2021 SCHEDULE

Dr. Nicol R. Howard, Keynote (VIRTUAL PRESENTATION)

*We recommend you view this session in the same room as your selected 10 a.m. session. You can also view on your own device at https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/j/99836229644. 

This year's keynote is Dr. Nicol R. Howard, associate professor and associate dean of academic affairs in the School of Education at the University of Redlands. Dr. Howard is also co-director of the Race in Education Analytics Learning Lab in the Center for Educational Justice. Dr. Howard has been an educator across multiple levels from kindergarten through college throughout her more than 20 years in the field. Her research focuses on STEM and computer science equity and parent involvement.

Dr. Howard's presentation, #DigitalEquityNow: Reframing the Tale of Technology in Education, will discuss challenges related to access, connectivity, limited resources and "gaps" in education. The keynote session will allow participants to reflect on student stories and identify concrete strategies for moving toward an equity-centered approach to using technologies that effectively support students in school and at home.

Student Connection (from 10-10:30 am only)

Dr. Nicol R. Howard, Keynote
Streamed for Illinois State University students only in DeGarmo 208

This will be an opportunity for current education students to make a personal connection following the keynote on any topics covered during that presentation 

Digital Goal Setting (VIRTUAL PRESENTATION)

Jory Jones, Third-Grade Teacher, Brook Park Elementary School & Pam Starostka, Math Specialist, Brook Park Elementary School
Streamed in DeGarmo 306 or use https://district95-org.zoom.us/j/81397459603

Goal setting is a powerful tool that allows students to take ownership of learning. Students have become more self-motivated and have a growth mindset. Using a Google Slide template, students document pre- and post-assessment scores in academic areas. Students learn to analyze their own data, recognize individual growth, and reflect on their progress. Walk away with the templates to use right away in your classroom.

Google Earth: More Than Just A Map

Michael Doyle, Instructional Technology Coach, CCUSD #301
DeGarmo 20A, 20B and 24

In the past, Google Earth has been thought of a a great map and a digital globe tool for social studies classrooms. However, recent updates have turned this webtool into a presentation powerhouse for all classrooms! In this session we will walk through many of the little know features in Google Earth and learn how to create presentation for our classrooms... best of all, any of you students can use this tool for their presentations as well! 

Developing a Maker's Mindset

Kristi Sutter, Instructional Facilitator, Thomas Metcalf Laboratory School
DeGarmo 307 (Studio Teach)

Develop creative confidence and student agency in your classroom with a focus on the maker mindset. With maker-centered thinking, students develop critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills as they ideate, design, develop and prototype solutions to problems.

Get The Scoop On Seesaw

Elana Heinonen, First Grade Teacher, Oakland School-District 87
DeGarmo 206

Are you looking for a simple way to engage both students and parents in the learning process? Then come to this session and get the "scoop" on Seesaw! Seesaw is an intuitive app that enables students of all ages to demonstrate their learning in a way that is meaningful for them AND engages their parents as well! As if that is not amazing enough, the Seesaw app is free and able to be used on ANY device. Join me for this interactive session where you will experience Seesaw as a learner, get started with Seesaw as a teacher, and explore ways that the Seesaw app can help you maximize student & parent engagement in your classroom.

Green Screen Stick Puppet Shows

Kristen Foley, Instructional Coach (formerly 3rd Grade Teacher), Bloomington District 87
DeGarmo 551

Lights, camera, action! Introduce your students to movie production with simple green screen technology and self-created stick puppets. Learn a variety of methods to organize this project, foster collaboration, and motivate your class. What better way to integrate writing, reading, performing arts, visual arts, and technology.

Strategies to Support Prioritizing Connections with Parents (VIRTUAL PRESENTATION)

Dr. Nicol  R. Howard, Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, School of Education at the University of Redlands
Streamed in DeGarmo 306 or use https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/j/92854466912

Increases in digital interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic brought greater attention to the barriers with engaging parents. This session will offer research-based strategies to support educators with creatively engaging parents in their learner’s educational experience through the use of various technologies. Participants will reflect on their current practices related to engaging parents and develop action steps for implementing them in the future.

Oh Sheet! Google Sheets Can Save You Time (VIRTUAL PRESENTATION)

Pam Starostka, Math Specialist, Brook Park Elementary School & Jory Jones, Third-Grade Teacher, Brook Park Elementary School
Streamed in DeGarmo 305 or use https://district95-org.zoom.us/j/89942932545

Google Sheets is an underused classroom teaching tool that can help teachers organize data, auto-fill into form letters or certificates, grade class work, and so much more. Come and learn how Google Sheets can help you organize data and save you time.

Google Hard: Google with a Vengeance

Micah Riordan, STEM Facilitator, School District 15 (McHenry)
DeGarmo 20A, 20B and 24

The strongest tool in education has been here and free to use by anyone and everyone and it goes by a single name: Google. Learn how to make this free tool 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.

Transforming Your Teaching: Incorporating STEM Into Any Lesson!

Katie Buckley, 4-H Youth Development Educator, University of Illinois Extension - McLean
DeGarmo 307 (Studio Teach)

Looking for ways to incorporate STEM into your classroom? Don't know where to start? Overwhelmed by all the technology involved? This session is for you. Participants will learn about ways to incorporate STEM into any lesson plan. This session will focus on a variety of STEM hands on activities and how they relate to the Illinois Learning Standards as well as NGSS. Participants will walk away with the confidence of knowing how to create STEM lessons as well as some tips for funding options.

