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Welcome to BLC17! We hope you have an amazing experience! Mark the dates: BLC18 will be here in Boston July 22, 2018 through July 27, 2018!
Sunday, July 23
 

12:00pm EDT

BLC Information Center Open - Information and Registration
Sunday July 23, 2017 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Georgian Coat Room Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

2:00pm EDT

Gorman - PBL: Learn, Plan, Step, Action…. A PBL Deep Dive for Teachers and Leaders - Part 1 of 2
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation

Your teacher or administrative team can join Mike Gorman for amazing PD. Not only will you learn about many of the concepts learned in the Splash session you will have the opportunity to make those next steps in planning a PBL for a classroom or creating a PBL plan for your school or district. This is a deliverable that you will be able to take back with you while getting feedback at the session. This in-depth session will also provide the added opportunity to learn about aspects of PBL which include scaffolding, management, authenticity, metacognition, project flow cycles, and protocols that enrich the PBL culture. Mike has been in education over 39 years, initiated a school district one to one and PBL program, serves on the National Faculty for the BIE (BUCK Institute… a world leader in PBL) and has provided PBL professional development for numerous districts, Discovery Education, PBS Learning Media, and ISTE. He has also taught Gradate level PBL courses. You will walk away with a vision, the start of an action plan or project, needed steps to go further, amazing resources, wonderful connections, a wealth of new knowledge, and the desire to either begin or continue to support PBL in your school or district. Most of all, Mike will provide the enthusiasm and passion necessary as you take that next step. This could be the very best seven hours you spend at any conference!
Speakers
avatar for Michael Gorman

Michael Gorman

November Learning Consultant, November Learning
Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He oversees a one to one laptop programs and digital professional... Read More →

Sunday July 23, 2017 2:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  7-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand CV
  • Cost 450
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

2:00pm EDT

November/Wilkie - First Five Days - Part 1 of 2
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
The first five days of school can prepare students to "learn how to learn" and yield achievement dividends all year.   By preparing students to own  their learning and to manage tools and networks that will support them throughout the school year, we better prepare them for academic success.   Web literacy, student as tutorial designer, self assessment, peer to peer support and more will be  covered. A culture of empowered learning can help save teachers valuable time and inspire students.
Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →
avatar for Sara Wilkie

Sara Wilkie

Head of Learning Design, November Learning
Sara Wilkie is an independent educational consultant who specializes in building the capacity of future-focused learning teams. She strives to foster an understanding of the connections and interplay between technology, pedagogy, and curriculum, and the process changes necessary to... Read More →

Sunday July 23, 2017 2:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  7-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Cost 450
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All
 
Monday, July 24
 

7:00am EDT

BLC Information Center Open - Information and Registration
Monday July 24, 2017 7:00am - 5:30pm EDT
Georgian Coat Room Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

8:00am EDT

MIT Scratch Team - Empower your Students to Change the World: Coding with Scratch
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
Express yourself, explore your creativity with code, and experience the wonderment and joy of the MIT Media Lab. Your students will thank you!

Tap your students’ curiosity, imagination, and natural drive to create with the easy-to-use coding language of Scratch. This workshop, intended for newcomers and Scratch experts alike, provides a hands-on introduction to Scratch, the most popular programming language for young people. When you learn to code, you learn important life skills for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas. In this workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to create your own interactive projects in Scratch, reflect on your learning experiences, and discuss ways of integrating coding into the classroom. You will also be introduced to the resource-rich global Scratch community where students have published more than 18 million projects.
Speakers
SO
JZ

Monday July 24, 2017 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
MIT Media Lab MIT, Cambridge, MA
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • Cost 300

8:00am EDT

Teuber - Design Sprint
BLC Evaluation
Around the world, educators are discovering that a startup mindset will help their schools to rapidly achieve moonshot goals. By engaging in the design process to identify the right problem to solve, educators can use ideation, rapid prototyping and the feedforward process to create technology initiatives that can be successfully scaled.
Through a series of interactive activities, participants will learn how to:
1. Ask the “why” about what you’re doing
2. Build a culture of innovation in your school or district to encourage teams to explore solutions to existing problems.
3. Use the human-centered design process to work with groups to explore multiple solutions for a problem. Use the business model canvas to plan how you’re going to implement.
4. Try your solutions on a small scale with a first and second iteration. 
5. Gather quantitative and qualitative data and create a case study of the results to share with all stakeholders.
6. Use the “yes and” mindset to find ways to grow or pivot your initiative. 
 In this session, participants will go through a design challenge to develop innovative solutions for challenges that they are facing in their classroom or school. Participants will work in teams to discuss challenges, engage in brainstorming solutions, and create a rapid prototype of their solution. Gamestorming activities will engage participants in the process.
Video: https://youtu.be/DQ9xxguIWlc
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Holland

Chuck Holland

Director fir Instructional Technology, Richland Two
avatar for Donna Teuber

Donna Teuber

Innovation Program Designer, Richland School District Two
Donna Teuber is a respected leader in the field of education with a passion for using design thinking to help schools implement innovative practices that support engaged student learning. She currently serves as the Innovation Program Designer in Richland School District Two, Columbia... Read More →

Monday July 24, 2017 8:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  7-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Cost 450
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

9:00am EDT

Gorman - PBL: Learn, Plan, Step, Action…. A PBL Deep Dive for Teachers and Leaders - Part 2 of 2
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
Your teacher or administrative team can join Mike Gorman for amazing PD. Not only will you learn about many of the concepts learned in the Splash session you will have the opportunity to make those next steps in planning a PBL for a classroom or creating a PBL plan for your school or district. This is a deliverable that you will be able to take back with you while getting feedback at the session. This in-depth session will also provide the added opportunity to learn about aspects of PBL which include scaffolding, management, authenticity, metacognition, project flow cycles, and protocols that enrich the PBL culture. Mike has been in education over 39 years, initiated a school district one to one and PBL program, serves on the National Faculty for the BIE (BUCK Institute… a world leader in PBL) and has provided PBL professional development for numerous districts, Discovery Education, PBS Learning Media, and ISTE. He has also taught Gradate level PBL courses. You will walk away with a vision, the start of an action plan or project, needed steps to go further, amazing resources, wonderful connections, a wealth of new knowledge, and the desire to either begin or continue to support PBL in your school or district. Most of all, Mike will provide the enthusiasm and passion necessary as you take that next step. This could be the very best seven hours you spend at any conference!
Speakers
avatar for Michael Gorman

Michael Gorman

November Learning Consultant, November Learning
Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He oversees a one to one laptop programs and digital professional... Read More →

Monday July 24, 2017 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  7-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand CV
  • Cost 450
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

9:00am EDT

November/Wilkie - First Five Days - Part 2 of 2
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
The first five days of school can prepare students to "learn how to learn" and yield achievement dividends all year.   By preparing students to own  their learning and to manage tools and networks that will support them throughout the school year, we better prepare them for academic success.   Web literacy, student as tutorial designer, self assessment, peer to peer support and more will be  covered. A culture of empowered learning can help save teachers valuable time and inspire students.
Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →
avatar for Sara Wilkie

Sara Wilkie

Head of Learning Design, November Learning
Sara Wilkie is an independent educational consultant who specializes in building the capacity of future-focused learning teams. She strives to foster an understanding of the connections and interplay between technology, pedagogy, and curriculum, and the process changes necessary to... Read More →

Monday July 24, 2017 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  7-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Cost 450
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

1:00pm EDT

Gorman - Beyond the Initial Technology Shine: Developing Lessons that Promote 21st Century Skills and Significant Content
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
Are you ready to look into the significant content and 21st-century skills while taking your school devices forward and going full throttle? Learn how examining a standard can help promote real learning and go beyond the shine of technology. Examine how to unpack a standard in order to prepare for technology integration. You will explore a multitude of free and open source content just ready for your students to use. You will also find a multitude of ways to teach and assess 21st-century skills while also learning about web resources to expand Bloom’s Taxonomy and Webb’s Deeper Learning. Learn about TPACK and discover the six questions to ask when developing a lesson. Michael has traveled the country providing technology integration, consultation, and program assessment schools and districts. His first-hand experience at implementing a one to one program will be valuable as you listen and collaborate with others. Best of all, you will learn how technology and the important standards and skills can put your students at the center of learning. Explore these amazing ideas and allow your students to be the ones that shine!
Speakers
avatar for Michael Gorman

Michael Gorman

November Learning Consultant, November Learning
Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He oversees a one to one laptop programs and digital professional... Read More →

Monday July 24, 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • Cost 275
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

1:00pm EDT

MIT Scratch Team - Learning to Code, Coding to Learn: Getting Started with Scratch Jr.
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
ScratchJr was developed collaboratively for children ages 5-7 by MIT's Lifelong Kindergarten Group, Tufts' DevTech Research Group, and the Playful Invention Company. Using the same general programming principles as Scratch, ScratchJr allows children to create interactive stories and games by snapping together simplified icon-based programming blocks. This workshop will provide an overview and history of ScratchJr as well as hands-on activities and strategies for implementing ScratchJr in home and school settings.
Speakers
CG

Monday July 24, 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
MIT Media Lab MIT, Cambridge, MA
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • Cost 300
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

1:00pm EDT

Rowell - Making Thinking Visible: Engaging ALL Learners and Tailoring Instruction
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
Explore research-based strategies that engage learners and give teachers the power to make informed instructional decisions. This session will be a rich source of ideas, resources, and information for effectively using technology to make thinking visible.  
Attendees will:
  • Learn about specific strategies to transform the process of giving learners feedback (while making teachers’ lives easier)
  • Examine how to use resources effectively to engage students and personalize learning 
  • Discover how services/tools that work on any device can give all students a voice and make thinking visible 
  • Participate in activities that can be replicated with staff and students
 
Be sure to bring a device to fully participate in this interactive session!
Speakers
avatar for Lainie Rowell

Lainie Rowell

Educational Consultant, Orange County Department of Education
Lainie Rowell is an educator, author, and international speaker. Her areas of expertise include online/blended learning, designing innovative learning experiences, professional learning, and community building. During her 22 years in education, Lainie has taught elementary, secondary, and higher education. She also serve... Read More →

Monday July 24, 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Cost 275
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

1:00pm EDT

Krause - Mindset, Design, Connect! Using Mindfulness, Design Thinking and Storytelling for Creative Connections - Part 1 of 2
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
We all want to make meaningful connections, crafting authentic educational experiences for students that build awareness, resilience, trust, creativity, empathy, and joy of learning 
This two-part session focuses on positive mindset, using neuroscience research about mindfulness, applying these techniques and practices to amplify design thinking, storytelling, maker culture and other creativity hacks. 
This session is designed for those of us curious, creative educators who are ready to amp up our empathetic connection abilities, widening the scope of what is possible in an engaged, global learning community. We want to shine as storytellers, dazzle with digital media, and master different methods of design thinking and innovative pedagogy. 
Learn how to use intentional, mindful strategies to develop signature, authentic learning experiences, building creative connections, online and offline, with purpose and passion. All levels of experience are welcome, and we'll work with a variety of media.
Get to experiment, play, and learn firsthand how mindset, design thinking, empathy, mindfulness, creativity and storytelling thrive as a connective force, amplifying each classroom community.
Speakers
avatar for Caitlin Krause

Caitlin Krause

CEO, MindWise
Caitlin Krause is a globally-recognized learning expert, author, and keynote speaker. In her book Mindful by Design and through her organizational consulting, she helps individual leaders and teams leverage mindfulness, storytelling, and design principles to connect more deeply with... Read More →

Monday July 24, 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  7-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Cost 450
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All
 
Tuesday, July 25
 

7:00am EDT

BLC Information Center
Tuesday July 25, 2017 7:00am - 3:00pm EDT
Georgian Coat Room Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

8:00am EDT

November - School and District Leadership
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
Leadership is the key position to effectively articulate the vision and assign resources needed to tap the full power of our investment in educational technology to improve instruction.  In this focused hands-on workshop, Alan brings his extensive knowledge of what successful school leaders really do around the world to build continuous capacity to improve student learning.  Topics Include: 
  • Building capacity for continuous improvement
  • Strengthening the faculty as community
  • Balancing change anxiety with support for core values
  • Leader as Role Model
  • Aligning technology investment with curriculum
  • Designing and evaluating affective staff development
  • Observation Questions for Leaders: Transformational 6
  • Moving Beyond 1:1 to 1:World
 
Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →

Tuesday July 25, 2017 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Cost 295
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

8:00am EDT

Rosenthal-Tolisano - Sketchnoting: Visual Note Taking
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
The term sketchnoting describes a style of visual note-taking recently gaining popularity among conference attendees. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be an artist to sketchnote and to take advantage of a different type of learning and making content connections beyond conference keynotes . Sketchnoting is helping make your thinking visible and shareable as you are reading a professional book, watching a movie clip, reading an educational blog post or article or listening to a lecture of conference keynote.
This workshop is for educators who want to hone their abilities to listen more intently, summarize and organize their notes in a visual way  and learn how to do this with their students.
We will look at structures of a sketchnote, typography, connectors, and containers. There will be plenty of time to practice and build your own visual library. 
Please bring your own sketchnoting journal, pencil and colored markers or a tablet with a sketchnoting app downloaded (ex. Paper by FiftyThree)
https://vimeo.com/192796335
Speakers
avatar for Silvia Tolisano

Silvia Tolisano

Author & Consultant, AASSA Social Media Coordinator
Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano is a Third Culture Kid (TCK). She was born in Germany, raised in Argentina, lived shortly in Brazil, and is now planted in the United States. Her multicultural upbringing fueled her passion for languages, travel, global awareness, and global competencies... Read More →

Tuesday July 25, 2017 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Cost 275
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level Beginner

8:00am EDT

Rowell - Google Classroom: Community Space That Inspires, Empowers, Engages (and Makes Teachers’ Lives Easier)
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation

Fast and easy collaboration is what makes Google Classroom an ideal learning environment. Gain knowledge as well as practical strategies to solve the workflow problem while building community and making collaboration a natural way of learning in your Google Classroom.

This session will be a rich source of ideas, resources and information about these collaborative tools.

Attendees will:


  • Learn about specific Google Classroom and other Google tools that provide an easy-to-use, integrated way for teachers and students to collaborate

  • Explore practical workflow models for sharing and collecting assignments

  • Participate in a collaborative activity that can be replicated in classrooms

  • Discover how real-time collaboration, powerful sharing controls and seamless compatibility make learning more engaging and a teacher’s life easier


If you are ready to move from content consumption to content creation and community
Speakers
avatar for Lainie Rowell

Lainie Rowell

Educational Consultant, Orange County Department of Education
Lainie Rowell is an educator, author, and international speaker. Her areas of expertise include online/blended learning, designing innovative learning experiences, professional learning, and community building. During her 22 years in education, Lainie has taught elementary, secondary, and higher education. She also serve... Read More →

Tuesday July 25, 2017 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Cost 275
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

9:00am EDT

Krause - Mindset, Design, Connect! Using Mindfulness, Design Thinking and Storytelling for Creative Connections Part 2 of 2
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
We all want to make meaningful connections, crafting authentic educational experiences for students that build awareness, resilience, trust, creativity, empathy, and joy of learning.
This two-part session focuses on positive mindset, using neuroscience research about mindfulness, applying these techniques and practices to amplify design thinking, storytelling, maker culture and other creativity hacks. 
This session is designed for those of us curious, creative educators who are ready to amp up our empathetic connection abilities, widening the scope of what is possible in an engaged, global learning community. We want to shine as storytellers, dazzle with digital media, and master different methods of design thinking and innovative pedagogy.
Learn how to use intentional, mindful strategies to develop signature, authentic learning experiences, building creative connections, online and offline, with purpose and passion. All levels of experience are welcome, and we'll work with a variety of media.
Get to experiment, play, and learn firsthand how mindset, design thinking, empathy, mindfulness, creativity and storytelling thrive as a connective force, amplifying each classroom community.
Speakers
avatar for Caitlin Krause

Caitlin Krause

CEO, MindWise
Caitlin Krause is a globally-recognized learning expert, author, and keynote speaker. In her book Mindful by Design and through her organizational consulting, she helps individual leaders and teams leverage mindfulness, storytelling, and design principles to connect more deeply with... Read More →

Tuesday July 25, 2017 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  7-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Cost 450
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

1:00pm EDT

Gorman - PBL Leadership Splash for School and District Leaders… A Look at Project Based Learning
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation

Come on your own, or bring a team! Learn how you can begin the implementation of PBL in your school or district. Get an overview of a process that is student centered while promoting important content standards along with 21st century skills. Discover the important keys of PBL while looking at various models. Understand how Project Based Learning can be the process and pedagogy for multiple initiatives including 1 to 1, STEM, Flipped Classrooms, and Student Centered Learning. Investigate resources that will help you take those first steps as a classroom teacher, school administrator or department head, or district leader. Mike has been in education over 39 years, initiated a school district one to one and PBL program, serves on the National Faculty for the BIE (BUCK Institute… a world leader in PBL) and has provided PBL professional development for numerous districts, Discovery Education, PBS Learning Media, and ISTE. He has also taught Gradate level PBL courses. You will walk away with a vision, needed steps to go further, amazing resources, wonderful connections, a wealth of new knowledge, and the desire to either begin or continue to support PBL in your school or district. Most of all, Mike will provide the enthusiasm and passion necessary as you take that next step. This could be the very best four hours you spend at any conference!
Speakers
avatar for Michael Gorman

Michael Gorman

November Learning Consultant, November Learning
Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He oversees a one to one laptop programs and digital professional... Read More →

Tuesday July 25, 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand CV
  • Cost 275
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

1:00pm EDT

Kirr - Genius Hour / Passion Time Workshop
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rkNFHDUC_w

Why take time out of your curriculum for students to own the learning? You'll have time during this workshop to explore comprehensive resources and plan for time in your classroom or school for students to pursue their passions. We'll figure out specific ways to tackle any obstacles together.
Participants will gain:
-Ways to communicate to parents and administration reasons for trying Genius Hour
-How to create time in the schedule
-Resources to begin passion-based learning with students
-How to assist students in choosing topics
-How to keep track of student progress
-Reflections and assessments for students
-How to scaffold for reluctant learners
Speakers
avatar for Joy Kirr

Joy Kirr

7th grade ELA Teacher, Thomas Middle School, Arlington Heights, IL
Joy was first a special education teacher of deaf & hard-of-hearing students, and next became a reading specialist and National Board Certified. Now in her 25th year of teaching, she learns alongside 7th graders. Joy is passionate about students owning their own learning, doesn’t... Read More →

Tuesday July 25, 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Cost 275
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level Beginner

1:00pm EDT

Rowell - Transform Learning - Teaching Above the Line
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
In a connected world, learners can collaborate, interact with experts, perform research and produce creative works! During this series we will examine using technology to transform learning. Gain knowledge as well as practical strategies to lead by example and integrate these tools and resources in meaningful, effective ways. Participants will get hands-on experiences and time to design an activity that redefines learning.
 
Learning Outcomes:
-Discover tools and strategies for personalizing learning
-Explore ways to cultivate information literate learners
-Review examples of learners motivated to create 24/7 with real purpose and for authentic audiences
-Evaluate opportunities to connect your learners locally and globally 
"
Speakers
avatar for Lainie Rowell

Lainie Rowell

Educational Consultant, Orange County Department of Education
Lainie Rowell is an educator, author, and international speaker. Her areas of expertise include online/blended learning, designing innovative learning experiences, professional learning, and community building. During her 22 years in education, Lainie has taught elementary, secondary, and higher education. She also serve... Read More →

Tuesday July 25, 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Cost 275
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

1:00pm EDT

Teuber - Supporting Personalized Learning
Limited Capacity seats available
BLC Evaluation
https://youtu.be/2GWoLIegbGg

Learning can happen anywhere, but learning happens best when the learning experience is personalized for students and when students have a learning environment that inspires passion-based, authentic,and collaborative experiences. Workshop participants will apply research-based design principles to transform an ordinary classroom into a flexible, creative space with work zones to facilitate independent work, collaboration, problem solving, and creation of products. Bring your challenges and ideas and be ready to learn how you can create a new blueprint for your classroom. 
Participants will: 
 
  • Explore how learning interest survey can be used to gather data about student needs
  • Develop user profiles to assist in designing space and activities for a variety of learners
  • Use rapid prototyping to create a classroom design that supports personalized learning
  • Discuss ways to involve students in the redesign of space
  • Learn how to design on a budget 
 
 Outline:
This workshop will be hands on with teams of teachers working together to create user profiles and design learning environments to support the needs of learners. Through a series of prototyping activities, participants will create a learning environment that supports the personalized learning experience that they want to see in their classroom.
 
  • Research on designing space for personalized learning
  • Creating user profiles using empathy mapping
  • Developing a prototype for a classroom redesign to support personalized learning using maker materials
 
 
Research:
Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration, Scott Doorley, John Wiley & Sons, 2012
Get Active: Reimaging Learning Spaces for Student Success, Dale Basye, Peggy Grant, Stefanie Hausman, Tod Johnston, ISTE Publication 2015
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Holland

Chuck Holland

Director fir Instructional Technology, Richland Two
avatar for Donna Teuber

Donna Teuber

Innovation Program Designer, Richland School District Two
Donna Teuber is a respected leader in the field of education with a passion for using design thinking to help schools implement innovative practices that support engaged student learning. She currently serves as the Innovation Program Designer in Richland School District Two, Columbia... Read More →

Tuesday July 25, 2017 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  4-hour Pre-Conference
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Cost 275
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level Beginner

5:00pm EDT

Opening Reception and Main Conference Registration
Don’t miss out! Join us in the Plaza Ballroom to kick off BLC17. Pick up your registration materials in the Statler Room, and then head to the ballroom across the hall to meet and mingle.
Tuesday July 25, 2017 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event
 
Wednesday, July 26
 

7:00am EDT

BLC Information Center Open - Information and Registration
Wednesday July 26, 2017 7:00am - 5:30pm EDT
Georgian Coat Room Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

7:30am EDT

Continental Breakfast
Wednesday July 26, 2017 7:30am - 9:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom B Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

9:00am EDT

Wednesday Keynote - Zoran Popovic
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Zoran Popovic

Zoran Popovic

University of Washington, EnLearn
Zoran Popović is a Professor of Computer Science and the Director of the Center for Game Science at the University of Washington, as well as founder of Enlearn. Trained as a computer scientist, his research focuses on creating engaging environments for learning and scientific discovery... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom A Boston Park Plaza
  Keynote

10:20am EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:20am EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

10:20am EDT

Bates/Richardson - Growth Mindset in the Elementary Classroom - How to Transform the Thinking of Your Students and Yourself
BLC Evaluation
Are you excited about implementing growth mindset principles with your students but are unsure where to begin? Let us help. Over the past two years, we developed and implemented science and literature-based curriculum to help change the thinking of our students and ourselves. Our classrooms have become places where mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities, and teachers are laser-focussed on consistent, targeted feedback.

