Midwest Summit Spring 2016: Full Schedule

The Spring Midwest Summit is a two-day, hands-on conference focusing on integrating Google for Education in K-12 and Higher Ed learning environments. All presentations will be from Google for Education Certified Innovators and Certified Trainers, and local Googley talent!

Midwest Summit Site
Midwest Summit Resources
Conference Center Map
Sign Up for Breakout Edu Sessions Here

9:15am CDT

60 Chrome Extensions for Education

Let's maximize Chrome for students and teachers by using the extensions! I will go through some of my favorite Chrome extensions in 60 minutes that can support teacher efficiency and student learning, so hold on to your hats! This slide deck is always being updated, so you are bound to find something new. The extensions can help to use your browser more efficiently to help support student learning!

Speakers

Stacy Behmer

Coordinator of Digital Learning/Media Services, Grant Wood AEA

Stacy is a former elementary and middle school teacher and also spent some time as a district technology director. She is currently the Coordinator of Digital Learning & Media Services at Grant Wood AEA in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she works with a team of digital learning consultants... Read More →

Monday March 14, 2016 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Wilderness 2/5

9:15am CDT

Get Organized With Google Keep

Google Keep is a powerful, collaborative note taking and task management app that will help you get organized and collaborate with others while doing so. One of Google's newest Apps for Education - Keep - is extremely flexible and easy to use. It allows users to take and share notes, create task lists, and much more in a visually appealing and functional way. Also, new mobile and web app capabilities like voice to text have opened up a whole new list of possible uses for Keep such as journaling and brainstorming/dumping. Join me for a tutorial, a rundown of application ideas, and an introduction to a couple of handy Chrome extensions and shortcuts that improve the Keep experience even more!

Speakers

Cory Klinge

Instructional Excellence Coordinator, Eden Prairie Schools, MN

Cory Klinge has 15 years of education and technology experience. He is an Instructional Excellence Coordinator for Eden Prairie Schools in Eden Prairie, MN. Cory earned his Masters of Arts in Education at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He is an adjunct instructor at St Mary's... Read More →

Monday March 14, 2016 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Tundra E/F

9:15am CDT

Math Tools for Google Chrome

GeoGebra, Desmos, gMath and Daum Equation Editor are outstanding mathematics tools that are available as Google Chrome Web Apps or Add-ons with Google Drive integration. This means that students can create and explore with these free web-based mathematical tools with the added benefit of Google Drive’s sharing capabilities and anywhere access.

GeoGebra (geogebra.org) is dynamic geometry software, similar to Geometer’s Sketchpad. Desmos (desmos.com) is a beautiful, browser based graphing calculator that makes traditional graphing calculators look like a slide rule. Daum Equation Editor is a web based equation editor that can be used as an alternative to MathType. gMath is an amazing Add-on that lets you do equation editing right from Google Docs.

In this hands on session you will be learn how to get started with each of these apps, along with some examples how how they can be incorporated into your mathematics curriculum.

Speakers

James Eichmiller

Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Learning, Downers Grove Grade School District 58

Monday March 14, 2016 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Sandstone 8/9

10:30am CDT

Technology for Promoting Student Choice in Summative Assessments

Workshop attendees will engage in hands-on learning that will allow them to bring new life into legacy student assessments. This workshop will start with a foundation of determining learning outcomes and creating rubrics that assess skill acquisition and application. We will then provide examples of how teachers can enhance student choice for summative assessments along with technology tools students can use to demonstrate learning and mastery. The workshop will aim to provide adequate work time to create new materials and provide options for personalization for attendees. Attendees will be encouraged to bring and work with their own curricular materials/assessments they would like to update.

Speakers

Mandy Froehlich

Educator, Consultant, Author, Mandy Froehlich Education Consulting

Mandy Froehlich is a former educator, technology integrator, and Director of Innovation and Technology turned technology and mental health consultant. Her passion lies in reinvigorating and re-engaging teachers back into their profession as well as what’s needed to support teachers... Read More →

Kristi Levy

Teacher/Technology Integration, Oshkosh Area School District

Kristi Levy is an Instructional Support Teacher for Technology Integration at Oshkosh West High School. Levy is a Google Certified Trainer and is experienced in curriculum design. Her emphasis is in integrating technology into classroom instruction in alignment with the Common Core... Read More →

Monday March 14, 2016 10:30am - 12:30pm CDT
Sandstone 8/9

Instructional coach, good for administrators, higher ed, intermediate | School Leader, good for administrators, higher ed, intermediate | Teacher, good for administrators, higher ed, intermediate

10:30am CDT

Become a Google Jedi Master

Have you been wondering what Google can do for you and your students to help make you more efficient and effective as an instructor and help your students become better organized?
In this session you will learn how to quickly use some of Google core tools and some less talked about tools to become a Google Jedi Master. You will learn how all of the tools together can help you and your students in both your personal and professional lives to make is seem like you are using the Force to get things done.
Tools we will be using: Google Search, Now, Calendar, Gmail/Inbox, Forms/Sheets and Maps.

Speakers

Ben Hommerding

Technology Innovationist, St. Norbert College

Monday March 14, 2016 10:30am - 12:30pm CDT
Wilderness 4

10:30am CDT

Google Maps: get started adding geospatial skills in your classroom

This 2 hour workshop gives us time for a deep dive into Google My Maps. The goal for the workshop is for you to leave with an activity that is ready for your students to dive into when you go back to school. No prior My Maps experience needed! My Maps is a powerful tool supporting the integration of geospatial components into classroom learning activities with ease on a Chromebook. Whether you teach elementary, junior high or high school age students you’ll find lots of spots in your curriculum that are ready for the enhanced learning possibilities realized with geospatial integration. Join us!

