ACTEM2024

We've all done it...Joined a professional teaching organization (usually to attend a conference like this one) and then forgotten about it, not taking advantage of what it has to offer. Learn about the three major computer and technology teaching organizations in Maine - ACTEM, ISTE, and CSTA and discuss what each has to offer to save you time and money and to help you to grow as an educator.

Educators have long been in competition with digital entertainment for student attention at school. The tabletop board game simulator, Tabletopia, can be leveraged to engage students and reinforce what they are learning in the classroom. Building on the success of the last MLTI virtual student conference, the Maine Winter Classic, we will introduce this platform and share best practices for implementing the features available via the free version of Tabletopia. Participants will experience the potential to motivate students through gamification with hands-on practice as they learn to import assets and set up a game.

This will be a fast-paced, totally updated version of my 2023 ACTEM session. It will highlight tools you can master quickly, innovative AR, VR, and artificial intelligence enhanced apps, and much more. Hear about technologies that did not exist when this session was proposed. The term “Electronic Constructivism” was coined by this presenter who will link these technologies to what it’s all about: Good Teaching. No experience needed - just curiosity and an open mind. Raffle prizes at the end.

Balancing robust communication with stringent privacy and security standards is a challenge for today's schools. This session explores best practices for ensuring school-home communications meet privacy guidelines without hindering engagement. Learn how to protect data, maintain compliance with privacy laws, and support secure, two-way communication. Highlighting innovative strategies and tools, this session aligns with the principles of digital equity and deeper learning.

Participants will interact as a student within Curipod to first utilize the platform's features first-hand. Participants will then practice creating a Curipod for a subject/topic they teach using the many generators and interactive tools Curipod has to offer, making learning engaging and motivating for students. This platform can use AI to integrate content objectives into an interactive presentation in minutes.

Explore how leveraging Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) and an LMS can break down geographic and resource-based barriers to education, offering all students an equitable chance to explore free academic experiences in the areas of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and more. Discuss strategies to overcome access barriers and cultivate a culture of innovation. Join the Instructional Design team from JMG to empower students in a tech-forward world.