Did you know that teaching coding is more accessible and engaging than ever, empowering both students and educators? You do not need to be a tech wizard to teach coding; with the right guidance, anyone can empower students to become coding wizards themselves. Join Lauren Boucher for this hands-on, interactive workshop as she guides you through the basics of block coding and introduces you to a plethora of free coding programs that will ignite your students' passion for technology and creativity. Get ready to discover how to seamlessly integrate coding into your curriculum, making connections across subjects and enhancing student learning in exciting new ways! Lauren’s expertise in technology integration will empower you to unlock the magic of coding...from computational thinking to problem-solving skills, coding opens a world of possibilities for you and your students. Key Takeaways Explore how to introduce coding in your classroom, from kindergarten to high school, even if you have no prior experience. Learn enchanting strategies and activities that will engage students with coding, fostering creativity and digital literacy. Discover the art of using coding to teach problem-solving and logical thinking, empowering students with essential life skills. Gain confidence and expertise in teaching coding, becoming a coding wizard yourself and guiding your students on a magical learning journey. Presented by Lauren Boucher Lauren Boucher is a Regional Consultant for Digital Teaching and Learning with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She holds a master's degree in elementary education and boasts a rich teaching background, including third-grade instruction and gifted education at both elementary and middle school levels. Her expertise also extends to serving as an Instructional Technology Specialist for Pitt County Schools and she shares her insights through both in-person and online presentations at conferences across the nation.

Are you maximizing the potential of formative assessments in your classroom? Formative assessment is a powerful, research-backed tool that can transform your teaching and boost student achievement. Join Lauren Boucher for this hands-on, interactive workshop as we explore practical strategies to harness the power of formative assessments, including a treasure trove of free resources and a planning template that will enhance your teaching immediately. Join us for an hour of inspiration, leaving with a refreshed approach to formative assessment and a toolkit for student success! Lauren’s expertise in assessment techniques will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to enhance your teaching practice, guide future instruction, and improve student learning outcomes. This is workshop one of two for the series titled “Assessment Magic – Where Progress Isn't Just Measured, It's Celebrated!” Key Takeaways Understand the role of formative assessment in monitoring student progress. Learn how to use formative assessment to modify teaching and learning activities. Discover various tools and strategies for implementing formative assessment in your classroom. Gain insights into interpreting formative assessment data to inform instructional decisions. Lauren Boucher is a Regional Consultant for Digital Teaching and Learning with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She holds a master's degree in elementary education and boasts a rich teaching background, including third-grade instruction and gifted education at both elementary and middle school levels. Her expertise also extends to serving as an Instructional Technology Specialist for Pitt County Schools and she shares her insights through both in-person and online presentations at conferences across the nation.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:Google’s suite of education apps are super versatile, and teachers are taking advantage of their features to increase engagement and learning. Flippity.net takes that engagement up a notch by utilizing Google Sheets to create fun learning games and classroom tools. Join Lauren Boucher as she shares the myriad templates available, how to make these templates work for you, and classroom implementation ideas.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:A good learning management system will provide the tools necessary to create effective and efficient workflows for both teachers and students. Canvas is a robust LMS that offers features like to do lists, calendars, and more to make managing learning easier. Join Lauren Boucher as she explores these tools and shares tips for creating a workflow system that will save you time and energy this school year. This webinar covers the To Do Lists, Calendar, and Speedgrader.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:Providing students with voice and choice are proven ways to actively engage them in the learning process. Join Lauren Boucher as she shares how to use Deck.Toys, a drag-and-drop digital tool that allows teachers to design personalized, self-paced activities for student learning. You'll also learn how to access ready-made, editable lessons that you can use to create exciting learning experiences for your students.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:Are you looking for innovative activities that celebrate the festive holiday season while engaging your students in the learning process? Join Lauren Boucher as she shares how to use digital tools to create winter-themed learning experiences for students of all ages. You will also learn where to find pre-made activities, templates, and more!

