TRETC 2025: Full Schedule

9:15am EST

AI-Powered Tools for Enhancing Math Learning: Boosting Engagement Through Hybrid Tutoring, Goal Setting, and Parental Support

Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST

Middle School, Room 101

This session introduces AI-based tools designed to enhance middle school math homework through goal-setting, motivation, and parental involvement. Attendees will explore the Smart Homework Project, which showcases tools co-designed with students and parents to provide personalized support, helping students stay on track and empowering parents to assist with challenging homework. Additionally, the session will feature the PLUS Tutors program, which originated from the Personalized Learning² (PL²) project aimed at bridging opportunity gaps in the Pittsburgh region through math tutoring. By partnering with local afterschool programs, PLUS Tutors successfully reached underserved communities and doubled student math learning during the pandemic. Now focused on in-school math tutoring, PLUS Tutors currently reaches nearly 3,000 middle school students with 300 remote tutors. Attendees will experience an interactive demonstration of these tools and learn practical strategies for fostering stronger connections between home and school; the session will also explore opportunities for school partnerships to implement these AI tools in educational settings.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how AI-based tools can enhance middle school math homework by integrating goal-setting, motivation, and parental involvement to improve student engagement and achievement.
2. Explore practical strategies for incorporating AI-supported tools into school settings, empowering teachers to track student progress and enabling parents to assist with challenging homework tasks.
3. Learn about the PLUS Tutors program and its impact on bridging opportunity gaps through math tutoring, and identify ways to form school partnerships to implement similar AI tools in underserved communities.

Speakers

Conrad Borchers

PhD Student, Carnegie Mellon University

Erin Gatz

Head of Partnerships, Carnegie Mellon University

Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Middle School, Room 101

Session, Engage & Connect

Company Carnegie Mellon University
Audience Middle School Educators (6-8, High School Educators (9-12, Administrators
Subject AI for All (SEL), Integrating AI into the Classroom, EdTech for Equity

9:15am EST

The Power of Generative AI: Redefining Writing Instruction with WisdomK12

Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST

Middle School, Room 111

Imagine revolutionizing how students learn to write, with instant, personalized feedback that motivates them to improve faster than ever before. This lecture presents a groundbreaking case study on WisdomK12, an automated writing evaluation tool transforming writing instruction in Northeastern U.S. middle schools. This study, guided by Richard Elmore's renowned instructional core framework, reveals how public and private school teachers and students embrace technology to enhance learning outcomes. Participants found that WisdomK12 not only saves valuable time but also delivers authentic, encouraging feedback, inspiring students to write more and with greater confidence. If you’re invested in improving education with cutting-edge technology, this presentation is your gateway to understanding the future of writing instruction.

In "Generative AI in the Classroom: Redefining the Writing Process," we explore how local school districts have transformed writing instruction using the innovative WisdomK12 generative AI tool. This presentation will showcase qualitative and quantitative data highlighting the tool's impact on student engagement and writing proficiency. Attendees will gain insights from students, teachers, and administrators who have successfully integrated WisdomK12 into their curricula. Discover firsthand experiences and best practices that demonstrate how AI can enhance the writing process. Join us to learn how generative AI is reshaping education, making writing instruction more efficient and effective.

Objectives:

Apply AI to improve writing.
Emphasize writing in cross-curricular assignments with AI affordances.Leverage AI to improve critical thinking and creativity.
Understand the Integration of Generative AI in Writing Instruction: Participants will learn how the WisdomK12 generative AI tool is being used to redefine the teaching of writing, including the specific methods and strategies employed by local school districts.
Analyze Data and Outcomes: Attendees will review and interpret qualitative and quantitative data collected from the implementation of the WisdomK12 tool, gaining insights into its effectiveness in improving student writing skills and engagement.
Gain Practical Insights from Real-world Implementations: Participants will hear firsthand accounts from students, teachers, and administrators who have used the tool, enabling them to identify best practices and potential challenges in adopting generative AI in their own educational settings.

Speakers

Eric Sparkenbaugh

Asst. Superintendent, Montour School District

Michael Marchionda

CEO, WisdomK12

Michael Marchionda is a seasoned educator, entrepreneur, and thought leader in the intersection of education and artificial intelligence. As the founder and CEO of WisdomK12, Michael has revolutionized how educators and students collaborate, leveraging generative AI to enhance writing... Read More →

Traci Ramey

Cheif Academic Officer, William Penn Academy

Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:00am EST
Middle School, Room 111

Session, Listen & Learn

9:15am EST

Be the Boss of AI

Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST

Oliver, Room 213

Generative artificial intelligence and AI chatbots have captured the public’s imagination in remarkable ways. This workshop turns the tables on our AI overlords and puts kids in-charge. Learn how chatbots may be used in playful ways to create, learn, write better, solve problems, and develop critical thinking skills. Mind-blowing project ideas and tools will be shared to enhance learning long after this unique workshop.

Learning Objectives:
1. Become aware of indispensable AI tools for the classroom that are not chatbots.
2. Appreciate ways in which AI may be used to amplify the creative and intellectual potential of each learner.
3. Using AI as a partner in programming, writing, video editing, and oral communication.

