from being replenished. Students in the RHS Freshman Academy Earth Science class used the engineering design process (EDP) to research, design, and create dams that could potentially protect the intake area from future flooding events. Skills included map reading, watershed calculations, soil permeability and porosity tests, 3D drawing, and web page design.

Presenters

Erica Wallstrom

Laurie Wilson

Teacher, Rutland High School

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
GBTC 017

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

K-2 Tech Stars

Session Resources and Materials

Cooperative learning is an important goal in K-2 classes, and technology can be a great avenue for teaching these skills. This workshop will share ways we have used collaborative tools like Google Docs, Google Presentation, Padlet, VoiceThread and KidBlog with students in grades K-2. We will provide examples and easily applicable lesson ideas for getting started using these collaborative tools with your students. Tech beginners welcome!

Slideshow

Presenters

Amanda Paquette

Nikki Raney

Teacher, Dothan Brook School

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Joyce 201

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

No more packets! Create your own eTextbook

Are you the kind of teacher who finds that published texts have almost the right challenge, progression, and materials for your students? Before the world of tablets and laptops, were you the kind of teacher who was constantly running off additional packets to supplement the text you were using? Learn about the process of writing, building, publishing, and implementing your own eTextbook!

Presenters

Molly Dubois

Music Teacher, Burlington School District

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
GBTC 112

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

Quiet Censorship in Schools

Session Resources and Materials

Join award-winning Vermont author Tanya Lee Stone and a panel of educators for a discussion of “quiet censorship” in schools and libraries. Ms. Stone’s young adult novel A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl has faced a few formal challenges but she says that more common is the quiet removal of her novel – and others - without public discussion. Why is this kind of censorship so prevalent and how does it harm students, educators, authors, and the public? How can we address the sometimes tough topics that concern adults while protecting intellectual freedom?

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-UwiYMDwi9SRH6AIe-xpOwBtcYCtc2xXAGgKgokmB4Y/edit?usp=sharing

Presenters

Christine Eldred

panel

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
GBTC 114

A-Thursday

1:30pm EDT

READjustment ... Growing Sacred Spaces of Quiet Inspiration

Creating a class that gives students the time to read what they wish has strengthened the will to read and has grown a mutual understanding amongst our students that the library is a sacred space of quiet inspiration. This belief allowed us to be chosen as a YALSA: Teens' Top Ten Nominating Group, in which we receive hundreds of galley copies for students to review. As a member of the Green Mountain Library Consortium board I am focused on the question of how Vermont will foster the growth of our youthful digital library, ListenUpVermont (LUV). Can LUV grow a sacred space of quiet inspiration all over Vermont?

Presenters

Owen McDermott

Library Media Specialist, Milton Town School District

I am on the Board of the Green Mountain Library Consortium and have a passion for ListenUpVermont! My zeal for this amazing resource started back in the 90's when I proofread copied pages for Project Gutenburg. I am a marathon runner, tai chi practitioner, and lover of reading... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Joyce 210

A-Thursday

2:45pm EDT

Keynote - Using Technology to Ignite Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Collaboration

Technology tools look like magic tricks, and like magic tricks they capture students' attention and interest. Students who can cast the green screen spell can creatively communicate what they know to an authentic audience. See how two librarians leverage the magic of green screen movie making to engage students in curricular content and 21st century skills.

Presenters

Jeanie Phillips

Librarian, Green Mountain High School

I am a librarian passionate about engaging students and teachers in learning. I currently work at the Green Mountain Middle High School. I am thrilled to be a 2014/2015 Rowland Fellow.

Shannon Thompson

Library Media Specialist, Chester-Andover Elementary School

Thursday May 15, 2014 2:45pm - 3:15pm EDT
Gym - IDX Student Life Center

A-Thursday

3:15pm EDT

Door Prizes (Must be present to win)

Fantastic door prizes are offered, but you MUST be present to win!

Thursday May 15, 2014 3:15pm - 3:30pm EDT
Gym - IDX Student Life Center

A-Thursday