2022 Conference Schedule with Handout Links | Teaching and Learning with Technology

Some of our presenters are willing to share their handouts. As we receive them, we will provide the links.

9:00 – 9:20 a.m. — Welcome and Opening (open discussion of technology lessons learned during COVID-19) – Room 102
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. — First set of sessions (select one of the five sessions listed below to attend)

Code Anywhere: Teach Coding on Any Device Using Replit– Room 201
Using Technology to Ignite, Delight, and Cultivate Diverse and Inclusive Learning Experiences – Room 102 (link to slides)
See it, Hear it, Say it, Understand it! Tech Tools for Developing and Assessing Oral Proficiency and Comprehension for the Foreign Language Classroom – Room 202 (link to slides)
Go Formative? Go You! – Room 205 (link to slides)
EOS-503: A Game for Teaching Visionary Leadership & Problem Solving – Room 206 (link to slides)

10:40 – 11:40 a.m. — Second set of sessions (select one of the five sessions listed below attend)

Getting Started With Digital Notebooks – Room 201
Bloxels – Video Game and Art Design for Kids – Room 202 (Google Classroom Link for Bloxels: wfzmnqf)
Making Con-TECH-tions – Room 205
The Coding Experience – Room 102 (link to slides)
Enhancing Critical Thinking and Helping Students Debunk Stereotypes with Big Data – Room 206 (previous recording of the topic)

11:40 – 1:00 p.m. — Lunch in UConn SUB Food Court

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. — Third set of sessions (select one of the five sessions listed below attend)

Streamline Your Grading Time – Room 206 (link to slides)
Learn CS with the TI-84 Graphing Calculator (Python) – Room 201
Using Technology to Enhance Lessons – Room 202
Guided Online Investigations using Hyperdocs – Room 205 (link to slides)
Leveraging the Technology Resources to Support Literacy Learning – Room 102 (link to slides)

2:10 – 3:10 p.m. — Fourth set of sessions (select one of the five sessions listed below attend)

Coding and Robotics in Classrooms! Turning Frustration into Innovation – Room 102 (link to slides)
Using DonorsChoose to Support Your Classroom – Room 202 (link to slides)
Storytelling in VR and AR Using Cospaces – Room 201
Cancelled: Promoting Student Agency and Voice: Leveraging Minecraft EDU, Flipgrid and Google Workspace – Room 205
Exploring the Nature of Technology – Room 206 (link to slides)

Program Details:

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Code Anywhere: Teach Coding on Any Device Using Replit

Andrew Abate
Riverdale Country School

In this session, learn about Repl.it, the online coding interface to incorporate collaborative programming in your classroom. We will examine how to use this device-independent coding platform to create programs and projects in several different languages including Java, Python, Swift, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. We will also discuss best practices and strategies on how to use the Repl.it platform for the classroom including creating student coding tasks, collaborating in real time, and submitting student work for in-person, hybrid, and remote learning scenarios.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: com
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Mathematics
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate – Expert

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9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Using Technology to Ignite, Delight, and Cultivate Diverse and Inclusive Learning Experiences

Susannah Richards
Eastern Connecticut State University

Hope Mulholland
Bennet Academy Technology Integration Specialist, Manchester Public Schools

How do we, as educators, leverage the technology for student success? This session will focus on the ways that technology may be used in all phases of the learning process- to determine what and how to teach; to assess schema; introduce ideas, strategies, and concepts; scaffold different levels of learning; and how to demonstrate what is learned. The focus is on what to learn and how the technology supports learning. The goal is to integrate the technology as a way to expand executive functioning skills so that students focus on the learning by integrating technology.

This presentation will focus more on …an effective online teaching strategy.
App(s) featured in this presentation include:
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate -Expert

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9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
See it, Hear it, Say it, Understand it! Tech Tools for Developing and Assessing Oral Proficiency and Comprehension for the Foreign Language Classroom

Bonnie Smithers
Preston Veterans Memorial School

This presentation will introduce tools used to develop and assess students’ oral proficiency and comprehension in a foreign language. The problem with evaluating speaking and comprehension ability is that it usually requires teachers to work one-on-one or with small groups, taking away important class time. But how else can we know what students can read, understand and say by themselves?