In this session, we will show you how to:

Teach your students that their brains are complex organs that grow through practicing, making mistakes, and trying new things.
Create an atmosphere where growth mindsets are celebrated in the classroom and beyond.
Utilize technology such as digital portfolios, class blogs, and Twitter to make your students’ growth mindset visible.
Speakers
avatar for Christine Bates

Christine Bates

First Grade Classroom Teacher, Edith C. Baker School, Brookline, MA
Christine Bates has been teaching first grade in Brookline, Massachusetts for seven years and loves working with this fun age group. The students she works with are from around the world and bring a global perspective to her classroom. Christine began integrating technology into her... Read More →
avatar for Laura Richardson

Laura Richardson

First Grade Classroom Teacher, Edith C. Baker School, Brookline, MA
Laura Richardson has been a classroom teacher in Brookline, Massachusetts for fourteen years and absolutely loves it. She infuses technology across all subject areas by developing and teaching coding & robotics curriculum, using individual student blogs, and connecting with other... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

10:20am EDT

Gorman - STEM, STEAM, Makers...Transforming STEM from Nouns to Verbs
BLC Evaluation
Are you ready to facilitate action based STEM thinking going beyond content, and toward action? This is a "must attend" session for those wanting to fit Project Based Learning into their STEM initiative. Participants will be introduced to ideas and resources that make STEM, STEAM and Makers Culture come alive. Michael, a facilitator at the National STEM Academy in Washington DC, STEM/PBL Facilitator for BIE (The BUCK Institute), and STEMBL workshop designer for Discovery Education will share with you a multitude of free Dewey-able ideas and resources.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Gorman

Michael Gorman

November Learning Consultant, November Learning
Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He oversees a one to one laptop programs and digital professional... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Kirr - What's the Big Hoopla Over Genius Hour?
BLC Evaluation
Genius Hour - What's the big hoopla over Genius Hour? Why hand over 20% of precious class time to the students? Find out many reasons why you should be doing passion-based learning in your classroom, and leave with loads of resources on how to begin!
Participants will gain:
-A better understanding of just what Genius Hour IS and is NOT
-Links to comprehensive resources to begin Genius Hour, help struggling students, and projects that have been completed
-Connections to teachers who are already using this type of learning in their classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Joy Kirr

Joy Kirr

7th grade ELA Teacher, Thomas Middle School, Arlington Heights, IL
Joy was first a special education teacher of deaf & hard-of-hearing students, and next became a reading specialist and National Board Certified. Now in her 25th year of teaching, she learns alongside 7th graders. Joy is passionate about students owning their own learning, doesn’t... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

10:20am EDT

Krause - Mindfulness: Beyond the Buzzword: How mindfulness and empathy-driven movements have been re-shaping education
BLC Evaluation
Mindfulness is a trending "hot topic", highlighted in education practices worldwide. Adopted by corporations such as Google and Microsoft, used by Olympic athletes, and seen as a benefit for performance artists and musicians, mindfulness is not a new concept, yet it is generating deep interest, as a recent boost in published scientific research points to great benefits in attention, focus, health, and even happiness.

What classroom doesn't benefit from fully-aware, joyful students who are truly engaged in the process of learning? The benefits of mindfulness in schools are myriad, yet the first steps involve educators digging deeply into the theories and practices of mindfulness, in order to understand it better and feel confident about the strategies being useful and practical.

This interactive, highly entertaining session will give an overview of the history and development of what is now called the "mindfulness movement", and an explanation of findings in the area of cognitive science and learning with regard to mindfulness, compassion, and empathy. A basic introduction to a personal mindfulness practice, plus techniques for practically applying mindfulness in the classroom, will also be a part of this session.
Speakers
avatar for Caitlin Krause

Caitlin Krause

CEO, MindWise
Caitlin Krause is a globally-recognized learning expert, author, and keynote speaker. In her book Mindful by Design and through her organizational consulting, she helps individual leaders and teams leverage mindfulness, storytelling, and design principles to connect more deeply with... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage

10:20am EDT

Lirenman - Self Assessment with the Littles? Absolutely!
BLC Evaluation
Far too often people underestimate the capabilities of our youngest learners. Come learn how a group of keen and curious six, seven, and eight-year-old students are playing an active role in their learning journey. We will explore the benefits and drawbacks of clearly laid out learning intentions, the importance of co-creating success criteria, and the use of strategies which help our young learners successfully self-assess. We will also explore student portfolios as a means to communicate student learning and the important role students, teachers, and parent(s) play. You will leave this session with practical strategies (with and without technology use) that will help the youngest learners play an active role in their education. Remember, you’re never too young to self-assess.
Speakers
avatar for Karen Lirenman

Karen Lirenman

K-3 STEAM Teacher, Surrey School District
Karen is an author and award-winning K-3 STEAM teacher who is transforming education by connecting her students with the world using Twitter, blogs, and video conferencing. She has a  hands-on approach to teaching which includes inquiry, project-based, and maker mindset. Her students... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Infusing the Common Core Across the Curriculum
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Norris/Soloway - It’s About Time: Technological Support for Orchestrating and Leveraging the 1-to-1, Face-to-Face Classroom
BLC Evaluation
While the Great Disrupter of K-12 – online learning – is receiving the lion’s share of attention, the reality is that face-to-face, brick-and-mortar classrooms aren’t going away anytime soon. And, as such, it’s about time that educational technologists provide educators with innovations that go beyond enhancing teacher-led instruction and support teachers in taking real advantage of their 1-to-1 classrooms. Indeed, orchestrating classrooms where instruction moves seamlessly between small, collaborative groups and whole class conversation is education’s next challenge. Curriculum for such orchestration requires, we feel, a more supportive infrastructure than is currently available (e.g., on OER marketplaces, from LMSs). Towards providing just such an infrastructure for digital curricula, in our talk, we will describe the easy-to-learn, easy-to-use (really truly!) Collabrify Roadmap Platform (CRP) which provides teachers with support for the full life-cycle of a digital lesson (create/adapt, distribute, monitor, assess), where those digital lessons support students co-constructing richly-expressive artifacts and support dialogue amongst the groups and the teacher. The CRP, in classroom use around the U.S. is free, device-agnostic, and Google Classroom-friendly. Finally, the CRP can also support online classrooms, finally enabling isolated, online students to benefit from and engage in social, face-to-face classrooms, thereby in effect, merging online and face-to-face classroom instruction.
Speakers
CN

Cathleen Norris

Regents Professor & Chair, Dept. of Learning Technologies, University of North Texas
Dr. Cathleen Norris is the Regents Professor & Interim Chairperson, Department of Learning Technologies, College of Information, University of North Texas. Dr. Norris’ 14 years in K-12 classrooms – and receiving Dallas’ Golden Apple Award – has shaped her university R&D agenda... Read More →
avatar for Elliot Soloway

Elliot Soloway

Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, University of Michigan
Learning at home and learning at school must be seamless - that's what we have learned from COVID. Digital curricula makes it so. The Center for Digital Curricula at the University of Michigan provides K-5, deeply-digital, standards-aligned curricula for K-5  - all four core subjects... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Newbury Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Polansky - Authentricity: Beyond the Curriculum
BLC Evaluation
The benefits of gratitude start with the dopamine system, because feeling grateful activates the brain stem region that produces dopamine.” Alex Korb, PhD

“When threatening conditions do not exist, the Reticular Activating System focuses its attention on stimuli that arouse curiosity. This is the “key to the gate.” The brain seeks input about the new, the unexpected, the colorful, musical, moving, aromatic sensations.” Dr. Judy Willis

The best educators elicit curiosity and innovation in their students through passion, competence, and connection. The day to day demands of curriculum and protocol can often feel overwhelming in a world where a clear mind contributes to our best work. Neuroscientists and psychologists have routinely proven the importance of culture in education. ‘Beyond the Curriculum’ focuses on the importance that school culture plays in our quest to reinforce a growth mindset and will provide attendees with some simple take-aways that result in a culture where staff, students, and families are encouraged to communicate authentically, learn creatively, and contribute passionately. The formula shared is simple with implications that will last a lifetime.

In just over an hour, we will share inspiring stories of success that have resulted from the effective use of peer-modeling, direct-speak, and innovative approaches that reach far beyond curriculum. An approach founded in social-emotional well-being has led to the transformation of students and educators on a multitude of levels. Leave smiling with simple take-aways and active analogies that could change the way you teach and transform the way you think.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Polansky

Aaron Polansky

Administrator, Old Colony RVTHS
As seen on CNN, FoxNews, ABC, NBC, and CBS. From the school that received over 50,000 views of their 2017 snow cancellation announcement (https://youtu.be/up-kjFaXRP4). You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll reflect. Currently the Superintendent-Director of Old Colony Regional Vocational... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Reynolds - U Tick
BLC Evaluation
We are experiencing a dramatic transition on the library landscape – in both public and school libraries. The digital age is rapidly and radically transforming how we live, play, work, and learn – and the traditional library has been upended in the process.  Conversations ensue about the need for staffing and funding an “obsolete” institution, but the attendees of BLC know better. Libraries are not less important in the 21st century – they are more important than ever! They continue to be the free, scaffolded portals (physical & digital) to knowledge and learning – open and accessible to all. A vibrant, democratic society relies on this shining beacon of light in every community.  In a world facing the darkness of ignorance, intolerance, and conflict, we need that light even more brightly.  

Peter and Paul will share their advocacy work what they call Library 2.0, using stories, animated films, and inspirational messages. They describe the library as a mission-critical beachhead for innovations and creativity in our schools and communities.   Peter and Paul will enjoin attendees to work with them to articulate and broadcast the urgent message that the modern library has increased and critical relevance in a rapidly changing world. The keynote concludes with a group brainstorming activity to imagine how we might convey the Library 2.0 message.  Who knows, at BLC 2017, FableVision may unveil an animation or book BLC attendees helped to create!

Speakers
avatar for Paul A. Reynolds

Paul A. Reynolds

CEO, FableVision Learning
Paul is the CEO and Co-Founder of Boston-based FableVision, which creates and distributes original educational media, mobile games and apps designed to move the world to a better place. Paul has helped build the multimillion-dollar firm into an internationally recognized multimedia... Read More →
avatar for Peter H. Reynolds

Peter H. Reynolds

Founder, FableVision Learning
Creativity champion, Peter H. Reynolds, is a NY Times best-selling author/illustrator and founder of FableVision, an award-winning educational multi-media company co-located at the Boston Children’s Museum. Published in over 25 languages, Peter's books The Dot, Ish, Rose's... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Rosenthal-Tolisano - Blogging as Pedagogy
BLC Evaluation
Blogging should not be an add-on, not an isolated project, but should be seen as PEDAGOGY.The strategies, techniques, and approaches that teachers can use to facilitate learning. Blogging is inherently a platform that encourages communication and reflection. We are taking “blogging” beyond a technology platform,and seeing it as a shift directly related to teaching and learning in modern times. It becomes a platform for learning, creating, reflecting and sharing with a global audience. The transparency of sharing one’s successes and failures openly while being a responsible digital citizen embodies risk-taking and, at the same time, opens up and invites global feedback and perspective to develop critical thinkers. Blogging can support the strategies, techniques and approaches to facilitate the learning in your classroom no matter what grade level, age group and subject area. Blogging supports five primary areas: Reading, Writing, Reflecting, Feedback, Sharing.
Speakers
avatar for Silvia Tolisano

Silvia Tolisano

Author & Consultant, AASSA Social Media Coordinator
Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano is a Third Culture Kid (TCK). She was born in Germany, raised in Argentina, lived shortly in Brazil, and is now planted in the United States. Her multicultural upbringing fueled her passion for languages, travel, global awareness, and global competencies... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

10:20am EDT

Salva - Kahoot! Deeper Uses
BLC Evaluation
Do more than review with this popular tool. Come learn how to maximize it's potential for different populations. Teachers are having measurable results on standardized assessments when using the tool in novel ways. Learn about "Blind" kahoots to introduce new content. The session also models how students can create online games to challenge each other and other learners around the world. This is engaging students at the highest levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. No, not just a review tool!
Speakers
avatar for Carol Salva

Carol Salva

Specialist, Spring Branch ISD
HS Teacher, ESL Consultant and the coauthor of #BoostingAchievement. My area of specialization is finding ways innovative ways to level the playing field for under-schooled learners. I enjoy using my background in ELAR 7-12, Bilingual Education and Special Education to bring practical... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Wilkie - #Q2Learn: Students driving their thinking & learning through “Q”uestioning; the essence of an innovative learning environment
BLC Evaluation
The Common Core standards are all about staking a “Claim” and finding “Evidence”. Is that enough? Or do students also need to ask questions, identify problems and share thinking? Students making their own meaning is not a new idea, but the advent of the Internet has reintroduced it as a growing tenet of innovative and thoughtful learning environments. Today our challenge is to determine how to provide learners the time, confidence and mental space to create meaning.
Inspired by Danielson’s Framework for Teaching and the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, this session is specifically designed to consider effective questioning techniques and student-led discussion strategies as vehicles for advancing student learning rather than for
assessing or checking their understanding. Join us as we explore strategies and share resources for developing learning routines:
  • to make students’ questions and thinking more accessible for exploring, discussing, connecting and synthesizing
  • to enhance student-led discussions where all students are engaged in the conversation and thinking
  • to nurture a learning culture of inquirers, thinkers, communicators and risk takers
Speakers
avatar for Sara Wilkie

Sara Wilkie

Head of Learning Design, November Learning
Sara Wilkie is an independent educational consultant who specializes in building the capacity of future-focused learning teams. She strives to foster an understanding of the connections and interplay between technology, pedagogy, and curriculum, and the process changes necessary to... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Zoran Popovic - Further Conversations
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Zoran Popovic

Zoran Popovic

University of Washington, EnLearn
Zoran Popović is a Professor of Computer Science and the Director of the Center for Game Science at the University of Washington, as well as founder of Enlearn. Trained as a computer scientist, his research focuses on creating engaging environments for learning and scientific discovery... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Grand Ballroom A Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:30am EDT

Starling - Our Littlest Innovators
BLC Evaluation
Implementing innovative teaching and learning can seem like a huge task, even more so in the hands of our littlest students. With some planning and preparation, we have been able to successfully implement Social Emotional Learning (or SEL) and Project-based Learning (or PBL) into our kindergarten class using collaborative tools.

In “The Littlest Innovators” session, best practices and lessons will be shared surrounding the use of collaborative tools, such as Google Classroom, Seesaw, and Shadowpuppet, as well as the project topics, and SEL characteristics these tools were used with. The goal is that attendees will walk away with strategies and ideas they can use tomorrow in their classrooms with their own little innovators and truly put student voice and choice into learning.
Speakers
avatar for Allison Starling

Allison Starling

Director of Innovative Learning, St. Gabriel's Catholic School
Allison Starling is the Director of Innovative Learning at St. Gabriel's Catholic school in Austin, TX. Starling received her Bachelor's degree in History with a concentration in Sec.Ed from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Shortly after relocating to Texas due to her husband's... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 10:30am - 10:50am EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Early Childhood
  • Session Level All

11:00am EDT

Robichaud - Makerspaces for any subject
BLC Evaluation
How you can take advantage of the makerspace movement even if you are not a STEM course. The principles of a makerspace can be used in any course without investing tons of money, actual classroom space, and hours of prep.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Wendy Robichaud

Dr. Wendy Robichaud

Instructor, Oxford Hills Technical School
Career & Technical Education, makerspaces, instructional technology, distance education

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session

11:30am EDT

Yates - Implementation Ups and Downs
BLC Evaluation
As a district that has implemented a 1 to 1 conversion for all our students, we have learned a lot of lessons-about what we did right and what we would do differently.
This session will provide a snapshot of our digital journey and give attendees advice about some of the biggest challenges they might face and how to approach them.
Speakers
DY

David Yates

Director of Communications, East Irondequoit Central School District
After spending nearly twenty years in television broadcasting Dave Yates found a home in the education communication field. There he has brought his understanding of the way the media operates to help expand his district's exposure. At the same time he has immersed himself in the... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:30am - 11:50am EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:30am EDT

Paul and Peter Reynolds - Book Signing
Speakers
avatar for Paul A. Reynolds

Paul A. Reynolds

CEO, FableVision Learning
Paul is the CEO and Co-Founder of Boston-based FableVision, which creates and distributes original educational media, mobile games and apps designed to move the world to a better place. Paul has helped build the multimillion-dollar firm into an internationally recognized multimedia... Read More →
avatar for Peter H. Reynolds

Peter H. Reynolds

Founder, FableVision Learning
Creativity champion, Peter H. Reynolds, is a NY Times best-selling author/illustrator and founder of FableVision, an award-winning educational multi-media company co-located at the Boston Children’s Museum. Published in over 25 languages, Peter's books The Dot, Ish, Rose's... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Mezzanine Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

11:45am EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

11:45am EDT

Cassidy - 1,1 Robots Are Fun; 1,2 Coding is Too; 1,2,3 Learn with Me
BLC Evaluation
Robots and coding ARE fun, but that alone is not a good reason to add to your already full day in the elementary classroom. Why would you want to use them? We’ll discuss the why and the what as well as the how of using this new pedagogy in ways that support and extend your curriculum.
You’ll leave with
  • An understanding of how to use coding with young children
  • Ideas for using coding and robots in curricularly appropriate ways
  • A digital list of robots and apps that can be used effectively in your classroom
Speakers
avatar for Kathy Cassidy

Kathy Cassidy

Teacher, Prairie South School Division
Kathy Cassidy is an award-winning Canadian first grade teacher whose passions include literacy, connecting classrooms and using technology in transformative ways. In 2005, she realized she could connect her classroom with the outside world using student blogs, video-conferencing... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

11:45am EDT

Clark/Walmsley - The 5 Essential iLearning Workflows
BLC Evaluation
With so many apps and online tools available, it can be overwhelming for teachers. This session will provide 5 essential workflows and ways to get started using them right away. With these workflows, you will be able to foster a technology rich learning environment, in which students will construct, curate, and create relevant and meaningful content.

The 5 essential workflows are:
Showcasing Learning
Create/Revise/Publish
Tutorial Challenge
Design Strand
Broadcast/Podcast

Examples of each workflow will be shared and teachers will have time to ""tinker"" with apps that support each of the essential workflows. Coaches and administrators could take these workflows back to their schools to support professional learning.
Speakers
avatar for Jancey Clark

Jancey Clark

Education Consultant & Speaker
Jancey Clark (@jancey5) partners with schools and education organizations to envision the ideal learning environment and co-design professional learning to engage and empower educators. An experienced presenter, at both international and virtual conferences, Jancey is passionate about... Read More →
avatar for Sean Walmsley

Sean Walmsley

iLearning Integration Coach, American International School - Riyadh
Sean Walmsley has been developing a learning theory called Spark iLearning. At the foundation of Spark iLearning is helping to inculcate the intrinsic motivation in our students, teachers and ourselves. Subsequently, we need to be mindful of one's individual interests, imaginations... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Contributing to Professional Learning Communities
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Dunbar - Liberating Genius in Action!
BLC Evaluation
What happens when we create a time and space for students to strive audaciously and collaborate with others? Join Tammy Brecht Dunbar, M.Ed., STEM, whose class embraced both Genius Hour and Angela Maiers' Liberating Genius to find their learning, lives and world changed.

Resources:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2016/03/14/how-one-teacher-empowered-students-with-onenote-and-liberating-genius/#sm.0000t7qg5pcszezs10l26rqwz7kmw

https://docs.com/tammy-dunbar/8170/liberating-genius-onenotes

https://docs.com/tammy-dunbar/3662/liberating-genius-sways

What makes genius hour different is the focus on the process of students becoming more engaged in their work. Recognizing genius in our students is more than an act of encouragement or a well-meaning attempt to boost self-esteem; it is critical in our efforts in preparing our students for the global environment that thrives on critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, innovation and effective communication. We must nurture a culture that requires and expects students to demonstrate their genius, and empowers them to share their personal genius with the world.
Speakers
avatar for Tammy Dunbar

Tammy Dunbar

teacher, Manteca Unified School District
Tammy Brecht Dunbar, M.Ed., S.T.E.M. teaches 5th grade in Manteca (CA) Unified, is the 2020 NCCE Closing Keynote and is a 2018-2019 Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellow. She was named 2016 California Woman of the Year, Assembly District 12, won the 2018 ISTE Literacy PLN... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Leighton/Picillo - Tools for the Blended Classroom
BLC Evaluation
This student led session, will focus on four tools that we use in our classrooms to improve communication, creativity, discussion, and feedback. The tools are Todaysmeet, Lucidpress, Verso and Kaizena. Our student will be on hand to share examples and their perspective.
Speakers
avatar for John Leighton

John Leighton

DLI / US History Teacher, Franklin High School
This is my 23rd year teaching at Franklin High School. I divide my time between teaching US History and working with the staff to integrate technology as a Digital Learning Integrationist . I coach Unified Basketball, Girls Basketball, and assist the Girls Lacrosse team.
DP

Dustin Picillo

Teacher, Franklin Public Schools
Dustin Picillo is a Social Studies teacher at Franklin High School Social Studies. He teaches a wide variety of students from co-taught level, Honors level and Franklin Arts Academy.  

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Merrill/Van Ledtje - The Power of the Selfie Center: Moving from a Self-ME to a Self-We
BLC Evaluation

What does the selfie tell us about ourselves -- as we take and retake, create and revise to capture the “just right” picture? How does putting a series of selfies together create a landscape that becomes the learner’s story? How does this story become the teacher’s instructional story? And, finally how do these stories create a community of deep readers, talkers, and thinkers? This presentation focuses on the power of talk and reflection in student lives. The Selfie Center will be introduced as a powerful model and pedagogical tool in promoting students’ positive digital identities. This presentation will offer a new definition of selfie as story, and will highlight the use of video as a “selVie.” Selfie videos will be presented showing students in kindergarten through sixth grades at deep levels of understanding and reflection. Student presenter, Olivia Van Ledtje (aka LivBIt) will share how she has crafts her video selfies around her passions as a learner and uses social media to make connections to teachers and students around the world.
Participants will:
• Consider the ideals of digital citizenship, student voice and the
power of audience in the digital realm
• Learn how implementing a Selfie Center can enrich students’
thinking and create avenues for feedback
• Walk away with simple, effect, and dynamic ways to integrate
video in their classrooms and techniques for encouraging
student talk, thinking, and metacognition.
Speakers
avatar for Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia (aka as LivBit) is a 9-year old who is smart about all things shark and hopes to be a future ichthyologist.  She is an ambassador for the Gills Club, an organization promoting girls in science through inquiry-based experiences meant to grow enthusiasm and activism for sharks... Read More →
avatar for Cynthia S. Merrill

Cynthia S. Merrill

Staff Developer/Consultant/Author of Spark Change
Staff Developer/Consultant

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Mull - Making Thinking Visible with Nearpod
BLC Evaluation
As researched by John Hattie and demonstrated by Eric Mazur, one of the most impactful changes a teacher can make in instruction is to provide students with quality feedback in a timely manner. Nearpod is a tool that allows teachers to do just that! Used across the curriculum to formally assess students through the process of a given lesson, teachers can receive real-time data of students responses on discussion questions, polls, and annotated drawings, allowing teachers to immediately intervene on student misconceptions. During this session, teachers will have the opportunity to take part in a Nearpod session and learn what goes into building these interactive learning lessons.
Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Rosenberg - From Passive to Active: Applying Learner-Centered Principles to Cultivate Self-Directed Environments
BLC Evaluation
In this workshop, students, teachers and administrators from the Rutland Central Supervisory Union will highlight their efforts to transition from traditional teacher-centered institutions to learner-centered environments.

