Loading…
Vermont Fest 2024 has ended
or to bookmark your favorites and sync them to your phone or calendar.
strong>Post Secondary [clear filter]
Wednesday, November 6
 

1:00pm EST

Conference Opening
Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:10pm EST
Conference welcoming remarks and daily announcements.
Speakers
avatar for Jeff Mao

Jeff Mao

Executive Director, Vita-Learn
Jeff serves as the Executive Director of Vita-Learn. Previously, he has held a number of roles including Senior Director, Common Sense Media and Education Technology Policy Director for the Maine Department of Education.
Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:10pm EST
Northstar I

2:30pm EST

AI in the SECURITY World
Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
An information secession on the Technoloy and AI available today for protection of your facility and the people in it. This is not a product demonstration it an info secession with Live and recorded demonstration of how to leverage AI to improve your current security solution, how to design an effective solution, how to get the support you need. Major topics: weapon and threat detection, allow or deny authorized access, real-time alerts, reduce false alarms, improved situational awareness, forensic research via simple words, automatic emergency response, predictive security, and customer behavior analysis.
Speakers
CR

Chris Ragoza

ENE Security
Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Gateway II

2:30pm EST

How to Successfully Handle Printing Difficulties in K-12 Schools
Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Please join our panel discussion that will be hosted by Alex Webster at SPC. Panel Members will be Peter Drescher (EWSD), Tina Scheindel (OSSD) and Nate Gingras (HUUSD).
How do you deal with Personally Identifiable Information? How do you deal with confidential data on devices that leave the district? How do you manage your inventory of copiers and printers? How does print management software help make the district staff more efficient and save money?

These questions and more will be discussed by our panelists.
Speakers
TS

Tina Scheindel

Technology Director, Orange Southwest Supervisory Union
PD

Peter Drescher

Director of Technology and Innovation, Essex Westford School District
Peter is currently serving as the Director of Technology and Innovation at Essex Westford School District.  He is passionate about working with educators to support teaching and learning with technology and in his past role, as State Director of Education Technology in Vermont, was... Read More →
avatar for Alex Webster

Alex Webster

Director of Technology & Operations, Specialized Purchasing Consultants (SPC)
Bidding and Purchasing Consortium for School Districts and MunicipalitiesAnything network related. My IT background started as a Network Technician. Progressed to setting up multi-site networks.Play an instrument? I love acoustic guitar. Let's talk about classic rock, prog rock... Read More →
Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Gateway I

2:30pm EST

The Future Is Now! AI Is Alive!
Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Josh, Chris, and Mark have real conversations, real arguments, and real banter on IT issues and trends in K12 Schools. In this session, the guys will discuss AI and other hot items in K12 and how tech depts should prepare.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Warden

Chris Warden

K12 Tech Talk Podcast, K12 Tech Talk Podcast
A K12TechPro Podcast. This podcast is about trending K12 technology topics and issues. Josh, Chris, and Mark have real conversations, real arguments, and real banter on IT issues and trends in K12 Schools.
Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Northstar I

3:50pm EST

Ed-Fi Q&A and Data Governance Discussions
Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:50pm - 4:50pm EST
The Vermont Agency of Education would like to have a Ed-Fi Question and Answer session where we can discuss the current Ed-Fi deployment for state reporting. We also wish to review our data governance plans and other areas where we would like to use Ed-Fi to help the state collect and use data in meaningful ways.
Speakers
JN

James Nadeau

VT AOE Education Data Administrator, Vermont Agency of Education
James Nadeau is the Education Data Administrator for the Vermont Agency of Education. He is in charge of collecting education data required for Vermont's public and federal reporting requirements. Prior to his role at AOE, he was a web developer and IT consultant.
Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:50pm - 4:50pm EST
Northstar I
 
Thursday, November 7
 

8:45am EST

Opening & Keynote: Richard Culatta: Harnessing AI for Digital Good in Education
Thursday November 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:55am EST
Opening remarks and Opening Keynote with Richard Culatta, CEO, ISTE

