NICE MiniCon 2015: Full Schedule

9:00am CST

Mimic Online Assessments

If you want your students to have online assessments practice, but can’t find sites that have the same look/feel as standardized tests, you can create your own! Using Google Sites, Forms & Slides, we will demo creating assessments that mimic released items from PARCC and other online tests.

Presenters

Kelli Lane

Technology Integration Specialist, Avoca School District 37

Kelli Lane is a Technology Integration Specialist for the Avoca School District. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology as well as Educational Theatre. Teaching in Kansas City, Dubai and now the suburbs of Chicago, Kelli has been a general ed and computer teacher, tech... Read More →

Saturday January 31, 2015 9:00am - 9:50am CST
3080

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers, Media Specialists - Technology Facilitators, Technology Coordinators, Administrators, Applies to ALL

Grade Levels Elementary, Middle-Junior, High School, Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion, Hands-on (Participants will be encouraged to bring their own device 'BYOD')
Computer Platform Windows, Mac, Chromebook
Tags Assessment, PARCC

9:00am CST

The “Maker” Movement. What is it? What can I do? How do I start?

The Maker Movement is all about hands on, and experience based learning. Technology can be a huge aid in these hands on projects. Equally important the Maker Movement takes computer / software based lessons into the real world. We will discuss getting started, finding teaching, and, material resources.

Presenters

David Stopps

Technology teacher 6-8, Fremont Middle School 79

I am a tech teacher who is constantly in search of how to use that cool thing in a meaningful way. I incorporate robotics, 3D printing and more into my class. I am pushing my students to explore try, and learn from their failures to create bigger, better, faster, things.

Saturday January 31, 2015 9:00am - 9:50am CST
2020

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers, Media Specialists - Technology Facilitators

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion
Computer Platform Not Platform Specific
Tags MakerEd

9:00am CST

Uncover Your Magic Wand Using Google Docs

There is power and magic in Google Docs! Come uncover your magic wand as we learn tips and tricks for utilizing the power of Google Docs to take learning to new levels while meeting ELA standards. Strategies for increasing collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking will be discussed.

Presenters

Avra Robinson

Director of Online Learning and Instructor, EdTechTeacher

Avra Robinson is the Director of Online Learning and an Instructor for EdTechTeacher, as well as an Adjunct Faculty member for Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois. An authorized Google Education Trainer and dedicated educational technologist, Avra has been working with teachers... Read More →

Saturday January 31, 2015 9:00am - 9:50am CST
3015

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion
Computer Platform Windows, Mac, iPad, Chromebook
Tags ELA, Google Apps

10:05am CST

Nearpod / Rockin' Lessons, Engaging Classrooms

Bring the classroom to life with interactive mobile presentations
that teachers create and customize themselves. Engage and amaze with
multimedia content that harnesses students’ attention, keeping them focused and maximizing instruction time. Share content and assessments in real time and/or as student-paced learning as you push information, questions, polls, slideshows, videos, audio and other activities to your students.

Presenters

Billy Spicer

Integration Specialist, Winnetka Public Schools 36

Integration specialist in suburban Chicago who strives to enhance student learning through meaningful experiences. I also enjoy hotdogs, coffee, and records.

Saturday January 31, 2015 10:05am - 10:55am CST
2015

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers, Media Specialists - Technology Facilitators

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion, Hands-on (Participants will be encouraged to bring their own device 'BYOD')
Computer Platform Not Platform Specific

10:05am CST

School is Flipping Awesome!

Ever wondered what it would take to teach in a flipped classroom? Turning your class into a flipped learning environment is not as scary as it sounds. Attend this session for tips and tricks from a teacher using it in an upper elementary special education math class.

Presenters

Carrie Griffin

Assistive Technology Facilitator, CCSD15

I'm an Assisitve Technology Facilitator for CCSD15 in Palatine, IL. I started in CCSD15 in 2009 and spent most of that time as a self-contained Special Education teacher (LD) for grades 4-6. I've always been the 'techy teacher' which comes in handy as I work with students, and their... Read More →

Saturday January 31, 2015 10:05am - 10:55am CST
2005

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers, Media Specialists - Technology Facilitators, Technology Coordinators

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion
Computer Platform Not Platform Specific
Tags Flipped, Math, MiniGrant

10:05am CST

Technology Enhanced Activities in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning

The session will demonstrate how the teachers use computer and mobile technology to enhance the teaching and learning of foreign languages. The presenter will show how effective teaching flow is achieved by using Schoology, Planbook, Planbookedu. Besides, the presenters will also share how they used apps such as Nearpod, Ebook Creator,Puppet Pals HD, Charades, Digital Story etc. to enhance class activities and to engage their students.

Presenters

Caili Chiu

Chinese Language Teacher, Township High School District 214

Julia Kessel

Chinese teacher, New Trier Township High School

Janet Wang

Chinese teacher, New Trier Township High School

Saturday January 31, 2015 10:05am - 10:55am CST
3080

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion, Hands-On (in a Computer Lab)
Computer Platform iPad, Mac, Mobile Device, Windows
Tags Web 2.0, World Language

11:10am CST

Bundle your Apps for a Sweet Project!