The Learner-Centered Education model focuses on cultivating students as self-directed learners and giving them the tools they need to coordinate and manage their own learning. Increasing the likelihood of student engagement, the model provides more opportunities for students to choose how, where, and when to both access and demonstrate their learning. Using content to leverage transferable skills, it helps learners clarify where they are in their learning, where they’re going, and how to get there.

Presenters will share several key efforts that have been part of this transition to a Learner-Centered paradigm. Students and teachers will explain their “asynchronous classrooms” in which students track their own progress against content proficiencies and drive their own learning through self-pacing and formative and summative assessment. Administrators will explain their organic model of school transformation, differentiating their approach based on teacher and school readiness, interest, and culture.
Speakers
avatar for Adam Rosenberg

Adam Rosenberg

Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Rutland Central Supervisory Union

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level Intermediate

11:45am EDT

Roshan - Data driven: using analytics to inform & personalize instruction
BLC Evaluation
When we hear the word “data” used in education, we too often jump to thinking about standardized tests and scores. But data is information; it provides rich insight into individual and class needs. Empowered with this information, the teacher can customize and personalize the learning experience for each student.

In this session, teachers will learn how to use analytics provided by tools such as EDpuzzle and Pear Deck to amplify learning and give each student a voice in the classroom. In a 1-to-1 environment, calling on students to individually answer questions is not the only way to engage in discussion and foster rich dialogue. What’s more, each student can respond in a format that is most comfortable for them; while some are naturally more vocal, other students thrive when they have a moment to process and type out their thoughts. Technology allows learners to participate equally and fully; in fact, it requires each student to actively participate and respond to each question, form an opinion, and submit an answer. Additionally, these tools allow for students to contribute in an anonymous format, providing a safe space for them to make mistakes and encouraging authentic responses.

Data provided by these tools not only informs the teacher, it also empowers the student. Participants will see examples of how to use these analytics to help students identify what questions they need to ask and where to focus their studying. This makes them efficient and effective learners and helps them gain confidence in their ability to help themselves, thus encouraging them to take ownership over their performance. Finally, participants will learn how these tools can generate reports to help engage students in a process of reflection and revision.

In this session, participants will learn:
• How can teachers use technology to provide each student in the classroom an equal voice?
• How can teachers create a safe space for each student to honestly respond and make mistakes?
• How can teachers engage each student in the room?
• How can teachers efficiently and effectively target class and individual student needs?
• How can teachers use technology to engage students in the process of reflection and revision?
Speakers
avatar for Stacey Roshan

Stacey Roshan

Educator, Author, Speaker, Edtech & Innovative Teaching Consultant
Stacey Roshan is an educator, keynote speaker, TED-Ed talker, consultant, and author of Tech with Heart. She is passionate about discovering and sharing ways to leverage technology to cultivate deeper compassion in the classroom and provide each learner with the optimal platform to... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Rothstein - What’s the Most Powerful Learning Technology? The Question
BLC Evaluation
What is the simplest, most transformative learning technology that is freely available to all? A
question. When students and adults learn how to ask their own questions, they move from
passive recipients of information to curious seekers of knowledge, more skillful problem-solvers
and independent thinkers. Yet it is rare that this essential skill of question formulation is
deliberately taught. Even when questioning is encouraged and valued, it can feel like “pulling
teeth” to get all students asking their own questions. But, it is possible to move quickly and
deliberately into student-centered questioning that effectively nurtures curiosity and
sophisticated thinking. This session will introduce the Question Formulation Technique (QFT),
simple yet powerful strategy to teach students to produce their own questions, improve them, and
strategize on how to use them. The art of asking good questions may be the most important
learning technology we could share with students. Let’s democratize access to that ability with a
simple process that ensures all students learn to ask their own questions.
Learning Objectives 
Learning Objective 1: Unpack how the technology of question asking can be democratized and
taught to effectively spark and sustain students’ engagement and curiosity.
Learning Objective 2: Actively learn the QFT to teach students how to produce, improve, and
strategize on how to use their questions. 
Learning Objective 3: Identify ways the QFT can be immediately implemented and strategize the
next steps for how student questions will be used for deeper learning.
Speakers
avatar for Dan Rothstein

Dan Rothstein

The Right Question Institute
Dan Rothstein is co-author of Make Just One Change: Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions. Dan’s work focuses on honoring the work of educators who are driving a movement to help all students learn to ask better questions. His keynotes and seminars have engaged many audiences... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Stubbs - Cultivating Curiosity: Practical strategies for deeper student engagement
BLC Evaluation
The hands-on workshop will focus on the importance of teacher clarity, feedback and peer instruction. Participants will be supported in using Verso to engage in a range of high-impact provocations, designed to make learning deep and visible.
Teachers will work together to explore research-based strategies capable of shifting the ownership of learning from teacher to student. Phil will align global educational research with examples from schools around the world He will work with participants to examine the importance of developing students as question askers, learning designers and directors of their own learning. 
Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Swanson - 21st Century Problems
BLC Evaluation
Over the past few years a great deal of attention has been given to '21st Century Skills'. However, we often neglect the very problems that demand these new skills. In addition to all of the knowledge and resources that are now readily available, there is an unprecedented opportunity for student to collaborate in working on authentic problems at every age and in every subject area.

This workshop is focused on ‘'authentic problems': what they mean, how to identify and scaffold them for our students, and how to help students be problem finders as well as problem solvers. We will discuss the meaning of authentic, real-world, and relevant, as well as the differences between educational experiences, questions, and problems. We will look at a number of examples from different subject areas and ages and see how authentic takes on different meaning in different contexts.

For the second part of the workshop, we will use design thinking tools to think outside the box and find innovative ways of teaching lessons. We will look at ways to scaffold problems that seem too complex, be a part of global collaborative problem-solving, and reinvent projects and assignments so that they gain new relevance to students.
Speakers
avatar for Paul Swanson

Paul Swanson

UNIS Hanoi, MSHS Tech Coordinator
Paul is a Tech Coordinator at UNIS Hanoi by day, but always a teacher at heart. He is particularly interested in nurturing innovation in school settings, helping teachers feel empowered through technology, and moving education toward a more authentic, student-centric experience.

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Winstone/Worsnup - Developing Digital Portfolios
BLC Evaluation
Digital Portfolios provide students with the opportunity to collect and reflect upon their learning journey. Our students are creating digital portfolios that allow them to receive feedback from parents, peers and teachers. These portfolios combine work completed on both iPads and computers, and store selected information from across the curriculum (photos, video clips, projects, photos of handwritten work) in one online space. We have many years experience working with a variety of tools and we will share how our Grade 3 students use Seesaw to create a seamless digital portfolio experience, with the recording option enabling students to explain their thinking quickly and in more detail. This is the start of a student's ongoing digital portfolio. The basic principles and ideas can be applied when creating digital portfolios using other applications such as Google sites.
Speakers
avatar for Tracey Winstone

Tracey Winstone

Teacher, International School of Amsterdam
Tracey Winstone is a Grade 3 homeroom teacher with 16 years experience of teaching internationally. Originally trained in the UK she is currently working at the International School of Amsterdam teaching the Primary Years Programme.
avatar for Susan Worsnup

Susan Worsnup

Lower School IT Facilitator, International School of Amsterdam
Sue Worsnup is an experienced Technology Facilitator. Over the years she has worked with Pre-K to Grade 5 students. Originally trained in the UK she now supports students and staff at the International School of Amsterdam.

Wednesday July 26, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

12:00pm EDT

Silverman - Out with the old, in with the new: Realizing Your Organization’s Vision Through Change.
BLC Evaluation
Come and gain a framework for 21st century learning and implementation strategies that could apply to any classroom environment. Understand new ways of engaging and teaching to all student learning styles while still meeting the demands of current learning standards. Instructional leaders will gain first-hand experiences around crafting vision and managing change to ensure that every student develops academic and life skills for their future and every teacher is empowered to make this vision a reality.
Speakers
avatar for Miriam Cutler

Miriam Cutler

Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, River Trails School District 26
Dr. Cutler has extensive experience as a teacher and administrator in K-8 education, working with teachers, administrators and support staff to provide positive and successful learning environments for all students. Miriam also enjoys her role as adjunct professor in the College of... Read More →
avatar for Mary Flessas

Mary Flessas

Teacher, River Trails School District 26
avatar for Matt Silverman

Wednesday July 26, 2017 12:00pm - 12:20pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level All

12:30pm EDT

Stearns - Looking At the Mathematical Practices Through the Eyes of A Reading Teacher
BLC Evaluation
The Common Core Standards of Mathematical Practices were written to help students to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. We will connect some of the Mathematical Practices to techniques we have used to help students make sense of text and persevere in understanding during reading class. As we connect our teaching practices in reading and mathematics, we can better help our students make connections in their learning, leading to stronger understandings.
Speakers
avatar for Christine Stearns

Christine Stearns

Educator/consultant, New Boston Central School/Find-Your-Balance Educational Services

Wednesday July 26, 2017 12:30pm - 12:50pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Infusing the Common Core Across the Curriculum
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:00pm EDT

Thompson - Your 'Happening' Classroom-Share with iMovie on iPad
BLC Evaluation
iMovie is simple, easy and quick! Great for teachers and students. Videos can show creativity and collaboration; reenact history; share exciting books; show off activities; and create PSAs, tutorials, projects, assessments, etc. Publish and share across the globe. Start simple and grow. No limit! Optional: Bring an iPad or iPhone with iMovie and a few conference pics and 10 second video clips. (iMovie app is free for most.)
Speakers
avatar for SCETV

SCETV

SCETV
Love to Teach! Love to Laugh! Bachelor’s degree from Furman University and Masters from Wilkes University in Instructional Media. Been in computer support and training for over 25 years. Currently travel across South Carolina showing teachers the exciting free resources SCETV... Read More →

IMG 0076 PNG
Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:00pm - 1:20pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

1:00pm EDT

Joy Kirr - Book Signing
Joy Kirr will sign copies of her new book Shift This!: How to Implement Gradual Changes for MASSIVE Impact in Your Classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Joy Kirr

Joy Kirr

7th grade ELA Teacher, Thomas Middle School, Arlington Heights, IL
Joy was first a special education teacher of deaf & hard-of-hearing students, and next became a reading specialist and National Board Certified. Now in her 25th year of teaching, she learns alongside 7th graders. Joy is passionate about students owning their own learning, doesn’t... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Mezzanine Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

1:10pm EDT

Wilkie - Digging In to the 1st 5 Days…and Beyond!
BLC Evaluation

Taken from our popular Master Class Less (Teaching) Is More (Learning), this session is a perfect and highly practical compliment to Alan & Sara’s #1st5Days session.  Participants will explore a range of concrete, skill and culture-building activities designed to seed (start), scaffold, connect and grow student-owned learning environments and build learner capacity for developing information and web literacy skills, constructing quality searches, making thinking visible, collaborative problem-solving, and more!

Speakers
RM
avatar for Sara Wilkie

Sara Wilkie

Head of Learning Design, November Learning
Sara Wilkie is an independent educational consultant who specializes in building the capacity of future-focused learning teams. She strives to foster an understanding of the connections and interplay between technology, pedagogy, and curriculum, and the process changes necessary to... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Baird - Digital Portfolios: Mindful Practices to Develop Reflection and Oracy Skills
BLC Evaluation
Digital portfolios, like Seesaw, have become popular in the classroom and rightfully so. However, many students treat digital portfolios much like their own personal Youtube channel. How can students see the value in digital portfolios and use it to help themselves learn?

With deliberate instruction, digital portfolios offer students the ability to practice and develop a plethora of skills needed to be engaged citizens of the world. This session will focus on fostering reflection and increasing oral dexterity, which must be deliberately taught and nurtured. By implementing mindful practices that scaffold skills, students will become professionals in creating and curating content.
Speakers
AB
E

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Dailey - Collaboration and student engagement: Defining, leading and delivering change
BLC Evaluation
This workshop will demonstrate one district’s approach to integrating disciplinary literacy alongside approaches to blended and personalized learning and a range of focused cooperative learning structures. Curriculum Director, Jeanie Dailey will demonstrate how, by recognizing the interrelationship between each of these initiatives, Horry County Schools have been able to build a focused professional community of teachers who are now working as one to define, lead and deliver change. Jeannie will use examples from a highly effective Middle School Social Studies initiative to demonstrate how this consolidated approach and a focus on deep academic engagement, is moving learning forward and for every student.
Speakers
JD

Jeanie Dailey

Horry County Schools
Jeanie Dailey is an accomplished educator having taught High and Middle School Social Studies for over 20 years. She has been recognized as District Teacher of the Year and served as a teacher evaluator for 3 years. With 16 years as a Social Studies Teaching and Learning specialist... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Gallagher - Student Data Privacy for the Techie Teacher
BLC Evaluation
Digital devices and tools have clearly become an important part of the teaching and learning experience of almost every teacher and student nationwide. At the same time, stakeholders are concerned about the privacy of students’ data when they are using these tools. While the student data privacy discussion is tackled in think tanks, policy forums, and legal briefs, it is challenging for educators at the classroom and school building level to stay informed so they can apply those policies well in their schools. Will the decisions made at the federal, state, and local levels impact how they can use technology with their students? Can they still confidently use the edtech products that have helped them and their students? This session will make education data policies and regulations understandable at the classroom level. Based on the ten question checklist in the Educator’s Guide to Student Data Privacy, participants will learn strategies that will help them feel more confident about their own edtech choices and about how to talk with teacher colleagues and even students about what data privacy means. Technology can be a powerful learning tool and it not going away. Let’s empower teachers to understand data privacy so they can confidently navigate this growing element of education.
Speakers
avatar for Kerry Gallagher

Kerry Gallagher

Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, St. John's Prep, Danvers, MA
Kerry Gallagher is Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts. She’s also Director of K-12 Education for ConnectSafely.org – internet safety non-profit in Palo Alto, California – a FutureReady Instructional Coach, ASCD Emerging... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Intermediate

1:10pm EDT

Gould - Are 'U' Ready To Lead For A Sustainable Future for Our Children
BLC Evaluation
This presentation explores the use of systems thinking (ST), Theory U (TU), and design thinking (DT) as the skills and tools for leaders, at all levels within a school system, to answer the question: “What leadership skills are needed to meet the needs of the 21st-century and beyond for our children?”

Five key areas of leadership capacity are explored in this presentation:

• Understanding a system as a network of human interactions
• Generative listening as a means for increasing collaboration and
trust within school settings
• Understanding the mechanisms that enhance or block peoples’
capacities to understand change both personally and collectively
within a school
• How visioning and prototyping are key change leadership tools
• How changing our metaphors of school will enhance leadership
throughout a school system

These 5 areas not only will help participants uncover thinking that blocks the emergence of new possibilities within their schools, but also help them to discover ways to build the capacities within others to create and sustain change.

You will leave this presentation with ideas on how to make a positive difference in the lives of students, families, educators, and communities; by emphasizing the generation and transformation of leadership skills through the use of ST, TU, and DT knowledge and practices.
Speakers
avatar for John M. Gould

John M. Gould

Associate Clinical Professor, School of Education | Drexel University|
I have more than 40 years of in-depth experience in the educational field, in which I have specialized on issues surrounding systemic change, leadership development, curriculum innovation and the effective implementation of new technologies in learning environs. My work and research... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

November - Clearing the Confusion between Technology Rich and Innovative Poor: Six Questions
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Rowell - Google Classroom: Community Space That Inspires, Empowers, Engages (And Makes Teachers’ Lives Easier)
BLC Evaluation
"Fast and easy collaboration is what makes Google Classroom an ideal learning environment. Gain knowledge as well as practical strategies to solve the workflow problem while building community and making collaboration a natural way of learning in your Google Classroom.

This session will be a rich source of ideas, resources and information about these collaborative tools.

Attendees will:

-Learn about specific Google Classroom and other Google tools that provide an easy-to-use, integrated way for teachers and students to collaborate
-Explore practical workflow models for sharing and collecting assignments
-Participate in a collaborative activity that can be replicated in classrooms
-Discover how real-time collaboration, powerful sharing controls and seamless compatibility make learning more engaging and a teacher’s life easier

If you are ready to move from content consumption to content creation and community building while developing more self-directed learners, this session is for you."
Speakers
avatar for Lainie Rowell

Lainie Rowell

Educational Consultant, Orange County Department of Education
Lainie Rowell is an educator, author, and international speaker. Her areas of expertise include online/blended learning, designing innovative learning experiences, professional learning, and community building. During her 22 years in education, Lainie has taught elementary, secondary, and higher education. She also serve... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Teuber - Make it Real
BLC Evaluation
Participants in this interactive workshop will select a Teachers Guild (teachersguild.org) design challenge and use maker materials to create a rapid prototype of a promising idea for their classroom or school. Using a feedback process, we’ll improve on the prototypes and come up with a plan that can be implemented back in our schools.

The Teachers Guild is a collaborative online community where educators work together to design solutions to classroom challenges. Participants will choose ideas from the following Teachers Guild challenges:
Cultivating curiosity and problem-solving in our students through active and authentic STEM
Building character in our students from day one
Redesigning the parent-teacher conference experience
Inspiring our students to be makers every day
Reimaging professional learning so that we continue to grow, feel inspired, and have the greatest impact on our students
Speakers
avatar for Donna Teuber

Donna Teuber

Innovation Program Designer, Richland School District Two
Donna Teuber is a respected leader in the field of education with a passion for using design thinking to help schools implement innovative practices that support engaged student learning. She currently serves as the Innovation Program Designer in Richland School District Two, Columbia... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

1:10pm EDT

Wassmann - Learning CAN Be Fun: Passion Projects
BLC Evaluation
I didn’t know that learning could be this much fun” was a statement made by a student who experienced Live! Laugh! Learn! Genius Hour at our school. Grade 4 and 5 have Innovation Time in their schedule. Innovation Time came from combining Library and FabLab class and happens once every six days. Students unleash their passion, build on a concept, wonder about a topic, or come up with a new concept that they develop, create, iterate and present on during two trimesters. Attendees will get concrete examples of what worked, what didn’t work, what stood out and how we used experts and real audiences with our elementary students.
Speakers
avatar for Inge Wassmann

Inge Wassmann

Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning, St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School
As Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning, Inge is a visionary who implements a growth mindset by creating a culture that empowers all learners to explore their passions, interests, and future through play and purpose. She is a team builder who welcomes divergent thinking and... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

1:10pm EDT

Watrous - Education Innovation Alliance Developing 21st Century Leaders - Learn, Lead, and Innovate to become a 21stCentury District
BLC Evaluation
Education Innovation Alliance Developing 21st Century Leaders -  Learn, Lead, and Innovate to become a 21stCentury District
School districts leaders are expected to manage complex change initiatives such as ESSA, Local Control and State Standards which today require a comprehensive technology infrastructure to support the digital teaching and learning transformation. These system changes demand and calls for a highly skillful superintendent and cabinet to understand all the complex technology solutions they are expected to implement. There are stories of great success initiatives yet we often hear of some significant missteps that are very costly both financially and politically. This professional development program and partnership between CALSA, ACSA, Capitol Advisors, Intel Education, PDLN, and Cisco Systems Inc, will buildinnovative leadership capacity by empowering the Chief Innovation Officer to drive the digital transformation in public education.  
Join Charles Kanavel CEO of the Kanavel Group and Cisco Systems Executive Tim Watrous as we introduce a program which will empower superintendent and cabinet members by developing their leadership and technical skill-sets. The certification will help leaders as they drive district-wide technology initiatives impacting student performance and district goals.
Speakers
CK
TW

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Ziemke - The Evolution of Literacy in a Digital Age: Read the World NOW
BLC Evaluation
With the influx of mobile devices, multimedia websites, e-books, interactive graphics, and social media, there's no question that literacy is changing. But are we adjusting our pedagogy to adopt and adapt literacy instruction to meet the needs of today’s learner?

This workshop will explore the latest research and trends in digital literacy and investigate new modalities that require students to read beyond the text to comprehend new information. Holding on to what we know about best practice instruction, we’ll rethink reading with images, video, sketchnotes, graphics, AR and VR. Together, we’ll craft lessons that explicitly teach students to analyze features they may encounter as they read the world. Attendees will leave with a set of digital artifacts to share with colleagues that craft a vision for literacy today.
Speakers
avatar for Kristin Ziemke

Kristin Ziemke

Keynote and Featured Speaker
Keynote and Featured Speaker

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:30pm EDT

Jones-Pisano - 10 Lifesavers in 20 Minutes! Classroom Management Strategies that Work!
BLC Evaluation
Find more time to teach by reducing classroom disruptions for low-level infractions by up to 70%! These practical, proven classroom management concepts and strategies complement any behavior management system in effect in your school.
Speakers
avatar for Kathryn Jones-Pisano

Kathryn Jones-Pisano

Educational Advocate/Trainer, The Thriving Classroom
Education= Opportunity.” has been  Ms Jones-Pisano’s professional mantra for over three decades in education and social work. Ms. Pisano has earned a Masters in Elementary Education from SUNY- New Paltz and a Masters of Social Work from New York University. As well, she holds... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:30pm - 1:50pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

1:30pm EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Wednesday July 26, 2017 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

2:00pm EDT

Pierides - Creating a Joyful School
BLC Evaluation
There is a nice feeling when you walk into this school."  This is a comment I hear over and over when visitors walk through the doors of my school.  This "feeling" is not random.  It has been building over my 11 years as principal of Hamilton School.  The steps I've taken to create a joyful school have been conscious efforts to balance out the mandates, test pressure, anxiety, that are parts of today's schools.  It is an attempt to even out the scale of academics and climate.  The presenter will share concrete examples of joy-building activities that bring students together and create a happy school environment in which students thrive.  Studies have revealed that school climate is something educators should prioritize.  This workshop will provide administrators with easy ways to start this important work.    
Speakers
avatar for Irene Pierides

Irene Pierides

Elementary Principal, Hamilton School, Glen Rock
Educator for 30+ years in NYC and NJ - Child advocate, lifelong learner, literacy specialist, mother, friend.