Harnessing AI for Digital Good in Education
Join Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD and author of Digital for Good, for his keynote address at this year's Vermont Fest. As we stand at the intersection of artificial intelligence and education, Culatta will explore how we can leverage AI to enhance learning experiences and what we need to do to prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. Culatta will also discuss strategies for creating conditions for healthy tech use at home and school.
Speakers
avatar for Richard Culatta

Richard Culatta

CEO, ASCD+ISTE
As the CEO of ASCD+ISTE, Richard Culatta is focused on creating the next generation of innovative learning leaders. Richard has also served as the Chief Innovation Officer of the state of Rhode Island and was appointed by President Barack Obama to lead the US Department of Education’s... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:55am EST
Oscar Wilde Ballroom

10:00am EST

Developing a Consortia Solution on Back-up/Cyber Safety/Disaster Recovery
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
This round table will engage with Tech Directors, Network Administrators, and other district personnel on the technical “side of the house” about ensuring back-up strategies, building in best practice cybersecurity methods, and equipment, and considering how a consortia model might serve needs of many of the smaller districts struggling with these issues. This session is seeking a robust conversation on what needs there are in this realm and what a model might look like that could leverage the back-end, back-up, infrastructure to ensure some cyber safe and redundant systems. Come and bring your ideas and needs to this round table discussion.
Speakers
PD

Peter Drescher

Director of Technology and Innovation, Essex Westford School District
Peter is currently serving as the Director of Technology and Innovation at Essex Westford School District.  He is passionate about working with educators to support teaching and learning with technology and in his past role, as State Director of Education Technology in Vermont, was... Read More →
Sponsors
avatar for Ken Goldberg

Ken Goldberg

MCG Managed Resources
MCG Managed Resources is a Managed Services Provider currently providing backup and disaster recovery services to the Essex Westford School District and the Addison Northwest School District. In addition, our company can provide remote help desk services, EDR/MDR solutions for security... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Gateway II

10:00am EST

Twenty-five for ‘25: Inspiring and Promising Trends, Technologies, and Tools
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Experience a lightning fast session that will highlight twenty-five timely trends, innovative technologies, and useful tools.  Completely updated from last year’s Vermontfest session, it will cover technologies for all grade levels and subject areas.  General and specific use artificial intelligence tools will be described. Strategies for addressing the challenges and benefits of teaching with them will be included, along with multiple ways of using AI to save time planning lessons and creating teaching materials. You will see free tools you can master quickly, an update on virtual and augmented reality apps, the largest collections of free authentic artifacts, outstanding video and audio archives, new ways of reaching special needs students, and inexpensive little drones and robots.  Hear about technologies and innovative ideas that do not yet exist at the time this session was proposed.  The term “Electronic Constructivism” was coined by this presenter who will link these technologies to what it is all about: Good Teaching.  No experience necessary - just your curiosity and your enthusiasm about teaching.  The agenda is packed, but you’ll receive links to all resources to explore later.  The session will end with a raffle for techy door prizes.
Speakers
avatar for Maureen Yoder

Maureen Yoder

Professor, Lesley University
Dr. Maureen Brown Yoder is an Educational Technology Professor Emerita at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachuses. Dr. Yoder began her career when the field of educational technology was in its infancy, when the Apple 2 was state of the art, and a 300 baud modem was impressive... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Escapade II

10:00am EST

You can't protect what you cannot see! Increasing Cyber Security and posture on a K12 budget!
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Protecting your user and student data from cyber threats. How Ransomware has evolved to crimewave, ransom and extortion. A discussion on the "Dark Web" and who's behind the "bad actor" activity. What's in your incident response plan?Achieving a higher level of security posture through prevention and monitoring with enterprise grade solutions on a K12 Budget.
Sponsors
avatar for David Wren

David Wren

NTP Cyber Security
Cyber Security Firm specializing in Security Operations Center (SOC) as a service.  Includeing managed EDR, MDR, XDR, secure Email, SASE, SSE and awareness training
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Roundabout

