2017 SCHEDULE

Kayla Delzer, Keynote

Caterpillar Auditorium

Award-Winning 3rd Grade Teacher. International Keynote Speaker. Classroom Designer. Flexible Seating Guru. TEDx Speaker. Columnist. Technology Champion. Digital Citizenship Expert. Consultant.

#TeachFurther: 3C's of Dynamic, Interactive Unit Design 

Rae Hughart, Teacher, McLean County Unit District No. 5
SFHB 131

Join "#TeachFurther: 3C's of Unit Design" to learn dynamic, interactive, & innovative Lesson Planning through Common Core, Creativity, and Community! During this session, educators will learn how to easily blend the rigor of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and contemporary Standard Based Grading ideals. Following the development of a strong academic base, teachers will develop hands on learning materials bridging the gap between classroom content and the surrounding community. Through career themed units focusing on future professional paths, transformative classroom environments, and strong community support, each lesson concludes with a community outreach challenge disbursing student learning back into its community. Using #TeachFurther Methods, teachers build students love for learning to exceed the four walls of a traditional classroom. Encouraged to bring laptops. View presentation.

Tweet Me in the Middle

Kristin Richey, Reading Specialist, Freedom Middle School/South Berwyn District 100
Peter Richey, Teacher, Churchville Middle School, Elmhurst CUSD 205
SFHB 135

This session, perfect for the aspiring or current middle-level educator, will answer the why and how of using technology to both communicate and connect with students and parents. 

G Suite and the Writer's Workshop

Sean Eichenser, ELA Teacher Smyser, Elementary School / Chicago Public Schools
SFHB 145

School districts all over the world are "going Google," yet our writing instruction has remained stagnant over the years. The G Suite of educational tools can both streamline the writing process for educators, and empower students to become creators of knowledge, rather than passive consumers of information. This session will cover a wide array of Google tools all the way from pre-writing through publishing. Give better feedback, update your pedagogy, and get actionable, real-world tips on using Google in the ELA classroom. Participants should bring a laptop. Tablets are okay, but not all functionality will be available on tablets. 

Building Innovation Through Robotics

Tammy Pollard, Technology Coordinator, Gifford Grade School
Tara Stegall, Middle School Science Teacher, Gifford Grade School
SFHB 148

Discover how our small, rural school district raised funds to build the robotics program that serves as the cornerstone of our school-wide STEM initiative. Get up close and personal with our fleet of Lego EV3 Mindstorm robots and try your hand at programming as we show you how we built a cross-curricular unit that addresses Next Generation Science Standards as well as International Society for Technology in Education Student Standards. View presentation.

Educators As Superheroes

Andy Isaacson, motivational speaker for district institutes, All-American gymnast, retired 
SFHB 131

Educators, regardless of grade level or content area, today are being asked to fill many roles other than just teaching. In many cases they become overwhelmed from the job. Whether it is the inclusive classroom, pressure on their evaluation from the expectation of test scores or the Danielson model, teachers need to be reminded of why they got into education. Positive school climate and a nurturing collegiality can provide them with the fuel they need to be their best and therefore impact their students with more depth and consistency. 

Using Seesaw in the Classroom

Lauren Prosser, 2nd Grade Teacher, Hillcrest (Downers Grove 58)
SFHB 135

Learn different ways to use Seesaw in your classroom! Get ideas for student/parent communication, classroom organization, student reflection, digital portfolios, assessment, and much more! You do not need to be 1:1 to use this globally recognized digital tool in your classroom. Please bring a device and add the Seesaw app if you do not have it already! 

Google Hard: Google with a Vengeance

Micah Riordan, Middle School STEM Facilitator/Tech Specialist, McHenry Middle School District 15
SFHB 145

Learn how to take the strongest tool in education: Google and have it work for you and your students. During this session, you will get hands-on experience using various Google Add-Ons, Apps, and Extensions that will change everything and might even FLIP some ways of thinking. Also learn how to become a Google Certified Educator. Please bring a laptop to take a pre/post survey. View presentation. 

Get Techie With It

Katie Buckley, Educator, LeRoy CUSD #2
SFHB 148

Participants will have the opportunity to test out technology that can be incorporated into their classroom. These items include LittleBits, Spheros, Lego WeDo 2.0, Lego Mindstorms and more!

Lunch

Boxed lunches for attendees available in atrium.

