SLATE

SLATE is a comprehensive educational technology convention designed to meet the needs of all schools and districts. 

This convention is designed for a wide variety of educators including Teachers, Principals, Associate Principals, District Administrators, Library Media Specialists, IT Coordinators, Directors of Curriculum and Instruction and other school leaders. Educators of all backgrounds and expertise levels gather to learn about the newest in education technology, as well as practical tips and tricks to implement in their schools and districts.

New Opportunities to Connect: As educators have worked tirelessly through the COVID pandemic we have so much to learn from one another.  SLATE features three ways to connect to ask questions about our biggest needs and share our successes. 

• Job-Alike Networking Sessions: These are small group sessions divided by a position facilitated around our biggest learning needs.
• Speed Networking Sessions: We know meeting new colleagues is important to you! SLATE attendees may join Speed Networking sessions that will randomly match attendees up for a 1:1 video chat for 5 min each. Once the timer hits 0:00, attendees will be re-matched with a new partner. 
• 1:1 Sessions: Attendees can also send an invitation to connect with someone they know at any time during the convention. Once the request is accepted, a 1:1 video meeting is established.

Unlimited Concurrent Sessions: This year’s SLATE attendees will have access to over 80 pre-recorded 30-minute sessions. These sessions will have a wide range of topics and experience levels available. This solves the thorniest dilemma of attending SLATE: how to choose only a handful of the amazing concurrent sessions.

21st Century Expo Hall: Connect with exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies while earning digital badges. The more badges you earn, the more chances you’ll have to win a prize. Collect points by checking-in to booths. We will announce the winner at the start of Wednesday morning’s keynote.

Makerspace: The Innovative Educator Consulting team is adding a gamified learning twist to this year. They have designed a very special interactive Google slide deck that provides a game-based look and feel through interactive learning challenges that you can play with a school-based team focused on a holiday theme infused with makerspaces building experiences, coding, and robotic activities, 3D design challenges, and unplugged learning experiences.

Google Playground: All things Google! Our expert team from Google has put these sessions together to learn about the many fun, free and creative ways to get the most out of Google tools.  Engage and become a super Google hero!

Our Keynotes

Culture of Excellence: Everyone Deserves to be Part of Something Great
Jimmy Casas

As educators, we must regularly ask ourselves: Have we grown complacent? Have we settled for the status quo? When a classroom or school is in need of transformation, leadership is at its most critical and the fate of a school rests on its teachers and leader’s ability to gain support. If you’re the type of educator who wants to inspire greatness in everyone who passes through your classroom and school’s halls, this presentation is a can’t miss. You will learn what it takes to raise expectations for all students and staff, foster the belief in one’s ability to achieve, and create an environment where everyone takes pride in supporting each other toward excellence!

Ignite! Inspire & Engage: 5 Ways to Unleash Creativity in the Classroom
Patricia Brown

Technology can fuel innovation, foster creativity, and create engaging learning environments. Discover 5 simple ways educators can ignite, inspire, and engage students with meaningful technology lessons that transform learning and fosters creative thinkers.

What Education Could Learn From Advertising
Myron Dueck 

In this keynote Myron Dueck will present the case that we in schools have something to learn from the masters of advertising. By using actual advertisements and digging into the design-thinking behind them, some key themes will be investigated. For instance, we need to define and uphold our basic educational purpose, we need to make our messages visual to all students, teachers and parents, and we might want to spend time creating an ‘elevator pitch’ for our classrooms, schools or districts.

Innovation and Assessment in the Modern Classroom: Engaging Students Through Emerging Technology
Myron Dueck

Innovation in the classroom is essential to engaging today’s students. Experienced educators often feel uncomfortable with the ‘new’ because they have come to rely on traditional methods that seem safe, trusted and familiar. As the technological landscape changes to include iPads, Twitter, social media and other digital technologies, how can teachers keep pace with assessments that are appropriate and relevant? In this session Myron Dueck will provide examples of how both formative and summative assessments can incorporate technologies such as iPad apps, Twitter, QR codes, Coaches Eye, online grading systems and Google Docs. The use of video and song will also be discussed, and the incorporation of the Flipped Class model will be addressed.