NCTIES 2020 Sessions To Add To Your Conference Agenda

With NCTIES 2020 approaching this week, this is the perfect time to take a look at the conference agenda and decide which sessions you will be attending. Dyknow is attending NCTIES 2020 to connect with North Carolina educators, and part of this involves going to sessions that align with Ed Tech topics and initiatives to learn how these educators are leading the way within the space. We also have a large number of Dyknow users in North Carolina, so we are looking forward to connecting with them to learn how they use Dyknow and what EdTech initiatives are top of mind for their 2020 vision. Here are the NCTIES 2020 sessions we are looking forward to.

NCTIES 2020 Session Highlights

Techquity: Creating Learning Environments for Sustainability, Equity, and Access

Thursday, March 5th, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Ken Shelton | Ed Tech Strategist

We have a startling level of accessibility to information and resources. Today’s learner is not only conditioned for immediate feedback, in many cases the desire for immediate results is expected. Adding to all of this is the competition for attention, The Attention Economy. As a result, one of the more significant challenges we face is to appropriately engage and connect with today’s learner. When it comes to technology and digital resources, many of these forms of engagement can occur at varying lengths of time from seconds to semesters. Whether it be teaching, learning, or creating, we have a plethora of resources available, literally at our fingertips. During this interactive keynote we will explore ways in which these resources can foster increasing degrees of engagement from a teaching, learning, and creating perspective. Read more

Using Technology to Go Gradeless in the Classroom

Thursday, March 5th, 1:15 – 2:00 p.m.

Kevin Aycock| Social Studies Teacher | Rowan-Salisbury Schools

This presentation will focus on the use of technology to promote a gradeless classroom. Participants will learn tools and techniques to promote student voice in assessment and how to better measure student learning without traditional grades. Read more

Making Internet Access Equitable for Rural K-12 Students

Friday, March 6th, 

Corey McNeill | Lead Teacher of Instructional Technology | Rowan-Salisbury Schools

In this session participants will experiences the same level of inequity that many K-12 students face when it comes to Internet Access, “…North Carolina has one of the lowest adoption rates in the country… In 2013 only 47% of NC households with annual incomes under $15,000 adopted broadband”

Participants will take part in a brief simulation in addition to a roundtable discussion. The presentation will concluded by providing resources to attendees on how they can advocate for Internet access within their LEA / District. Read more

Increase Student Engagement by Bridging the Physical and the Digital

Thursday, March 5th, 3:15 – 4:00 p.m.

Lori Zeman | Media Coordinator | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; Justin Pierce | Lead Media Arts Teacher | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Using the free platform Artivive, teachers will learn how to bring pictures to life with augmented reality. The digital layer opens the doors to a new world of possibilities. Students can be taught to lead others on a journey and explain what lies behind the pictures while telling a story. This skill can be used for all content areas and examples will be provided during the lesson. Participants will get the chance to make their own AR during the session as well as take away ideas for their own content levels. Read more

Coaching for Equity

Thursday, March 5th, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Patricia Hilliard | Friday Institute; Blake Wiggs | PD & Schools Initiative Coordinator | Craven County Schools

How do truly coach for equity in 2020? In this session, participants will examine how identity, power, and school culture may impact coaching relationships. We will also critically reflect on our actions and behaviors while coaching one another. Come prepared to be uncomfortable, but leave with a greater sense of purpose. Read more

Technophobic Teachers? We’ve Got You!

Thursday, March 5th, 1:15 – 2:45 p.m.

Meredith Clay; Erin Roberts

Come learn how one primary school is utilizing tech tools through PD to and PLCs to support the tech transition. Read more

Tech or Not to Tech? That is the Question

Friday, March 6th, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Seth Gearren | Teacher | WCPSS; Carmen Brennan | School Library Media Specialist | WCPSS

Choosing whether or not to use a supplemental tech tool to support student learning can be one of the most difficult questions that teachers have to answer. With all of the requirements of curriculum and standards, teachers need strategies to help them decide whether a tech tool will support student learning and help them to achieve their learning goals or if a tech tool would be a fun, innovative activity that could distract from the overall learning goals. This session will help guide teachers and coaches through the process of analyzing student needs and whether a tech tool would enable students to design, collaborate, and innovate while also meeting the learning standards. Participants will engage with scenarios to decide whether or not technology should be used and what tech tools could be used to support students. Participants will also create guiding questions to take back to their schools to support classroom teachers when making decisions about using supplemental tech tools, such as Ozobot, Sphero, Makey Makey, etc. Read more