Meet and Greet

Kayla Delzer, keynote

Secondary Education Discussion Panel

The practical use of technology, Caterpillar Auditorium

Formative and Summative Assessment tools for the 21 Century Classroom 

Erin Kulinski, English Language Arts Teacher, Metea Valley High School/Indian, Prairie School District #204 
SFHB 131

This presentation will focus on specific technology tools that can be used in the classroom to formatively assess students' learning (padlet, Socrative, Recap) as well as summatively assess students's writing (Doctupus/Goobric) that is submitted electronically to Google Classroom. I think it's always great when someone can look at and participate with the APPs/Extensions, so I would suggest having some sort of technology available (ipad, phone, chromebook, laoptop all would be fine). View presentation.

MakerSpace: Make it your space!

Katie Buckley, Educator, LeRoy CUSD #2
SFHB 135

Participants will engage in a hands on learning environment where they will learn how to implement STEM activities in any classroom. Participants will gain a toolbox full of resources that they will be able to take back to their classroom. 

The New Google Sites: Create a Better Website

Dani Zoeller, Language Arts Teacher, Willowbrook Middle School
SFHB 145

The new Google Sites is awesome! Though pretty user-friendly, it can be difficult to get started. This session will get you jump started with some instruction, recommendation, and ideas. Please bring laptops to this session. View presentation.

Anything but PowerPoint...Using New Platforms to Teach

Shannon Camodeca, 6-8 Instructional Coach, Harding Middle School, Des Moines Public Schools
SFHB 148

Are you tired of using the same boring, old PowerPoints? Do want to spice up your presentations and enhance your practice? Come spend an hour learning about new, innovative platforms that will improve the presentation of your material and increase student engagement! Participants should bring a laptop or iPad (some apps and platforms work better on different pieces of technology), an open-mind, and a willingness to take risks.

Creating and Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment when Technology Enters the Classroom

Deana Skimel, Assistant Administrator, Northwestern Middle School, Fulton County Schools, Milton, GA
SFHB 131

The introduction of technology into the classroom does not take away from the best practices in creating a positive learning environment, it can only enhance them. Through exploration on building teacher-student relationships, designing a classroom for personalized learning, engaging and motivating students, and managing classroom behaviors, participants will leave the session with strategies to use in their classrooms that fit their teaching style. Bring your laptops or tablets.

Apps to Integrate Into the Classroom

Ryan Iberle, Special Education Teacher, Bartlett High School / District U-46
SFHB 135

This session will provide ways educators can incorporate Apps and Augmented Reality within lessons to make teaching more engaging, accessible, collaborative, interactive, and efficient for students. It will cover apps such as Nearpod, Aurasma, Plickers, Educreations, and Padlet. This is a hands-on exploration of the many free resources and current technologies available. This session applies to all disciplines, grades, and levels of technological knowledge. Please bring your laptops, smart phones, and/or tablets to follow along with the presentation. Thank you!

How to incorporate Google Classroom into the traditional classroom

Krista Beddigs, Music Director/ Instrumental Band, McLean Co. Unit 5- Middle School
Kimberly Martin-Boyd, Orchestra Director, Normal West High School and Evans Junior High School
SFHB 145

Google classroom is an online platform that allows teachers to post, assign and discuss with students. Classroom can be a great form of online communication and practice in autonomy for the students involved. In order to use Google classroom to its full potential there are two applications that provide the most efficiency, Goobric and Doctopus. These two applications are used to review and assess student work. Goobric allows for an online rubric to be sent and monitor by teacher and student and Doctopus helps to organize and review all assessment information. Participants may bring laptops if they wish to follow along. 

Coding without Computers

Ashlie Marcy, District Media Specialist, LeRoy CUSD #2
SFHB 148

Teaching coding skills to Pre- Kindergarten through 6th grade can be a fun challenge, you don't even need to be at a computer! Coding with out Computers empowers teachers of all grade levels to walk away with class ready activities to develop coding and ciphering skills from Pre K to 6th grade and beyond! These lessons can fit into literacy, math or technology lessons or even act as stand alone activities to enhance computer skills before you get behind a screen! View presentation.

Dan Zehr, Capstone Presentation

Caterpillar Auditorium

Prolific High School English Educator. Writer. Podcaster. Feature Blogger for StarWars.com. Capstone Speaker. Host & Co-creator of Award Winning Podcast, Coffee With Kenobi. Actor in Target Star Wars Rogue One Commercial.