11:30am EST

Disrupting for Justice: FHTMS Students Organized Against Racism (S. O. A. R.) - A
Thursday November 7, 2024 11:30am - 12:25pm EST
FHTMS SOAR Students plan an interactive session geared for participants who are in various parts of their journey toward active antiracism work. S. O. A. R. students will briefly describe their work before launching into practical "hands-on" activities designed to allow participants to
• reflect on their identities and the need for this work
• improve on “Speak up” strategies guided by the work of Teaching Tolerance
• explore both individual and collective aspects of antiracism work
• create tools that can immediately be taken back to your school setting to unapologetically interrupt and disrupt racism within our school systems.
Speakers
avatar for Gary Russell

Gary Russell

Educator/Coach, South Burlington School District
Our S.O.A.R. Program demonstrates innovative, disarming, and nonthreatening strategies and tactics to combat racism and racist acts in schools. Students are at the forefront of these exceptional and nontraditional efforts.  Please feel free to discuss ways in which a program like... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 11:30am - 12:25pm EST
Northstar I

11:30am EST

Library Advocacy 101
Thursday November 7, 2024 11:30am - 12:25pm EST
Join Liz von Nagy for an engaging presentation on library advocacy. Discover how you can share the power of what's happening in your library with all stakeholders; students, teachers, administrators, parents, and school board members, and how your advocacy can affect your library. Participants will learn tips and tricks for creating infographics, how to pull information from Destiny Library Manager, and how to center student voice in your advocacy efforts.
Speakers
avatar for Liz von Nagy

Liz von Nagy

School Librarian, Essex Westford School District
Librarian. Self-Proclaimed Nerd. She/Her
Thursday November 7, 2024 11:30am - 12:25pm EST
Gateway II

1:45pm EST

Disrupting for Justice: FHTMS Students Organized Against Racism (S. O. A. R.) - B
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
FHTMS SOAR Students plan an interactive session geared for participants who are in various parts of their journey toward active antiracism work. S. O. A. R. students will briefly describe their work before launching into practical "hands-on" activities designed to allow participants to
• reflect on their identities and the need for this work
• improve on “Speak up” strategies guided by the work of Teaching Tolerance
• explore both individual and collective aspects of antiracism work
• create tools that can immediately be taken back to your school setting to unapologetically interrupt and disrupt racism within our school systems.
Speakers
avatar for Gary Russell

Gary Russell

Educator/Coach, South Burlington School District
Our S.O.A.R. Program demonstrates innovative, disarming, and nonthreatening strategies and tactics to combat racism and racist acts in schools. Students are at the forefront of these exceptional and nontraditional efforts.  Please feel free to discuss ways in which a program like... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
Northstar I

1:45pm EST

Law for Librarians
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
Is your library prepared for a book challenge? Is your district reviewing library or school board policies? How do you handle student privacy and the freedom to read? Where are the boundaries of the First Amendment in a school library?

This session can help you prepare against censorship and implement vital intellectual freedom best practices within your library.

Meg is was trained through Law for Librarians, a program of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). It is designed to provide librarians with information about the legal fundamentals of the First Amendment, intellectual freedom, and privacy in order to help ensure legal, consistent library policies and practices.
Speakers
avatar for Meg Boisseau Allison

Meg Boisseau Allison

School Librarian, U-32 Middle & High School
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
Escapade II

1:45pm EST

Leveraging AI to Manage & Protect your Network
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
This session will look at how AI is starting to impact your network from a management and security perspective. We will look at what tools are available today and what we should expect in the future and how you can prepare. Part of the session will be dedicated to a round table forum to hear from the group regarding what schools are doing today and how you would like to leverage AI to improve how you are able to protect and manage your network.
Speakers
avatar for Jeff Mann

Jeff Mann

Territory Manager – ME/NH/VT, HPE Aruba Networking
HPE Aruba Networks provides Edge to Core network switching, wireless, and network security solutions supporting both on-premise and cloud deployments. Aruba’s solutions are built on a security-first, AI-Powered network leveraging Aruba Central as your network management tool delivering... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
Roundabout

2:45pm EST

Updating Your District’s Legacy Apple Environment: Spotlight on Activation Lock and Managed Apple IDs
Thursday November 7, 2024 2:45pm - 3:40pm EST
Apple’s foray into enterprise device management has been a series of incremental changes that has resulted in current best practices standing in conflict with traditional fleet deployment. Fortunately, Apple has also introduced new tools to deal with these legacy challenges so that now is the prime time to prepare for the future of Apple devices using your organization’s Apple School Manager instance.