Enter technology! Most all the tools I will share have audio, text-to-speech, and recording features. These features help develop literacy, decoding skills, and comprehension of texts. When students can record themselves reading aloud, it makes it easy for teachers to evaluate and track individual student achievement. The presentation will focus on examples using Seesaw, Quizlet, Educandy, Flippity, Book Creator, ChatterKids and Factile.

Although these tools are especially helpful for foreign language students, Language Arts or ESL students can benefit from using these tools. Audio support provides all students with a connection to literacy, helping them to process and decode written text. When the tool includes an option for voice recording, students are often motivated to re-record themselves until it is their best work, allowing them to develop fluency, pace and expression.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Quizlet, Seesaw, FacTile, ChatterKids, Book Creator, Flippity, and Educandy
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Art, Language Arts, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate – Expert

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9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Go Formative? Go You!

Sarah Meyer
Simsbury High school

Brenda Long
Simsbury High School

Are you still in the hybrid environment or just want to Jazz up your assessment tools? Go Formative is for you. We will be discussing the free version where you can create quick quizzes, adjust a pdf and turn it into an assessment, and more! Bring a device, as this is a web-based program.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Go Formative
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Administration, Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate

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9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
EOS-503: A Game for Teaching Visionary Leadership & Problem Solving

Stephen Slota
University of Connecticut

Colter Moos
University of Connecticut

This presentation will walk attendees through the creation and implementation of EOS-503—a free, browser-based game for teaching and assessing visionary leadership and problem solving. EOS-503 was developed by the University of Connecticut Educational Technology program to evaluate applications of contemporary learning theory and instructional technology integration, equipped with backend tools to log and report individual learner growth and decision-making. Throughout the game’s dialog-driven narrative, players are encouraged to explore the titular space station, hone their communication skills with a diverse set of stakeholders, and overcome richly authentic challenges grounded in the TPACK model and ISTE Standards for Technology Coaches. An iPad-compatible version of EOS-503 is still under development, so attendees wishing to play “during” the presentation will need to bring a laptop capable of running Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and/or Microsoft Edge browsers.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: EOS-503
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Administration, Art, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate – Expert

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10:40 – 11:40 a.m.
Getting Started With Digital Notebooks

Carla Woitovich
East Lyme Middle School

This session is for educators that are new to digital notebooks and are interested in learning how to get started making one. During this session, participants will have the opportunity for hands on practice as they follow along with the instructor. We will review how to make a basic digital notebook and discuss best practices for using them.

This presentation will focus more on …an effective online teaching strategy.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Google Slides (not an app but this is the program we will be using)
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Studies
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice

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10:40 – 11:40 a.m.
This session is cancelled –> Communication Technology

Alexander Tierney
Salem Public Schools

Margaret Sullivan
Salem Public Schools

My presentation will review the TouchChat HD application, an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution for students who have difficulty using their natural voice. Communication is essential for students to interact, learn, and to achieve their educational goals. This app is designed to teach students to form sentences using relatable icons, with the goal of communicating independently using their own natural speech.

Not all apps are one size fits all. I will explore the ability to customize TouchChat features, to meet the specific learning challenges of each student, and to strategize to integrate the technology into the classroom.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Touchchat HD AAC (Argumentative and Alternative Communication)
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate

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10:40 – 11:40 a.m.
Making Con-TECH-tions

Katie Tietjen
East Hampton High School

Delia Regan
East Hampton High School

We (an English teacher and a library media specialist) will highlight how we use three specific ed tech tools to make meaningful connections with our high school English students: Mote for personalized feedback, Google Slides/ Forms for SEL check-ins and engaging daily agendas, and PearDeck for actively involving students in lessons.

