Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference

Chromebooks have become a preferred and successful digital tool choice in many learning settings. Educators explore the setup and basics of chromebook use, tips, and tricks as well as basic google apps integration. Learn how to use Chrome Extensions and Apps to support struggling learners and what Chromebook features do this as well. Participants also experience and work with other great chrome apps and extensions and take away some class lesson ideas. After diving further into the power of chrome extensions, a digital hands-on project is created by each individual and shared to a group online resource for further exploration and ideas on the many possibilities for use of the chromebooks in the classroom. This workshop is offered in both MITI (a device is included in the workshop fee) and BYOD (bring your own device per the requirements listed) formats. The specific device(s) selected and exact price will be posted on the conference website in early October - www.nhcmtc.org. (Presenter(s): Jennifer Lowton, Education Technology Coordinator, EdCITES, LLC & Londonderry SD)

Chromebooks have become a preferred and successful digital tool choice in many learning settings. Educators explore the setup and basics of chromebook use, tips and tricks as well as basic google apps integration. Learn how to use Chrome Extensions and Apps to support struggling learners and what Chromebook features do this as well. Participants also experience and work with other great chrome apps and extensions and take away some class lesson ideas. This workshop is offered in both MITI (a device is included in the workshop fee) and BYOD (bring your own device per the requirements listed) formats. The specific device(s) selected and exact price will be posted on the conference website in early October - www.nhcmtc.org. . (Presenter(s): Jennifer Lowton, Education Technology Coordinator, EdCITES, LLC & Londonderry SD)

The technology is evolving as quickly as it's being consumed and many students and teachers are reaping the rewards of having a brand new element for engagement. What did Goldman Sach's name as the most disruptive technology in education? Virtual Reality. VR is a gamechanger when it comes to immersive and vivid learning experiences. Simply put, virtual reality opens up excitement and optimizes engagement by taking kids to places they would otherwise not be able to explore. Teaching a biology class? Take students to the bottom of the ocean, 200 feet below the surface, and enable them to examine marine life and oceanic plants as lifelike fish and whales casually swim by. Studying anatomy? Descend directly into the human body and explore the complexities of things like the heart, lungs, muscles, and blood. Or, what about history? Yes, this technology can even immerse kids directly in historic events by taking them back in time and making them believe they're really there. VR is 100 percent immersive as it makes students feel like they're actually experiencing what they see in the viewer. Come learn more about the implications VR has for all levels of education and try the world-class Oculus Rift on the spot. We'll answer your VR questions, show how this technology works, and explain why it's set to enhance education like nothing else we've seen. If you're ready to step into the future, come learn how virtual reality is poised to reshape education. (Presenter(s): Palo Peirce, Director of Sales, N/A, and Rick Fredkin, Eduporium)

Learn more about the current threat landscape and how cyber criminals target your data. Get practical advice from Sophos security engineer Chris Chaves, on how to protect your organization and combat advanced threats of today. We will address social engineering, malware, and exploitation techniques. (Presenter(s): Cyndy Currier, Licensing Program Manager, NHSTE, and Chris Chaves)

Learn the features of several resources in assisting students with learning and print disabilities. How these tools can help other students with less robust reading skills will also be discussed. Participants will hear about specific learning issues (comprehension, expressive language, writing, vision, hearing) and explore how to apply the tool features specifically to create an individualized plan for a student. The session will cover ways in which students can have text read to them, highlight important information, access definitions, create vocabulary lists, generate an outline and use writing supports to access their curriculum. These tools were designed to support Universal Design in Education, a philosophy which allows students of all abilities to access the curriculum at their levels. Learn how to provide your students with the supports they need to access, engage and learn more independently. Highlighted tools include Read and Write Chrome, Bookshare.org, and reading tools within Bookshare. (Presenter(s): Jennifer Campo, Technology Integration Specialist, Nashua High North/South, and Molly Thomson, Nashua School District)

