Week 10 Term 2: Manaiakalani: ITSE Live 2024 Conference Denver Colorado: Review Part ONE (July 01 - July 05)

 ITSE Live 2024

The ITSE Live Conference is a space for educators from all over the world to come together and learn new strategies and be introduce to new technology that they can use in the classroom. It is an opportunity for educators to learn from experts, other educators and those who are leading in their respective field in Education and Technology. The ITSE Live 24 Conference was help in Denver, Colorado this year. I had the privilege of attending the conference alongside 4 of my colleagues - Mr Dunn (SLT), Ms George (SLT), Mr Tuaru-Temu (BOT) and Mr Moyes (HoLA PE) - as well as a large representation from the Manaiakalani team. I am super grateful for this opportunity! 

Here is the Part ONE of my review for ITSE Live and the learnings that I was able to capture. Part ONE will detail Sunday June 23 + Monday June 24 + Tuesday June 25 + Wednesday June 26 at ITSE. 

My post will detail: 

1) Summary - A summary of what workshops I went to each day, the keynote speaker notes that I record and a brief summary of the workshop

2) Takeaway - My takeaway from the workshop that I enjoyed the most. 

2) Next steps - What are the next steps that I would like to action OR if there is no action plan, what is the learning from it OR what questions do I have to help me form my next steps/action plan. 

SUNDAY JUNE 23: Mainstage + Keynote speakers

Opening night @ the Mainstage @ ITSE Live 24 Denver, CO

Summary: The opening for ITSE took place on Sunday June 23. We had three keynote speakers who presented on the Mainstage

1. Lyla June Johnson
2. Richard Culatta
3. Sinead Bovell

Their presentations all followed a similar theme - the power of technology and how we can use technology in a meaningful way that empowers and reaches all demographics, audiences and communities. Lyla June Johnson's presentation was on that I was specifically drawn and one that I resonated with. Lyla acknowledged indigenous peoples, specifically the Denali people. She acknowledge all indigenous peoples and how they are "first technologists" and that "the greatest technology that the indigenous people carry is their compassion for the earth, their respect for the earth and their responsibility for the earth". 

Takeaway: My takeaway from this is that indigenous peoples are awesome. Their experiences and the value that they bring to the world, the communities that they live in - abroad and at home - is gold. I was particularly moved when Lyla said that "the wealth disparity is more important than technology." She continued that "we can have all the latest gadgets and top technology but if poverty still exists, if inequity in Education is dividing the opportunities for young people - the technology means nothing." 

Next steps and/or Questions: What can I do to bring in texts (oral/written/visual) that focus on indigenous people's and their impact on technology?

MONDAY JUNE 24: Workshops! 

Workshop @ ITSE Live 24 Denver, CO

Summary: I went to four workshops today, they were: 

1. We Love You Here: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
2. Don't Fear the Data Viz: Intro to Google Looker Studio
3. Boost Literacy skills with AI Powered Reading Progress + Reading Coach
4. Google for Education App Hub

The workshops that I particularly enjoyed and felt that I could take something back meaningful into my own class and school were workshop number 1 (We Love You Here: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism) and workshop number 3 (Boost Literacy skills with AI Powered Reading Progress + Reading Coach).

Takeaway: Please see my takeaway for workshop number 1 (We Love You Here: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism) and workshop number 3 (Boost Literacy skills with AI Powered Reading Progress + Reading Coach). 

We Love You Here: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism - There were a few gems that I took from this workshop. I loved that there was a big focus on building TRUST with families and students in the hope that this will help them engage with schools and curb absenteeism. The system built is grounded in TRUST and the were four key steps that was shared that they have used to help reduce chronic absenteeism which are 1) Honor history (get to know the school community, families and work from a place of truth to heal and not place blame) 2) Increase family communications (start building positive and meaningful engagement with parents to bring them on board) and 3) reframe attendance issues to ENGAGEMENT and center the approach from this place. 

