Miami Device

How do we connect?  How do we build relationships?  And what is the point anyway?  This session will cover tips, ideas, and tricks to really make sure that we value and lift up every member of our team including our students!

An infopic is a photo with text layered on top that is designed to communicate a message. Some are simple while others are enhanced with awesome photography effects. An infopic's message might be a summary, quote, definition, notes, data, weblink, or other informational tidbits. The information might come from a conference, workshop, activity, lesson, video, book, a conversation, etc. Infopics can help us process, remember, and convey information in an appealing way. See loads of examples and learn about apps, websites, and techniques that teachers and students can use for making their own infopics.

Explore some of the lesser-known tricks, tips and ideas for creating engaging media that, when combined with a thoughtful narration, can make Keynote presentations come alive. 

With a press of a button, you can be broadcasting live video to the world. Periscope, Meerkat, and Blab are three popular (and free) live streaming apps, and they are full of potential. Similar to Twitter, you choose who to follow, and you receive notifications when that person starts a broadcast. People who tune in live can type comments so that the broadcaster can interact with the audience.
Educators can jump in on broadcasts about topics like classroom management, setting up centers, or the latest apps. Teachers can step into other teachers’ classrooms and take a tour and ask questions. You might even catch live streams from conferences, workshops, and edcamps. Let’s compare the major live streaming apps, view clips from example broadcasts, discover who to follow, and brainstorm the best educational uses for live broadcasting.

Digital portfolios are a powerful way for students to demonstrate growth and mastery. However, getting started on a portfolio project can seem daunting. In this session, we explore a flexible framework for digital portfolios, so that you are equipped and empowered to design a digital portfolio project for your students. 

The term "assessment" has come to mean boring kill-and-drill tests. However, teachers can leverage technology as they create authentic, meaningful assessments that provide better feedback while saving time. In this session, we review five ready-to-use assessment strategies and talk about the ideal context for each one.

Flipping? PBL? "Yeah ok, but how do I actually make it work for ME and MY students???" Come learn from one educator on how he flipped his math instruction and go full PBL! Plus he'll share stories of how others in the field are flipping! Any grade, any subject! Todd was a classroom teacher for seven years before he became a principal in his district which he has been doing for two years.

The world of technology is ever changing, however many schools use the same tried-and-true methods, utilize the same tools and resources that are old and tired, and are afraid to take chances on new technology. Our goal as technology leaders, teachers, and innovators, is expand our students' minds and their capabilities, by providing them unique experiences to enhance their learning.

In this session, you will be provided a lens into the future, and have an opportunity to not just learn about, but actually play with, some of the newest tech "toys," many of which can be aquired for under $100. This session includes toys for all ages that involve tangible play, virtual reality, computer science, and more. Bring innovation and creativity to your classroom, wow your fellow teachers and students, and join Bryan in his adventure to bring the future of play to the present.