Learn how online simulations help teachers take advantage of research-proven instructional strategies and help students of all ability levels develop conceptual understanding in math and science. Teachers can supplement and enhance instruction with powerful interactive visualizations of concepts. Students can manipulate key variables, generate and test hypotheses, and engage in extensive "what-if" experimentation. (Presenter(s): Sarah Curtin, Grade Four Teacher, Oyster River Cooperative School District, and Susan Leifer, Oyster River Cooperative School Distict)

In this session participants will explore a variety of tech tools while actually playing one in a large group setting. Participants will select tech tool topics as they play a "Jeopardy-like" quiz show game, honing in on topics of interest. Participants work through topics of choice as they play along exploring a variety of tech tools used in the classroom. Topics may include: Google Apps Have Done it Again; I'm Flipping for Flippity; Chrome Extensions to Make Your Life "Easier?"; Exit Tickets, Tell Us What You Know, or Don't; iPad Apps & Features Everyone Should Know; Fun Free Web Tools. Join us for some fun and games as you learn about our favorite tech tools. (Presenter(s): Audra Kaplan, Tech Integration Specialist, Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, and Jeannie Erickson, Groton-Dunstable Regional HS)

Have you recently gone 1 to 1 in your classroom? During this session attendees will discover various tools to promote personalized, independent learning for their students. Websites such as Epic!, SplashMath, and Prodigy will be shared. (Presenter(s): Lindsay Bucknam, Teacher, Peter Woodbury School, and Jill Manning, Peter Woodbury School)

Evaluating the validity of our sources has become quite the topic in recent months. This session will offer instructional methods & tools for teaching source evaluation. (Presenter(s): Caitlin Bennett, Librarian, Londonderry Middle School)

In this session participants will ... learn about how teachers at Sanborn Regional High School implemented Genius Hour for Sophomore students. The presentation will include the rationale for the program as well as the tools and resources teachers and students used during the first year of implementation. We will discuss the problems we faced and the lessons we have learned as we prepare for year two. Most importantly, we will share a few examples of the work students created for their Genius Hour Project. (Presenter(s): Donna Harvey-Moseley, Sanborn Regional)

Educators are hearing the buzz words - Makerspace, STEAM, and Computer Science. We know it's important for students to be exposed to all of those "things" and the skills they bring. Come find out how Peter Woodbury Elementary School in Bedford, NH incorporates Makerspace, STEAM and Computer Science into Tinker Days. Attendees will learn how we started and where we are today. You can expect to leave this session with ideas for management of a Tinker Day and ways to start a Tinker Day in your building. (Presenter(s): Kara Speaker, enrichment teacher, Bedford School District, and NIcole Cassamassino, Bedford School District)

In this session participants will ... explore how to involve one-to-one Chromebooks in the math classroom. Ever wondered how to use a Chromebook in math class? Me too! After having implemented Chromebooks in an 8th grade classroom for the past year, there are many exciting and enlightening takeaways to share. Come learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly on available tools, management strategies, fun activities and more! (Presenter(s): Rachel Fairhurst, Math Teacher, Ross A Lurgio Middle School)

In this session participants will ... be introduced to the concept of augmented reality. What is reality? As more and more technology apps blur the lines, it becomes easier to use these techniques with students. Imagine a Greek god coming out of a picture frame to speak with you. Or having the books on your shelves able to speak to students to give a booktalk. Or having resources in your classroom come to life with augmented reality. Bring you smartphone or iPad to try some of the apps. (Presenter(s): Nancy Keane, Library Media Specialist, Rundlett Middle School)

In this session participants will ...discover fun, practical ideas to help K-5 students develop information literacy skills as they read award-winning nonfiction books and produce their own informational writing. Attendees will go home with creative ways to support student learning in the library and via collaboration with classroom teachers. (Presenter(s): Melissa Stewart, Children's book author, Children's book author)