This presentation will focus more on …an effective online teaching strategy.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Mote, Google Slides/ Forms, PearDeck
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate

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10:40 – 11:40 a.m.
The Coding Experience

Bryan Marchinkoski
Simsbury Public Schools

Missie Champagne
Simsbury Public Schools (Tootin Hills)

Avery Marchinkoski
Simsbury Public Schools

Learn about coding and programming through the use of Cubelets, Code.org, the Blockly app and Dash robot. Elementary students deepen their understanding of computer science through persevering and problem-solving different challenges over the course of 15 weeks, at 40 minutes per class. Come learn about the coding experience and play with code and robots! You can access the materials at https://sites.google.com/simsburyschools.net/three-coding-experiences/home

This presentation will focus more on …an effective online teaching strategy.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Blockly app
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 3, 4, 5, 6
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Mathematics, Science Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate – Expert

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10:40 – 11:40 a.m.
Enhancing Critical Thinking and Helping Students Debunk Stereotypes with Big Data

Del Siegle
University of Connecticut

Educators can share with young students the significant role data can play in making decisions and understanding the world around them. We will share how Gapminder’s free Animating Data and Dollar Street website apps provide vehicles for critical thinking to debunk stereotypes about people from other countries and to explore the role poverty plays in lives.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: com and Living Planet
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice

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11:40 – 1:00 p.m. — Lunch in UConn SUB Food Court

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1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Streamline Your Grading Time

Brooke Kleinman
Horace W. Porter School

In this presentation, we will go over some ways to use your time more effectively to score work and create materials quickly using Google for Education. Topics will include: How to create and implement Google Form assignments, EdPuzzle assignments, rubrics for use in Google Classroom and some different ways to use Google Slides for materials and assignments other than presentations.

This presentation will focus more on …effective online use of technology and teaching strategies.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Google for Education (Forms, Slides, Classroom) and EdPuzzle
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Studies
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate

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1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Learn CS with the TI-84 Graphing Calculator (Python)

Andrew Abate
Riverdale Country School

Learn the principles of computer science using Python with the TI-84 Graphing Calculator. The updated TI-84 Plus CE now allows students to write applications in the Python programming language. Python is an easy to read text based language which allows programmers to focus on solutions and application rather than syntax. In this session, you will learn some basic programming principles of Python to code some basic algebraic formulas. Then we will examine the procedure from getting Python programs from your computer to your TI-84 Plus CE.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: TI-84 Plus CE, Python, replit.com
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Mathematics
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate – Expert

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1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Using Technology to Enhance Lessons

Guy Pratt
Darien High School

How can we use technology to expand and deepen student thinking? Technology does not have to replace paper and pencil, but it can add elements to the conversation of learning. This presentation will discuss how student experiences can be expanded upon through the use of technology, making student thinking more visible and allowing teachers to more closely examine misconceptions by comparing pre-technology and with-technology lessons across several different applications. While discussing apps used in a 1:1 iPad program, these experiences are transferable to other technology platforms as most of the apps discussed can be used on iPads, Chromebooks, or other computer platforms.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Flipgrid, Explain Everything, Book Creator, and Stop Motion Studio.
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Science
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate – Expert

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1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Guided Online Investigations using Hyperdocs

Chelsey Greer
Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy, Windham Public Schools

This presentation will introduce the concept of hyperdocs, hyperlinks, and guided online investigations. Educators will learn about the ability to facilitate differentiated student investigations using teacher curated resources. The skills and tools covered in this session can apply for students working both in-person, hybrid, and blended learning models. Educators will leave this session with increased confidence in curating valuable resources for students to explore topics and seek answers to their questions.

This presentation will focus more on …an effective online teaching strategy.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Google Workspaces, Google Classroom
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate

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1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Leveraging the Technology Resources to Support Literacy Learning

Susannah Richards
Eastern CT State University

What are the ways that we leverage technology to increase student equity and access to learning? This session will provide an overview of Internet sites, technology tools, and strategies that may help increase student success in terms of literacy and content delivery. Highlights will include strategies to build schema and demonstrate comprehension in textual and visual formats. While the overall focus will be on literacy, examples will feature content from mathematics, science, and social studies.

