Keeping up with the latest AI tools can feel like a full-time job and the tools change quickly, but our purpose in using them as teachers hasn't changed. Are you wondering which one is worth using, which ones we should be using, and which ones are really just wrappers that don't offer much value? This session has you covered! Join Darren as he walks through all the best AI tools currently available for teachers and how you can use them! Increase your awesome and learn how AI infused tools can make your work easier, more effective, more engaging, and less stressful.
You have probably used AI in your classroom…whether it's creating images, articles, assignments, or even for assessments. You try your best to spot biases and check AI's work before giving it to your students…but are you integrating best practices for supporting ELLs in your prompts? What are the best ways to use AI to support ELLs anyways? Join this session as we explore how to integrate good EAL teaching practices and the EAL Benchmarks 2.0 into designing learning that will help your ELLs (and other students!) build vocabulary and become better speakers and writ
Computer Science is now embedded throughout Alberta's K–6 Science curriculum, but many teachers are unsure where to begin. This session is designed specifically for new teachers who want practical, low-prep ways to bring computer science and computational thinking into their classrooms. Participants will explore what computer science looks like across the elementary grades and discover classroom-ready activities that require little to no prior experience. Through demonstrations, lesson ideas, and examples from real classrooms, attendees will learn how concepts such as algorithms, coding, debugging, pattern recognition, and computational thinking can be taught through both unplugged and digital activities. The session will highlight accessible tools and resources such as Scratch, MakeCode, micro:bit, Minecraft Education, robotics, and unplugged learning experiences while emphasizing practical implementation strategies that fit within a busy teacher's schedule. Participants will leave with a collection of ready-to-use activities, resources, and increased confidence to begin integrating computer science learning into their classrooms immediately.
A few weeks or months into your new teaching career, are you wondering how you're going to get all the things done and still deliver quality teaching and learning to your students? Does it seem like everyone expects you to meet the needs of EVERY student in your classroom EVERY day, ie, to do the seemingly impossible? Then this is the session for you. In this session you'll learn about high-impact universal supports that reduce planning, teaching, assessment, and reporting strain; support inclusive classrooms; and provide deep learning opportunities for students across K–12 settings. Come and rid your backpack of almost everything but the most high yield/lower prep teaching tools and protocols, in order to become the most nimble (and better rested!) teacher you can be!
Assistive tools for students have never been better and they get more exciting all the time! There are several tools that ALL students can use on Chromebooks to help them become better readers, writers, and learners in general. There are also so many ways that teachers can create and use resources that can reach every student. This session will help you address the diverse needs you will encounter in your classroom. We will look at the built-in accessibility features of Chromebooks, tools in Google Classroom to help with reading some features of Read&Write, how to adapt texts, assessments, and activities and ,most importantly, how to engage every student in multiple ways including English Language Learners.
Computer science and computational thinking are becoming increasingly important components of K–12 education, yet many teachers are unsure where to begin. This hands-on session introduces educators to a collection of accessible, classroom-ready tools that can be used to teach coding, problem solving, creativity, and computational thinking across subject areas. Participants will explore free resources from Code.org, visual programming through Scratch, and constructionist learning approaches using LEGO Robotics. The session will highlight practical classroom examples, curriculum connections, and strategies for implementation with students of varying experience levels. Attendees will leave with lesson ideas, resource links, and a clear pathway for introducing computer science concepts into their own teaching practice.