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:00pm - 2:20pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session

2:30pm EDT

T.A.Edison Students - Ship in a Box
The T.A. Edison students will demonstrate the boxes they create for students in other countries. 
Speakers
avatar for T.A. Edison Students

T.A. Edison Students

Students, Thomas A. Edison CTE High School
Sukhraj Swagmaster Sandhu, Ashbel Benjamin, Javier Chand, Zafar Seenauth Swagmaster and Ash recently graduated from Thomas A Edison CTE High School and were members of Model UN 4.0.    Javier and Zafar are seniors at Edison and will be running for the dais of Model UN 5.0 this... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:30pm - 2:50pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session

2:30pm EDT

Alan November - Book Signing
Join Alan November for a chat while he signs his best-selling books "Who Owns the Learning" and others!
Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Mezzanine Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

2:35pm EDT

Brennan - Mentoring Passion
BLC Evaluation
Passion inspires, it connects, and it empowers learners. This session will focus on how building choice, connections, and mentors into inquiry-based writing assignments can foster student reflection and ownership of learning. As elementary students engaged in passion-based inquiry projects, they connected with high school students completing a similar research project, forging a mentorship connection. Students collaborated to share their research and reflections. In addition to the upper level students mentoring their younger partners, the high school students sought mentor relationships with experts in their field of inquiry, passing that knowledge on to their elementary partners. Students learned with and from one another. Mentors matter.


Participants in this session will have an opportunity to see how collaborative tech tools helped both elementary and high school students share their research with real audiences beyond the walls of their classrooms. Building in opportunities for students to discover their own mentors and models for writing, connect with experts outside of the classroom, and make choices on how to best share their discoveries empowers students to engage in their written work with a more critical and reflective focus. When students have both purpose and audience for their writing endeavors, magic happens!
Speakers
avatar for Christy Brennan

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Clavello - Leading with Intent and Intuition…Even When You Are not in Charge
BLC Evaluation
Everyone is a leader by title or by choice, or has the potential to become one.
In order to transform traditional classrooms into modern learning environments, highly effective leaders must not only lead by example; they must also tap into their emotional intelligence (EQ), which is a better predictor of success than IQ and experience.
Unlike IQ, EQ can be improved and strengthened over time.

People who consciously choose to inspire and influence others -whether they are
the boss or not- are equipped with a unique skillset, mindset and toolset. They show great kindness, sincerity, affection, and empathy, thus bringing out the best in others. By being more in tune with themselves and more aware of what is happening around them,
they have the ability to understand and share others' experiences and emotions, and therefore connect at a deeper level.
This is especially important when addressing myths and misconceptions about the value of digital learning as well as when dealing with staff who is resistant to change or show skepticism.

Participants in this session will learn how nurturing their inner strengths to
effectively manage their behavior and interactions with others results in better
leadership.
Speakers
avatar for Suzanna Clavello

Suzanna Clavello

Coordinator, Digital Age Learning, Education Service Center, Region 20
I feel very honored to be back at BLC for the 4th year in a row and contribute to this growing global learning community! With 28 years of experience in public education -13 of which in an administrative position- plus 3 years of professional coaching and Energy Leadership, I... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Cummings/Lane - The Steam Engines Collaborative: How one school district created a mentoring community for the students that crosses all grade levels.
BLC Evaluation
The Steam Engines Collaborative is like a Teachers Without Borders program in the Pelham School District. In 2015-2016 I started a program in the elementary school called Science Buddies. This became a popular way for upper level students to mentor the younger grades in science education. After successfully teaching inquiry lessons to my 5th grade students, I allowed them to design their own lessons and ""take them on the road,"" or across the school into 1st-3rd grade classrooms. This was a popular way for the teachers of younger students, so busy teaching reading and math lessons, to have help teaching science. This program took off, and when the Superintendent asked me, ""What next?"" I thought of expanding it, not only to all subject areas, but to all three schools in the district. Now we have the Steam Engines Collaborative, which currently has 28 teachers participating. The 4th and 5th grade students in the elementary school mentor the 1st-3rd graders. The middle school students mentor the upper elementary students, and the high school students mentor the middle schoolers. The mentor/mentee classes are paired up and then the teachers plan topics and schedules to meet both of their needs. The mentoring students plan the lessons based on the curriculum requirements of the mentee class. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math are woven through the lessons. This program has taken off due to the amazing support of the Superintendent and Administrators in the Pelham School District, in which we are all encouraged to take risks and creatively teach in this exciting new world of innovation.
Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Cummings

Rebecca Cummings

STEAM Teacher, Pelham Elementary School
ML

Matt Lane

8th grade science teacher, Pelham School District

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Contributing to Professional Learning Communities
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Eist - Student-run Virtual Tutoring Program
BLC Evaluation
In our presentation, we will feature: (1) the history, objectives, and key values of virtual tutoring at Bullis School, (2) the student-run nature and coordination of our organization, (3) showcase of screencasts on Bullis Student Tutor’s online channel, (4) virtual services offered including teacher-requested videos, and (5) introduction to resources for screencast making.


Our interactive presentation intends to show virtual tutoring as a promising educational activity in the age of Internet as well as a valuable student leadership opportunity. A participant will learn how to create an educational screencast in a workshop setting and share experiences about using student-created videos. Attendees are expected to learn about the role of virtual tutoring in a K-12 school environment; the popularity of this program at Bullis School and world-wide; and how we use innovative, educational technology to inspire collective thinking. This discussion will be an exciting, rewarding opportunity for presenters and attendees to communicate about virtual tutoring.

Bullis School’s student tutoring program features a successful virtual tutoring initiative. Virtual tutoring permits the creation of easy-to-make educational videos by students via online platforms. Our student-led presentation will offer time for attendees to directly interact with our experienced virtual tutors about the process of creating content and expanding a teacher’s tool kit in the age of Internet. With a rich history of three years in service, our program continues to achieve many milestones: 30,000+ views and viewed in 160+ countries.

Our presentation is unique in the following aspects: (1) it is a student-run, interactive discussion with direct audience participation, (2) it showcases the real experience of managing a virtual tutoring program, and (3) it includes a workshop session on the creation of a screencast. Most importantly, our presentation reveals the efficacious use of technology to tap into your student’s resourcefulness, creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Speakers
JE

Jason Eist

Coordinator of Learning Support Services, Bullis School
Jason Eist M.S. Education, has been an special educator for 20 years.  As past Director of the Memory Plus Clinic he has first-hand experience with the impact of technology in improving student success. As the Bullis School Coordinator of Learnring Support Services and Student Tutor... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Everlove - Empowered Personalized Learning for ELA K-5
BLC Evaluation
While it is an amazingly wonderful goal, personalized learning can be very difficult to manage.  Educators deserve easy to use tools to interpret the meaning of data into personalized learning plans.  What if you could provide your students with highly visual and engaging worlds that provide student choice and cover the curriculum?  In Voyager’s Velocity program, every teacher is provided with an accurate map of each student’s path that makes the goal of personalized learning easy to manage.  Questions to be discussed include: How can we translate data into actionable response to support every learner’s unique style?  How do we help teachers learn to understand patterns of student data for professional reflection?
Speakers
avatar for Sandi Everlove

Sandi Everlove

VP of Instruction, EnLearn
A passionate advocate for children, Sandi Everlove brings on the ground experience to her work in education. She was an award-winning high school chemistry teacher with Seattle Public Schools and received the Washington State Golden Apple Award in 1998. Through a U.S. Department of... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

2:35pm EDT

Gutierrez - Collaborating on Designing Inclusive Media
BLC Evaluation
As learners, we have access to many digital resources across devices, domains, and programs. But who is being left behind? Many diversity and inclusion initiatives do not address the participation of students with disabilities from the start, releasing media that is inaccessible - whether it's complex text, an uncaptioned video, or an unidentified image. This could potentially limit participation and engagement.

There are solutions to this issue; one is designing with the lens of universal design. This session will be a hands-on, collaborative workshop that invites participants to work in groups to make short video projects that are accessible from the start. The videos will focus on the theme of Empathy. Strategies will be shared that draw from the Representation principle of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Participants will be invited to share their projects on a crowdsourced document like Padlet. Creations will be made on personal devices with a chosen app like Adobe Spark, Explain Everything, or Screencastify.
Speakers
avatar for Rhianon Gutierrez

Rhianon Gutierrez

Digital Learning Specialist, Boston Public Schools
Rhianon E. Gutierrez's varied background includes instructional design, media production, and disability advocacy. As a Digital Learning Specialist in the Boston Public Schools, she builds district-wide partnerships around inclusive uses of technology and leads and supports blended... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

2:35pm EDT

Hale - Upgrade Your Curriculum with Glocal Perspectives
BLC Evaluation
Educators are always on the lookout for methods to upgrade curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices so their students experience meaningful and purposeful units of study. Janet Hale, author of: Upgrade Your Curriculum - Practical Ways to Transform Units and Engage Students (ASCD), will guide you through using a GLOCAL lens (students take action locally that has a positive impact globally) to upgrade your units. During this session you will apply the Transformational Matrix and three lenses (Entry Points, 21st Century Clarifications, and Technology Authenticity) to aid your upgrading process, with a strong emphasis on adding glocal perspectives to your students' learning.
Speakers
JH

Janet Hale

Curriculum Decisions
Janet Hale is an educational consultant who is passionate about supporting educators in making curriculum decisions that ensure, enhance, and enrich learning and teaching experiences.  Janet works with schools, districts, higher-ed programs, and educational organizations in the... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Kuropatwa - Providing “Permission To Wonder”: Inquiry as thinking and learning tools
BLC Evaluation
In a world where knowledge is more a verb than a noun how do we foster deep learning in our students? Good questions cause thinking. Unfortunately, many of the questions regularly asked in classrooms focus on knowledge as a noun. This presentation will explore inquiry as a pedagogical stance and the effective use of thinking and learning tools in the classroom. We will work together to model teaching practices that lead to students co-constructing a networked (real world) rather than hierarchical (artificial) understanding of their world regardless of grade level or discipline.
Participants will leave this workshop with a toolkit of research based questioning and thinking strategies they can begin using with their students tomorrow.
Speakers
avatar for Darren Kuropatwa

Darren Kuropatwa

Director of Learning, Hanover School Division,
Darren Kuropatwa is the Director of Learning for the Hanover School Division in Manitoba, Canada. His unique skill set – an in-depth knowledge of pedagogy, leading edge technology skills and boundless creativity – make him a strong change agent in 21st century education. His relaxed... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Shaver-Hood - Global Education: Connecting Classroom Across Cultures
BLC Evaluation
Wareham Public Schools (WPS) has developed a vibrant Global Education program that encompasses active sister school partnerships in nine countries across five continents. The program is in its fifteenth year and is a district priority, whose ideals and objectives are embedded into the culture, climate and curriculum in each school, and is a high community priority as well.

In an effort to reduce global disparities, WPS Global Ambassadors gather weekly to discuss issues around health, education and environment. Students SKYPE regularly with international peers to discuss ways that youth can get involved with solving world issues and brainstorm possible solutions for such crises as: universal access to clean water, mosquito-borne illnesses, lack of technology in rural schools, and global warming.

The WPS Global Education program has become a model for myriad other school districts. In this session, presenters will lead participants through engaging activities that will take them through the process of creating a Global Education program~ from classroom activities that foster global connectedness, to student exchange programs, to action steps for establishing sister schools.
Speakers
avatar for Maureen Manning

Maureen Manning

Wareham Public Schools
Maureen Manning, M.Ed, CAGS, is a dynamic international presenter and teacher trainer for the topics of Global Education, Family & Community Engagement and Movement and Learning. Manning is the Director of Communications, Global Education and Family and Community Engagement in Wareham... Read More →
avatar for Kimberly Shaver-Hood

Kimberly Shaver-Hood

Superintendent of Schools, Wareham Public Schools
Kimberly B. Shaver-Hood, Ed.D. is presently the Superintendent of Schools in Wareham, MA.  Dr. Shaver-Hood holds degrees in Educational Leadership, School Counseling, and Secondary Education.  Dr. Shaver-Hood has taught at the secondary level in Indiana as well as working as a School... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Silk - Bits 'n Pieces
BLC Evaluation
Year 8 students at International Grammar School in Sydney STEAMed up their music program using littleBits® magnetic electronic circuits. The students (and their teachers) created experimental electronic music compositions using littleBits Korg® Synth Kits, mixed in a range of sound editing software. Within this innovative learning and teaching program, we investigated the science and mathematics of sound, the history and significance of electronic music, and the idea of making and mixing sound that relates to explorations of individual identity. The student compositions are mysteriously compelling, especially when visualised via a collaborative science demonstration using sand from the IGS sand-pit! Here is a taste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB8ULrw-UKc. This is a truly collaborative STEAM project with much potential for global iterations.
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Silk

Melissa Silk

STEAM Ed Researcher, University of Technology Sydney
Melissa Silk is a STEAM educator from Sydney Australia. Having forged many learning and teaching partnerships between schools, museums, industry professionals and academics, she can be found working in a range of STEM to STEAM research and practice environments. Melissa works extensively... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Middle Grades
  • Session Level Intermediate

2:35pm EDT

Zimmerman - Student Designers
BLC Evaluation
Students exceed all expectations and put in hours beyond normal requirements when they are allowed to design the way they produce and display new knowledge and understanding. We have the opportunity to help students develop skills that intersect with their passion and talents. You'll hear about personal impact from students in 2nd grade through high school, as well as parent perspective. Free publication, assessment, and collaboration tools are woven into this session for you to try with your students no matter what level or subject you teach. Give your students confidence to publish their work for a global audience. https://doc.co/4W8e9A  

Student Designersdoc.co - Student Designers, published by Michelle Zimmerman, Ph.D. on Docs.com.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Michelle Zimmerman

Dr. Michelle Zimmerman

Researcher / Educator, Concordia University Wisconsin/ Renton Prep
Blended learning models and experiential learning can enhance human connection, creativity and innovation supported by effective digital tool use.

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:45pm EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Wednesday July 26, 2017 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

4:00pm EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

4:00pm EDT

Asavavatana - Yes They CAN! Code, Create, and Make in Early Childhood!
BLC Evaluation
The words ‘coding’, ‘robotics’, or ‘engineering’ can sound very daunting to an early childhood educator, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether your classroom is wired for technology, or your students have never seen a device, things like coding and design can easily become an integral part of learning in early childhood education.
This session covers specific ways that you can introduce the basics of computational thinking (thinking like a robot!) to the youngest members of the school community, as well as ideas for integrating coding with core curricular areas such as literacy, math and science. It will further explore how the Engineering Design Process can complement coding and briefly look at 3D printing design projects that can work with young children. With these fundamentals, teachers can ensure that their classroom mirrors how we think, learn, and play in the 21st century.


Participants will:
-Learn ways to teach coding through both ""unplugged” activities and through the incorporation of devices.
-Walk away with resources and ideas for integrating technology with the core curriculum (Reading, Writing, Math or even Science)
-Look at some 3D printing design projects that work in early childhood
Have a chance to try out activities and tools
Speakers
avatar for Pana Asavavatana

Pana Asavavatana

PreK-1 Technology and Design Coach, Taipei American School
Pana is the KA-2 Technology and Design Coach at Taipei American School and an Apple Distinguished Educator. Prior to this she taught in early childhood classrooms for seven years. She has studied, lived and worked on three continents in eight different cities. Pana shares her own... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Early Childhood
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Baird - Nurturing Self-directed Professional Development
BLC Evaluation
Changing instructional practice and philosophy is a challenging feat. Often studies look at self-efficacy and professional development as important factors in creating change. However, self-directed professional development is often not discussed.

What is self-directed PD? Why should we help teachers develop self-directed PD mindsets, skills, and habits? And, how do we do so?

This session will discuss these questions and provide scaffolding methods to develop self-directed PD practices.
Speakers
AB
E

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

4:00pm EDT

Cassidy - Connected From the Start
BLC Evaluation
The recent explosion of social media and the connections that media allows have the ability to revolutionize classroom learning. Even young students can be global learners and connect with people and classrooms outside of their building, city or country. We’ll discuss why you would want to do this, curriculum connections and the practicalities of how to make it work in YOUR classroom. You’ll leave with
• A list of tools that help young children to connect
• Ideas for using connections to enrich your curriculum
• Suggestions for choosing effective tools
• An online handout with the material from the presentation
Speakers
avatar for Kathy Cassidy

Kathy Cassidy

Teacher, Prairie South School Division
Kathy Cassidy is an award-winning Canadian first grade teacher whose passions include literacy, connecting classrooms and using technology in transformative ways. In 2005, she realized she could connect her classroom with the outside world using student blogs, video-conferencing... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

4:00pm EDT

Cooper - Serious Play: Humor as an Assessment Tool
BLC Evaluation
Participants will become familiar with the philosophical, psychological and """"common sense"""" definitions of humor and comedy. They will also analyze and apply our """"competing frames of reference"""" model of humor to their own classroom settings so STUDENTS can analyze content in a humorous way at high cognitive levels. Participants will create artifacts/products that demonstrate their understanding of our comedy/humor model by applying it to their classroom content (ie. Meme, He said-She heard, I do-They think). We will also share our detailed rubric for this approach to assessment with participants.

It is highly recommended that participants bring mobile or computing devices.
Speakers
avatar for Charles Cooper

Charles Cooper

Digital Learning Consultant, ESC Region 11

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

McCurdy - The Creative Learning Exchange: Empowering students to educate students
BLC Evaluation
Learning is about asking students, “Why do we need to know this? and “what will they do with knowledge?”. The design of learning in the classroom is shifting from delivery of content to real-world application of knowledge being taught in the classroom. We want students to use curiosity and imagination in combination with foundational knowledge building to then innovate and create with that knowledge.
The Creative Learning Exchange is a site designed to share their innovation and creativity. It allows students to share their understandings, teach other students and see what questions students are asking and to build upon each other’s understandings. Student learning should be powerful experiences used to improve the understandings of other students and to continuously push knowledge forward. The Creative Learning Exchange uses technology to provide students global access to student learning and provides an opportunity to leave legacies of their own learning to be used to further understanding.
Speakers
FM

Francois McCurdy

Innovative Instructional Strategist, American international School Riyadh
Francois McCurdy is currently a grade 6 Math and Science teacher and Innovative Instructional Strategist at the American International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is Canadian trained as a teacher and holds a Masters degree in International Counselling. He also views himself... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Silverman - Promoting Student Growth Through Inquiry, Authentic Learning and Reflection
BLC Evaluation
Participants will gain direct insight and strategies into the following pedagogical and best practice instructional frameworks:
1) How to promote inquiry and creativity in and out of the classroom.
2) How to take student inquiry and passion into a Genius Hour structure.
3) How to start and manage a personalized Genius Hour project for every student.
4) How to use design thinking practices to reflect and improve on learning and student growth.
Speakers
avatar for Miriam Cutler

Miriam Cutler

Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, River Trails School District 26
Dr. Cutler has extensive experience as a teacher and administrator in K-8 education, working with teachers, administrators and support staff to provide positive and successful learning environments for all students. Miriam also enjoys her role as adjunct professor in the College of... Read More →
avatar for Mary Flessas

Mary Flessas

Teacher, River Trails School District 26
avatar for Matt Silverman

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

4:00pm EDT

Swanson - Digital Wisdom
BLC Evaluation
Amidst all of the changes that have been brought by new technologies, many people are struggling to find balance, to preserve strategies that continue to be valuable, and also to leverage the new tools available.

This workshop will examine the latest research on tech practices, will take a hard look at the implications we can draw from that research, and will provide participants with practical strategies for leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning in their own classroom or school.
Speakers
avatar for Paul Swanson

Paul Swanson

UNIS Hanoi, MSHS Tech Coordinator
Paul is a Tech Coordinator at UNIS Hanoi by day, but always a teacher at heart. He is particularly interested in nurturing innovation in school settings, helping teachers feel empowered through technology, and moving education toward a more authentic, student-centric experience.

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Taylor - Developing Strategic and Critical Thinking Skills via Clash of Clans
BLC Evaluation
Clash of Clans is one of the world’s most popular strategic action games designed to pit players against artificial intelligence characters as well as real world opponents. Anyone can play for free but players can also pay for immediate upgrades (with real world cash) for troop training and base building. Whilst it is not mandatory, players are encouraged to buy in-game gems to effectively compete. It is a lesser-known fact that players can equally do so without having to pay for anything, but to do so requires thinking prior to clicking, analysis subject to experimentation. At Bangkok Patana School students take part in this extremely popular extra-curricular-activity in which the following areas are explored:

THINKING WITHOUT DIGITAL
LEARNING WITH DIGITAL
STRATEGIC COLLABORATION
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
COMPETING WHILST SHARING

In this session Brian will guide you through the journey of dovetailing the learning into a popular gaming ecosystem; engaging the students in their world. Time permitting we will set up live clans to invoke analysis and discussion of diverse strategies and future plans, combining metrics and ideas with actual game-play review of past events. Regardless of your gaming experience, you'll be able to clearly see how this platform can help develop valuable transferable strategic and critical thinking skills.
Speakers
avatar for Brian Taylor

Brian Taylor

Assistant Principal, Cross Campus Curriculum Technology Integration, Bangkok Patana School
A passionate leader of technology-related initiatives that have a quantitative positive impact on pedagogy and andragogy of the whole community. He's presented to audiences all over the World on Digital Citizenship and Critical Thinking, including EARCOS and BETT UK. His narrative... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Wassmann - Mindfulness: For Our Staff or Students?
BLC Evaluation
New initiatives! YES! We are so excited, but is our faculty? We strive for our students to be mindful, compassionate, and innovative thinkers, but do we do the same for our staff? We need to practice what we preach. Everyone knows that in order to move forward, faculty needs to feel supported and PD is the answer. Professional Development, Professional Development, Professional Development!!! Learn how one school tackles PD, new initiatives, and buy-in.
Speakers
avatar for Inge Wassmann

Inge Wassmann

Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning, St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School
As Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning, Inge is a visionary who implements a growth mindset by creating a culture that empowers all learners to explore their passions, interests, and future through play and purpose. She is a team builder who welcomes divergent thinking and... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Intermediate

5:30pm EDT

Meet in the Lobby to walk to FableVision
Join Marcy and Lelia to walk through lovely Boston to the FableVision Studios!
Wear comfortable shoes - it is a little over a mile to walk.
Speakers
avatar for Marcy Reed

Marcy Reed

Co-Director, BLC16, November Learning
Marcy joined the BLC Staff during the early years of Building Learning Communities, and has been an active participant at BLC each summer since BLC's debut at Roger Williams College!Marcy is an educator with years of experience at the secondary level where she has taught subjects... Read More →

Wednesday July 26, 2017 5:30pm - 5:35pm EDT
Main Lobby Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

6:00pm EDT

FableVision Reception
Explore the creative spaces of the FableVision Studios. Meet authors and creators Paul and Peter Reynolds, and enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the Boston Tea Party museum. BLC attendees can walk with BLC Staff ( a little over a mile - weather permitting - wear comfortable shoes) or take public transportation. This is a no-miss!

