Mark your calendars for the Fall Learning Tech Showcase, scheduled for October 11, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This premier event is specifically designed for faculty, staff, and graduate students passionate about advancing education through technology. Register now to secure your spot, whether you plan to attend in person or virtually. For those joining us in person, light refreshments and a complimentary lunch will be provided.
Attendees can also gain up to eight Professional Development Network (PDN) credits by participating in this enriching showcase.
Event Schedule
9:00 – 9:30 AM: Welcome and Networking
Lobby Facilitator: Quinn Warnick
Start the day by connecting with colleagues and peers as you arrive. Quinn Warnick will be hosting the welcome session in the lobby to help you get oriented and ready for a day of learning and discovery.
9:30 – 10:30 AM: Concurrent Sessions – Exploring Innovative EdTech Tools
Custom Canvas Development for the Bridge Experience Program: A Case Study Room 2104 Facilitators: Zach Coffren, Will Fox, Brooke McGowin, and Quinn Warnick
Explore the versatile applications of Canvas beyond traditional learning management. This session will delve into a unique case study showcasing how Canvas was custom-developed to effectively address the data collection, assessment, and reporting needs for the university-wide Bridge Experience program.
LinkedIn Learning: Elevating Professional and Student Development Room 2102 Facilitator: Sarah Viner
Discover the power of LinkedIn Learning as a comprehensive educational resource. The LinkedIn Learning team will demonstrate how educators are leveraging its extensive library of over 17,000 on-demand courses and learning paths to enhance their professional growth and as a valuable learning tool for students.
Hypothesis: Transforming Reading with Social Annotation Room 2116 Facilitators: Lisa Gillis and Marc Zaldivar
Learn how to foster deeper reading comprehension and persuasive writing skills through social annotation. Virginia Tech faculty and the Hypothesis team will share pedagogical best practices for integrating social annotation into your courses using Hypothesis with Canvas. Gain practical insights into improving student learning outcomes through collaborative reading strategies.
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants Panel – Funding Your EdTech Innovations
Room 2104 Facilitator: David Duckett Panelists: Spencer Bennington, Yan Chen, Christopher North, Gordon Yee, and Hyesoo Yoo
Unlock opportunities to fund your innovative teaching ideas. Join past recipients of Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants as they share their experiences and successes in utilizing seed funding to integrate and evaluate cutting-edge educational technologies. Each panelist will present a concise overview of their funded project, followed by a Q&A session and discussions about incorporating new technologies in teaching and learning. Grant coordinator, David Duckett, will provide detailed information about the TLOS grant programs.
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Extended Reality (XR) Demo – Immersive Learning Experiences
Lunch Location: Lobby
Extended Reality (XR) Demo Location: Production on Demand (POD) Studio Facilitators: Dawn Follin, Brooke McGowin, and Chris Valluzzo
Take a break for lunch and simultaneously step into the future of education. Visit the POD studio to experience firsthand the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) headsets and immersive technology. Facilitators will be on hand to guide you through extended reality demos and answer your questions about integrating XR into teaching.
1:00 – 2:00 PM: XCaliber Award Showcase: Virtual Green Infrastructure Design Project
Room 2104 Facilitator: David Duckett Presenter: Megan A. Rippy
Celebrate exemplary technology integration in education. Dr. Megan A. Rippy, recipient of the XCaliber Award, will present her Virtual Green Infrastructure Design project. Discover how this project effectively integrated R and Unreal Engine to enhance problem-based learning, collaboration, and gamification within CEE 4394 (Urban Water Sustainability) and CEE 5390 (Advanced Urban Water Sustainability) courses. Learn about the impact of technology and student-centered pedagogy on high-impact student learning, as recognized by the prestigious XCaliber Award.
2:15 – 3:15 PM: Concurrent Sessions – Teaching in the Age of AI & Faculty Development
Teaching in the Age of AI – Session 1 Room 2104 Facilitator: Aaron Bond Panelists: Yoon Jung Choi, David Hicks, Kimberly Loeffert, David Robertson, and Matthew Vollmer
Navigate the evolving landscape of education in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Faculty panelists who are pioneers in incorporating AI-driven tools into their teaching practices will share their insights on the opportunities, challenges, and groundbreaking innovations they have encountered. Engage in a discussion about the transformative potential of AI in education.
Faculty Fellows: Advancing Teaching Practices through Flexible Learning Room 2102 Facilitator: Daron Williams Panelists: Bob Edmison, Jen Mooney, Dana Robertson, Jacob Shortt, and Brandi Watkins
Explore the impact of faculty development on teaching excellence. TLOS Flexible Teaching Fellows will discuss how their participation in the program has significantly enhanced their teaching approaches. Learn how these fellows have applied training from Quality Matters and the Online Learning Consortium to implement strategic changes in instructional strategies and technology use to drive student success.
Canvas State of the Union: Updates and Future Directions Room 2116 Facilitator: Danielle Thacker
Stay informed about the latest developments and future roadmap for Canvas. Learning Technologies Specialist, Danielle Thacker, will provide a comprehensive overview of new Canvas features, upcoming updates, and what to expect in the future. This session offers a platform to share your experiences and directly ask questions about Canvas.
3:30 – 4:30 PM: Concurrent Sessions – AI in Education & Faculty Fellows Program Insights
Teaching in the Age of AI – Session 2 Room 2104 Facilitator: Aaron Bond Panelists: Jerry Abrams, Traci Gardner, Junghwan Kim, Jen Mooney, and Ghazal Saeidfar
Continue the vital conversation on AI’s role in education. This second panel on Teaching in the Age of AI features faculty members sharing their practical experiences and innovative approaches to integrating AI tools and techniques. Gain further perspectives on the transformative impact of AI in diverse educational settings.
Faculty Fellows: Practical Strategies for Technology-Enhanced Environments Room 2102 Facilitator: Daron Williams Panelists: Alan Abrahams, Jenn Jones, Kieran Lindsey, and Ron Meyers
Delve deeper into the Faculty Fellows program and its tangible benefits. TLOS Flexible Teaching Fellows will present specific examples of how targeted adjustments to instructional strategies and technology implementation, informed by their fellowship, have led to measurable improvements in student outcomes. Discover actionable strategies to enhance your own technology-enhanced teaching environments.
This Learning Tech Showcase offers a valuable opportunity to explore the latest trends in educational technology, connect with peers, and gain practical strategies to enhance your teaching. We encourage you to register and join us for a day of innovation and learning.
