TRETC 2025: Full Schedule

9:15am EST

The Power of Generative AI: Redefining Writing Instruction with WisdomK12

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

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

10:15am EST

POD x TECH: Using Audio-Storytelling to Enhance Digital and Media Literacy

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

Middle School, Room 109

Since 2018, PART has operated a K-12 digital literacy program in 8 school districts across the greater Pittsburgh region. We call our program POD x TECH, in abbreviation for two components that represent growing fields of increasing significance to students workforce readiness — podcasts and technology.

Now in its fourth year, the POD x TECH program, in which PART grew the program to 15 classrooms across 12 schools, PART works directly with students in supplementing their year-long curriculum in two equally important ways, where technology is at the intersection of each student's preparedness for continuing education and entry into the workforce.

Attendees will explore PART's methodology, our successes and failures, and leave with tools for their students and schools.

Mike Zula, or “Mr. Mike” is a Pittsburgh native with an education background spanning the state of Pennsylvania, culminating in matriculation from Penn State and Pitt Law—Mike understands the education landscape in Pennsylvania and abroad as it pertains to both higher education and career readiness programs.

Mr. Mike’s passion is situated somewhere between storytelling and technology—how we tell our stories utilizing technology profoundly impacts the way in which future generations will understand our use (hopefully the responsible use) of technology.

A staunch advocate of individualized education and multimodal education methods, bringing Mike and PART into your classrooms, libraries, or board rooms provides an energetic and entertaining look at how we interact with technology in our educational journeys—journeys which are lifelong.

The Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology (PART) is a Pittsburgh-based, independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit think-tank that engages key, multi-sector stakeholders to ensure the responsible research, development, deployment, and governance of emerging and data-driven technologies, notably artificial intelligence. The POD x Tech program is funded by the Grable Foundation.

Objectives :

Understand the methodology behind the POD x TECH program: Attendees will learn how PART integrates podcasts and technology into K-12 classrooms to enhance digital literacy and career readiness, and how this approach can be applied in their own schools.
Identify key successes and challenges in implementing a digital literacy program: Attendees will gain insights into the growth and development of the program, including practical takeaways from both its successes and challenges, enabling them to better plan and adapt similar initiatives in their institutions.
Gain tools and strategies for enhancing student workforce readiness: Attendees will leave with actionable tools and strategies to integrate technology and storytelling into their educational programs, fostering students’ preparedness for higher education and the workforce.

Speakers

Mike Zula

Education Program Manager, Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology

Monday January 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Middle School, Room 109

Session, Engage and Connect

Audience Elementary Educators (K-5), Middle School Educators (6-8), High School Educators (9-12), Administrators, Appropriate for All Audiences, EdTech Leaders, All grade levels (k-12)
Subject Ethics in AI, Integrating AI into the Classroom, EdTech for Equity, Emerging Tech

11:15am EST

Panel: Gearing Up for the Future: Stories and Strategies from Robotics Teams

Monday January 20, 2025 11:15am - 11:45am EST

REA Auditorium

Monday January 20, 2025 11:15am - 11:45am EST
REA Auditorium

Panel Discussion, Engage & Connect

Audience Appropriate for All
Subject Robotics & Coding, Emerging Tech, ESports and Gamificaiton

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

Connecting Communities through Cosmic Careers

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

Middle School, Room 101

Connecting Communities through Cosmic Careers: This panel discussion will focus on career opportunities in the space industry, virtual opportunities for partnerships to explore space careers, how to develop interactive activities for career exploration, and how to increase the impact of career connections by aligning experiences to standards and a common language. This session will bring together experienced three educators from the classroom, science museum, and business community to explain how they created a series of virtual interactive programs that impacted students across the United States using the RIASEC framework for career connections.

Objectives:

Attendees will learn about the vast array of career possibilities available to students in the region across the STEAM disciplines.
Attendees will explore virtual opportunities to explore space careers, and interactive activities designed for virtual instruction.
Attendees will explore how they can introduce their students to space careers while aligning to standards-based curricula.

Speakers

Norton Gusky

Educational Technology Broker, NLG-Consulting, LLC

For over 40 years I've been an educator - teacher, CTO, and now an educational technology broker. For more look at my website:https://nlg-consulting.net/about/

Mike Hennessy

Manager of Learning & Programs, Moonshot Museum

Monday January 20, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EST
Middle School, Room 101

Session, Engage and Connect

Company Moonshot Museum
Audience Elementary Educators (K-5), Middle School Educators (6-8, High School Educators (9-12, Educators (9-12), All grade levels (k-12), Administrators
Subject Career Connections, Emerging Tech, Space Education, World of Work

TRETC 2025

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