See the attached walking directions!
Speakers
avatar for Paul A. Reynolds

Paul A. Reynolds

CEO, FableVision Learning
Paul is the CEO and Co-Founder of Boston-based FableVision, which creates and distributes original educational media, mobile games and apps designed to move the world to a better place. Paul has helped build the multimillion-dollar firm into an internationally recognized multimedia... Read More →
avatar for Peter H. Reynolds

Peter H. Reynolds

Founder, FableVision Learning
Creativity champion, Peter H. Reynolds, is a NY Times best-selling author/illustrator and founder of FableVision, an award-winning educational multi-media company co-located at the Boston Children’s Museum. Published in over 25 languages, Peter's books The Dot, Ish, Rose's... Read More →


Directions to Fablevision from Hotel pdf
Wednesday July 26, 2017 6:00pm - 7:30pm EDT
FableVision Studios 308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
  BLC Event
 
Thursday, July 27
 

7:00am EDT

BLC Information Center
Thursday July 27, 2017 7:00am - 5:30pm EDT
Georgian Coat Room Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

7:30am EDT

Continental Breakfast
Thursday July 27, 2017 7:30am - 9:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom B Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

8:30am EDT

Thursday Keynotes
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Christy LaPaglia

Christy LaPaglia

Autism Awareness Educator, Mentor Public Schools
Christy LaPaglia has been working in the field of special education as a teacher, consultant and an autism awareness educator for over 20 years.  Christy began her career by being hired to be the teacher in the first classroom in a public school in Northeast Ohio designed specifically... Read More →
avatar for Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia (aka as LivBit) is a 9-year old who is smart about all things shark and hopes to be a future ichthyologist.  She is an ambassador for the Gills Club, an organization promoting girls in science through inquiry-based experiences meant to grow enthusiasm and activism for sharks... Read More →
avatar for David Malan
avatar for Eric Williams

Eric Williams

Superintendent, LCPS
Superintendent of LCPS

Thursday July 27, 2017 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom A Boston Park Plaza
  Keynote

10:20am EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:20am EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

10:20am EDT

Brennan - Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You Need?: Design Thinking and PK-5 ELA
BLC Evaluation
How might we help the pigeon drive the bus? How might we create an even stronger house for the three little pigs? Let’s look at how we can apply principles of design and engineering to Language Arts. If we approach design thinking as a mindset and pedagogical method, we can discover a variety of empathy-fueled problem solving opportunities within some of our youngest students’ favorite characters.
Speakers
avatar for Christy Brennan

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Clavello - Practical Things You Can Do to Lead by Example
BLC Evaluation
As we move deeper into the digital age, schools are increasingly more concerned about equipping students with 21st century skills, yet in many cases the school culture does not support modern education. While some school leaders have fully embraced technology, many still find it intimidating, overwhelming, or simply fluff. Reluctant leaders limit technology use to basic routine tasks and have no clear understanding of how to harness its power or how it impacts student learning. In other words, they don’t know what they don’t know.

To reach a transformation of traditional classrooms into modern learning environments, leadership is the #1 priority. Requiring teachers to attend professional development, collaborate, and take risks does not ensure capacity building or sustainability over time unless leaders facilitate and model the behavior they expect in others.

In this session we will discuss practical, effective strategies that technology-leading school administrators can use to model, inspire, influence, and encourage innovation, and ensure buy-in.
Speakers
avatar for Suzanna Clavello

Suzanna Clavello

Coordinator, Digital Age Learning, Education Service Center, Region 20
I feel very honored to be back at BLC for the 4th year in a row and contribute to this growing global learning community! With 28 years of experience in public education -13 of which in an administrative position- plus 3 years of professional coaching and Energy Leadership, I... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Cummings - Science Buddies: How 5th grade students became inquiry experts and spread the joy of being a scientist to lower elementary students in Pelham, NH.
BLC Evaluation
I started this program when I became concerned that teachers in the lower elementary grades were not able to find time to teach science. Infused throughout the NGSS standards are skills that involve DOING science: wondering, observing, collecting data, making sense of your observations. Younger students are natural scientists, and by the time they arrive in 5th grade, many of them have lost that sense of natural curiosity. It is my belief that educators need to provide a venue for these scientific skills to flourish in the lower grades, not lie dormant until the students arrive in biology or chemistry classes in the upper grades. The Science Buddies program took off, and has now morphed into the Steam Engines Collaborative in our district, where teachers from all grades and subjects provide mentoring opportunities for the students to collaborate. Watching students of all abilities, from special education to enrichment, take on the role of teacher is a wonderful and progressive view on the direction that education is going in where there are no borders and personalized learning is the goal for every student.
Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Cummings

Rebecca Cummings

STEAM Teacher, Pelham Elementary School

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Gorman - Powerful and Effective Technology Integration: The importance of Going Beyond SAMR
BLC Evaluation
This session will not only introduce and reinforce ideas of SAMR and T-PAK but will show educators how to bring about rigor aligning SAMR to both Blooms and Web’s DOK. Understand that being on top of SAMR might still be a way from deeper learning using technology. Discover opportunities to use technology to amplify 21st century learning while putting students, not the device in the center. Michael has traveled the country providing technology integration, consultation, and program assessment schools and districts. His first-hand experience at implementing a one to one program will be valuable as you listen and collaborate with others Best of all walkaway with resources that will help you take your school and students beyond SAMR and toward powerful technology integration supporting standards and skills.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Gorman

Michael Gorman

November Learning Consultant, November Learning
Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He oversees a one to one laptop programs and digital professional... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

10:20am EDT

Gutierrez - Technology and Special Education: A Shared Vision
BLC Evaluation
Professional learning should be authentic and ongoing and build capacity in teachers as learners and leaders. District departments should also work together to provide and foster these connections. The technology department in Boston Public Schools is engaging in more multidisciplinary, inclusive and personalized ways of delivering professional learning. We will showcase several examples of how the technology department and special education department came together to organize professional learning for teachers. Examples that will be showcased are: (1) an Edcamp style meetup for inclusion teachers, (2) a technology expo for related service providers (OTs, PTs, ATPs, and SLPs), and (3) ongoing, school-embedded support around inclusive learning. The foundation of our work is Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and we are actively, delightfully seeking these opportunities to connect and collaborate with each other.

This session will share practical strategies with attendees and showcase examples of the power and necessity of this collaboration. Attendees will have the opportunity to share and brainstorm ways in which they too can engage in this type of collaboration.
Speakers
avatar for Rhianon Gutierrez

Rhianon Gutierrez

Digital Learning Specialist, Boston Public Schools
Rhianon E. Gutierrez's varied background includes instructional design, media production, and disability advocacy. As a Digital Learning Specialist in the Boston Public Schools, she builds district-wide partnerships around inclusive uses of technology and leads and supports blended... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Contributing to Professional Learning Communities
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Kirr - Shift the Culture of Your Classroom
BLC Evaluation
It all started when I gave students time to read - and then share what they were reading. Simple enough, right?! This was the catalyst that sparked the change in everything I did in the classroom. Five years later, you wouldn't recognize my classes. I don't decorate the room, student choice is ubiquitous, we have time built in to personalize learning, students teach each other, and we use feedback in lieu of grades. Join me as I share valuable lessons learned when I dedicated time during the week for students to learn what THEY wanted to learn.
Speakers
avatar for Joy Kirr

Joy Kirr

7th grade ELA Teacher, Thomas Middle School, Arlington Heights, IL
Joy was first a special education teacher of deaf & hard-of-hearing students, and next became a reading specialist and National Board Certified. Now in her 25th year of teaching, she learns alongside 7th graders. Joy is passionate about students owning their own learning, doesn’t... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

10:20am EDT

Malan - Birds of a Feather Who'd Like to Share Software Together: Teaching Tools that Improve Efficiency and Outcomes
BLC Evaluation
For CS50 at Harvard and Yale, we use quite a few tools that facilitate efficiency inside and outside of the classroom and empower students to learn more effectively. Some we have developed in house, but most are free, open-source, or commercial. And almost all of them can be used in classrooms beyond computer science alone. In this session, we'll begin with an introduction to the tools that CS50 itself makes freely available to educators and then transition to a discussion of tools that attendees themselves use. Through demos and discussion alike, attendees should exit this session with a better understanding of the educational-technology landscape, familiarized with innovations they can bring back to their own schools.
Speakers
avatar for David Malan

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

10:20am EDT

McCurdy - Fostering Curiosity in Student Learning
BLC Evaluation
In the age of the internet and social media, the teacher’s role is no longer confined to the sole act of dispensing academic content. An infinite amount of knowledge is available in the palm of our hand within seconds. Teaching and learning need to be about building a strong knowledge base in order for students to then engage curiosity with that knowledge.
Learning in the classroom is designed to promote questioning of the content, having students ask why they need to know it and being curious about how can they use knowledge and apply their understandings to relevant situations.
How can we design learning to provide students with multiple opportunities to answer their own questions, pursue their own inquiry and provide creative solutions to real-world issues?
Speakers
FM

Francois McCurdy

Innovative Instructional Strategist, American international School Riyadh
Francois McCurdy is currently a grade 6 Math and Science teacher and Innovative Instructional Strategist at the American International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is Canadian trained as a teacher and holds a Masters degree in International Counselling. He also views himself... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Richards - Entrepreneurship as an Antidote to Grades and Knowledge Silos
BLC Evaluation

What happens when learning at school is more like working at a startup? No homework. No grades. No exams. No scheduled class periods. No teachers. A starting point and ending point. A space to gather and work. Opportunities to expand networks and gain experiences. Near continuous feedback. Guidance. If this sounds more like the “real world” and less like “school,” then perhaps schools are not following the wisdom of John Dewey who stated that school must reflect life, and life must reflect school. Using the work of students from Montclair Kimberley Academy’s Startup 101 program as a foundation, participants will engage in a combination of storytelling, small group brainstorming, and a mini design project. The goal of this session is for participants to leave with ideas for encouraging entrepreneurial and innovative thinking at any scale and for any age group.
Speakers
avatar for Reshan Richards

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Rowell - Making Thinking Visible: Engaging ALL Learners and Tailoring Instruction
BLC Evaluation
Explore a variety of FREE student response services/tools that work on any device and give teachers the power to make informed instructional decisions. This session will be a rich source of ideas, resources and information for effectively using technology for formative and summative assessment.

Attendees will:
-Learn about specific free services/tools that transform assessment (and make teachers’ lives easier)
-Examine the advantages of each tool and how to use these resources effectively to engage students and personalize learning
-Discover how these services/tools can give all students a voice and make thinking visible
-Participate in an activity that can be replicated with staff and students

Be sure to bring a device to fully participate in this interactive session!
Speakers
avatar for Lainie Rowell

Lainie Rowell

Educational Consultant, Orange County Department of Education
Lainie Rowell is an educator, author, and international speaker. Her areas of expertise include online/blended learning, designing innovative learning experiences, professional learning, and community building. During her 22 years in education, Lainie has taught elementary, secondary, and higher education. She also serve... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:20am EDT

Silk - Mini Machina
BLC Evaluation
Little kids at International Grammar School (IGS) in Sydney often get STEAMy when they explore STEM concepts. Kindy and Year 1 teachers collaborate with Mel Silk from University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to design and create simple machines for their explorations into “force and motion”. See how the STEAM team encourage explorations into science and math by getting to know Rube Goldberg and playing with littleBits® electronics, cogs, wheels, dinosaur snowflakes, ink, beans and augmented reality. The Arts and STEM connection for these young learners was never so much fun! How does this all go together?
Take a look here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmKKLY-CAhE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXTWJqHHmdM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXTWJqHHmdM
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Silk

Melissa Silk

STEAM Ed Researcher, University of Technology Sydney
Melissa Silk is a STEAM educator from Sydney Australia. Having forged many learning and teaching partnerships between schools, museums, industry professionals and academics, she can be found working in a range of STEM to STEAM research and practice environments. Melissa works extensively... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

10:20am EDT

Van Ledtje - Introducing…Livbit: Igniting Student Voice and Engaging Audience through Video Sharing
BLC Evaluation
In this session meet 9 year-old powerhouse, LivBit as she shares her digital narrative journey. Britton (1970) asserts that understanding floats on a sea of talk, and LivBit will share how she uses talk and video to capture deep ideas about books, thinking, and life. LivBit’s work creates a powerful example about student agency, independence, meta-cognition, and advocacy for following a child’s lead in curriculum topics. LivBit’s work allows:

• Multi-dimensional representation of the learner;
• Tests a theory students develop;
• Allows students to share an opinion and deepen their understanding around the language of an opinion;
• Creates meaningful literacy memories to be analyzed and cherished
• Incorporates meaningful and purposeful technology integration into the classroom

Participants will view examples of LivBit videos; learn how to analyze and frame the student understanding; understand the power of feedback given during the LivBit process; and explore digital storage systems for the student video work. Participants will also experience micro-writing opportunities from the video work as LivBit models how to use hashtags as a form of synthesis and categorization of her video work. Participants will walk away with simple, effect, and dynamic ways to integrate technology into their literacy block(s).
Speakers
avatar for Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia (aka as LivBit) is a 9-year old who is smart about all things shark and hopes to be a future ichthyologist.  She is an ambassador for the Gills Club, an organization promoting girls in science through inquiry-based experiences meant to grow enthusiasm and activism for sharks... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:20am - 11:25am EDT
Grand Ballroom A Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:30am EDT

Starling - Our Littlest Innovators
BLC Evaluation
Implementing innovative teaching and learning can seem like a huge task, even more so in the hands of our littlest students. With some planning and preparation, we have been able to successfully implement Social Emotional Learning (or SEL) and Project-based Learning (or PBL) into our kindergarten class using collaborative tools.

In “The Littlest Innovators” session, best practices and lessons will be shared surrounding the use of collaborative tools, such as Google Classroom, Seesaw, and Shadowpuppet, as well as the project topics, and SEL characteristics these tools were used with. The goal is that attendees will walk away with strategies and ideas they can use tomorrow in their classrooms with their own little innovators and truly put student voice and choice into learning.
Speakers
avatar for Allison Starling

Allison Starling

Director of Innovative Learning, St. Gabriel's Catholic School
Allison Starling is the Director of Innovative Learning at St. Gabriel's Catholic school in Austin, TX. Starling received her Bachelor's degree in History with a concentration in Sec.Ed from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Shortly after relocating to Texas due to her husband's... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 10:30am - 10:50am EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Early Childhood
  • Session Level All

11:30am EDT

Jones-Pisano - How Do You Activate Their Bird Brains? Teaching Metacognitive Learning Strategies that Promote Literacy
BLC Evaluation
It is mind-boggling to learn that six of the top ten jobs with the best outlooks today are jobs that didn’t exist ten to fifteen years ago. More awesome is that we are educating students for jobs not yet created; therefore, it has become increasingly apparent that our students will need to be able to process and utilize a wide range of nonfiction reading and that ALL teachers have become purveyors of the literacy skills our students will need to survive and thrive in the 21st century.

Explore how to introduce metacognition and ""thinking about thinking,"" utilizing an I Do-We Do-You Do process.
Speakers
avatar for Kathryn Jones-Pisano

Kathryn Jones-Pisano

Educational Advocate/Trainer, The Thriving Classroom
Education= Opportunity.” has been  Ms Jones-Pisano’s professional mantra for over three decades in education and social work. Ms. Pisano has earned a Masters in Elementary Education from SUNY- New Paltz and a Masters of Social Work from New York University. As well, she holds... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:30am - 11:50am EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Infusing the Common Core Across the Curriculum
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Joy Kirr - Book Signing
Joy Kirr will sign copies of her new book Shift This!: How to Implement Gradual Changes for MASSIVE Impact in Your Classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Joy Kirr

Joy Kirr

7th grade ELA Teacher, Thomas Middle School, Arlington Heights, IL
Joy was first a special education teacher of deaf & hard-of-hearing students, and next became a reading specialist and National Board Certified. Now in her 25th year of teaching, she learns alongside 7th graders. Joy is passionate about students owning their own learning, doesn’t... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT
Mezzanine Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

11:45am EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

11:45am EDT

Doe/Liston - Collaboration through Genius Hour and Personalized Professional Development
BLC Evaluation
Through Genius Hour in our classrooms to the personalized professional development model in our district, this session will explore strategies that allow all of our learners to follow their passions and collaborate on real world problems. This session highlights a unique blend of practical strategies that validate every learner.

Pelham School District’s culture of personalization also extends the growth mindset to our professional learning model, which includes the implementation of Pineapple Charts that invite teachers into their colleagues’ classrooms to observe new instructional strategies and project-based learning examples. We’ve personalized professional development through virtual book reads, digital cohorts, teacher Genius Hour projects, and Maker’s Spaces where educators can explore innovative thinking with the goal of improving student achievement.
Speakers
avatar for Holly Doe

Holly Doe

Director of Technology, Pelham School District
Holly Doe is the Director of Technology for the Pelham School District. Holly has been a classroom teacher, STEM teacher, and Technology integrator prior to assuming the role of Director of Technology. She enjoys the intersection of curriculum and technology and how that can achieve... Read More →
avatar for Kathryn Liston

Kathryn Liston

Instructional Coach, Pelham Elementary School
Kathryn Liston is an Instructional Coach at Pelham Elementary School. Previously, she was a classroom teacher for 4th and 5th grades, and during this time introduced her students to Genius Hour. She was blown away by their engagement, and intrinsic drive for applying their learning... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Kuropatwa - Things That Suck About Digital Citizenship
BLC Evaluation
This participatory session will engage attendees in some meaningful dialogue around several aspects of digital citizenship. We'll explore some hot-button topics and consider their impact on the work we do as educators. This session will provide clarification around a number of key digital citizenship issues and will also highlight a valuable model for engaging your students in classroom conversations. There’s a fair bit of fear mongering disguised as digital citizenship online. Our kids need more models of empathy and empowerment – so do we. We’ll share some of those models too.
Speakers
avatar for Darren Kuropatwa

Darren Kuropatwa

Director of Learning, Hanover School Division,
Darren Kuropatwa is the Director of Learning for the Hanover School Division in Manitoba, Canada. His unique skill set – an in-depth knowledge of pedagogy, leading edge technology skills and boundless creativity – make him a strong change agent in 21st century education. His relaxed... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

LaPaglia - Continuing the Conversation
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Christy LaPaglia

Christy LaPaglia

Autism Awareness Educator, Mentor Public Schools
Christy LaPaglia has been working in the field of special education as a teacher, consultant and an autism awareness educator for over 20 years.  Christy began her career by being hired to be the teacher in the first classroom in a public school in Northeast Ohio designed specifically... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

11:45am EDT

Leighton/Picillo - Gamifying Education
BLC Evaluation
Goose Chase is a web based scavenger hunt app that we have incorporated into our US History I classes. Goose Chase teams compete to complete various missions including locating, archiving and chronicling achievements. We have used it in class, outside of the classroom as well as to aid in field trips. The app is a unique tool that allows us to increase engagement.
Speakers
avatar for John Leighton

John Leighton

DLI / US History Teacher, Franklin High School
This is my 23rd year teaching at Franklin High School. I divide my time between teaching US History and working with the staff to integrate technology as a Digital Learning Integrationist . I coach Unified Basketball, Girls Basketball, and assist the Girls Lacrosse team.
DP

Dustin Picillo

Teacher, Franklin Public Schools
Dustin Picillo is a Social Studies teacher at Franklin High School Social Studies. He teaches a wide variety of students from co-taught level, Honors level and Franklin Arts Academy.  

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Marotta - History Comes Alive through Podcasts
BLC Evaluation
Imagine learning about a community’s History by listening to podcasts created by students. Beginning last spring, the Level 6 students selected 12 historic venues in the Montreal-West borough. They began researching the history and compiling their findings which eventually were professionally recorded into 45 second bilingual podcasts.

Students created QR codes which were later printed on durable, weatherproof plaques. All 12 plaques were mounted at the corresponding locations, where passersby can instantly listen to the brief history lesson delivered by the students with a simple swipe of their smartphones.
A great 21st Century initiative where students contributed to their lessons and gave meaning to their learning.
Speakers
avatar for Kish Gué

Kish Gué

Conseiller·ère, EMSB
Conseiller pédagogique TIC/RECIT depuis 2010. Enseignant en immersion auparavant.
avatar for Sonia Marotta

Sonia Marotta

Principal, Honore Mercier Elementary School, Montreal, CA
Principal at Honoré Mercier Elementary School, Sonia Marotta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and two Certificates in Educational Leadership from McGill University. A passionate leader who believes students need to lead their learning in class and give purpose to their work... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

11:45am EDT

Rodriguez - Universally Designed Professional Development
BLC Evaluation
General Description: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework based on cognitive neuroscience. The new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) governing K-12 education in the United States defines and endorses UDL as a framework to help achieve greater opportunity and academic achievement for all learners, including accelerated learners, students with disabilities, and English language learners. This session will offer strategies for enhancing professional development planning using the principles of UDL.