What do you get when you integrate Google sites, with forms, docs, sheets and presentations? A really cool class project! Using the tools that you already know and love, we will simulate a project from start to finish: sign up for a topic, submit the presentation, have group discussions and peer review while accessing it all from your teacher site. It’s Google Apps to the max!

Presenters

Judy Duesenberg

Applications Trainer, District 219, Niles North H.S.

As the Applications Trainer for Niles North High School and an authorized Google Education Trainer, I provide support on a daily basis to the faculty and staff. The support has many different faces - weekly 30 minute workshops - Tech Talks; Institute Day workshops; one-to-one just... Read More →

Cindy Kukla

Applications Trainer, District 219, Niles West H.S.

Cindy Kukla is the Applications Trainer at Niles West High School, District 219. She provides software training/support and technical professional development to the faculty and staff, specializing in Google Apps for Education. Whether it’s individualized training, structured... Read More →

Saturday January 31, 2015 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
2055

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion, Hands-on (Participants will be encouraged to bring their own device 'BYOD')
Computer Platform Not Platform Specific
Tags Google Apps

11:10am CST

Finding Your Way With Google Maps

Google Maps is so much more than just finding directions and places to have dinner! Using extras like Tour Builder and Smarty Pins, Maps can become a very powerful classroom tool for your kids. During this session we will look at the basics of Maps and the many resources available for use in the classroom.

Presenters

Tammy Lind

Instructional Technology Coach,Google Certified Trainer and Innovator

Tammy is an Instructional Coach in Southeastern Wisconsin. She is a Google Education Trainer and a Google Certified Innovator as well as an Intel Master Teacher. A former special education teacher, Tammy is passionate about finding web-based technologies to make the curriculum... Read More →

Saturday January 31, 2015 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
2060

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers, Media Specialists - Technology Facilitators

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Hands-on (Participants will be encouraged to bring their own device 'BYOD')
Computer Platform Not Platform Specific
Tags Google Apps

11:10am CST

Read, Write & Speak All About It

Engage students in the writing process by encouraging them to collaborate with others as they take their work from just “good enough” to truly GOOD. By unleashing the power of a wider, more authentic audience, teachers can tap into the natural tendencies of the digital native learner.

Presenters

Avra Robinson

Director of Online Learning and Instructor, EdTechTeacher

Saturday January 31, 2015 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
2040

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers, Media Specialists - Technology Facilitators

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion, Hands-on (Participants will be encouraged to bring their own device 'BYOD')
Computer Platform Not Platform Specific
Tags Collaboration, Writing

11:10am CST

Reteaching Through Technology

I will show how I use Drive, Movenote, and the internet to reteach (and sometimes teach!) material. I'll also have the group establish a movenote account, and make a presentation on their own.

Presenters

Jack Stephenson

Teacher, Evanston Township High School

Saturday January 31, 2015 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
2045

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Hands-on (Participants will be encouraged to bring their own device 'BYOD')
Computer Platform Not Platform Specific
Tags Google Apps, Presentation Tools

11:10am CST

Towards a more Integrated and Engaging Classroom: Solve it with EdPuzzle!

Are you interested in: 1) a concrete way to FLIP your lessons? 2) new ways to design and prescribe lessons for differentiation? 3) harnessing the power of video content combined with formative assessments? 4) using a tool that’s FREE, EASY and WORTH the TIME? Then come to a hands-on session that’ll get you started on all the above. PLUS, using a tool like this in your professional practice will certainly put you on the road to EXCELLENT.

Presenters

Laura Montgomery

Instructional Technology Coach, Lake Forest School District 67

Laura Montgomery is an instructional technology coach for Lake Forest School District 67. A 30-year veteran educator with experience in the elementary classroom and an instructional technology coach for K-8, Laura has been a change-agent for ed-tech and 21st Century Teaching and Learning... Read More →

Saturday January 31, 2015 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
1200

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers, Media Specialists - Technology Facilitators, Technology Coordinators

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Hands-on (Participants will be encouraged to bring their own device 'BYOD')
Computer Platform Not Platform Specific
Tags Flipped

11:10am CST

Vocabulary Retention with Help from Technology!

Do your students struggle with learning unit vocabulary? Are you in search of a variety of technological tools designed to help your students retain vocabulary from past units? Then this workshop is for you! Specifically for World Language teachers, this is a problem we struggle every year in every class. Therefore, this workshop is designed to present several activities that teach, practice, and maintain unit vocabulary. Activities on the iPad and online tools will be presented which can be used for both classroom and homework activities. As well, audience members will see how the Schoology platform can be incorporated into this focus. While this workshop derives from the experience of a World Language teacher, the content is not limited to foreign language teachers. All disciplines are welcome!

Presenters

Alexandra Vastardis

5th and 6th Grade Latin Teacher, Highcrest Middle School

Saturday January 31, 2015 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
3015

Intermediate, Classroom Teachers | Introductory, Classroom Teachers

Grade Levels Applies to ALL grade levels
Session Format Demo-Discussion, Hands-on (Participants will be encouraged to bring their own device 'BYOD')
Computer Platform iPad, Mac
Tags World Language