Presentation+Abstracts

What is 21st Century learning? Why is it important? Come gain an understanding of the shifting learning literacies that the 21st Century demands and why developing a 21st Century pedagogy is critical to student learning in a digital age. Leave with a sense of urgency for why you should shift your classroom practice toward more engaging approaches.
 * Introduction to 21st Century Learning: The Digital Natives are Restless**

A passionate student is a learning student. Using digital media students are building their own learning experiences, constructing meaning, and collaborating in teams to solve authentic content-based problems. Teachers who use these empowering technologies are discovering we can have rigor without sacrificing excitement. The secret: Focus on student passion and interest.
 * Keeping Up with the Net Generation**

Boundaries formalized by education in the “industrial age” shouldn’t hinder educators as they seek to reform and transform their classroom practice. In this session, we'll talk about how to deal with issues like: lack of access to tools/computers, copyright, filtering, cyber bullying, online safety, and other IT concerns.
 * Overcoming Obstacles in a Web 2.0 World**

Using Web 2.0 tools educators can network with others around the globe extending traditional boundaries of ongoing, learner centered professional development and support. See concrete examples of how the tools that support Virtual Learning Communities (VLCs) are being used and how to create supportive, reflective communities of practice around school-based goals.
 * Virtual Learning Communities of Change**

Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach explores the importance of blending learning with digital literacy skills to ensure success for our most at-risk students. Come hear about ways of broadening your technology program's reach and effectiveness for a full range of students, including those who have the most to gain from successful implementations.
 * Reaching All Students**

How do we promote the knowledge, skills and sense of urgency for 21st Century teaching and learning among all teachers in our schools? As the physical and virtual worlds converge to become the 'real world' of teaching and learning, virtual exchanges, online mentoring and other Web-based environments will play increasingly important roles in educational reform. The presenter will share "lessons learned" from her seven years of experience in designing and leading virtual communities of practice.
 * Virtual Communities for Professional Development and Growth**

A passionate student is a learning student. As the people of the world are becoming increasingly connected, the nature, use, ownership, and purpose of knowledge are changing in profound ways. Our goal as educators is to leverage these connections and changes as powerful means to improve teaching and learning in our schools. Come listen as Sheryl stirs a sense of urgency for shifting classroom practice toward more engaging approaches that unleash the passion that lies within each learner.
 * Schooling for the 21st Century: Unleashing Student Passion**

As the people of the world are becoming increasingly connected, the nature, use, ownership, and purpose of knowledge are changing in profound ways. Our goal as educational leaders is to leverage these connections and changes as powerful means to improving teaching and learning in our schools.This workshop will show you how.
 * Effective School Leadership through Technology: The 21st Century Administrator**

How do we promote the knowledge, skills and sense of urgency for 21st Century teaching and learning among all teachers in our schools? As the physical and virtual worlds converge to become the 'real world' of teaching and learning, virtual exchanges, online mentoring and other Web-based environments will play increasingly important roles in educational reform. The "new" Web affords us an amazing opportunity to pursue our passions within online communities of like-minded learners from around the globe. Participants will learn valuable lessons for designing and leading global collaborations.
 * Engaging Staff & Students- Using Web 2.0 Tools for Global Collaboration**

As the people of the world are becoming increasingly connected, the nature, use, ownership, and purpose of knowledge are changing in profound ways. Our goal as educators is to leverage these connections and changes as powerful means to improve teaching and learning in our schools. Come listen as Sheryl stirs a sense of urgency for shifting classroom practice toward more engaging approaches that reach all students in this digital age
 * Keeping Up with the Net Generation**

If using technology is so easy, why is implementation so difficult? Preparing students for the 21st Century calls for collective action of all stakeholders and this workshop looks at the steps needed to build momentum and garner buy-in from the entire school community. Participants will discuss ways to plan collectively and strategically for the future, develop a professional development plan for 21st Century skill building, and make sure all students have equitable access to a 21st century education.
 * Implementing 21st Century Skills - Steps to Build Momentum**

Today's changing world challenges us to re-envision what we do in our schools and classrooms or risk a growing irrelevance in our students' lives. At the core of this challenge is how well we realize the potentials of today's emerging technologies in our own professional and personal learning practice as educational leaders. Participants will discuss how schools have changed and how they need to change to meet the demands of a modern world and remain relevant in the lives of the students they teach.
 * Dimensions of Change**