In this session, we will set the stage by surveying the history of Apple device deployment in education environments, one which was characterized by user-created Apple IDs that were barely a step away from personal ownership. We will then focus on the two primary challenges this has produced, namely, devices being rendered unusable by Activation Lock when transferring users and the existence of user identities that appear to be organization-based but exist without oversight. We will then do a deep dive in understanding the cause of these issues and establish clear processes for avoiding and ameliorating these situations using tools made available by Apple, including the newly announced process for directly converting Personal Apple Accounts to Managed Apple Accounts.
Speakers
avatar for Philip Bauchan

Philip Bauchan

IT Help Desk Technician, Missisquoi Valley School District
Philip Bauchan is an IT Help Desk Technician at Missisquoi Valley School District where he provides frontline support for faculty and staff as well as being responsible for Apple device management for the district. Previously a high school teacher with over a decade of experience... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 2:45pm - 3:40pm EST
Roundabout
 
Friday, November 8
 

8:00am EST

Book Sale
Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 11:30am EST
Phoenix Books will be hosting a book sale including titles from Keynote speaker, Charles Waters and titles from the Red Clover, Golden Dome, and Green Mountain Book Awards.
Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 11:30am EST
Oscar Wilde Ballroom

8:00am EST

Literacy Makerspace
Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 11:30am EST
Get new ideas for creating, making, and learning about computer science, inspired by each of  this year’s Red Clover Books. Try out hands-on activities at our Create & Make stations. Sign up for a free STEAM sampler supplies from Brown Dog Gadget who donated supplies for the day's activities.

With Jessica Wisloski, Shanon Walters, and Christina Smith designed by Lucie deLaBruere













Speakers
avatar for Christina Smith

Christina Smith

STEAM - TECH consultant, Tech Guide VT LLC
Christina Smith has 35 years experience in Vermont Education as a Classroom teacher, VISMT Science TA, Tech Integration Resource Educator, and STEAM coach. She finds that helping teachers and their students figure out the Tech work flow is challenging but rewarding!  She recently... Read More →
avatar for Lucie deLaBruere

Lucie deLaBruere

STEAM/Maker Educator, Create Make Learn
Lucie deLaBruere brings 40 years of K12 experience as a classroom teacher, technology integration specialist, and Career and Technical Education educator. She currently works with several school districts as a maker educator, STEAM & PBL coach and faculty for higher ed institutions.She... Read More →
Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 11:30am EST
Oscar Wilde Ballroom

8:45am EST

Opening & Keynote: Charles Waters: THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR AND ACTOR
Friday November 8, 2024 8:45am - 9:55am EST
THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR AND ACTOR: Waters' keynote touches on themes that are threaded in his books and that educators can incorporate into their classrooms: black history, inequality, nature, sports, and tapping into your memory to mine uncomfortable relatable truths in poems. He will also share writing tips he's learned from his journey.
Friday November 8, 2024 8:45am - 9:55am EST
Oscar Wilde Ballroom

10:00am EST

Empowering Educators: An AI Toolkit & Resource Guide for the Modern Classroom
Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
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. 
Speakers
avatar for Patricia Aigner

Patricia Aigner

Director of Technology, Rutland City Public Schools
Patricia Aigner is the Director of Technology for the RCPS in Rutland, Vermont. She is licensed as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Patricia has served on the boards of Vermont's ISTE and ASCD affiliate organizations. In 2020, Patricia received the Frank Watson Lifetime Achievement... Read More →
Friday November 8, 2024 10:00am - 10:55am EST
Gateway I

11:00am EST

Break
Friday November 8, 2024 11:00am - 11:30am EST
Coffee Break -- come to the ballroom to also check out the bookstore, get a book signed by Keynote speaker Charles Waters, and see the Maker Space exhibit and Robotics exhibit.
Friday November 8, 2024 11:00am - 11:30am EST
Oscar Wilde Ballroom