Speakers

Gary Stager

Founder, CEO, Professor, STEAM Educator, and Author, Constructing Modern Knowledge

In addition to being a popular keynote speaker at some of the world’s most prestigious education conferences, Gary Stager is a journalist, teacher educator, consultant, professor, software developer, publisher, and school administrator. An elementary teacher by training, he has... Read More →

Monday January 20, 2025 9:15am - 10:45am EST
Oliver, Room 213

Workshop, Create & Explore

Company Constructing Modern Knowledge
Audience Administrators, Appropriate for All Audiences, EdTech Leaders
Subject AI for All (SEL), Integrating AI into the Classroom, EdTech for Equity, Robotics & Coding, Machine Learning, Computational Thinking Pathway, Emerging Tech

10:15am EST

Differentiating the Writing Process with AI

Monday January 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am EST

Middle School, Room 103

Many educators are concerned about the future of academic writing assignments due to the unethical and dishonest use of AI writing generators. However, with a writing process approach, AI can enhance, not take over, student writing, and in fact, provide scaffolded support. During this presentation, attendees will learn how to use AI to differentiate instruction for students with diverse learning needs, providing customized support such as personalized feedback for brainstorming, outlining, editing, and revising based on student proficiency levels and needs. For each part of the writing process participants will learn about a specific AI tool that can support students. Participants will leave this session knowing how to apply these resources to their writing instruction.

Objectives:
1. Understand how to use AI to differentiate instruction for students with diverse learning needs.
2. Learn how to provide personalized feedback using AI for tasks such as brainstorming, outlining, editing, and revising.
3. Apply AI tools to customize support based on student proficiency levels and specific learning needs.

Speakers

Jenna Copper

Assistant Professor of Education, Slippery Rock University

Sam Fecich

Professor, Slippery Rock University

Monday January 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Middle School, Room 103

Session, Engage and Connect

Company Slippery Rock University
Audience EdTech Leaders, All grade levels (k-12)
Subject Ethics in AI, AI for All (SEL), Integrating AI into the Classroom, EdTech Accessibility, Inclusive Education Through Technology, Emerging Tech

12:00pm EST

Innovation Hall: Exhibitor, Vendor, Poster Sessions, and Student Showcase

Monday January 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

Snyder Gym

Earn TRETC Cash for just entering the Innovation Hall! Then collect more TRETC Cash as you visit each table. There is SO much to explore. You will use your TRETC cash at the TRETC Auction in the REA Auditorium at the end of the day!

Monday January 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Snyder Gym

Booth Showcase

Audience Appropriate for All
Subject Design Thinking, AI for All (SEL), Computational Thinking Pathway, Career Connections, Data Driven Education, EdTech Accessibility, EdTech for Equity, Effective Assessment Strategies, Emerging Tech, Ethics in AI, Inclusive Education Through Technology, Integrating A

1:00pm EST

Innovation Hall: Lighting Talks

Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Snyder Gym

Monday January 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Snyder Gym

Booth Showcase, Create and Explore

Audience Appropriate for All
Subject AI for All (SEL), Career Connections, Computational Thinking Pathway, Data Driven Education, Design Thinking, EdTech Accessibility, EdTech for Equity, Effective Assessment Strategies, Emerging Tech, Ethics in AI, Inclusive Education Through Technology, Integrating A

1:45pm EST

AI in the Elementary Level

Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EST

Middle School, Room 107

AI is a part of computer science that is constantly shaping the future around us. Even the youngest learners need to learn this. Let's take a deep dive into some activities and resources to show off AI in the elementary classroom. This session will give background and hands-on activities for the youngest learners to learn about AI.

Objectives:

I will understand background information about AI.
I will do a hands-on activity to introduce AI to the youngest learners.
I will gain resources about AI in the elementary classroom.

Speakers

Brendan Powell

K-2 STEM Teacher, Collegium Charter School

Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EST
Middle School, Room 107

Session, Engage and Connect

Audience Elementary Educators (K-5)
Subject AI for All (SEL), Integrating AI into the Classroom

1:45pm EST

Let’s Bring AI into Your Class! A Co-Design Session to Embed AI Literacy into Traditional Subjects

Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST

Oliver, Room 215

This interactive co-design session empowers K-12 teachers to seamlessly integrate AI concepts into their existing classroom activities, making learning both engaging and relevant for students. Teachers will work collaboratively with the speakers to develop activities that convey essential, practical AI knowledge, helping students build the foundational skills to become responsible, informed decision-makers in a future shaped by AI. No prior AI expertise is required—this session is designed to support all educators. By the end of the workshop, each team of teachers will have crafted an AI-enhanced activity ready to bring into the classroom, helping students build common-sense AI literacy through familiar subjects. Join us to explore accessible, innovative ways to bring AI into your teaching practice!

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify potential AI-related knowledge that suitable for existing learning activities.
2. Create a classroom-ready AI-embedded activity.
3. Design assessment criteria for this AI-embedded activity.

Speakers

Ruiwei Xiao

PhD Student at Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Mellon University

Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST
Oliver, Room 215

Workshop, Create & Explore

Company Carnegie Mellon University
Audience Elementary Educators (K-5), Middle School Educators (6-8), High School Educators (9-12), Computer Science Educators, Administrators, Appropriate for All Audiences, EdTech Leaders, All grade levels (k-12)
Subject AI for All (SEL), Data Driven Education, Integrating AI into the Classroom, EdTech for Equity, Design Thinking, Computational Thinking Pathway, Effective Assessment Strategies

TRETC 2025

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