Objective:​ As educational leaders, we aspire to build great systems in a landscape of barriers. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) allows us to do just that and universally designed leadership allows us to apply proven principles of learning to successful leadership practices in the 21st Century.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kristan Rodriguez

Dr. Kristan Rodriguez

Founder and CEO, Rodriguez Educational Consulting Agency, LLC.
Dr. Kristan Rodriguez is the Founder of the Rodriguez Educational Consulting Agency, LLC (RECA). RECA specializes in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) training, state department consultation, and educational consultation to schools and private industry. Dr. Rodriguez travels across... Read More →

Universally Designed PD BLC (4) pdf
Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Contributing to Professional Learning Communities
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Salva - Refugees? Under-Schooled Learners? Boost Everyone's Achievement
BLC Evaluation
Come learn practical ideas to capitalize on gifts of your newcomers. They are not a deficit... your language learners and the answer! Recent classroom video will be shared to model use of free technology tools to engage all learners, break down language barriers and boost everyone's achievement. You don't have to be a tech-whiz to be an innovative educator. Come learn ways to make learning relevant and empower your students to be agents of change.
Speakers
avatar for Carol Salva

Carol Salva

Specialist, Spring Branch ISD
HS Teacher, ESL Consultant and the coauthor of #BoostingAchievement. My area of specialization is finding ways innovative ways to level the playing field for under-schooled learners. I enjoy using my background in ELAR 7-12, Bilingual Education and Special Education to bring practical... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Stubbs - Collaborative Classrooms: Surface to deep in 50 minutes
BLC Evaluation
In this workshop, Phil Stubbs will share how teachers around the world are adopting simple strategies to meet the challenge of engaging students more deeply in their learning. Participants will engage in a demonstration lesson, designed to challenge traditional definitions of blended learning. This lesson will model collaborative strategies designed to activate students as learning resources for each other. It will use cooperative learning theory to demonstrate the relationship between collaborative academic engagement and transitioning student thinking from surface to deep.
Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Taylor - Top Tips for Professional Learning Communities
BLC Evaluation
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are, according to research from John Hattie and Dylan Wiliam, high impact strategies on learning. Brian has been cultivating the PLC model with teacher and student technology advocate groups within his school for several years. In this session Brian will explore the highs and lows of the PLC learning journey, share best and next practice ideas and top tips to assist you on your road to establishing and/or developing PLCs in your establishment.

PS - also happy to present on Crafting Vision & Managing Change (we rolled out a new IMS and VLE two years ago - the narrative behind the psychology of change management and the tactics we used this is highly relevant to Technology & Curriculum Directors)
Speakers
avatar for Brian Taylor

Brian Taylor

Assistant Principal, Cross Campus Curriculum Technology Integration, Bangkok Patana School
A passionate leader of technology-related initiatives that have a quantitative positive impact on pedagogy and andragogy of the whole community. He's presented to audiences all over the World on Digital Citizenship and Critical Thinking, including EARCOS and BETT UK. His narrative... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Newbury Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Contributing to Professional Learning Communities
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

11:45am EDT

Venables - Content Curation - the new wave of text dependent analysis, media literacy, and social media responsibility
BLC Evaluation
Students are entering a new era of digital media literacy where social media controls access to rapidly changing current events worldwide. Social media has become a way for users to curate information and share it broadly - and if curation is done without a distinguishing eye, a student risks creating an echo chamber of false sources confirming one another and ultimately leading to a grave misunderstanding of the current events unfolding. Companies such as Google and Facebook are taking aim at fake news sites but rather than place the responsibility to survey information appropriately on these organizations, we aim to provide students with the tools they need to curate responsibly.

This session will walk an attendee through the compelling reasons why content curation is a skill that must be taught to our students, the content and standard connections in the classroom, and the student workflow for appropriate curation.

Attendees will walk away with compelling reasons to teach this vital skill to students as well as the tools for successfully implementing a content curation lesson in the classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Pam Hanfland
avatar for Chuck Holland

Chuck Holland

Director fir Instructional Technology, Richland Two
avatar for Brady Venables

Content Curation the new wave of text dependent analysis, media literacy, and social media responsibility pptx
Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level Intermediate

11:45am EDT

Wilkie - Digging In to the 1st 5 Days…and Beyond!
BLC Evaluation

Digging In to the 1st 5 Days…and Beyond!

Taken from our popular Master Class Less (Teaching) Is More (Learning), this session is a perfect and highly practical compliment to Alan & Sara’s #1st5Days session.  Participants will explore a range of concrete, skill and culture-building activities designed to seed (start), scaffold, connect and grow student-owned learning environments and build learner capacity for developing information and web literacy skills, constructing quality searches, making thinking visible, collaborative problem-solving, and more! 


Speakers
RM
avatar for Sara Wilkie

Sara Wilkie

Head of Learning Design, November Learning
Sara Wilkie is an independent educational consultant who specializes in building the capacity of future-focused learning teams. She strives to foster an understanding of the connections and interplay between technology, pedagogy, and curriculum, and the process changes necessary to... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

11:45am EDT

Winstone/Worsnup - Get Going with Apps
BLC Evaluation
Do you sometimes feel like you are drowning in a world of tech? With so many applications and programmes it can be overwhelming to know how to use technology, with your students, in an authentic and meaningful way. Join us to discover a few simple, easy and practical ways of using an iPad/tablet to enhance the learning in your classroom. Come along with a learning objective and an iPad/tablet and be prepared to explore, share and create! It doesn’t matter if you have 1 iPad per class or 1:1, we will show you effective ways that this device can be used. Details of apps that are needed will be given before the session.

It is suggested that attendees download the following apps:
  • Book Creator
  • Educreations / Explain Everything / screen casting app
  • Adobe Spark video
  • Chatterpix
  • Thing Link
  • Popplet
  • Flipgrid (optional)
Speakers
avatar for Tracey Winstone

Tracey Winstone

Teacher, International School of Amsterdam
Tracey Winstone is a Grade 3 homeroom teacher with 16 years experience of teaching internationally. Originally trained in the UK she is currently working at the International School of Amsterdam teaching the Primary Years Programme.
avatar for Susan Worsnup

Susan Worsnup

Lower School IT Facilitator, International School of Amsterdam
Sue Worsnup is an experienced Technology Facilitator. Over the years she has worked with Pre-K to Grade 5 students. Originally trained in the UK she now supports students and staff at the International School of Amsterdam.

Thursday July 27, 2017 11:45am - 12:50pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

12:30pm EDT

Stearns - Number Stories: Another Genre to Study
BLC Evaluation
Number stories are often written and taught as an extension of computational practice. When students are told to find the numbers and “key words”, they are being deprived of real understanding and problem solving.  As we shift our focus from “number” to “story”, we are able to give students the ability and confidence to more widely generalize what they have learned from solving one kind of problem to solving a variety of other problems.
Speakers
avatar for Christine Stearns

Christine Stearns

Educator/consultant, New Boston Central School/Find-Your-Balance Educational Services

Thursday July 27, 2017 12:30pm - 12:50pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Infusing the Common Core Across the Curriculum
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level All

1:00pm EDT

Pierides - Creating a Gender Inclusive School Climate
BLC Evaluation
What can administrators do when they have student(s) who are struggling with gender identification? Creating a gender-inclusive school is a must for today's schools. This workshop will share "One School's Journey" about how a fifth grade student socially transitioned in school. Discussion will include steps the school took to provide education for parents, teachers, and students. This workshop will also include ways that a school can begin to create a gender-inclusive school today!
Speakers
avatar for Irene Pierides

Irene Pierides

Elementary Principal, Hamilton School, Glen Rock
Educator for 30+ years in NYC and NJ - Child advocate, lifelong learner, literacy specialist, mother, friend.

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:00pm - 1:20pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level Beginner

1:10pm EDT

Asavavatana/Van Ledtje - Talking “Technology”: Teaching Fluent Communicators in the 21st Century
BLC Evaluation
By the time students reach the early childhood classroom, many of them are already absorbing large amounts of content through technology. To keep up with 21st century demands, the term “literacy” should encompass the fluency with which children can interface with and manipulate new forms of media. In other words, students should not just be users of digital media, but creators as well. By teaching students how to effectively communicate their own ideas through media such as icons, videos, hashtags and more, students can apply the same critical thinking and analytical skills that we teach in reading and writing to their experience with current communication tools.

In this session, the amazing Olivia Van Ledtje (a.k.a LivBit) and I will share how young students can experience and learn literacy skills that match the way we communicate in today’s world. Taken together, the ideas in this workshop will enable early childhood educators to strengthen and diversify their core teaching methods by integrating them with the latest technology has to offer.

Participants will:
-Examine how 21st century media is changing the definition of literacy in early childhood, and how classrooms should adjust to make the most of this evolution
-Walk through several exercises that break down how to use literacy concepts to teach young learners how to analyze and create new forms of media
-Walk away with examples and tools for how technology can be used to enhance the Reading and Writing Workshop in grades K-2
Speakers
avatar for Pana Asavavatana

Pana Asavavatana

PreK-1 Technology and Design Coach, Taipei American School
Pana is the KA-2 Technology and Design Coach at Taipei American School and an Apple Distinguished Educator. Prior to this she taught in early childhood classrooms for seven years. She has studied, lived and worked on three continents in eight different cities. Pana shares her own... Read More →
avatar for Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia (aka as LivBit) is a 9-year old who is smart about all things shark and hopes to be a future ichthyologist.  She is an ambassador for the Gills Club, an organization promoting girls in science through inquiry-based experiences meant to grow enthusiasm and activism for sharks... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Cassidy - Digital Daily Five
BLC Evaluation
Reading to self, reading to someone, working on words, writing and listening to reading are all important parts of any literacy program. The two sisters have given us a wonderful framework with their Daily Five model. How can iPads make this structure even better? We’ll explore apps, tools and methods that can help you take advantage of this powerful learning tool.
You’ll leave with
• An understanding of ways to use iPads to improve literacy.
• Ideas for ways to make technology use meaningful in your classroom
• A digital handout with all of the information presented.
Speakers
avatar for Kathy Cassidy

Kathy Cassidy

Teacher, Prairie South School Division
Kathy Cassidy is an award-winning Canadian first grade teacher whose passions include literacy, connecting classrooms and using technology in transformative ways. In 2005, she realized she could connect her classroom with the outside world using student blogs, video-conferencing... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

1:10pm EDT

Clark - The Professional Passion Project
BLC Evaluation
We know that personalized, passion-based learning works best for students. But what about teachers? In this session, you will learn how to bring passion to your professional learning with the Professional Passion Project. Teachers, coaches, and administrators will explore the power of personalized professional development and plan how it could work in their school.

The session will outline the steps of the project and attendees will be provided with resources to begin a Professional Passion Project of their own. The project begins by brainstorming a topic or question you are passionate about. Then, we will develop a plan of action and explore resources to support collaboration, research, and data collection along the way. To conclude, we will discuss ways to share the final project with a local and global community. Last, but certainly not least, the Professional Passion Project ends with reflection, which typically leads to another question and the cycle begins anew.
Speakers
avatar for Jancey Clark

Jancey Clark

Education Consultant & Speaker
Jancey Clark (@jancey5) partners with schools and education organizations to envision the ideal learning environment and co-design professional learning to engage and empower educators. An experienced presenter, at both international and virtual conferences, Jancey is passionate about... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Contributing to Professional Learning Communities
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Gould - Design Thinking as an Essential Leadership Tool to Nurture Creativity and Inquiry In Schools
BLC Evaluation
Do you believe we can redesign our schools to meet the needs of the 21st-century and beyond? At Drexel University for the past seven years, students in our EdD program, who are practicing educators at all levels, are exploring this question.

Participants in this presentation will: view student video examples, interact with the tools of systems and Theory U, explore how design thinking enhances creativity, and what we are learning from our students in creating generative conversations within communities necessary for rethinking the design of pre-K through adult education.

Learn and see how students begin the design thinking process, by exploring trends in social media, medicine, world economics, nanotechnology, environmental sustainability, and automation. Coupled to these trends, they explore the categories of “self-to-nature”, “self-to-others”, ""self-to-technology,"" and “self-to-self” as a way to think about the present realities on this planet and their relationship to the educational needs of the future. Understanding “the source” of their own attention is the key coping skill for the 21st-century.

All participants will receive a copy of the Design Handbook our students use as they begin the 10-week design studio. This handout has activities that participants can utilize within their own programs and organization.
Speakers
avatar for John M. Gould

John M. Gould

Associate Clinical Professor, School of Education | Drexel University|
I have more than 40 years of in-depth experience in the educational field, in which I have specialized on issues surrounding systemic change, leadership development, curriculum innovation and the effective implementation of new technologies in learning environs. My work and research... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Keynote Followup with Eric Williams
BLC Evaluation

Learn more about the work of Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) to put authentic, challenging problems at the heart of teaching and learning. Learn how LCPS is using the One to the World conceptual framework and project-based learning to promote student engagement and deeper learning.

Hear from Keynote Speaker Eric Williams, Superintendent of LCPS, as well as a middle school principal and two middle school teachers.

Williams will share specific action steps that district-level leaders, principals, and teachers can take in five areas: teaching and learning; vision/leadership; professional learning; assessment & accountability, and technology.

Bridget Beichler (Principal, Trailside Middle School), Jeannie Tallent (middle school English teacher) and Leisha Lucente (middle school Social Science teacher) will share the teacher- and principal-perspective regarding how to use the One to the World conceptual framework and project-based learning to promote student engagement and deeper learning. They’ll describe specific leadership and instructional strategies relating to One to the World and project-based learning.

@ewilliams65
@bridgetbeichler
@Mrs_Lucent

Speakers
avatar for Eric Williams

Eric Williams

Superintendent, LCPS
Superintendent of LCPS

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

1:10pm EDT

Quick - Standards Based Grading Using Digital Resources
BLC Evaluation
This session will cover how to set up a digital classroom using a standards based grading model. The presenter’s own 1:1 journey and how that led to a shift to standards based grading will briefly be discussed. During this session, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of standards based grading and how a standards based approach can improve teaching and learning outcomes for students. Methods for using digital technology to differentiate instruction will be provided including multiple examples and strategies for various types of differentiation. This session will emphasize using technology to master learning targets and multiple ways of using formative and summative assessment and providing clear and effective feedback to students. Attendees will leave this presentation with: an understanding of standards – based grading, strategies for using technology to differentiate instruction, the ability to develop learning targets, and methods to use technology to help students achieve mastery of learning targets.
Speakers
avatar for Nicole Quick

Nicole Quick

Instructional Technology Specialist, East Irondequoit Central School District
Nicole Quick is the Instructional Technology Specialist in the East Irondequoit Central School District in Rochester, New York. She has served as a teacher leader in the digital conversion 1:1 initiative in her district. Nicole recently completed her Ed.D in teaching and curriculum... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Rodriguez - UDL: Universally Designed Leadership
BLC Evaluation
General Description: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework based on cognitive neuroscience. The new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) governing K-12 education in the United States defines and endorses UDL as a framework to help achieve greater opportunity and academic achievement for all learners, including accelerated learners, students with disabilities, and English language learners. This session will cover the basics of UDL and provide tools for how UDL can be applied effectively to educational leadership practices.

Objective:​ As educational leaders, we aspire to build great systems in a landscape of barriers. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) allows us to do just that and universally designed leadership allows us to apply proven principles of learning to successful leadership practices in the 21st Century.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kristan Rodriguez

Dr. Kristan Rodriguez

Founder and CEO, Rodriguez Educational Consulting Agency, LLC.
Dr. Kristan Rodriguez is the Founder of the Rodriguez Educational Consulting Agency, LLC (RECA). RECA specializes in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) training, state department consultation, and educational consultation to schools and private industry. Dr. Rodriguez travels across... Read More →

Universally Designed Leadership BLC pdf
Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Rogers - Teachers’ Perspectives on PEER Professional Development and How it Has Changed Teaching and Learning
BLC Evaluation
All too often teachers feel disconnected from professional development and struggle to find meaningful ways to apply it into the classroom. The Carlisle Area School District in central Pennsylvania began a PEER (Professional Development, Enthusiasm, Evolution, Reflection) program with 11 district identified model teachers. The teachers reflect on how the PEER professional development is fundamentally different from traditional professional development and ways it has changed students’ learning in terms of engagement, collaboration, meaningful assessment, room arrangement, and the role of the teacher.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Cook

Chris Cook

Instructional Coach, Carlisle Area School District
avatar for Polly Pluta

Polly Pluta

4th Grade Teacher, Carlisle Area School District
avatar for Christine Rogers

Christine Rogers

Grade 6 Teacher, Carlisle Area School District
Dr. Christine Rogers is a sixth-grade science and social studies teacher in the Carlisle Area School District in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She has 11 years of public education experience. Christine is passionate about teaching young learners to use technology for the purposes of expanding... Read More →
avatar for Kathy Schwang

Kathy Schwang

Mathematics Teacher, Carlisle Area School District

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Contributing to Professional Learning Communities
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Rothstein - Better Questions, Better Decisions: Building Consensus with the Right Question Strategy
BLC Evaluation
Decision making and reaching consensus can be a challenging endeavor. Yet, being able to
actively and strategically participate in the decision making process is essential, especially for
district, school, and departmental leaders who are tackling difficult issues such as budgetary
changes or review processes, trying to build buy-in for new initiatives, or creating a collaborative
and inclusive problem-solving culture. The Right Question Strategy offers a simple yet powerful
strategy that helps individuals more effectively participate in decisions by learning to 1) define
and identify decisions; 2) explore three key elements in decision making—reasons, processes,
and roles; 3) ask questions about decisions. This easy-to- use and easy-to teach-strategy can be
used to build consensus within a group through creating a space where everyone is able to
efficiently and effectively ask questions about decisions.
Speakers
avatar for Dan Rothstein

Dan Rothstein

The Right Question Institute
Dan Rothstein is co-author of Make Just One Change: Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions. Dan’s work focuses on honoring the work of educators who are driving a movement to help all students learn to ask better questions. His keynotes and seminars have engaged many audiences... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Smith - When You Have Powerful Data on Your Side, Change is No Longer a Dirty Word
BLC Evaluation
Innovating is actually easy for school leadership when data tells everything you need to know about your students, staff and leadership team.
Indigo has assessed over 10,000 students and 2,000 educational staff in the past year, and we know a lot about different school cultures and the educational landscape. For instance, high school girls are 27% more Motivated than boys to give back and help people unconditionally, while boys are 29% more Motivated by discrete goals and money; and GPAs are highly correlated to students’ Social-Emotional well-being; and 2 of the job ready skills that are least developed in the student population are Creativity and Leadership – but why?

This session will cover actual data analytics, observations and case studies from districts that are using the Indigo program to change their schools’ cultures by providing innovative ideas in and out of the classroom. Once disconnects between all the constituents in a school are isolated and understood, leaders can use data analytics to do what they really want: innovate. We will show exactly how data makes the change process seamless.

Participants in this session are strongly encouraged to take the Indigo survey before attending (provided for free, takes about 15 minutes). A comprehensive report is automatically emailed upon completion. Link: https://www.ttisurvey.com/329246HUN
Speakers
avatar for Sheri Smith

Sheri Smith

Founder, The Indigo Project
Sheri Smith graduated from American University with a B.A. in International Studies and holds an M.A. from Georgetown University in Communication, Culture and Technology. In college, Sheri interned at the State Department for Vital Voices, an initiative started by Hillary Clinton... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level All

1:10pm EDT

Starling - Promoting School Culture with Digital Literacy
BLC Evaluation
How can we promote, practice, and prepare our students to make the best decisions when living in a digital world? How do their decisions impact school culture and safety? This presentation will explore the evolution of Digital Literacy while offering resources and brainstorming next steps for attendees to take away and implement tomorrow. As we look to impact our community, student, parent and teacher input will be featured in this presentation as we look at the multifaceted need for strong Digital Literacy in our learning communities today. Session applies to both Elementary and Secondary.
Speakers
avatar for Allison Starling

Allison Starling

Director of Innovative Learning, St. Gabriel's Catholic School
Allison Starling is the Director of Innovative Learning at St. Gabriel's Catholic school in Austin, TX. Starling received her Bachelor's degree in History with a concentration in Sec.Ed from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Shortly after relocating to Texas due to her husband's... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:10pm - 2:15pm EDT
Newbury Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:30pm EDT

Jones-Pisano - 10 Lifesavers in 20 Minutes! Classroom Management Strategies that Work!
BLC Evaluation
Find more time to teach by reducing classroom disruptions for low-level infractions by up to 70%! These practical, proven classroom management concepts and strategies complement any behavior management system in effect in your school.
Speakers
avatar for Kathryn Jones-Pisano

Kathryn Jones-Pisano

Educational Advocate/Trainer, The Thriving Classroom
Education= Opportunity.” has been  Ms Jones-Pisano’s professional mantra for over three decades in education and social work. Ms. Pisano has earned a Masters in Elementary Education from SUNY- New Paltz and a Masters of Social Work from New York University. As well, she holds... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:30pm - 1:50pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

1:30pm EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Thursday July 27, 2017 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

2:00pm EDT

T.A.Edison Students - Ship in a Box
The T.A. Edison students will demonstrate the boxes they create for students in other countries. 
Speakers
avatar for T.A. Edison Students

T.A. Edison Students

Students, Thomas A. Edison CTE High School
Sukhraj Swagmaster Sandhu, Ashbel Benjamin, Javier Chand, Zafar Seenauth Swagmaster and Ash recently graduated from Thomas A Edison CTE High School and were members of Model UN 4.0.    Javier and Zafar are seniors at Edison and will be running for the dais of Model UN 5.0 this... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:00pm - 2:20pm EDT
Statler Boston Park Plaza
  CUETip Session

2:35pm EDT

Doe/Liston - Around the World in 20 Classrooms
BLC Evaluation
Take a virtual visit to Pelham Elementary School to see how our teachers and students collaborate on a local and global level. From Mystery Skype to collaborative mapping projects, students are making connections across the curriculum and becoming global citizens.

