Theme 5
Technology & Teacher Education
Theme 5 - Sessions
Online Lecture Strategies During the the COVID-19 Pandemic
Trailer Video + Video Presentation
Session 501 (Tue May 24 - 6pm)
Dr. David Bussell & Alison Mann
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, teaching online has been an essential learning mode for students worldwide. As such, Teacher Candidates have gained a deeper understanding of online learning strategies, best practices and adaptability in an ever-changing learning environment. In this session, two lead instructors in the Bachelor of Education program will share their experiences using a flipped classroom method using video and synchronous online lectures in a hyper-flex model. We share challenges and solutions based on student feedback and observations. Session participants will gain insight and practical strategies for both modes of online learning.
Examining the “Learning” in the Digital Learning Portfolio
Trailer Video, Handout + Video Presentation
Session 502 (Tue May 24 - 7pm)
Dr. Diana Petrarca, Yvette Samaha & Keisha Deoraj
This session looks at the use of a digital learning portfolios (DLP) as a pedagogical tool to help teacher candidates address misconceptions of teaching We share the evidence-based process of the evolution of the DLP and its components and how it serves to challenge teacher candidates’ initial assumptions about teaching and learning to foster reflective practice, and to help teacher candidates develop a stronger sense of self as both learners and teachers.
Innovative Digital Tools for Online Learning: Professional Development for Teachers
Trailer Video + Handout
Session 503 (Tue May 24 - 8pm)
Dr. Zeynep Gecu-Parmaksiz & Dr. Janette Hughes
Professional development (PD) has been a significant part of creating a successful teaching and learning environment. The unprecedented COVID-19 crisis forced many teachers to learn and master technology. So these PD sessions became highly effective to support educators' needs while engaging with online tech tools and implementing them in their teaching environment. This session will briefly overview some of the virtual tech tools (CoSpaces Edu, iRobot, Tinkercad, Scratch, Ozobot) and how to use them to teach content. Moreover, we will share teachers' user experiences and challenges using these tools in online settings.
Improving Mathematics Learning Through Computational Participation
Trailer Video + Handout + Video Presentation
Session 504 (Wed May 25 - 7pm)
Dr. Janette Hughes, Devin Flynn & Katlin Walsh
This session explores how Computational Participation (CP) expands the concept of computational thinking. Including problem-solving, creativity, and understanding of human behaviour in terms of digital collaboration and communication. We build on experiences in two school districts to facilitate math-based coding activities for professional learning that focus on curricular support rather than coding itself.
Evaluating Pre-Service Teachers' Strategies for Learning New Technology
Handout + Video Presentation
Session 505 (Thu May 26 - 8pm)
Dr. Robin Kay
K-12 teachers are often expected to be leaders in using educational technology in the classroom, but little is known about the effectiveness of how they learn to use new tools. This session will examine the benefits and challenges of four commonly used approaches: formal instruction, exploration, completing authentic tasks, and collaboration. We will then explore new learning strategies. Finally, we discuss how to help educators develop technology-based skills to support student learning goals in pedagogically meaningful ways.
Learning How to Evaluate Mobile Apps to Maximize Learning
Handout + Video Presentation
Session 506 (Thu May 26 - 6pm)
Dr. Robin Kay & Dr. Rob Power
One of the most available and distracting tools in K-12 education is the mobile phone. Yet, many teachers can benefit from guidance on selecting the most effective and engaging mobile apps to maximize learning. We will discuss research on how to assess three critical features of mobile apps: design, engagement and learning value. We will then offer a scale that teachers can use to evaluate any mobile app. Finally, we will explore strategies for minimizing distraction and maximizing learning.
Tipping the Scale Toward Innovative Technology Use for Teachers
Trailer Video + Handout + Video Presentation
Session 507 (Wed May 25 - 8pm)
Dr. Rob Power & Dr. Robin Kay
This presentation highlights the types of support that teachers find most important to help them integrate new technologies and innovative pedagogical approaches into their teaching practice. We compare the findings of two research studies: the first focuses on the self-determined adoption of innovative techniques; the second follows the forced transition to technology-mediated remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings point to important considerations for organizations and individuals when preparing to use new teaching approaches with digital tools.
Exploring How to Prepare Pre-Service Teachers for Coding
Handout + Video Presentation
Session 508 (Thu May 26 - 7pm)
Yvette Samaha & Dr. Diane Tepylo
Coding and computational thinking are being added to elementary curriculums worldwide. Yet, most teachers have little to no coding experience, which brings about the question: “How do we prepare teachers to support student learning in coding?” The Digital Learning Portfolio (DLP) with well-thought-out guiding questions emerges as a tool to help teacher candidates (TCs) shift their thinking from learners to teachers of coding. In this session, participants will leave with an understanding of how a DLP can help TCs learn to think as teachers of coding.
