Keep up the ed tech momentum as FETC® enters its second half.
The “TechSHARE LIVE Keynote,” back by popular demand, is a fun and fast-paced session that exposes the audience to cutting-edge tools and devices in education technology. From gadgets and apps to hardware and software, technology will be looked at through the eyes of four experts: Adam Bellow (@AdamBellow), Hall Davidson (@halldavidson), Leslie Fisher (@lesliefisher), and Kathy Schrock (@kathyschrock). They will explore tech that involves learners in creating, making, programming, coding, producing, innovating, inventing, designing, problem-solving, publishing and more.
One of the featured speakers on the new Future of Ed Tech Coach Track is Kasey Bell, a digital learning consultant from Shake Up Learning, presenting “Confessions of a Bad Teacher” at 10 a.m. She aims to help teachers avoid pitfalls by learning tech integration tips, planning ideas and assessment strategies.
On deck for the new Future of Ed Tech Library Media Specialist track are 18 workshops and sessions geared toward the ever-evolving role of these educators in their work with students, teachers, information specialists, and other educators and administrators. Literacy consultant Shaelynn Farnsworth, one of the featured speakers, will present “4 Ed Tech Ways to Differentiate in a Student-Centered Classroom” at 11 a.m.
A highlight of the Future of Ed Tech Educator Track will be “Exploring the Merge Explorer for Merge Cube,” a 4 p.m. session being led by featured speakers Jaime Donally of the #AVVRinEDU community and Rachelle Dene Poth, a language and STEAM teacher. Attendees will get an in-depth look at the hands-on, curriculum-aligned K-8 augmented reality science content that is available in Merge Explorer.
Thursday is going to be another great day of learning and networking in the Future of Ed Tech IT Track. “For the Google administrators, we have sessions on G-Suite,” says Lenny Schad, chief information and innovation officer for LRP and FETC®. “Apple technicians can learn better management and deployment strategies. There will be sessions on data analytics, privacy and equity. And our leadership sessions will focus on transformational strategy, organizational change management and employee recruiting, plus retaining and succession planning.” And since cybersecurity continues to be a hot issue, sessions will include “Cybersecurity Risk Monitoring and Management” at 11 a.m.
Executive functioning skills will be a big topic for the Future of Ed Tech Inclusion & Special Education track attendees. Related sessions will include “Enhancing Executive Skills Through Mindfulness” at 10 a.m. and “Tools for Executive Function: Calming and Focus” at noon.
Mindfulness will also be a highlight of the Future of Ed Tech Educator track, with “The State of Mindfulness and Teacher Mental Health in Education” at 10 a.m. Switching gears, track attendees may want to check out “Artificial Intelligence in Education: What Do We Need to Know?” at 2 p.m.
Also plan to visit the Expo Hall, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a beverage break scheduled for 2:40-3:20 p.m. STEM Theater activities will include “Podcasting: Creating a Local STEAM Guild” at 9:15 a.m. and “3D Printing in Science Lab” at 10 a.m.
Melissa Ezarik is senior managing editor of DA.
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