11:30am EST

Artificial Intelligence: Potential, Precautions, 25 Mind Blowing Possibilities
Friday November 8, 2024 11:30am - 12:25pm EST
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.
Speakers
avatar for Maureen Yoder

Maureen Yoder

Professor, Lesley University
Dr. Maureen Brown Yoder is an Educational Technology Professor Emerita at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachuses. Dr. Yoder began her career when the field of educational technology was in its infancy, when the Apple 2 was state of the art, and a 300 baud modem was impressive... Read More →
Friday November 8, 2024 11:30am - 12:25pm EST
Gateway I

1:45pm EST

Jumpstart Creative Writing with AI
Friday November 8, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
This workshop showcases how AI can be a valuable tool in jumpstarting the creative process in classrooms. Attendees will learn how to leverage AI to generate thematic and seasonally-appropriate writing prompts, create content for drama and public speaking classes, and even draft entire scripts for media arts projects. Additionally, AI can help with generating templates, forms, and lists, allowing teachers and students to concentrate on the more creative and nuanced aspects of their projects.
Speakers
avatar for Jeremy VanDerKern

Jeremy VanDerKern

Design teacher, Fair Haven Union Middle & High School
I own a farm in Pawlet, Vermont and have been teaching for 25 years.  I have experience teaching CTE, Online, Adult Education, English, Media Arts, & Design.I have run an alternative education program and am presently building a new middle school STEAM program and Design Lab in... Read More →
Friday November 8, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
Northstar II

1:45pm EST

Shared Resources to Improve Library Services and Classroom Learning: What the Department of Libraries Can Do for You
Friday November 8, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
Join Department of Library staff to learn more about the free databases, discussion sets, interlibrary loan services, and professional development resources that the Department offers. Discover resources to support you in providing accessible reading materials to students with IEPs. Learn about the ways that the Department support Vermont youth and how you can take advantage of these free resources.
Friday November 8, 2024 1:45pm - 2:40pm EST
Northstar I

2:45pm EST

Leaning into AI
Friday November 8, 2024 2:45pm - 3:40pm EST
Slide Show


Teachers will learn how to effectively use tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Magic Schools AI to enhance lesson planning, curriculum development, and classroom instruction. Discover how these tools can work for you to create differentiated lessons, generate lesson summaries that meet IEP accommodations or provide summaries for students who miss class due to illness, adjust reading assignments to appropriate Lexile levels, create newsletters for families, brainstorm project ideas of various DOK levels, and even provide feedback on simple formative assessments.

These tools can also be valuable for generating and proofreading email responses to challenging interactions. Beyond being a search engine or a tool for asking questions, AI can serve as a collaborative partner, helping teachers continually evolve their lessons to be more engaging.

By the end of the session, participants will gain valuable insights into how to make these tools work effectively in their specific educational areas. They will also have a better understanding of why these tools should not be blindly banned and how to incorporate them into lessons to demonstrate appropriate AI usage.

While most students may not have direct access to these tools at school, the reality is that they are likely using them on their personal devices and accounts. As educators, we can teach and model appropriate use of these tools to help students understand how they can be used to assist learning. For example, we can demonstrate how to ask effective questions to AI to get started on a large research project, such as "Gemini, can you provide me with a list of 10 resources to help me understand the use of electromagnetism in MRI machines?"
Speakers
avatar for Mike Norkun

Mike Norkun

Science Teacher/Tech Integrator, Vermont Academy
I've been a science teacher since 2008 where I've taught at Bellows Falls Union High School in Vermont, Keene High School in NH, and now am currently teaching at Vermont Academy. I have an M.Ed in curriculum and as an educational technology integration specialist. I hold a second... Read More →
Friday November 8, 2024 2:45pm - 3:40pm EST
Escapade II

2:45pm EST

Making it in the Maker Space
Friday November 8, 2024 2:45pm - 3:40pm EST
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.

Link to Presentation
Speakers
avatar for Jill Abair

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
 
Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link

Filter sessions
Apply filters to sessions.