Blended Learning In Middle School Classrooms
Blended Learning is becoming a classroom pedagogy that allows for differentation and for providing learners with a “right time and place” strategy for many learning objectives. Technology provides numerous opportunities to incorporate blended learning in your teaching. Please join us to learn how some of these tools can be used in the content classroom. You will leave with strategies to use the next day!
Sessions and Presenters:
Speaker: Julie Powell, Lincoln Middle School, Park Ridge-Niles CCSD64
Julie Powell is an Instructional Technology Coach at Lincoln Middle School in Park Ridge-Niles CCSD64. She has taught middle school STEM, Mathematics, and Social Studies and is in her 10th year in Education. Julie is a Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2, and an Apple Education Trainer passionate about using technology to transform teaching & learning.
Students will create an interactive artifact (cube) which will be printed and build into a 3D cube. This will be use as a dice to learn and recall facts or as a study guide for the test.
Speaker: Kiran Sidhpura, Stevenson Middle School, Maywood 89
I have been teaching technology since 2007 to k-12 grade. My career took a turn when I joined the high school teaching computer science and stem programs. The technology integration and pedagogy changed dramatically over the years.
At D89, as Instructional Technology Coach, I am always looking to bring new ideas and ways to integrate technology in curriculum in every way. I bring Robotics, Virtual and Augmented reality and drones to classroom to teach and learn.
Speaker: Mary Stec & Meagan MacDonald, Barrington Middle School Prairie Campus, Barrington 220
Mary Stec and Meagan MacDonald are middle school Instructional Digital Age Learning Coaches at Barrington Middle School Prairie Campus. They serve as part of the school’s leadership team providing “just in time”, job-embedded, and ongoing professional development for teachers. In addition, Stec and MacDonald have presented at national conferences and provide districtwide professional learning in Barrington 220. In their current position, Stec and MacDonald partner with teachers in implementing high impact, research-based instructional strategies including technology integration when it enhances student learning.
Speaker: Sarah Linden, Taylor Lehmann, Charri Trembley, Kaneland Harter Middle School, Kaneland Dist #302
We are a group of passionate math teachers with a mix of how to incorporate tech in the math class. Sarah is a seasoned teacher that has used tech. Taylor is a new to us SPED teacher that brings youth & savvy to the trio. Charri has taught for “a-hemmm” years and has been in the role of Instruction Coach for the last six.
Speaker: John Alesch, Plano Middle School
I have been teaching Computer Science to both Middle and High School students for 15 years. I have Masters Degrees in Educational Technology and K-12 Online Teaching from Concordia University Chicago. I have spent time in a variety of Schools and have worked with a wide range of students. To connect with me and learn more, visit my website at: https://middle-lotus.codio.io/
Speaker: Matt Bruns, Hadley Junior High, Glen Ellyn #41
Matt Bruns is a special education teacher who loves to leverage technology. He continually strives to improve teaching and learning through innovation to benefit not only his special education students, but for all learners. Matt looks to technology not to simply substitute the old with the new, but really examines how technology can redefine learning environments.
Speaker: Beth Rihtar, Emerson Middle SChool, Niles District 64
Beth Rihtar is in her 6th year as an Instructional Technology Coach with District 64. Beth is passionate about providing relevant professional development and likes editing media and creating new things.
She’s a certified music teacher, and you can follow her on Twitter @bethrihtar.