Trailer Video + Video Presentation
Session 501 (Tue May 24 - 6pm)
Dr. David Bussell & Alison Mann
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, teaching online has been an essential learning mode for students worldwide. As such, Teacher Candidates have gained a deeper understanding of online learning strategies, best practices and adaptability in an ever-changing learning environment. In this session, two lead instructors in the Bachelor of Education program will share their experiences using a flipped classroom method using video and synchronous online lectures in a hyper-flex model. We share challenges and solutions based on student feedback and observations. Session participants will gain insight and practical strategies for both modes of online learning.
Examining the “Learning” in the Digital Learning Portfolio
Trailer Video, Handout + Video Presentation
Session 502 (Tue May 24 - 7pm)
Dr. Diana Petrarca, Yvette Samaha & Keisha Deoraj
This session looks at the use of a digital learning portfolios (DLP) as a pedagogical tool to help teacher candidates address misconceptions of teaching We share the evidence-based process of the evolution of the DLP and its components and how it serves to challenge teacher candidates’ initial assumptions about teaching and learning to foster reflective practice, and to help teacher candidates develop a stronger sense of self as both learners and teachers.
Innovative Digital Tools for Online Learning: Professional Development for Teachers
Trailer Video + Handout
Session 503 (Tue May 24 - 8pm)
Dr. Zeynep Gecu-Parmaksiz & Dr. Janette Hughes
Professional development (PD) has been a significant part of creating a successful teaching and learning environment. The unprecedented COVID-19 crisis forced many teachers to learn and master technology. So these PD sessions became highly effective to support educators' needs while engaging with online tech tools and implementing them in their teaching environment. This session will briefly overview some of the virtual tech tools (CoSpaces Edu, iRobot, Tinkercad, Scratch, Ozobot) and how to use them to teach content. Moreover, we will share teachers' user experiences and challenges using these tools in online settings.
Improving Mathematics Learning Through Computational Participation
Trailer Video + Handout + Video Presentation
Session 504 (Wed May 25 - 7pm)
Dr. Janette Hughes, Devin Flynn & Katlin Walsh
This session explores how Computational Participation (CP) expands the concept of computational thinking. Including problem-solving, creativity, and understanding of human behaviour in terms of digital collaboration and communication. We build on experiences in two school districts to facilitate math-based coding activities for professional learning that focus on curricular support rather than coding itself.
Evaluating Pre-Service Teachers' Strategies for Learning New Technology
Handout + Video Presentation
Session 505 (Thu May 26 - 8pm)
Dr. Robin Kay
K-12 teachers are often expected to be leaders in using educational technology in the classroom, but little is known about the effectiveness of how they learn to use new tools. This session will examine the benefits and challenges of four commonly used approaches: formal instruction, exploration, completing authentic tasks, and collaboration. We will then explore new learning strategies. Finally, we discuss how to help educators develop technology-based skills to support student learning goals in pedagogically meaningful ways.
Learning How to Evaluate Mobile Apps to Maximize Learning
Handout + Video Presentation
Session 506 (Thu May 26 - 6pm)
Dr. Robin Kay & Dr. Rob Power
One of the most available and distracting tools in K-12 education is the mobile phone. Yet, many teachers can benefit from guidance on selecting the most effective and engaging mobile apps to maximize learning. We will discuss research on how to assess three critical features of mobile apps: design, engagement and learning value. We will then offer a scale that teachers can use to evaluate any mobile app. Finally, we will explore strategies for minimizing distraction and maximizing learning.
Tipping the Scale Toward Innovative Technology Use for Teachers
Trailer Video + Handout + Video Presentation
Session 507 (Wed May 25 - 8pm)
Dr. Rob Power & Dr. Robin Kay
This presentation highlights the types of support that teachers find most important to help them integrate new technologies and innovative pedagogical approaches into their teaching practice. We compare the findings of two research studies: the first focuses on the self-determined adoption of innovative techniques; the second follows the forced transition to technology-mediated remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings point to important considerations for organizations and individuals when preparing to use new teaching approaches with digital tools.
Exploring How to Prepare Pre-Service Teachers for Coding
Handout + Video Presentation
Session 508 (Thu May 26 - 7pm)
Yvette Samaha & Dr. Diane Tepylo
Coding and computational thinking are being added to elementary curriculums worldwide. Yet, most teachers have little to no coding experience, which brings about the question: “How do we prepare teachers to support student learning in coding?” The Digital Learning Portfolio (DLP) with well-thought-out guiding questions emerges as a tool to help teacher candidates (TCs) shift their thinking from learners to teachers of coding. In this session, participants will leave with an understanding of how a DLP can help TCs learn to think as teachers of coding.
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