Vermont Fest 2024

In this session, we will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the educational landscape. Educators will gain access to a practical toolkit filled with AI-driven tools and resources that can enhance and streamline instruction to foster student engagement. As we navigate these new technologies, we'll also discuss the magnitude of change required—rethinking traditional teaching practices, integrating AI into everyday learning, and ensuring equity and access for all students. This session is designed to empower teachers to confidently adopt AI, transforming their classrooms for the future.

A real challenge, and opportunity, for educators, is to learn how to use AI thoughtfully, safely, and productively.  Hear about concerns and cautionary tales, as well as ways to address the challenges. The primary focus, however, will be on the positive ways you can use AI.  Using AI to summarize the vast AI offerings, this human will add current research, teaching strategies, and a comprehensive overview. See AI apps that will save you time, and quickly create teaching materials that supplement your current curriculum.  Other apps will demonstrate how AI can be used for brainstorming, creating first drafts and editing.  There will be an overview of amazing apps that assist children and adults with special needs.  A collection of anecdotes, research findings, and interviews will provide examples of successful uses of AI for professional productivity, instruction, and activities that will stir your imagination.  Come be amazed, inspired and informed.  Bring your spirit of adventure and sense of humor. At the end there will be a light-hearted summary and raffle prizes.

This interactive workshop is designed to introduce beginning and intermediate OPALS users to some of the essential features that BES Librarian Cheryl Doubleday has used to invigorate and promote a languishing school library. Participants will discover how to use OPALS as their Library’s home page, create engaging topic and genre walls, get their notices noticed, and personalize MARC records for more successful organizing and searching, plus more! Everyone will learn a trick or two, and there will be time for other experienced OPALS users to share their own OPALS wins.

Join us for an exclusive look at the latest version of Seesaw, featuring Instruction + Insights, designed to enhance classroom learning and simplify teacher workflows. This session will also introduce Seesaw’s powerful new Early Literacy and English Language Development (ELD) curriculum, tailored to support diverse learners and improve foundational skills. Discover how these tools can transform teaching, elevate student engagement, and provide meaningful insights to drive academic success.

As school leaders continue to navigate the Professional Development (PD) landscape, join WeVideo for an interactive session that examines innovative ideas on balancing asynchronous, synchronous, and personalized PD with faculty, staff, and administrators. We will uncover how Interactive Learning tools can help create a culture of proactive and immediate learning without compromising individual faculty and staff experience and training needs.