WEMTA 2025 - Ignite and Inspire: Impacting Learning Together: Full Schedule

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12:30pm CDT

Elevate Student Agency Through Video

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

How can students see themselves and each other as powerful thinkers and learners? By utilizing video in the classroom, students can be empowered to share their thinking, build on prior experiences, and showcase that understanding to others. In this session, we’ll explore using video in our role as an educator, and how to model and create opportunities for students to integrate video into their learning. We’ll look at best practices and the best
compliant tools for creating video and opportunities for sharing video to authentic, global audiences.

Speakers

Beth Rihtar

Instructional Technology Coordinator, CCSD 15 Palatine

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
BCC Boardroom

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Culturally Responsive Instruction, Equitable Digital Access, Students as Creators

12:30pm CDT

Sparking Curiosity: Using Passive Programming to Engage Students in the Library Makerspace

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

BCC Collaborate C

In this session, learn how to use the power of passive programming to engage students in your library's makerspace, even when you’re not actively leading a lesson. We’ll explore a variety of low-maintenance, self-directed activities that encourage students to explore, create, and innovate on their own. From hands-on activities to collaborative projects, these strategies allow students to engage at their own pace while fostering a dynamic, creative environment. Whether you’re working with limited resources or looking for ways to make your makerspace more accessible, this session will provide you with practical ideas and easy-to-implement activities to engage students in your library every day.

Speakers

Michele Green

Library Media Technology Specialist, School District of Greenwood

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
BCC Collaborate C

Beginner, Middle School, High School

Company Library Space, Makerspace, Students as Creators

12:30pm CDT

The Perfect Board and Card Games to Use in Your Library, Classroom, Makerspace, and More!

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 7

We are living in the renaissance of amazing board, card, and digital games, especially for educational and skill development possibilities. In this session, we will explore games that are not only fun to play, but also build crucial skills such as persuasive speaking, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Best of all, we'll explore games that spur meaningful conversations about topics such as digital literacy, storytelling, and course content too! If you want a great collection of game ideas to utilize as well as some ready-made lessons to go along with them, join us!

Speakers

Jon Spike

CEO, GamestormEDU

Jon Spike began his career as a high school English teacher, then served as a Technology Integration Specialist in K-12 schools. He currently serves as a Coordinator of Instructional Technology & Integration Services at UW-Whitewater and the Chief Executive & Creative Officer of GamestormEDU... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 7

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School, Higher Education

Company Budget & Resources, Makerspace, Students as Creators

12:30pm CDT

Empowered Learning (Passion Project/Genius Hour)

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

BCC Collaborate A

Embracing empowered learning is not just a teaching method; it's the cornerstone of preparing students for an ever-evolving world where jobs and fields are yet to be invented. By championing innovation and encouraging risk-taking, we impart life skills that empower students to navigate the unknown. In this session, you'll delve into many student-tested resources designed to thrive in any learning environment. Discover the latest tools that foster an empowered learning atmosphere within your classroom. Walking away with Passion Project/Genius hour resources, dynamic formative and summative assessment tools, and extended learning resources that elevate your teaching to new heights.

Speakers

Aggie Salter

ITS

Agnieszka Salter (@AggieSalterITS) is an Instructional Technology, PD Specialist, Instructional Coach Leader, and Innovation teacher at QP School in Madison, WI. Aggie is the Digital Promise Global's Coach Community Manager. She is one of the initial curriculum designers and teachers... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
BCC Collaborate A

Intermediate, Early childhood, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Students as Creators

1:45pm CDT

VR (Virtual Reality) to Boldly Go Where You May Not Have Gone Before: Creating Learning Experiences to Ignite and Inspire Learning Together in the Library and Beyond.

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 4

Students' excitement while wearing the goggles “brings down the house”. Their voices of joy, “saying look at this”are contagious during these immersive experiences. Their oohs and ahhs tell me life is good. Learners run to show their classroom teacher showing them what they are seeing. The sheer volume has brought administrators into the LMC to see what’s going on. Come discover how virtual reality (VR) can ignite a passion for learning and inspire your students by:
Participate in a hands-on Virtual Reality field trip to space and beyond
Steps for preparing students for virtual reality experiences.
What The Robot LAB Standard VR Kit is and how easy it is to use
Exploring what VR field trips are already available
How to use a Ricoh 360-Degree Camera for making the Images to create your own VR tours
Experience some of the VR experiences successfully done with students
Brainstorming VR ideas to inspire creating VR experiences impacting learning together

Speakers

Jeff Carpenter

School Library Media Specialist, Appleton Area School District

Jeff celebrates 35 years serving the AASD as a library media specialist and is a longtime WEMTA member. He earned a Master’s in Library Science (UW-Madison), and a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education (UW-La Crosse). One of his proudest achievements was receiving the special... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 4

Beginner, Early childhood, Elementary, Middle School, High School, Higher Education

Company Collaborative Leadership, Makerspace, Students as Creators

3:00pm CDT

Screencastify Submit: A Replacement for Flip

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Sheraton Wisconsin 2

Screencastify Submit is an online tool where teachers can set up a class and have students create short videos and screencasts. This is a COPPA approved tool so students under 13 can use it. It is one option my school is using as a replacement for Flip.

Speakers

Sarah Wendorf

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Sheraton Wisconsin 2

Beginner, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Students as Creators

3:00pm CDT

Game-Based Learning with Google

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

BCC Collaborate B

Get ready for an engaging session where learning and fun go hand in hand. Join Deb Norton as she shows you how to jazz up student engagement with amazing tools and apps from Google Workspaces. Picture this: game-based learning that'll make your students jump out of their seats with excitement, making learning a total blast. It's time to level up your Google Workspace skills and turn learning into a gaming adventure.

Speakers

Deb Norton

Technology Coach, Oshkosh North High School

Deb Norton is a former 5th grade classroom teacher, who now works at Oshkosh North high school where she is a Technology Integration Specialist and Tech Coach. She has her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, is a Google Certified Trainer, and is the lead instructor of an... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
BCC Collaborate B

Intermediate, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Company Advocacy, Community Partnerships, Students as Creators