From Standards to Impact: Advancing CS/DF Through NY Inspires & the Portrait of a Graduate

Breakout Sessions: Recordings and resources

Discover how authentic, project-based learning can deepen student engagement while meaningfully integrating the New York State Computer Science and Digital Fluency (CS/DF) Standards and the New York State Portrait of a Graduate competencies. In this interactive workshop, educators will explore how thoughtfully designed PBL experiences can move beyond isolated technology activities to create purposeful, student-centered learning connected to real-world challenges and future-ready skills.<br><br>

Participants will examine sample learning experiences through the lenses of Project-Based Learning, the NYS CS/DF Standards, and the Portrait of a Graduate to identify strategies that strengthen authenticity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and digital fluency across content areas. Educators will then apply these ideas directly to their own instruction by selecting a current lesson or unit and using a guided planning template to redesign or enhance it with meaningful real-world context, intentional competency development, and aligned CS/DF learning opportunities.

Through collaborative discussion and peer feedback, participants will leave with practical strategies for embedding Digital Literacy, Impacts of Computing, and Computational Thinking into everyday instruction while supporting the goals of NY Inspires and deeper learning initiatives.

Participants will leave with:

• Practical strategies for embedding CS/DF standards into existing instruction

• Connections between PBL, NY Inspires, and the Portrait of a Graduate

• A redesigned lesson or unit enhanced with authentic, real-world learning opportunities

• A completed 1-page PBL Enhancement Snapshot with identified POG competencies and CS/DF alignment ready for classroom implementation

Use this folder to access the resources

Use this FORM when you are done to reflect and earn CTLE credit.

If you would like to earn CTLE credit, please register HERE.

This engaging professional learning session explores how student voice, choice, and purpose can increase engagement, deepen learning, and foster greater ownership of the learning process. Participants will examine how learner-centered instructional practices support the New York State Portrait of a Graduate competencies-particularly innovator and communicator-while reinforcing NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency (CS/DF) Standards connected to digital communication, collaboration, and creative technology use.

Educators will explore why meaningful and relevant learning experiences are essential to student engagement and how they align with the goals of NY Inspires and future-ready learning environments. Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussion, participants will investigate practical strategies such as choice boards, varied product options, and student-led roles that can be immediately implemented across grade levels and content areas.

During the session, educators will redesign an existing learning task to intentionally incorporate student voice and choice, a purposeful audience or outcome, and a CS/DF-aligned digital component. Participants will leave with a student-facing task that promotes engagement, creativity, communication, and authentic learning experiences while strengthening student ownership and agency.

FORM To complete as you pace through the recording.

If you would like to earn CTLE credit, please register HERE.

This interactive professional learning session focuses on designing learning experiences that make student thinking visible, meaningful, and impactful through authentic audiences and purposeful products. Participants will explore how creating real-world learning opportunities supports the New York State Portrait of a Graduate competencies-particularly communicator and global citizen-while aligning to the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency (CS/DF) Standards related to digital communication, media creation, and responsible technology use.

Educators will examine why authentic learning experiences increase student ownership, engagement, rigor, and relevance, connecting directly to the goals of NY Inspires and future-ready instruction. Through collaborative brainstorming and guided work time, participants will identify meaningful audiences such as community members, experts, peers, and virtual learning spaces, then redesign an existing classroom task to include a purposeful product and CS/DF-aligned digital component.

Participants will leave with a revised task plan that incorporates an authentic audience, meaningful student product, and intentional technology integration designed to deepen learning and amplify student voice.

ALL materials (videos, resources, links) are in this FORM.

If you would like to earn CTLE credit, please register HERE.