10:00-11:00am - Shared Presentation

Don't Get Ticked - It's Just Tik Tok (Kirsten Thompson)

TikTok is one of the fastest-rising social media platforms, with the average Canadian user spending over 22 hours on the app every month. But what do educators need to know, and does it have potential for the classroom? This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the TikTok Terms of Service, features, and potential classroom use so educators can stay informed. 

Minecraft in the Classroom (Dean Vendramin)

In this presentation, Dean will highlight the many ways that Minecraft Education Edition can be incorporated into the classroom, share examples of student work, and provide an overview of some of the special tools and tips inside the game. 

11:00-12:00pm - Sense the Excitement: Using Scratch & Phidgets to Create (EYES)*

What are Phidgets? They got their name because these devices are technically called "Physical Widgets." A widget is anything that is an extremely complex software, but makes each component presented in a simple way. However, the name “Physical Widget” isn’t very catchy so they got the nickname Phidgets! Phidgets are building-blocks for sensing and control using a computer, tablet, or phone. They let you use your software application to interact with the physical world! Typically, schools use Phidgets to introduce students to programming, electronics, and robotics as early as grade eight! In this session, you will have the chance to play around with fidgets and explore the various sensors they have! 

*Note: the first 20 attendees (15 in-person and 5 online) will receive a FREE phidget starter kit.

12:00-1:00pm - Lunch Break

Visit our on-campus amentities for lunch or bring a bagged-lunch to enjoy in ED 189.

1:00-2:00pm - Tent Talk - The Slippery Slope Between Technology as Novelty & Technology as Critically Integrated Tools in Teaching & Learning

A conversation between Kathryn Ricketts, Ehsan Akbari and Kirsten Thompson on lawn chairs in a tent! This is broadcast live and can be joined on Zoom. 

This talk series hosts dynamic conversations with chosen themes/issues around teaching and learning, in a tent on lawn chairs. Controversial topics in teaching and learning are discussed between two people with a third person who keeps the ball rolling! Going inside a tent, just as we did when we were kids with homemade forts, becomes a catalyst for bold and thoughtful conversations. The tent provides an environment that is both private and cozy and yet public with the live broadcast to the conference community.

This particular conversation is between two people Ehsan Akbari and Kirsten Thompson who both work full time in the educative realm with Digital Literacies and Digital Citizenship. We will be exploring the slippery slope between technology as novelty and technology as critically integrated tools in teaching and learning. We will ask questions such as when does it become sloppy, hurtful and dangerous and when does it become a means to enhancing curiosity and rich healthy inquiry.

This series is funded by the Faculty of Education’s CERCD fund

Closing Remarks