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

10:15am EST

Carnegie Mellon University + Burrell High School Digital Writing Center: A Dynamic and Mutually Beneficial Student Support

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

Middle School, Room 111

Carnegie Mellon University has a variety of education outreach offerings throughout the University, including the Leonard Gelfand Center for Service Learning and Outreach’s LGC Tutoring. COVID-19 forced this program to find unique alternatives to in-person tutoring to support students, which have since been found beneficial post-COVID. With community partners, the establishment of fully virtual digital writing centers allows CMU undergraduate student tutors to offer robust written feedback to high school students. This session will offer an overview of the digital writing center model, the structures for implementation, and details of the mutual benefits of this partnership; featuring Burrell High School.

Objectives:

Attendees will be able to identify the benefits of the digital writing lab model for both 6-1th graders and undergraduate and graduate students in high education settings.
Attendees will be able to understand the dynamics of partnering with High Education instructions using open source technology.
Attendees will be able to understand how to create a digital writing lab or how to work with an existing digital writing lab

Speakers

Mimi Wertheimer

Director of Student Instructor Development and K-12 Community Partnership, Leonard Gelfand Center @ Carnegie Mellon University

Monday January 20, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am EST
Middle School, Room 111

Session, Engage and Connect

Audience Middle School Educators (6-8), High School Educators (9-12), Administrators
Subject EdTech for Equity, EdTech Accessiblity: Inclusive Education Through Technology

1:45pm EST

Learning Adventures: An Expansive Approach to Authentic PBL and Prompt Setting

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

Middle School, Room 111

How would you like to attend school where these were the subjects?

Synthetic Synthetic Biology
Data Activism
Tiny Large Language Models
Dreamtime Design
Micronations
Codes and Cryptography
Inventing Hugo Cabret

Would you know how to teach in such a setting? Would students be more engaged? Would learning be natural and authentic?

Since our students will graduate into a technologically sophisticated and uncertain future, the best educators create environments and experiences that prepare children to solve problems none of us have ever anticipated. The greatest return on investment is when the learner herself is invested in their own growth. For these reasons, and more, the project should be a teacher’s smallest unit of concern.

Many educators share these ideals, but don’t know how or where to begin. Veteran educators strive to make their prompt setting more elegant, evocative, and effective.

Objectives:
Set better promptsBe a better PBL practitionerBetter understand your own thinking and that of students

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 1:45pm - 2:30pm EST
Middle School, Room 111

Session, Engage and Connect

Audience Elementary Educators (K-5), Middle School Educators (6-8), High School Educators (9-12), Administrators, EdTech Leaders
Subject Integrating AI into the Classroom, Robotics & Coding, Computational Thinking Pathway

TRETC 2025

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