The innovation-centered and laugh-packed Techshare! LIVE keynote is undoubtedly one of the main events at FETC on Thursday. The regular cast—Leslie Fisher, Kathy Schrock, Hall Davidson and Adam Bellow—will unleash their insight, ed-tech tools and incomparable banter but the exact agenda remains a secret until showtime!
“It’s a very raucous event,” says Schrock, the creator of Guide to Everything. “Hall will take a handheld wireless microscope and stick it in my hair. We talk about educational finds. Adam always has a song that he parodies, and it’s all about education. It’s always fun. People just go crazy in there.”
Attendees can expect a wealth of wisdom, gadget guidance and ideas in a fast-paced environment suited toward every level of attendee within K-12 districts.
“It definitely is a very mixed audience,” Bellow says. “That’s what I love about that conference. It’s a great gathering of so many people, from all the district folks and superintendents to tons of tech people and all the teachers.”
In one of the first “can’t miss” sessions of the day, “Engaging EdTech Ideas for Digital Citizenship & Social-Emotional Learning” will be shared by educational technology specialist and trainer Christina Nunez, of Albuquerque Public Schools. Nunez will cover the key concepts such as media balance and wellbeing, privacy and security, digital footprint and identity, self-awareness and self-management, and responsible decision-making.
Brain breaks and esports take the stage
Did you know STEM is saving the world? Well, in their can’t-miss session, TV creators and producers Jenny Buccos and Kari Byron will detail why everyone should care about STEM and why storytelling is critically important when communicating scientific knowledge that can solve some of the world’s most urgent problems.
And on the cutting-edge, the “Emerging Tech: Transforming Classrooms with AI, AR and VR!” session will cover how educators can start using these technology tools in their classrooms. Presenters Jaime Donally and Rachelle Dene Poth will share ideas for implementing VR and AI more smoothly.
On the Future of Ed Tech Library Media Specialist, featured speaker Rosalyn Washington will share ideas for refreshing during the school day in “Digital Celebrations, Brain-breaks and Meaningful Downtime.”
“I’m excited to share ideas about how to excite, empower and engage students with diverse learning experiences and content,” says Washington, a digital learning specialist in Atlanta Public Schools.
Thursday’s highlights
- 8-10 a.m.: Engaging EdTech Ideas for Digital Citizenship & Social/Emotional Learning
- 8:30-9:45 a.m: TechShare LIVE! General Session Keynote, South Hall A
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: EXPO Hall open.
- 10-10:45 a.m.: Leading and Teaming with District Technology Leaders: Three Superintendent Perspectives
- 11-11:45 a.m.: Emerging Tech: Transforming Classrooms with AI, AR and VR!
- 11-11:45 a.m.: Digital Celebrations, Brain-breaks and Meaningful Downtime
- 3-3:45 p.m.: What You See: Understanding Gameday Footage
- Find Thursday’s full schedule here
In another one of the day’s “can’t miss” sessions, “Leading and Teaming with District Technology Leaders,” superintendents Mark Benigni (Meriden Public Schools, Conn.), Matthew Miller (Lakota Local School District, Ohio) and Scott Muri (Ector County ISD, Texas) will share their strategies for supporting chief technology officers and leaders in steering their district’s digital transformations.
More from DA: Has virtual reality reached a moment of deeper engagement in K-12 learning?
Finally, teacher coaching will be the focus of “What You See: Understanding Gameday Footage” presented by Kasey Hutchison, an instructional technology specialist, and Adam Phyall II, the director Of technology and media services, both from the Newton County School System in Georiga.
The session will offer guidance on how to maximize video footage in helping teachers reflect on their practice.