We'll visit 20 classrooms from kindergarten through high school, and explore student driven approaches to real world problem solving, organically developing global empathy, collaboration, and citizenship in our students.
Speakers
avatar for Holly Doe

Holly Doe

Director of Technology, Pelham School District
Holly Doe is the Director of Technology for the Pelham School District. Holly has been a classroom teacher, STEM teacher, and Technology integrator prior to assuming the role of Director of Technology. She enjoys the intersection of curriculum and technology and how that can achieve... Read More →
avatar for Kathryn Liston

Kathryn Liston

Instructional Coach, Pelham Elementary School
Kathryn Liston is an Instructional Coach at Pelham Elementary School. Previously, she was a classroom teacher for 4th and 5th grades, and during this time introduced her students to Genius Hour. She was blown away by their engagement, and intrinsic drive for applying their learning... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Kuropatwa - Providing “Permission To Wonder”: Inquiry as thinking and learning tools
BLC Evaluation
In a world where knowledge is more a verb than a noun how do we foster deep learning in our students? Good questions cause thinking. Unfortunately, many of the questions regularly asked in classrooms focus on knowledge as a noun. This presentation will explore inquiry as a pedagogical stance and the effective use of thinking and learning tools in the classroom. We will work together to model teaching practices that lead to students co-constructing a networked (real world) rather than hierarchical (artificial) understanding of their world regardless of grade level or discipline.
Participants will leave this workshop with a toolkit of research based questioning and thinking strategies they can begin using with their students tomorrow.
Speakers
avatar for Darren Kuropatwa

Darren Kuropatwa

Director of Learning, Hanover School Division,
Darren Kuropatwa is the Director of Learning for the Hanover School Division in Manitoba, Canada. His unique skill set – an in-depth knowledge of pedagogy, leading edge technology skills and boundless creativity – make him a strong change agent in 21st century education. His relaxed... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments

2:35pm EDT

Lirenman - Innovate with iPad
BLC Evaluation
Are you looking to engage and inspire your K-3 students through the use of iPad? Whether you have one iPad or twenty, this workshop is for you. Using her newly released book “Innovate with iPad: Lessons to Transform Learning in the Classroom” Karen Lirenman will provide a complete selection of clearly laid out engaging open-ended lessons that change the way you use iPad in the classroom. By simply downloading a few basic, open-ended creation apps, your students will engage in the learning process and demonstrate their newfound knowledge in the way that works best for them. Participants need to bring their own iPad and have the following apps preloaded: Pic Collage, Popplet or Popplet lite, Book Creator, Explain Everything and/or Draw and Tell to fully participate in this hands-on session. Whether you have one iPad or twenty, this session is for you.
Speakers
avatar for Karen Lirenman

Karen Lirenman

K-3 STEAM Teacher, Surrey School District
Karen is an author and award-winning K-3 STEAM teacher who is transforming education by connecting her students with the world using Twitter, blogs, and video conferencing. She has a  hands-on approach to teaching which includes inquiry, project-based, and maker mindset. Her students... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Infusing the Common Core Across the Curriculum
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

2:35pm EDT

Norris/Soloway - Supporting Synchronous Collaboration with the Collabrify Construction Tools
BLC Evaluation
Coming
Speakers
CN

Cathleen Norris

Regents Professor & Chair, Dept. of Learning Technologies, University of North Texas
Dr. Cathleen Norris is the Regents Professor & Interim Chairperson, Department of Learning Technologies, College of Information, University of North Texas. Dr. Norris’ 14 years in K-12 classrooms – and receiving Dallas’ Golden Apple Award – has shaped her university R&D agenda... Read More →
avatar for Elliot Soloway

Elliot Soloway

Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, University of Michigan
Learning at home and learning at school must be seamless - that's what we have learned from COVID. Digital curricula makes it so. The Center for Digital Curricula at the University of Michigan provides K-5, deeply-digital, standards-aligned curricula for K-5  - all four core subjects... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Newbury Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Polansky - Authentricity: Beyond the Curriculum
BLC Evaluation
The benefits of gratitude start with the dopamine system, because feeling grateful activates the brain stem region that produces dopamine.” Alex Korb, PhD

“When threatening conditions do not exist, the Reticular Activating System focuses its attention on stimuli that arouse curiosity. This is the “key to the gate.” The brain seeks input about the new, the unexpected, the colorful, musical, moving, aromatic sensations.” Dr. Judy Willis

The best educators elicit curiosity and innovation in their students through passion, competence, and connection. The day to day demands of curriculum and protocol can often feel overwhelming in a world where a clear mind contributes to our best work. Neuroscientists and psychologists have routinely proven the importance of culture in education. ‘Beyond the Curriculum’ focuses on the importance that school culture plays in our quest to reinforce a growth mindset and will provide attendees with some simple take-aways that result in a culture where staff, students, and families are encouraged to communicate authentically, learn creatively, and contribute passionately. The formula shared is simple with implications that will last a lifetime.

In just over an hour, we will share inspiring stories of success that have resulted from the effective use of peer-modeling, direct-speak, and innovative approaches that reach far beyond curriculum. An approach founded in social-emotional well-being has led to the transformation of students and educators on a multitude of levels. Leave smiling with simple take-aways and active analogies that could change the way you teach and transform the way you think.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Polansky

Aaron Polansky

Administrator, Old Colony RVTHS
As seen on CNN, FoxNews, ABC, NBC, and CBS. From the school that received over 50,000 views of their 2017 snow cancellation announcement (https://youtu.be/up-kjFaXRP4). You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll reflect. Currently the Superintendent-Director of Old Colony Regional Vocational... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Richards - Blended Meeting Design: Saving Time and Serving Talents
BLC Evaluation
We’ve all attended meetings that could have been handled through email. And we’ve all been part of email chains that should have been handled face-to-face. Our leaders serve us best when they think about our time and our talents — how to save the former and give us the opportunity to share the latter. While not advocating for the elimination of meetings, This is a push for greater mindfulness about their how, when, where, and why. Blending online and offline leadership practices unlocks the potential of the people - teachers AND, more importantly, students - in our schools. In this design oriented session, we'll brainstorm, design, and share ways to best utilize the minds and effort of those who are called to work together.
Speakers
avatar for Reshan Richards

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Richardson - Twitter for Beginners -The Surprisingly Easy Way to Connect Your Students with the World
BLC Evaluation
Do you hear the word ‘Twitter’ and assume it’s a fun app for following the latest gossip and trends? That’s what I used to think too. Over the past four years,Twitter has transformed my classroom into a global learning environment where my students regularly communicate with peers from around the world.
Twitter is much more than just a social networking tool. It is truly the gateway to connecting your students with other classrooms from across town and across the planet! In this session, you will find out how tweeting in your classroom can open up a world of collaborative projects and incredible connections for your students, no matter their grade level.

In this session, I will show you how to:
Create a class Twitter page
Search for other classes and experts to follow
Make connections that lead to collaborative projects
Use hashtags to help you research and organize information
Speakers
avatar for Laura Richardson

Laura Richardson

First Grade Classroom Teacher, Edith C. Baker School, Brookline, MA
Laura Richardson has been a classroom teacher in Brookline, Massachusetts for fourteen years and absolutely loves it. She infuses technology across all subject areas by developing and teaching coding & robotics curriculum, using individual student blogs, and connecting with other... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Teuber - Design Sprint Part 1
BLC Evaluation
Around the world, educators are discovering that a startup mindset will help their schools to rapidly achieve big goals. In this session, participants will use the human-centered design process to immerse themselves in a challenge that their school is facing and synthesis the learning to develop insights for innovative solutions.

Through a series of interactive activities, participants will learn how to:
Ask the “why” about what you’re doing.
Build a culture of innovation in your school or district to encourage teams to look through different lenses to develop solutions to existing problems.
Learn observation and interview techniques to gain an understanding of the problem.
Develop a How Might We statement that allows for a broad set of solutions.
Speakers
avatar for Donna Teuber

Donna Teuber

Innovation Program Designer, Richland School District Two
Donna Teuber is a respected leader in the field of education with a passion for using design thinking to help schools implement innovative practices that support engaged student learning. She currently serves as the Innovation Program Designer in Richland School District Two, Columbia... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:35pm EDT

Vidler - Ensuring prosperity through education
BLC Evaluation
Ensuring prosperity through education. It is a simple concept but a difficult reality to achieve for all.

Youth unemployment, is at global crisis point. According to last year’s figures from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Greece’s youth unemployment rate was at 58.4%, Italy at 39.7%, the UK 20.3% and USA 15.8%. We need to be developing students who are not only competent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects but competent at collaborating, communicating and promoting their soon to be developed innovations to the world. Generation Z (The Millennials) know how to promote themselves via Snapchat and Instagram but have they considered whether they will get a job post school following the traditional trajectory of school, university or trade to job? Australia based Expand Education has developed an innovative education program that offers a dynamic curriculum focused on developing skills that prepare secondary students for life. Expand is focused on students fulfilling their potential academically and personally. Vital life skills including financial and digital literacy literacy are taught and importantly students develop a sense of purpose for now and the future.

The Expand Education program helps students become motivated, confident and resilient teenagers who, “finish school and go out and pro-actively fulfil their potential.” Says Expand Founder and teacher Tory Vidler. “At Expand we believe in developing strong relationships with our students in order to best understand what makes each child tick and unleash their potential.” Tory says.
“In a traditional classroom this is difficult to do but at Expand this is what we were created to do.”
Speakers
avatar for Tory Vidler

Tory Vidler

Founder / Secondary teacher, Expand Education Australia
Tory has taught years 7-12 across Australia. She believes strongly that education is the key to opportunity. Tory is enthusiastic about encouraging experienced professionals to join the teaching profession and developing opportunities for students to experience the real world through... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level Intermediate

2:35pm EDT

Walmsley - Anything TV
BLC Evaluation
Learn how video, new media and new literacies can be leveraged in any classroom or any curricular content with the creation of a classroom TV show called Anything TV. With Anything TV, students are able to curate, collaborate and create a multi-media product that addresses curricula pertaining to their class or student-led content generated from their own interests and passions.
Speakers
avatar for Sean Walmsley

Sean Walmsley

iLearning Integration Coach, American International School - Riyadh
Sean Walmsley has been developing a learning theory called Spark iLearning. At the foundation of Spark iLearning is helping to inculcate the intrinsic motivation in our students, teachers and ourselves. Subsequently, we need to be mindful of one's individual interests, imaginations... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:35pm - 3:40pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

2:45pm EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Thursday July 27, 2017 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

4:00pm EDT

Harju - Breakout EDU - It's Time for Something Different
Breakout EDU is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting. Experience a Breakout EDU Game and learn how to bring engaging immersive learning experiences to your  students.
Speakers
avatar for Patti Harju

Patti Harju

Director of Games, BreakoutEDU

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Boylston Boston Park Plaza
  BreakoutEDU Game

4:00pm EDT

Asavavatana - Yes They CAN! Code, Create, and Make in Early Childhood!
BLC Evaluation
The words ‘coding’, ‘robotics’, or ‘engineering’ can sound very daunting to an early childhood educator, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether your classroom is wired for technology, or your students have never seen a device, things like coding and design can easily become an integral part of learning in early childhood education.
This session covers specific ways that you can introduce the basics of computational thinking (thinking like a robot!) to the youngest members of the school community, as well as ideas for integrating coding with core curricular areas such as literacy, math and science. It will further explore how the Engineering Design Process can complement coding and briefly look at 3D printing design projects that can work with young children. With these fundamentals, teachers can ensure that their classroom mirrors how we think, learn, and play in the 21st century.


Participants will:
-Learn ways to teach coding through both ""unplugged” activities and through the incorporation of devices.
-Walk away with resources and ideas for integrating technology with the core curriculum (Reading, Writing, Math or even Science)
-Look at some 3D printing design projects that work in early childhood
Have a chance to try out activities and tools
Speakers
avatar for Pana Asavavatana

Pana Asavavatana

PreK-1 Technology and Design Coach, Taipei American School
Pana is the KA-2 Technology and Design Coach at Taipei American School and an Apple Distinguished Educator. Prior to this she taught in early childhood classrooms for seven years. She has studied, lived and worked on three continents in eight different cities. Pana shares her own... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Terrace Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Early Childhood
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Cooper - Problem Based Learning: Scaleable Inquiry!
BLC Evaluation
Have students UNCOVER your content! Instead of COVERING this topic or that topic, set up "messy" inquiry scenarios that will have your students inspired to solve real world problems. Problem Based Learning is a scaleable learning model that can be used in a single day's lesson or it can be expanded to incorporate an entire unit. Participants will be introduced to the concept, get a taste of PBL as an active student and, finally, we'll break into groups to discuss applications.
Speakers
avatar for Charles Cooper

Charles Cooper

Digital Learning Consultant, ESC Region 11

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Dunbar - Global Communication and Collaboration in the Classroom with Skype
BLC Evaluation
Open students’ eyes to the global ramifications of technology by using Skype to communicate and collaborate with anyone, anywhere in the world. Have a book talk with an author; experience the challenges faced by explorers; virtually visit national and global parks and landmarks; Mystery Skype with classrooms and learn about other cultures and geography. Session will feature live Skype session with educators from around the world discussing how they communicate and collaborate globally and how it has enhanced and elevated their lesson and their students' engagement.
Speakers
avatar for Tammy Dunbar

Tammy Dunbar

teacher, Manteca Unified School District
Tammy Brecht Dunbar, M.Ed., S.T.E.M. teaches 5th grade in Manteca (CA) Unified, is the 2020 NCCE Closing Keynote and is a 2018-2019 Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellow. She was named 2016 California Woman of the Year, Assembly District 12, won the 2018 ISTE Literacy PLN... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Leighton - Authentic Assessment
BLC Evaluation
In this session, you will learn about ways to ramp up projects and find ways to make them more authentic. While this may seem like a daunting shift, students will be empowered and find a new meaning in their learning.

Opportunities for authentic assessment are all around us if we look for them. A few recent examples we have used include, the family heirloom genealogy project, the new high school project, ""1491"" Life before Columbus project, the school food policy project, and the voter registration project.
Speakers
avatar for John Leighton

John Leighton

DLI / US History Teacher, Franklin High School
This is my 23rd year teaching at Franklin High School. I divide my time between teaching US History and working with the staff to integrate technology as a Digital Learning Integrationist . I coach Unified Basketball, Girls Basketball, and assist the Girls Lacrosse team.

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

November - Critical Thinking on the Web
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Teaching Global Communication Skills
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Rogers - The ABCs of Designing Rigorous Assignments that Students Love
BLC Evaluation
Too often, students are tasked with cookie-cutter assignments. These tasks provide little motivation for students to complete or to learn from their work. Changing the way teachers think about and plan assignments can have a powerful impact on student learning.
It's easy as ABC...
A. Align the assignment to grade-level standards.
B. Big ideas and higher-order thinking.
C. Choice. Let students have a voice and choice.
A group of elementary and secondary teachers from the Carlisle Area School District in Pennsylvania are a part of the district’s Model Classroom initiative. Over the past three years, they have designed implemented rigorous assignments that the students have loved and will share their successes and challenges using the ABC method. As a endorsement from a former student, “My favorite part of my day was history class. I loved all your projects. You taught me new ways to analyze text and take in all perspectives of something. You challenged me to think outside of my comfort zone.”
Speakers
avatar for Christine Rogers

Christine Rogers

Grade 6 Teacher, Carlisle Area School District
Dr. Christine Rogers is a sixth-grade science and social studies teacher in the Carlisle Area School District in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She has 11 years of public education experience. Christine is passionate about teaching young learners to use technology for the purposes of expanding... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Shade - Rebranding Schools through Social Media
BLC Evaluation
The foundation of a PLC rests upon the four pillars of mission, vision, values, and goals. A PLC begins by exploring these questions: Why do we exist, or what is our mission? What must our school become to accomplish our vision? How must we behave—what values must we demonstrate—to achieve our vision? And how we will mark our progress toward our goals? While the PLC process is often a campus-based process, Denton ISD took the lead in embracing it to drive the district mission, vision, values, and goals.
To answer the first question, Denton ISD embraced the power of social media (i.e. Facebook Twitter, YouTube, etc.) and rebranded its mission using feedback from its stakeholders. Using crowdsourcing, a concept embedded in the mission statement, the district involved contributors from all over the world to create its logo. In determining its values, DISD used the power of technology to reach out to 30,000 members of its community. What followed was a set of values the district used to develop an alternative community accountability report (in addition to the state ratings system based on standardized assessment, the lowest rated community value). The interactive report not only reflects the community’s values, but drives the district goal setting process.
How did the district do it? How did the district do it? Find out in this session led by Chris Shade, the Coordinator of District Improvement and Innovation.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Shade

Chris Shade

Coordinator of District Improvement & Innovation (and of Federal & State Programs), Denton ISD & Independent Consultant
Liberally Conservative Extroverted Introvert Optimistic Pessimist Idealistic Realist Imperfect Perfectionist Creative Bureaucrat

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Teuber - Design Sprint Part 2
BLC Evaluation
Around the world, educators are discovering that a startup mindset will help their schools to rapidly achieve big goals. By engaging in the design process to identify the right problem to solve, educators can use ideation, rapid prototyping and the feedforward process to create technology initiatives that can be successfully scaled.

Outline:
Participants will take the insights gathered from Design Sprint Part 1 and engage in ideation, rapid prototyping and the feedforward process to create innovative solutions that can be successfully implemented in their classrooms and schools.

Through a series of interactive activities, participants will learn how to:
Use brainstorming rules to come up with innovative ideas.
Build to think with rapid prototyping and feedback.
Use the business model canvas to plan how you’re going to implement.
Use the “yes and” mindset to find ways to grow or pivot your initiative.
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Holland

Chuck Holland

Director fir Instructional Technology, Richland Two

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Thompson - FUN with Augmented Reality
BLC Evaluation
Explore images and books that come alive! We will explore a talking alphabet, coloring pages for storytelling and quizzing, 4D Elements and Anatomy, history, a self-reading book, and our world around us in 360 degrees! Also see how easy it is to create a 360 degree image with the free Google Street View app.
Speakers
avatar for SCETV

SCETV

SCETV
Love to Teach! Love to Laugh! Bachelor’s degree from Furman University and Masters from Wilkes University in Instructional Media. Been in computer support and training for over 25 years. Currently travel across South Carolina showing teachers the exciting free resources SCETV... Read More →

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Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Cambridge Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

4:00pm EDT

Valentine - Superconnect Your Education World: Leveraging the power of relationships, networks, and a learning mindset to effectively re-design the classroom to bring schools into the 21st century.
BLC Evaluation
Creating, implementing and sustaining innovation in schools is a challenging endeavor for administrators, teachers and thought-leaders alike. Identifying what will best serve the needs of children, while inspiring them as life-long learners, is both invigorating and daunting. Recognizing historical antecedents that play a role in resistance to moving the schools forward is of critical importance. Learning how to learn is the key, regardless of formal environment, geographic location, or other external factors. In the words of Socrates, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel". 
This session will address the following questions: 
  • What can we learn from the one-size-fits-all approach to teaching/learning in our country to move the education system forward into the 21st century? 
  • How can we leverage ALL stakeholders to play an active role of inspiring children? 
  • Why is it of central importance that we craft a laser-focused vision, clear goals, and manage obstacles and changes that emerge along the way?
  • What does the future hold in terms of supporting a learning culture for our youth? 
  • How can we embrace some common philosophies and strategies to develop a ""toolkit for success"" as it relates to change, growth-mindset and shapeshifting to lead and grow as educators? 
 
This session will include an overview of the following:
  • Superconnect as an agent of influence 
  • Theory of Change
  • Diffusion of Innovations 
  • Brief history of the education system 
  • Brief, general forecast the needs of educators and learners 
  • Toolkit for leading, inspiring and empowering learners amidst the waters of change
Speakers
AV

Amy Valentine

Executive Director, The Foundation for Blended and Online Learning
Amy E. Valentine is the director of The Foundation for Blended and Online Learning, the recently formed grant-making foundation that focuses on advancing and improving opportunities for access to digital education. The Foundation was created to serve as a convener of stakeholders... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

4:00pm EDT

Wilkie - #Q2Learn: Students driving their thinking & learning through “Q”uestioning; the essence of an innovative learning environment
BLC Evaluation
The Common Core standards are all about staking a “Claim” and finding “Evidence”. Is that enough? Or do students also need to ask questions, identify problems and share thinking? Students making their own meaning is not a new idea, but the advent of the Internet has reintroduced it as a growing tenet of innovative and thoughtful learning environments. Today our challenge is to determine how to provide learners the time, confidence and mental space to create meaning.
Inspired by Danielson’s Framework for Teaching and the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, this session is specifically designed to consider effective questioning techniques and student-led discussion strategies as vehicles for advancing student learning rather than for
assessing or checking their understanding.
Join us as we explore strategies and share resources for developing
learning routines:
  • to make students’ questions and thinking more accessible for exploring, discussing, connecting and synthesizing
  • to enhance student-led discussions where all students are engaged in the conversation and thinking
  • to nurture a learning culture of inquirers, thinkers, communicators and risk takers
Speakers
avatar for Sara Wilkie

Sara Wilkie

Head of Learning Design, November Learning
Sara Wilkie is an independent educational consultant who specializes in building the capacity of future-focused learning teams. She strives to foster an understanding of the connections and interplay between technology, pedagogy, and curriculum, and the process changes necessary to... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 4:00pm - 5:05pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

6:00pm EDT

LearnLaunch Summer Edtech Showcase
LearnLaunch Summer Edtech Showcase and Reception - Register here

Boston is an epicenter for the development of edtech products and some of the best and brightest companies in edtech can be found right here in Boston's Innovation District. On Thursday, July 27th, from 6pm - 8pm, LearnLaunch is hosting a showcase featuring over 30 companies, including graduates from the LearnLaunch Accelerator and other education companies from the broader Boston edtech community. 
Educators interested in new edtech innovations, those seeking to grow and connect with developers in the edtech space, and those simply wanting to know more about the future of education should attend.
We will serve food and refreshments, pitches, demos, and opportunities to play and give feedback on edtech tools.
Thursday July 27, 2017 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
LearnLaunch 281 Summer Street Flr. 2 Boston, MA 02210
  BLC Event
  • Cost Free for BLC attendees!

7:30pm EDT

Global Networking - An informal gathering - come prepared to engage in a topic!
Join Alan November to meet people from across the world who share your educational interest. Make new connections and enjoy a lively discussion! This is a 'Birds of a Feather' session - suggest a topic or group who should meet and share. 

(Let Marcy know what your category or topic is - Marcy@NovemberLearning.com)



Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →

Thursday July 27, 2017 7:30pm - 9:00pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

9:00pm EDT

Annual BLC Bash
Enjoy great music and amazing desserts with your BLC17 community! 
Thursday July 27, 2017 9:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event
 
Friday, July 28
 

7:30am EDT

Continental Breakfast
Friday July 28, 2017 7:30am - 9:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom B Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

7:30am EDT

BLC Information Center
Friday July 28, 2017 7:30am - 3:00pm EDT
Georgian Coat Room Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event

8:30am EDT

Friday Keynote - Dr. Robert Evans
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Robert Evans

Dr. Robert Evans

Clinical and Organizational Psychologist and Executive Director, The Human Relations Service
Rob Evans is a clinical and organizational psychologist and the Executive Director of The Human Relations Service in Wellesley, Massachusetts. A former high school and pre-school teacher, and a former child and family therapist, Rob has worked with schools and families for thirty... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 8:30am - 10:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom A Boston Park Plaza
  Keynote

10:45am EDT

Cassidy - Microblogging, Movies and Math
BLC Evaluation
Using iPads for math should mean more than drill and practice. We'll explore math-creation apps that support best practices, allowing students to explain and share their learning. We’ll also explore the use of videoconferencing, tweeting and blogging to take your classroom mathematics global.
You’ll leave with
• an understanding of how to use iPads as a math creation tool
• familiarity with appropriate tools
• a digital handout of all materials shared
Speakers
avatar for Kathy Cassidy

Kathy Cassidy

Teacher, Prairie South School Division
Kathy Cassidy is an award-winning Canadian first grade teacher whose passions include literacy, connecting classrooms and using technology in transformative ways. In 2005, she realized she could connect her classroom with the outside world using student blogs, video-conferencing... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

10:45am EDT

Dr. Robert Evans - Continuing the Conversation
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Robert Evans

Dr. Robert Evans

Clinical and Organizational Psychologist and Executive Director, The Human Relations Service
Rob Evans is a clinical and organizational psychologist and the Executive Director of The Human Relations Service in Wellesley, Massachusetts. A former high school and pre-school teacher, and a former child and family therapist, Rob has worked with schools and families for thirty... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Grand Ballroom A Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

10:45am EDT

Hopkin - Teaching Thinkers and Thinking Teachers
BLC Evaluation

This session will examine the journey of the implementation of a school based coaching programme, with reference to change management, and the highs and lows of leading a mind shift in professional learning culture.

