Conference Blog

I attended the Rhode Island College Technology Exposition at Henry Barnard School on April 25, 2019. This event was so cool and interactive and I learned a lot about ways to incorporate technology into the classroom, even as young as preschoolers! The event started off with a keynote speaker who discussed the importance of deep learning. Deep learning is a continuation of 21st Century Skills and includes character, citizenship, collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking. She said that deep learning is important for everyone, especially those who are disconnected. She specifically talked about the importance of social justice conversations to make deep learning practical. She gave us access to a google doc with information on everything she talked about, lesson plan templates, and helpful tools. Here is the link! One source that she mentioned that I thought was really interesting is called SeeSaw. This is a virtual portfolio where students set their own personalized learning goals each week, and then submit and post assignments for teachers and families to view. It really lets students be in charge of their own learning and helps to keep them motivated.

After the keynote speaker, there was a technology open house, with various teachers showing different forms of technology to use in the classroom. One of the coolest presentations that I was able to see was from the principal at Barrington Middle School. BMS is undergoing a construction project to create a 21st Century School based on the principals of deep learning. We were able to see the building plans and actual photos of classrooms and hallways. Within each wing, there is an open plan classroom with giant projection screens and bench seating, maker spaces, Virtual Labs, a gaming room, STEAM studies, breakout spaces, and an interactive technology lab. This project was so cool to see, and the students will be entering the new building in the fall. Although this model is not realistic for all schools in the state, it was helpful to see some practical ways to incorporate technology and promote deep learning. I also saw presentations involving coding robots and smart microscopes. I was so amazed at the depth of technology that was showcased, and it made me excited to use technology in the future.

This was such a cool event and I’m so thankful that I was able to learn so much. I’m excited to be able to use some of the tools that I learned about in my future classroom, and incorporate deep learning into my lessons.

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