Presented by: Naomi Louise Session Description:Do you sometimes struggle to provide meaningful professional development opportunities to your teachers? The capabilities of educational technology have the potential to radically change instructional strategies to bring about socially meaningful learning. This webinar will showcase how an organization can move to deeper and more creative staff development practices through a kaleidoscope of blended learning experiences. Join Naomi Louise as she explains the potential of online collaborative tools and how you can model the use of these tools and resources in your community. She will cover how to develop a vision of Web 2.0 for achieving your district's technology literacy goals, as well as how to provide support and just in-time learning for educational uses of Web 2.0.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:Have you ever wondered if there were templates or guidelines you could follow to create truly engaging, interactive lessons for your Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)? Have you wondered what should you include and where's the best spot for it? Join Lauren Boucher as she discusses research-based strategies for creating rich IWB lessons that yield positive learning results. You will be introduced to specific hide and reveal techniques, lesson design and formatting considerations, and ways to get real-time response data from your students. Additionally, participants will walk away with a rubric for evaluating their IWB lessons to ensure they're utilizing their IWB to its fullest capabilities.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:In this step-by-step webinar, you'll learn everything you need to get started with the Canvas LMS. The Canvas LMS offers everything you need to create appealing courses, communicate with students and parents, and track student participation and learning. Join teacher trainer Lauren Boucher as she shares an overview of Canvas and the tools it has to offer and the types of activities you can design.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:Just like all Google Workspace tools, Google Sites is an incredibly powerful tool in any teacher’s arsenal. They have many practical applications in the classroom, and they can also be used to create amazing professional portfolios for both you and your students. Join Lauren Boucher to see how to use Google Sites to build sleek, informative portfolios that will wow prospective employers and help you stand out among your peers.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:The collaborative, interactive nature of Google Workspace tools makes them great for use in the classroom. Join Lauren Boucher as she shares how to use these tools to create fun, engaging digital notebooks that your students can use to track, manage, and demonstrate learning. You will also learn tips and tricks for using interactive notebooks to accommodate multiple learning styles, in and out of the classroom.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:If a picture is worth a thousand words, Hexagonal Thinking is a strategy that will pay dividends! Join Lauren Boucher to learn more about this powerful strategy that helps students brainstorm, make connections, and organize their thinking in a fun, visual way that helps bring the abstract into focus. You will also walk away with a variety of practical tips and templates to help you get started.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher This is session five of six for the workshop series titled "Designing Digital Puzzles and Breakout Games for the Classroom" NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Premium Members have access to view the recordings on-demand and earn up to six continuing education credits. Workshop Description: When creating digital breakout games, Google Sites is a fantastic place to organize all your digital clues! Join Lauren Boucher as she shares the best way to incorporate your puzzles and games into one cohesive digital breakout game using Google Sites. Participants will also have an opportunity to set up a Google Site that will be used as a framework for building the initial layout and flow of an organized digital breakout game. Special Technology Instructions: Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop. Assessment: Participants will create their own digital puzzle and breakout game to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objective and reflect on their learning.

Are your lesson plans truly challenging your students and how can you ensure that your activities push students to think critically and deeply? By integrating Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels into the planning process, teachers can systematically challenge students at various cognitive levels, making learning more dynamic and fostering a deeper understanding of the content. Join Lauren Boucher for this hands-on, interactive workshop as she guides you through the essential steps of designing effective lesson plans and learning activities with DOK in mind. You will also discover how to incorporate DOK levels into your planning process, create engaging activities, and see practical examples and templates. Prepare to transform your lesson planning and ignite your students' critical thinking skills with the power of DOK! Lauren’s expertise in instructional strategies will empower you with the tools and resources to seamlessly integrate DOK levels into your planning process, elevating the rigor of your instruction and guiding students toward meaningful learning outcomes. This is workshop three of four for the series titled “Cracking the Learning Code with Depth of Knowledge.” Key Takeaways Learn how to align lesson plans and activities with DOK levels to enhance student engagement and critical thinking. Explore practical examples and templates for integrating DOK into your daily teaching practices. Understand the importance of strategic questioning techniques that align with DOK levels to foster deeper understanding. Gain insights into creating a balanced curriculum that addresses all levels of DOK, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Presented by Lauren Boucher Lauren Boucher is a Regional Consultant for Digital Teaching and Learning with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She holds a master's degree in elementary education and boasts a rich teaching background, including third-grade instruction and gifted education at both elementary and middle school levels. Her expertise also extends to serving as an Instructional Technology Specialist for Pitt County Schools and she shares her insights through both in-person and online presentations at conferences across the nation.

Ever wondered how to spark your students' curiosity about artificial intelligence (AI) and prepare them for the future? Introducing AI to students can spark their curiosity, ignite their creativity, and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. Join Lauren Boucher for this hands-on, interactive workshop as we learn how to introduce artificial intelligence concepts in an engaging and accessible manner. Through interactive activities and discussions, educators will discover strategies for incorporating AI into their curriculum, fostering critical thinking skills and digital literacy among their students. Get ready to embark on an adventure that will empower your students to navigate the frontiers of AI with confidence! Lauren’s expertise in digital teaching and learning will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to guide students towards a future where they are not just consumers, but creators of artificial intelligence technology. This is workshop six of six for the series titled “Empowering Educators with AI: Unlocking New Frontiers in Teaching.” Key Takeaways Discover practical strategies for introducing AI to students in an engaging and accessible way, from interactive discussions and hands-on activities to real-world examples and case studies. Learn how to integrate AI into your curriculum to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making skills in students, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. Explore the ethical considerations and implications of AI in education, including issues of privacy, equity, and algorithmic bias, and learn how to navigate these challenges responsibly. Gain insights into the future of AI and its potential impact on society, economy, and education, and learn how to empower your students to become informed, ethical, and responsible digital citizens. Presented by Lauren Boucher Lauren Boucher is a Regional Consultant for Digital Teaching and Learning with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She holds a master's degree in elementary education and boasts a rich teaching background, including third-grade instruction and gifted education at both elementary and middle school levels. Her expertise also extends to serving as an Instructional Technology Specialist for Pitt County Schools and she shares her insights through both in-person and online presentations at conferences across the nation.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher This is session one of six for the series titled Harnessing the Power of HyperDocs NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on-demand and earn up to six continuing education credits Workshop Description: Have you heard the hype about HyperDocs but have not had the chance to discover what they are all about? Join Lauren Boucher as she models the use of HyperDocs so that participants can experience this blended learning strategy for themselves. She will also share the definition of HyperDocs, examples of what they are (and what they are not), including the value they can add to your classroom. Participants will receive exclusive access to Lauren’s HyperDocs website that is chock-full of resources, samples, and done-for-you templates, as well as the opportunity to make-and-take their own HyperDocs that they can immediately use with their students. Special Technology Instructions: Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop. Assessment: Participants will have collaboration and sharing opportunities throughout the workshop to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objectives and reflect on their learning.

