Vermont Fest 2024: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

10:00am EST

Create a Group of Student Technology Experts in Your School!

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST

What if we told you there was a way to empower students to become leaders in their school community while also saving you time and work? Creating and leading a group of student tech experts is the answer!

At Cambridge Elementary School, we've been building our team of fifth and sixth grade "Technology Ambassadors" for over eight years. Students meet weekly to practice various technology skills, and then apply what they've learned by helping in our school community. The Technology Ambassadors assist around the school with tech issues, become our school photographers, produce a school newscast, assist younger students with using new tools, and more!

In this session we'll share successes, failures, and tips to help you build a group like this at your school! Although our experience is with fifth and sixth graders, the ideas could be easily applied to middle and high school as well.

Speakers

Faith Horton

Educational Technology Integration Specialist/Enrichment Teacher, Lamoille North Supervisory Union

Faith Horton has been an educator for over 20 years in both Vermont and Colorado. After spending 15 years as a 3rd-5th grade classroom teacher, her interest with technology integration and passion to seek innovative practices led her to pursue an Ed Tech endorsement. She feels grateful... Read More →

Jeremy LaClair

Technology Coordinator, Cambridge Elementary School / Lamoille North SU

I've been in the role of Technology Coordinator at Cambridge Elementary School (Lamoille North Supervisory Union) for the past ten years, and have been interested in the world of computers for as long as I can remember. I work hard to make sure that students have access to the technology... Read More →

Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Escapade I

Fri Block A

Grade Span Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Tags Advocacy & Leadership, Digital Literacy & Citizenship, STEM/STEAM & MakerSpaces
Level Emerging
Theme Improving Classroom Practices with Technology, improving-classroom-practices-with-technology

11:30am EST

Media Mentorship: Students as Leaders in Building Information Literate Communities

Friday November 8, 2024 11:30am - 12:25pm EST

Escapade I

Do you want to give your students an authentic opportunity to develop their information literacy knowledge and skills? Empower them by making them the teachers at a school-based Media Mentorship event. In this session, you’ll see examples of past events where students have engaged audiences like their families and local senior citizens around how to recognize confirmation bias, consider the impact of social media algorithms, and investigate questionable claims and sources. Leave with the lessons used to prepare students for these teaching moments and event materials you can adapt to fit your community’s needs.

Speakers

Liz Crouse

Friday November 8, 2024 11:30am - 12:25pm EST
Escapade I

Fri Block B

Grade Span Middle School, High School
Tags Digital Literacy & Citizenship, Research & Information Literacy, Student Voice & Publications
Level All Levels
Theme Library Leadership & Management

1:45pm EST

Cybersecurity for All Students

Friday November 8, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST

Escapade I

In today's digital landscape, both digital citizenship and cybersecurity are crucial for protecting our students. Understanding online safety and responsible behavior helps students navigate the digital world, safeguard their personal information, recognize the consequences of their online actions, and effectively report cyberbullying. Join this session to explore free, ready-to-use lessons designed to equip students with the skills they need for both secure and ethical online decision-making.

Speakers

Charlene Cooper

Curriculum Development Specialist, CYBER.ORG

Charlene Cooper is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Early Adolescent Science with over 20 years of experience as a public school educator. She has a masters degree in Educational Leadership and a Cyber Education Graduate Certificate from Louisiana Tech. Charlene taught... Read More →

Friday November 8, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
Escapade I

Fri Block C

Grade Span Early Elementary School, Elementary School, Middle School
Tags Digital Literacy & Citizenship
Level All Levels
Theme Improving Classroom Practices with Technology

2:45pm EST

Making it in the Maker Space

Friday November 8, 2024 2:45pm - 3:40pm EST

Escapade I

Do you have a maker space and you don't know how to organize it or get students to use it? At U-32 we've designed our maker space to be user friendly and user independent. After visiting Generator in Burlington, VT we modeled a badge system that they use to ensure that our students could access the space after receiving training. They earn badges for completed trainings and can use those tools/materials independent of supervision. It is still a work in progress, but we've seen major growth in the usage of the tools. I will share what we've done, templates for creating your own badge and accountability system and open the floor to discussion and recommendations of tools.

Speakers

Jill Abair

Teacher Librarian, U-32 Middle High School

Jill Abair is a Teacher Librarian at U-32 Middle & High School. She has been working in libraries for many years serving the students of Vermont. Jill is an avid reader, a technology lover and has passion for helping people.

Friday November 8, 2024 2:45pm - 3:40pm EST
Escapade I

Fri Block D

Grade Span Middle School, High School, Post Secondary
Tags Library Management, STEM/STEAM & MakerSpaces
Level All Levels
Theme Improving Classroom Practices with Technology, Library Leadership & Management