We will candidly explore the issues presented in managing the shift in self-perception of teachers from passive recipients of managerial dictates to proactive innovators and entrepreneurs through the use of an innovative and technologically infused coaching system.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Neil Hopkin

Dr. Neil Hopkin

Principal, The British International School
Neil has been a Principal of seven outstanding schools, across the UK, Singapore and China, including a federation of schools in Central London. In 2009, he was designated a UK National Leader of Education for his work in leading outstanding schools. With a Post Grad in Mathematics... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

10:45am EDT

Marotta - Simple Technology in the Classrooms
BLC Evaluation
Flip Classroom
· Flip classroom used as reverse instruction and the benefits.
· I will demonstrate how the students contributed in creating the instructional videos all in connection to the curriculum. (They were on French grammatical rules)
· They created them using “SCREEN-CAST -O -MATIC” and the SmartBoard

Apps used in classrooms…how to set them up and how they are used.
· REMIND (great communication tool used by administrators and teachers for parents and students).
· Book Creator (a great and fun way for students to create their own ebooks with colorful images).
· ClassDojo (great way for teachers to keep their students and parents informed on lessons, homework…also used as a communication tool)
· Kahoot (making learning fun with this interactive app for teachers and students…adding videos, images, and diagrams to questions to amplify engagement)
· Pole everywhere (allows you to transform one-way presentations into a lively conversation with the entire class)

Below is a link to the podcast project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGGm6-EhPig
Speakers
avatar for Kish Gué

Kish Gué

Conseiller·ère, EMSB
Conseiller pédagogique TIC/RECIT depuis 2010. Enseignant en immersion auparavant.
avatar for Sonia Marotta

Sonia Marotta

Principal, Honore Mercier Elementary School, Montreal, CA
Principal at Honoré Mercier Elementary School, Sonia Marotta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and two Certificates in Educational Leadership from McGill University. A passionate leader who believes students need to lead their learning in class and give purpose to their work... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Stuart Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

10:45am EDT

Quick - Collaboration and Engagement in a 1:1 Classroom
BLC Evaluation
This session will provide techniques and strategies on how to use collaboration in a 1:1 classroom. An emphasis of this session will be on creating student – centered classrooms that promote self-efficacy and put students in charge of their own learning. Resources that promote collaboration in a 1:1 classroom will be discussed, modeled and applied to student learning. The continued focus of this session will be finding the best tools and determining the best pedagogy to offer cooperative learning opportunities in the classroom. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in activities that promote collaboration in the classroom. Strategies for management of devices and behavioral concerns in a digital classroom will also be addressed.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about and explore some of the digital tools and apps discussed in the session. The TPCK framework will be discussed as a way to begin building content and technology enriched lessons for collaboration. This includes an understanding that lessons should be built on solid objectives and pedagogy and the technology is used to strengthen the instruction rather than viewing devices as just another “tool” in the classroom. Participants will learn strategies to help with classroom management when using 1:1 devices.
Speakers
avatar for Nicole Quick

Nicole Quick

Instructional Technology Specialist, East Irondequoit Central School District
Nicole Quick is the Instructional Technology Specialist in the East Irondequoit Central School District in Rochester, New York. She has served as a teacher leader in the digital conversion 1:1 initiative in her district. Nicole recently completed her Ed.D in teaching and curriculum... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:45am EDT

Rosenthal-Tolisano - Sketchnoting: Visual Note taking
BLC Evaluation
The term sketchnoting describes a style of visual note-taking recently gaining popularity among conference attendees. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be an artist to sketchnote and to take advantage of a different type of learning and making content connections beyond conference keynotes . Sketchnoting is helping make your thinking visible and shareable as you are reading a professional book, watching a movie clip, reading an educational blog post or article or listening to a lecture of conference keynote. This session is for educators who want to hone their abilities to listen more intently, summarize and organize their notes in a visual way and learn how to do this with their students.We will look at structures of a sketchnote, typography, connectors, containers and share resources to continue to learn about sketchnoting beyond the conference.
Speakers
avatar for Silvia Tolisano

Silvia Tolisano

Author & Consultant, AASSA Social Media Coordinator
Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano is a Third Culture Kid (TCK). She was born in Germany, raised in Argentina, lived shortly in Brazil, and is now planted in the United States. Her multicultural upbringing fueled her passion for languages, travel, global awareness, and global competencies... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level Beginner

10:45am EDT

Roshan - Using Technology to Empower Students and Personalize the Learning
BLC Evaluation
This interactive presentation explores how teachers can leverage technology to personalize and create an environment where learning takes center stage. To facilitate this student-centered experience, tech tools provide both a snapshot of individual learner's needs as well as an overview of how the class is performing as a whole. Participants will use tools such as EDpuzzle, Pear Deck, and Plickers to actively participate in the session.

When equipped with the right tools, teachers can truly individualize and customize the learning experience for each student. What’s more, effectively integrating technology into the classroom can bring compassion back into an otherwise overly stressed environment by freeing time for the teacher to provide individual student support, interact with them, and observe them in the process of learning.

In addition, technology can help put students in the driver-seat, allowing them to control the pace and depth of their learning. In order to help facilitate this kind of student-centered experience, tech tools can provide both a snapshot of each individual learner's needs as well as an overview of how the class is performing as a whole.

With the increasing demand to make courses more rigorous and cover more material, technology can enable the teacher to get to know students on a more personal level. This session will share real classroom examples of effective integration of tools such as EDpuzzle, Pear Deck, and Plickers, along with best practices for implementation.

In this session, participants will learn:
• How can teachers shift their classroom to a student-centered learning environment and foster a culture of collaborative learning?
• How can teachers use technology to personalize, both inside and outside of the classroom?
• How can teachers use technology to pre-identify individual student and class needs and differentiate the learning experience?

Read Stacey's Article:  ISTE | Put pedagogy before tech
 
Speakers
avatar for Stacey Roshan

Stacey Roshan

Educator, Author, Speaker, Edtech & Innovative Teaching Consultant
Stacey Roshan is an educator, keynote speaker, TED-Ed talker, consultant, and author of Tech with Heart. She is passionate about discovering and sharing ways to leverage technology to cultivate deeper compassion in the classroom and provide each learner with the optimal platform to... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:45am EDT

Spieldenner - Play, Craft, Learn with Minecraft
BLC Evaluation
Join this session to learn about how educators from around the world are using Minecraft Education Edition to empower their students. In this session, we will uncover:
·         Why use Minecraft in the classroom
·         Basics of Minecraft
·         Examples from Educators’ practice in the classroom
·         Create your own activity to use with your students
Speakers
avatar for Ben Spieldenner

Ben Spieldenner

English Teacher/Educational Technologist
Ben Spieldenner teaches English and is an Educational Technologist for Ashland High School (Ashland, OH). His passion is helping students and teachers discover how much fun learning can be. He started playing Minecraft a few years ago with his two children and discovered just how... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

10:45am EDT

Staudt - Sim City in the Real World
BLC Evaluation
Model My Watershed gives students access to real data in real places so they can make informed decisions about their environment. In this data rich world students need to develop systems thinking skills in order to make informed decisions about environmental sustainability. Middle and high school students can problem solve through modeling and hands-on data collection activities based on their local watershed data and use STEM practices to model their environment.
Speakers
avatar for Carolyn Staudt

Carolyn Staudt

Senior Scientist, Concord Consortium
Carolyn is a curriculum and professional development designer for technology and Internet-based projects, including directing many projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Carolyn is especially intrigued with allowing students to collect real-time data with portable... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

10:45am EDT

Ziemke/Van Ledtje - Digital Identity: Growing Up in a Connected Culture
BLC Evaluation
Today, technology allows us to amplify students’ stories as learners produce, publish and share in our digital culture. Digital forms of storytelling—like blogs, tweets, and online video—invite new audience, offer diverse feedback and engage students to collaborate with the world. More so, sharing begs awareness, seeks understanding and has the potential to turn classroom devices into empathy-generating machines as kids interact and learn about the world. This session will celebrate the benefits of technology and include a student presenter who will share her digital adventure partnered with a teacher perspective on how to coach students to consider their identity as they use media to understand themselves and their place in the global learning community.
Speakers
avatar for Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia Van Ledtje

Olivia (aka as LivBit) is a 9-year old who is smart about all things shark and hopes to be a future ichthyologist.  She is an ambassador for the Gills Club, an organization promoting girls in science through inquiry-based experiences meant to grow enthusiasm and activism for sharks... Read More →
avatar for Kristin Ziemke

Kristin Ziemke

Keynote and Featured Speaker
Keynote and Featured Speaker

Friday July 28, 2017 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level All

12:00pm EDT

Gallagher - No Textbooks, Tests, or Paper. Just Engaged Learners.
BLC Evaluation
Adult professionals don’t use textbooks or take tests daily, and are using and less and less paper to do their work. Why should our children learn in a wholly different environment when preparing for the professional world? Learn why and how one classroom teacher cut out textbooks, tests, and paper to transform her students’ learning experiences every day. Then experience it for yourself by doing a “walk-thru” of a lesson during the session. You’ll be moving, talking, creating, and sharing with other participants. Be sure to bring a device so that you can engage in the in-person and online collaboration that will occur during the session. You’ll find out how this new way of learning and teaching can make the classroom more of a community and can reignite students’ and teachers’ passion for learning.
Speakers
avatar for Kerry Gallagher

Kerry Gallagher

Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, St. John's Prep, Danvers, MA
Kerry Gallagher is Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts. She’s also Director of K-12 Education for ConnectSafely.org – internet safety non-profit in Palo Alto, California – a FutureReady Instructional Coach, ASCD Emerging... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

12:00pm EDT

Gorman - Inside PBL and Technology Integration...What Would Dewey Do?
BLC Evaluation
Discover the most important components of PBL and Deeper Learning and examine why it works through the eyes of John Dewey. You will have a chance to reflect and discuss with others as you grasp a deeper meaning of PBL. Walk away with some tools, resources, and new ideas. What would Dewey do? Mike, a PD provider for the BUCK Institute, Discovery Education, PBS Learning Media, and November Learning will provide essential steps that will allow educators to feel both success and accomplishment as they travel up the technology stairway of blended learning with PBL. Educators will learn how some important small steps will provide a giant leap. Walk away with some amazing free tools and resources as you take each step. You will find yourself at the top of the PBL and Technology Integration stairs in no time!
Speakers
avatar for Michael Gorman

Michael Gorman

November Learning Consultant, November Learning
Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He oversees a one to one laptop programs and digital professional... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

12:00pm EDT

Hopkin - Building a Culture of Classroom Coaching
BLC Evaluation
Dr. Hopkin and Ms. Solway will provide an insight into how technology can be used to support coaching both as a tool for outstanding teacher development and education in the classroom. A working definition of what we mean (and do not mean) by the ubiquitous term ‘coaching’ will be provided, along with sound-bites from teachers about the difference it makes to their practice.  Presenters will describe the four Pillars of Coaching:
1. Retrievable (thematic) learning;
2. Retrievable (personalised) learning;
3. Predictive (personalised) learning;
4. SODA (self organised developmental arc) learning  
We will show examples of what is meant by each pillar, and will answer the challenge of how a teacher can self analyze: “You can’t coach what you can’t measure”. We will describe and demonstrate use of cellphones and iPads to collate self analysis and coaching content as well as use of Go Pro and MS Kinect to track student movement around Elementary and Kindergarten learning spaces. 
 
This session will describe the journey, pitfalls encountered and solutions discovered in using technology to support coaching.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Neil Hopkin

Dr. Neil Hopkin

Principal, The British International School
Neil has been a Principal of seven outstanding schools, across the UK, Singapore and China, including a federation of schools in Central London. In 2009, he was designated a UK National Leader of Education for his work in leading outstanding schools. With a Post Grad in Mathematics... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
St. James Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

12:00pm EDT

Mull - Using the Question Formulation Technique to Guide School Decision Making
BLC Evaluation
An important goal for any school administrator who wants to successfully involve the school community in the decision making process, should be to honor the ideas and concerns of those within the community. This can be achieved by engaging your stakeholders in a simple, focused process of asking questions—questions that serve to guide future actions. In this session, participants will come together in a “faculty meeting” to explore the questions behind a new school-wide initiative using the Question Formulation Technique. This streamlined questioning technique encourages divergent thinking, but at the same time, it brings focus to what you choose to explore in your schools. Additionally, this same technique can immediately be taken from the faculty meeting and into the classroom to invigorate the learning process.
Friday July 28, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Administration
  • Session Level All

12:00pm EDT

Spieldenner - Play, Craft, Learn with Minecraft
BLC Evaluation
Join this session to learn about how educators from around the world are using Minecraft Education Edition to empower their students. In this session, we will uncover:
·         Why use Minecraft in the classroom
·         Basics of Minecraft
·         Examples from Educators’ practice in the classroom
·         Create your own activity to use with your students
Speakers
avatar for Ben Spieldenner

Ben Spieldenner

English Teacher/Educational Technologist
Ben Spieldenner teaches English and is an Educational Technologist for Ashland High School (Ashland, OH). His passion is helping students and teachers discover how much fun learning can be. He started playing Minecraft a few years ago with his two children and discovered just how... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Whittier Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session

12:00pm EDT

Staudt - Sensing Science
Explore dynamic technology-based visualizations and model-based inquiry tools to help demonstrate opportunities for kids to learn about fundamental science concepts at an early age. With the use of models embedded in online stories kindergarten students start to develop a conceptual understanding of matter and its changes.
Speakers
avatar for Carolyn Staudt

Carolyn Staudt

Senior Scientist, Concord Consortium
Carolyn is a curriculum and professional development designer for technology and Internet-based projects, including directing many projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Carolyn is especially intrigued with allowing students to collect real-time data with portable... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Infusing the Common Core Across the Curriculum
  • Intended Audience Early Childhood
  • Session Level All

12:00pm EDT

Valentine - Ahead By a Century: Innovation as a Catalyst for Change
BLC Evaluation
Why do students choose online and blended options: Lessons to be learned from the ones who matter the most, our learners themselves. What role do grit, perseverance and self-advocacy play in propelling kids forward? 
Administrators, teachers, parents, community leaders and students are demanding change in schools to meet, and exceed, the needs of students. Technology is not the panacea, however it is a powerful driver that can be used to scale much-needed change in schools at a rate and pace that will serve an unprecedented number of students.  
How can we future creativity, grit, curiosity and innovation in classrooms within administrators, teachers and most importantly, students? 
This session will utilize modern philosophies of Dr. Brene Brown and Seth Godin as the underpinnings of how to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of educators and students in order to leverage the power of technology in schools. Research from the 2016 report published by Evergreen Education (""Why do students and their families choose blended/online options?"") will be incorporated, along with initial findings from the 2017 FBOL/Evergreen Education study, titled, ""Tapping into the creative spirit of the teacher to integrate blended options in classrooms to personalize learning"". Additionally, major trends, case studies and profiles will be incorporated into this session to highlight specific examples. 
How can we continue to move ""ahead by a century"" as individuals? In order to do this, we must embrace the soft skills that lie beneath the cognitive surface. Come join this session to find out!
Speakers
AV

Amy Valentine

Executive Director, The Foundation for Blended and Online Learning
Amy E. Valentine is the director of The Foundation for Blended and Online Learning, the recently formed grant-making foundation that focuses on advancing and improving opportunities for access to digital education. The Foundation was created to serve as a convener of stakeholders... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity Curiosity Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General
  • Session Level All

12:00pm EDT

Zimmerman - Leading Legacy through Social Media: Publishing Student Work for Professional Development
BLC Evaluation
You can lead legacy through social media. Become a source of professional development for others through publishing student work, even if you've never presented at a conference. You can also seek out published student work as a source of professional development. Hear the stories of a Pre-K, 1st and 3rd grade teacher who adapted my high school student's published projects for their classes. It took over a year to realize there were teachers inside my school and across the country who were adapting and successfully launching students to design their own projects because of what I published and shared on social media. I didn't realize the impact it was having. Find out how middle and high school students left a legacy for younger students mentoring them in conference presentations. It so inspired 4th grade students that they presented out of state this year with two 7th grade mentors. For them, it all started with Spinodino, a music video created by a 9th and 10th grade student now with nearly 8,000 views on YouTube. This turned into a movement in our school where each teacher creates a collection of published student work. Access student projects and free tools to help you start your own legacy. https://doc.co/Em3c1D 
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Michelle Zimmerman

Dr. Michelle Zimmerman

Researcher / Educator, Concordia University Wisconsin/ Renton Prep
Blended learning models and experiential learning can enhance human connection, creativity and innovation supported by effective digital tool use.

Friday July 28, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Beacon Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:15pm EDT

Krause - Virtual Worlds & Immersive Storytelling: Mindfulness & Empathy in #VR#AR#MR
BLC Evaluation
A true “Mission Critical” is amplifying students’ consciousness; boosting their capacity to discriminate between fact and fiction, using digital literacies to contribute to a better world. Alan November recently published an article about how educators can save democracy by teaching this form of digital awareness.
The need for literacy and awareness extends to virtual realms of AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality), pointing to the future of education practices.  
What are goals and benefits of these enhanced environments, which often hype their ability to “immerse students in the learning”?
How can we harness these tools to increase a student’s capacity to connect, appreciate the complexity of an issue, and understand and relate to others’ perspectives? From a mindfulness angle, how can #VR and #AR applications foster authentic curiosity, bringing about an even greater sense of awareness and presence?
In this session, we’ll view through a lens of empathy and storytelling, evaluating the #UX (user experience) of these immersive, virtual realms, relating them to standards for effective learning.
Speakers
avatar for Caitlin Krause

Caitlin Krause

CEO, MindWise
Caitlin Krause is a globally-recognized learning expert, author, and keynote speaker. In her book Mindful by Design and through her organizational consulting, she helps individual leaders and teams leverage mindfulness, storytelling, and design principles to connect more deeply with... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
White Hill Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Nurturing Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy and Courage

1:15pm EDT

Leighton - Student Self Assessment
BLC Evaluation
In this session, you will learn about several ways to build a class setting where the students own their learning and assess themselves. In my classes all students conduct monthly parent / teachers / student conferences where the self asses, set goals and share what they are learning. Through this and other class activities, students are empowered to take an active role in their learning.
Speakers
avatar for John Leighton

John Leighton

DLI / US History Teacher, Franklin High School
This is my 23rd year teaching at Franklin High School. I divide my time between teaching US History and working with the staff to integrate technology as a Digital Learning Integrationist . I coach Unified Basketball, Girls Basketball, and assist the Girls Lacrosse team.

Friday July 28, 2017 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Clarendon Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:15pm EDT

November - Making Thinking Visible
BLC Evaluation
Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Crafting Vision and Managing Change
  • Intended Audience General - All Audiences
  • Session Level All

1:15pm EDT

Richardson - Individual Student Blogs in Early Childhood: Creating Digital Portfolios forYoung Learners with a Focus on Digital Citizenship
BLC Evaluation
If you’re intimidated by the idea of building digital portfolios for your young learners, then you’re not alone. I jumped into individual student blogs three years ago filled with trepidation! However, with just one iPad, my class of first graders created blogs of their work from across the curriculum and learned to comment on those of others.

In this session, I will show you how to:

• Use EasyBlog.Org to build individual student blogs including photos, voice recordings, and videos
• Teach digital citizenship skills to ensure your students stay safe online and their parents feel secure
• Have your students appreciate the work of their classmates and other learners by leaving comments
Speakers
avatar for Laura Richardson

Laura Richardson

First Grade Classroom Teacher, Edith C. Baker School, Brookline, MA
Laura Richardson has been a classroom teacher in Brookline, Massachusetts for fourteen years and absolutely loves it. She infuses technology across all subject areas by developing and teaching coding & robotics curriculum, using individual student blogs, and connecting with other... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Arlington Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience Elementary
  • Session Level Beginner

1:15pm EDT

Smith - The Secret to Student Engagement
High School students know more about themselves than we think – simple classroom tools can tap into their positive energies.

That quiet student in the back row. The aggressive class disruptor. And a bored kid who refuses to do homework. How can a teacher connect with these different students? Curriculum and content alone don’t increase engagement. Understanding the unique characteristics of each individual holds the key to engaging students and promoting a productive learning environment.

This session will highlight results from Indigo implementations at various high schools around the country. The Indigo Inventory, a non-cognitive assessment tool used in the corporate world, provides teachers access to all the metrics needed to understand each student – but not to rate or rank them. Indigo data would likely show that the quiet student is a low Influencer; the disruptor is Dominant; and the homework-challenged student has low Compliance. By simply recognizing these Behavior traits, then incorporating what “drives” kids to want to perform (Motivations), teachers can start personalizing their lessons and curriculum to serve all students. We will demonstrate how schools have transformed their cultures with the Indigo program, and give specific direction on how you can use these concepts to be the teacher whose kids love to show up energized in class.

Participants in this session are strongly encouraged to take the Indigo survey before attending (provided for free, takes about 15 minutes). A comprehensive report is automatically emailed upon completion. Link: https://www.ttisurvey.com/329246HUN
Speakers
avatar for Sheri Smith

Sheri Smith

Founder, The Indigo Project
Sheri Smith graduated from American University with a B.A. in International Studies and holds an M.A. from Georgetown University in Communication, Culture and Technology. In college, Sheri interned at the State Department for Vital Voices, an initiative started by Hillary Clinton... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Berkeley Boston Park Plaza
  Main Conference Session
  • BLC Strand Designing Rigorous and Motivating Assignments
  • Intended Audience High School
  • Session Level All

2:30pm EDT

November - Next Steps and Final Reflection
BLC Evaluation
Join Alan November for a discussion on Next Steps and a wrap up of the best BLC ever!
Speakers
avatar for Alan November

Alan November

Senior Partner & Founder, November Learning
Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counsellor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. While Alan was a computer science teacher in Lexington, Mass, one of his students published an... Read More →

Friday July 28, 2017 2:30pm - 3:45pm EDT
Georgian Boston Park Plaza
  BLC Event
 
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