We all want to provide our students with engaging, learning-filled experiences, but often time, budgets, and other barriers can stand in our way. This is where technology can help enhance our lessons and lower the four walls of our classrooms! Join Lauren Boucher for this interactive, hands-on workshop as she shares a variety of tools and strategies for planning innovative virtual field trips for your students. Participants will also experience a virtual field trip first-hand for themselves, discover where to find done-for-you virtual explorations, and create a trip of their own using a ready-made planning template. This is workshop one of three for the series titled "Using Virtual Field Trips to Enhance Learning and Lower Classroom Walls." Presented by Lauren Boucher

This is session one of six for the series titled Using Design Thinking to Empower Learners Are you looking for an innovative way to foster creativity, inspire innovation, and engage every student in your classroom? Implementing Design Thinking can help unleash the creative potential of your students, while allowing them to pursue their individual interests and passions! Join Lauren Boucher and Brian Whitson to learn more about the Design Thinking process and how it can be used with any grade level or subject area. Participants will also have an opportunity to access done-for-you templates and support materials to create their own content-specific learning experiences that they can immediately use with their students. Special technology instructions: Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop. Participants will also need access to two devices: one to view the training and one to participate in the make-and-take component. In addition, access to a digital creation tool will be required, such as Google Slides, Google Drawings, Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, etc.

If motivating your students to become engaged in their learning seems harder and harder, you are not alone! And if you are looking for a fun way to bring your students back into the fold, join Lauren Boucher for this hands-on, interactive workshop as she introduces the basics of game design and how to employ the elements of gamification into your classroom. Lauren will also offer specific suggestions and provide resources that participants can use to develop their own gamification system for classroom management, direct instruction, or both. This is workshop one of three for the series titled “How to Use Gamification to Motivate and Engage Your Students.”

Collaboration is essential for students to be successful, and it is a skill that must be practiced in order to be mastered. Join Lauren Boucher as she shares seven easy-to-use digital tools for creating and managing collaborative group projects. You'll take a tour of the most popular features of each website or app, as well as walk away with engaging project ideas that will help you get the most out of each tool.

Staying in touch with parents and keeping them involved can be a difficult task, especially during remote learning. Join Lauren Boucher as she shares five easy-to-use digital tools that make communicating with parents a breeze. You'll also take a tour of the most popular features of each website or app, including best practices for using them for effective parent communication.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher Session Description:We all want our students to have the skills to become creative constructors of knowledge, but what are their rights when it comes to using digital-age tools in the design process? Join Lauren Boucher for an interactive discussion and explore tools and resources that you and your students are free to use when creating digital products.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher This is session five of six for the series titled Harnessing the Power of HyperDocs NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on-demand and earn up to six continuing education credits Workshop Description: We often hear the terms “choice” and “voice” as ways to engage our students in the learning process. Join Lauren Boucher as she discusses how to leverage the power of HyperDocs to amplify student voice. She will also share digital tools and strategies that can provide a platform for students to share their learning with authentic audiences. Special Technology Instructions: Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop. Assessment: Participants will have collaboration and sharing opportunities throughout the workshop to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objective and reflect on their learning. Participants will receive exclusive access to Lauren’s HyperDocs website that is chock-full of resources, samples, and done-for-you templates, as well as the opportunity to make-and-take their own HyperDocs that they can immediately use with their students.

Presented by: Lauren Boucher This is session two of six for the series titled Harnessing the Power of HyperDocs NOTE: While we recommend that you attend all sessions of the workshop series to meet the learning objectives, each workshop can be attended as a standalone. Full members will also have access to view the recordings on-demand and earn up to six continuing education credits Workshop Description: We all know how important a good “hook” is to spark our students’ interest and engagement in new learning. Join Lauren Boucher as she shares a variety of tools and strategies that, when combined, create hooks that fit perfectly into the design of HyperDocs and make learning fun! She will also discuss best practices for incorporating effective hooks into HyperDocs including activities that will grab your students’ attention and keep them wanting more! Participants will receive exclusive access to Lauren’s HyperDocs website that is chock-full of resources, samples, and done-for-you templates, as well as the opportunity to make-and-take their own HyperDocs that they can immediately use with their students. Special Technology Instructions: Participants will need access to an internet device and a non-school, personal Google account. SimpleK12’s Google Classroom will be utilized for the interactive and hands-on components of this workshop. Assessment: Participants will have collaboration and sharing opportunities throughout the workshop to demonstrate their understanding of the workshop objective and reflect on their learning.