Empowering Learners through Universal Design (UDL)

Mike Jones, Middle School Science Teacher, Metcalf School (Illinois State University Lab School) 
DeGarmo 551

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to help educators design their classroom practices to meet the needs of all learners. When you use UDL, you assume that barriers to learning are in the design of the environment, not in the student. In this session, we will introduce you to an overview of what a classroom design focused on enabling learners could look like and we will demonstrate several technologies and tools to promote UDL in your classrooms.

Lunch on your own

There are several lunch options on campus in the Bone Student Center, or nearby on Main Street and Uptown Normal. 

Student Centered Learning Experiences (VIRTUAL PRESENTATION)

Kristi Sutter, Instructional Facilitator, Thomas Metcalf Laboratory School
Streamed in DeGarmo 306 or use https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/j/92189746317

Are you ready to make the shift to student-centered learning? In this session, we will explore the Student-Centered Learning approach and its benefits while identifying tips and tricks for managing this type of learning environment.

Integrating Technology into the Classroom

Ryan Iberle, Transition Facilitator/Instructional Coach, District U-46
DeGarmo 20A, 20B and 24

This session will demonstrate ways educators can incorporate Chrome Extensions/Add-Ons, Google products, and web resources within lessons to make teaching more engaging, accessible, collaborative, interactive, and efficient for students. This is a hands-on exploration of the many free resources and current technologies available, so please bring any technology devices (computers, tablets, phones, etc.). Participants will have the opportunity to explore tools and resources such as Nearpod, Quizizz, ShowMe, Quizlet Live, Canva, and many more. Participants are welcome to share their own technological tips and insights. This session applies to all disciplines, grades, and levels of technological knowledge.

Be a STEM Superhero

Mandy White, Instructor, Department of Special Education and School of Teaching and Learning, Illinois State University College of Education
DeGarmo 307 (Studio Teach)

Become a STEM superhero as you learn how to incorporate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into your teaching. Explore applications you can to take back to use in your classroom! We will look at how Next Generation Science Standards and Practices lay the foundation for guiding students through STEM challenges. Learn ways to engage elementary learners in engineering experiences and fostering problem-solving that extends throughout the content.

SOPPA: What Every Teacher Needs to Know

Sean Mullins, IT Director, Olympia Community Unit School District No. 16
DeGarmo 206

On July 1, 2021 the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) became law. The intent of the law is to protect the personally identifiable information (PII) of our students. The practical impact of the law is that students cannot use apps, websites, or services that collect PII unless the district first  obtains a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) with the company. The good news is that your technology department has been working on becoming SOPPA compliant for while now. This session will cover all of the essentials that a classroom teacher would need to know regarding SOPPA for the 2021-2022 school year.

Creating a Digital Organization System for Increasing Equity (VIRTUAL PRESENTATION)

Lauren Owens, Tech Integration Specialist, Agua Fria Union High School District
Streamed in DeGarmo 306 or use https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/j/98337275452

Google Sites can transform how you teach, organize, and provide opportunities for 21st century learning. Learn the top BEST reasons you can use google site as a powerful tool both inside and outside the classroom. Creating a hub for resources, whether you're admin, a teacher, a coach, or a librarian, can increase equity and efficiency. Participants will get a live demonstration of how google sites has become our home base for curriculum and for our parent hub, but also how to get the foundations to tweak the tool to fit your individual needs. *This is for novices, advance users, and everything in between.

Bring the Museum to You! (Google Arts and Culture in the Classroom)

Sean Eichenser, 8th Grade ELA Teacher, Chicago Public Schools
DeGarmo 20A, 20B and 24

Google has partnered with thousands of cultural sites around the world to digitize their museum collections. You can build 3D museum tours, collections of artifacts to share with students, and a bunch of fun art experiments to push your student's thinking about color, medium, and more. These materials will be perfect for remote learning, hybrid learning, and everything in between as a way to bring true, authentic sources and items into your classroom. Art does not have to just be in art class!

Printing the Future of Education

Micah Riordan, STEM Facilitator, School District 15 (McHenry)
DeGarmo 307 (Studio Teach)

3D printing has become one of the most powerful tools that can help teach students how engineering can have an impact on the real world, the only problem is having a 3D printer. Learn how to implement the DESIGN PROCESS can be used to develop and create some amazing projects without needing to have a 3D printer. Learn about various free applications such as Tinkercad and 3DPRINTEROS can be used in the classroom and at home with students of all ability levels.

The Board Classroom - The Power of Games and Play in the Classroom

Mike Jones, Middle School Science Teacher, Metcalf School (Illinois State University Lab School)
DeGarmo 551 

"Here be dragons!" From digital to cardboard, we are currently in a revival period of gaming in America. This boom leads to the question, "How do we identify meaningful, educational opportunities using games? Likewise, how do we ensure that gaming actually increases student learning? In this session, we will explore and play several popular board games that can be incorporated in STEM curriculums and discuss best practices. Adventuring and storytelling will also be highlighted.

DeGarmo Plaza (just outside the building)

Illinois State University alumni are welcome to join us for a meet and greet with College of Education administration and faculty to decompress after the conference.

All attendees can also pick up their conference t-shirts at this time.