This presentation will focus more on …an effective online teaching strategy.
App(s) featured in this presentation include:
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Art, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies,
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate –

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2:10 – 3:10 p.m.
Coding and Robotics in Classrooms! Turning Frustration into Innovation

Laura McCaffrey
Archdiocese of Hartford Catholic Schools

Liz Plasky
St. Bridget School

This presentation will demonstrate how the schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford are integrating coding & robotics into lesson plans by grade level and subject area. We will show coding/robotic apps teachers can use in their classrooms. The presentation will cover why coding is important and provide examples by grade level & subject area. Attendees will leave the session with examples of how to bring coding and robotics into their lesson plans and examples of activities for grade levels PreK to Grade 8.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include:
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate

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2:10 – 3:10 p.m.
Using DonorsChoose to Support Your Classroom

Laura Discenza
Davis Academy for Arts and Design Innovation Interdistrict Magnet School

This session will help teachers new to DonorsChoose set up accounts and their first projects to help bring new technology or other needs into their classroom. This interactive session will help teachers navigate the website and help them submit a project based on what they learned at the conference. DonorsChoose is an online charity on a mission to make it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need by allowing people to donate directly to classrooms.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: org
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate

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2:10 – 3:10 p.m.
Storytelling in VR and AR Using Cospaces

Andrew Abate
Riverdale Country School

Learn how to create a story in Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) using the cospaces platform! Build a 3D world using easy creation tools. You can also add interactions with block based code. When you’re done, you can explore your worlds in Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality on a mobile device or web browser! The cospaces platform was designed for the classroom and contains curriculum, activities, and a classroom management features. In this session, we’ll create a story using cospaces and then use Google Cardboard and AR on your mobile device to display your work!

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: cospaces (cospaces.io)
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Administration, Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate – Expert

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2:10 – 3:10 p.m.
This session is cancelled –> Promoting Student Agency and Voice: Leveraging Minecraft EDU, Flipgrid and Google Workspace

Celeste Estevez
Tolland Middle School

Stephanie Cassidy
Tolland Middle School

Imagine middle school students rushing to class excited about their work. They have voice and agency as they learn more than just content – they are having fun! Their learning promotes creativity, collaboration and problem solving where the only limitation is their imagination. Join us to learn more about our 6th grade science project where we integrated Minecraft Education, Flipgrid and Google Workspace to promote deeper learning while assessing student understanding of energy transfer in specific biomes or aquatic ecosystems. Hear how a veteran teacher, and educational technology coach transformed learning for an entire grade level of students.

This presentation will focus more on …how to use a specific app.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: Minecraft Education Edition, Flipgrid, Google Slides, Docs
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Administration, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Intermediate – Expert

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2:10 – 3:10 p.m.
Exploring the Nature of Technology

Talbot Hook
University of Connecticut

Technology education is much more than just teaching students to use technology proficiently. Most technology education is focused on how to use technology, but this doesn’t lend itself to a deep understanding of technological literacy. By bringing in discussions about the Nature of Technology, we can broaden students’ notions by honing in on questions of what technology is and how it shapes our values, actions, and our direction as a society. These questions are critical for students to grapple with in the 21st century, as we navigate complex issues of personal identity, globalization, automation, and meaning-making. Through discussion of these topics, students can ultimately make better decisions about their personal technology habits and more fully engage in cultural debates about the role of technology in our lives. This presentation will also cover infusion of the Nature of Technology across the curriculum, and will be chock-full of big questions, so come prepared to think and discuss!

This presentation will focus more on technology literacy.
App(s) featured in this presentation include: N/A
This presentation is appropriate for the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Content from this presentation can be applied to the following: Administration, Art, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Special Education
The presenter indicated individuals with the following skill levels will find this presentation useful: Novice – Intermediate – Expert

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