Speakers

Aida Awad

Lead Learner, To The Cloud EDU

Aida Awad is an Educational Consultant, Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, former Earth Science Professor at Broward College, and Admin Academy presenter for the IL Principal's Assn. She’s a recovering high school administrator, Google Certified Trainer, long time science teacher... Read More →

Monday March 14, 2016 10:30am - 12:30pm CDT
Sandstone 3

10:30am CDT

YouTube: from Consumer to Creator

YouTube isn't just for funny videos anymore! Come to this session to learn about how to use YouTube in your school and classroom! Attendees will learn how to create their own channel and playlists, upload and edit videos, and use YouTube for flipping the classroom. Come to hear how one district is using YouTube for their curriculum department, school announcements, and school wide book talks. From the most basic YouTube skills to the most extensive, there will be something for everyone to take away from this presentation!

Speakers

Jen Wathke

LMS, West De Pere School District

Jen is a Library Media/Instructional Technology Specialist for the School District of West De Pere. Jen has a passion for creatively blending the world of literacy and technology. She has presented at local, state, and national conferences on a variety of topics including Google Apps... Read More →

Monday March 14, 2016 10:30am - 12:30pm CDT
Tundra A/B

1:30pm CDT

Impact! getting started with 20% time projects in your classroom

Impact. Relevance. Engagement. Purpose. Research. Student choice. Future ready. Problem solving. Questioning. Innovation. Mastery. Do these words speak to you about the kinds of learning opportunities you would like to provide for your students? In this session we will explore how you can get started with 20% Time Projects in your classroom. We’ll consider: the philosophy of 20% time; a model for 20% time classroom projects, and see examples of the impact some high school students are having in their school community with their projects.

Speakers

Aida Awad

Lead Learner, To The Cloud EDU

Monday March 14, 2016 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Sandstone 3

2:45pm CDT

Badge time! Choosing the right Google certification path for you

Which Google certification path is right for you now and down the road? Should you set your sights on becoming a Google for Education Certified Trainer? A Google Certified Innovator? A Google Certified Educator level 1 or level 2? In this session you will learn about the requirements for each certification, the application procedures, best practices, tips and tricks, and even tour Google’s multiple free, do-it-yourself resources and training sites.

Speakers

Aida Awad

Lead Learner, To The Cloud EDU

Monday March 14, 2016 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Sandstone 3

8:30am CDT

Research-based Technology Coaching Models

Technology coaching is rapidly becoming commonplace in schools across the country. Research-based models from the following theory-base must be considered for successful and effective implementation: leadership, instructional coaching, instructional design, and technology integration. Fusing research from the four fields allows for the creation of a pedagogically-sound technology coaching model. This session will include an overview of the research in each theoretical-base and describe how each theory may be implemented into a technology coaching model. It is time to transform the current model of professional development and foster truly integrated professional development with on-going support and instruction. Attend this session to learn how to design a technology coaching model, specific to your setting, that is rooted in research-based theory.

Speakers

Kristi Shaw Reitz

WEMTA Conference Credit Instructor, Marian University

Tuesday March 15, 2016 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
Tundra E/F

School Leader, intermediate, advanced, good for administrators, higher ed | Technology Director, intermediate, advanced, good for administrators, higher ed | Instructional coach, intermediate, advanced, good for administrators, higher ed

8:30am CDT

Chrome to Support Reading

We will explore how students and teachers can harness a few tools included with the Chrome browser that can support literacy. You get a lot of bang for your buck because these features can support new learning across the curriculum!

Speakers

Stacy Behmer

Coordinator of Digital Learning/Media Services, Grant Wood AEA

Tuesday March 15, 2016 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
Sandstone 3

Teacher, beginner, intermediate, advanced, higher ed | School Leader, beginner, intermediate, advanced, higher ed | Instructional coach, beginner, intermediate, advanced, higher ed

8:30am CDT

Let's Hangout! Collaborating with Google Hangouts

Attendees will walk away with a firm understanding of how to incorporate Google+ Hangouts video conferencing into their curriculum. Participants will hear examples of how one district is using video conferencing for literacy activities, school wide announcements, professional development and MUCH more!

Speakers

Jen Wathke

LMS, West De Pere School District

Tuesday March 15, 2016 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
Sandstone 8/9

9:45am CDT

Video Tools you Should be Using

If you have been thinking about how to integrate video into your class or school, this is the session for you. We will discuss and create videos using Google Hangouts, YouTube, and WeVideo. You will also learn about free Teleprompters that work on Chromebooks!

Once familiar with the tools, you will learn about how we created a video network at Winneconne and North Fond du Lac using YouTube including, daily announcements, weekly shows, student projects, district projects, live broadcasts of elementary book shares, and live broadcasts of some school sports (we even have commentators!). Most of the tools we have used are free and available to everyone! Come learn about video creation in a collaborative session that will help jumpstart you and your school with video production!

Speakers

Ben Hommerding

Technology Innovationist, St. Norbert College

Tuesday March 15, 2016 9:45am - 11:45am CDT
Tundra A/B