ATLE Convergence 2024

Join us for a session sharing our experience supporting the adoption of the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) in the early elementary grades (K-3). Presenters will share lessons learned from supporting primary teachers, students, and parents as they transition to a new LMS. Discover practical strategies and real-world examples of how K-3 teachers are effectively leveraging technology to enhance communication with parents and build young students' technical capacities and skills in the in person classroom.

In this session, you will learn about:
- Facilitating smooth transitions for primary teachers.
- Engaging teachers in focus groups to learn about their unique needs.
- Providing effective training and support tailored to K-3 teachers.
- Engaging parents through the LMS.
- Developing young students' technological skills.

This session will provide administrators, educational technology specialists and teachers with suggestions for using technology intentionally in the younger elementary grades. While our story is about adopting Canvas, anyone working on learning management system adoption for elementary students are invited to attend. The session will be a combination of a presentation followed by an opportunity to share and learn from each other.

Fear is the mind killer. Trying to teach subjects that cause fear in students is an impossible challenge, but immersive simulations offer an approach that leverages 'respawn and retry' gaming culture to put a pin in that fear balloon and get students into the zone of proximal development. Instead of scared and unengaged, tackling subjects like cybersecurity or quantum technologies, that many find overwhelming, through immersive simulation brings iteration and fear free experimentation into the equation in an emotionally empowering manner.

Join us for an engaging professional learning session providing an overview of the robotics platforms used in K-12 education within the Calgary Board of Education, with a focus on how they support the new K-6 Computer Science curriculum. This session will cover essential platforms such as Talebot Pro, Sphero Indi, Ozobot, NEZHA (micro:bit), mBot 2.0, and iRobot Root, highlighting their roles in developing coding, computational thinking, and problem-solving skills. Robotics platforms appropriate for grades 7-12 will also be shared. Participants will learn how these tools align with curriculum objectives, fostering critical thinking and creativity in learners. Additionally, the session will offer opportunities for hands-on exploration with samples of each type of robotics platforms and resources for ongoing support. Enhance your expertise by discovering how these robotics platforms can transform student learning experiences and meet the goals of the new curriculum and learn from the successes we've achieved in one of the largest education systems.

2020 changed how education was delivered to students across the province. The fall of 2020 saw districts creating programs to address students learning from home. I was one of the teachers in my district that built this airplane while flying it. Four years later, this program has only grown in our little corner of the province. Remote Learning has evolved and taken hold in Alternative Education and it is not just for pandemics and homeschooling. We now have students and families who seek out Alternative Education programs because it works for them but also allows students who are in rural areas to access courses they might not be able to due to a variety of reasons. But how do you engage students from all around to not just learn the content, but also engage with teachers and other students to form community in a virtual world? How do we navigate the world of synchronous vs asynchronous learning? How do we address attendance issues? And what about credits for high school? Can students really learn if they are online? Answers to ALL of these questions and more will be addressed in this session! I will show some tools that I use in my virtual space to help engage. I will address the expectations and communication with parents and students that help with course completions. Also the scheduling that is needed to meet the needs of a synchronous online program. We need to revolutionize remote learning to provide students with creative and innovative education opportunities.

Are you ready to transform your classroom into a hub of innovation and problem-solving? In this interactive workshop, educators will discover how to harness the engaging world of Lego to introduce and reinforce crucial coding concepts. Perfect for teachers of all experience levels, from coding novices to tech enthusiasts, this session will equip you with practical strategies to:

- Introduce fundamental programming concepts through playful, hands-on activities
- Develop students' logical thinking and problem-solving skills using Lego Spike Prime's intuitive interface.
- Design cross-curricular projects that seamlessly blend STEM learning with other subject areas
- Foster collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking in your classroom
- Adapt Lego Spike Prime activities for various grade levels and learning styles

Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with Lego Spike Prime sets, exploring its user-friendly hardware and software components. By the end of this session, you'll leave with a toolkit of engaging lesson ideas, troubleshooting tips, and the confidence to implement Lego Spike Prime in your classroom.

Discover the power of podcasts and how they can transform your classroom into an engaging and dynamic learning environment. Step into the world of podcasting as Cornelius shares his personal journey and experiences, and learn how he successfully incorporated podcasting into his curriculum. Explore the exciting project "Grade 7's Talk to Experts" where students interview professionals and gain valuable insights. Get ready to take the first step in podcasting!