Boost Literacy skills with AI Powered Reading Progress + Reading Coach - I was really impressed with Microsoft's Reading Progress and Reading Coach program. My positive takeaway from this workshop was meeting with a colleague from Manaiakalani (Mrs Anderson from PBS). She shared a similar program that they are using at their kura and then we discussed what we can do with the current literacy tools/strategies and online apps that we are using already and making it reach what the Microsoft program reaches. 

Next steps and/or Questions: Review the system in place for absenteeism within my Whanau group and see what I can do better, what needs to go and what needs improving and then implement what I have learnt from Dr Shardae's workshop. Also get familiar with www.readworks.org and see if it has a place in our already stacked literacy program. 

TUESDAY JUNE 25: Keynote & Workshops! 

Workshop @ ITSE Live 24 @ Denver, CO

Summary: Here is a summary of the two sessions that I really enjoyed today. 

1. Keynote Speaker - Ethan Mollick
2. Setting Clear Expectations when Writing with AI

I really enjoyed the Mainstage keynote speakers today, particularly Ethan Mollick. He was very honest and real about the reality of AI generated learning and how we should embrace it even if we feel ill-prepared. I enjoyed the two options in how we as educators can approach AI. I enjoyed Alex McMillan's workshop (Setting Clear Expectations when Writing with AI). He provided some great resources that can be implemented straight away. 

Takeaway: Please see my takeaway for the keynote speaker (Ethan Mollick) and Alex McMillan's workshop (Setting Clear Expectations when Writing with AI). 

Ethan Mollick - “The only way to shape it is to use it!” I really enjoyed his message. He was very honest in that there are really two options when it comes to AI. As educators we either return to the basics, skirt around AI and use it when we want to be creative with our lesson planning (which is not a bad thing) or we can be transformative and use it in a way that is meaningful, fun and creative with our students. There is a fear that as teachers, we do not fully understand the capability of AI. Mollick encouraged the audience that that is OK. We are learning as we go and he encouraged us to 1) Experiment with AI 2) Dive into it and 3) Shape what we learn so that it makes sense for us. 

Setting Clear Expectations when Writing with AI - This was an awesome workshop. Alex spoke about the impacts of clear expectations in general and explained that clear expectations have a positive impact on student's wellbeing, their engagement in class, attendance and motivation in the class. He provided three writing processes that we can use that state clear expectations to students when writing with AI. Here is a link to the presentation and writing processes that he created - Alex McMillan: Setting Clear Expectations when Writing with AI Presentation (Canva)

Next steps and/or Questions: I want to use Process B with one of Junior classes (probably Year 9 English) in Term 3. I want to use it for our film study unit. I want to check in with management first to see what our school policy is on AI. 

WEDNESDAY JUNE 26: Workshops! 

@ Gemini @ ITSE Live 24 Denver, CO

Summary: The workshop that I went to today that I loved and really enjoyed was 'The Gemini Experience'. I really enjoyed this session as it was informative and interactive and we went through the four key areas that Gemini has to offer: 

1) Lesson Planning

2) Grading & Marking 

3) Differentiating & Personalizing

4) Emailing

We looked at each area and how Gemini can be used as a tool for teachers with lesson planning, grading student work, personalizing content and lessons for students and crafting emails. We discussed and reflected on the times that we spend on each area WITHOUT Gemini and then we gave it go through Gemini. We saw how much time is saved when we use Gemini. 

Lesson Planning @ Gemini @ ITSE Denver,CO

Takeaway: My takeaway from this workshop is that this is awesome. I really want to use it in my own practice. I know that this is going to be so useful and helpful especially in my roles as HoLA (Head of Learning Area) and as a Dean. I am excited to share this with my colleagues and in particular my English Department. 

Next steps and/or Questions: My next steps is to use this more and try and work on refining my prompts so that I can maximize Gemini to get exactly what I want without any time loss. 

I look forward to reflecting on the second half of my time at ITSE in Part TWO where I will comment and reflect on my experience at ITSE overall.