{"success":true,"data":[{"ID":388,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1388011298,"CreatorID":79,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"A new leadership school","Handle":"A_new_leadership_school","ShortDescription":"Society could use more effective leadership, but what institutions teach it? We know how to teach it, but almost no institutions focus on leadership first.\r\n\r\nIf you'd like to see a school teach the skills for leadership (probably post-graduate) or have experience starting schools or teaching leadership, please join.","Description":"SLA's mission begins asking how we learn and what it means to lead. \r\n\r\nSociety could use more effective leadership. But where do we teach it? If leadership includes knowledge and skills like emotional intelligence, self-awareness, decision-making, negotiation, managing conflict, perceiving others, influence and persuasion, motivation, and managing groups and teams, and they are teachable, where does our educational system teach them? Some schools of education teach them, as do some other graduate schools, but always mixed with fields like business.\r\n\r\nWhat about a school for leadership that teaches leadership solely and comprehensively? Where better than a new school with Leadership in its name to discuss the possibility?\r\n\r\nThe presenter is a Professor at NYU passionate about teaching leadership (and entrepreneurship) who believes leadership skills are teachable but rarely taught effectively. Inspired by SLA's success at the high school level, proposes discussing creating a school for leadership at the graduate level.\r\n\r\nIf you'd like to see a school focus on these subjects or have experience starting schools, please join the conversation.","Link":["http:\/\/joshuaspodek.com\/leadership-problems-today-call"],"Audience":["All School Levels"],"Practice":"I (the presenter) seek a conversation with people with relevant experience and common interests, not a presentation, since I haven't started a school or created a curriculum.","Presenter":["Joshua Spodek"],"PresenterAffiliation":["Columbia University and NYU"],"PresenterEmail":["josh@spodek.net"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":14,"SubmitterID":79,"AdditionalComments":null,"LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3},{"ID":318,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1382996052,"CreatorID":79,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"Can Anyone Hear Me? Utilizing Student Voice in Schools","Handle":"Can_Anyone_Hear_Me-Utilizing_Student_Voice_in_Schools","ShortDescription":"Why is it that the people making the decisions are rarely the ones having to live with them?  Join a conversation led by students at the NYC iSchool to learn how we can make schools and our classrooms places that are created both for and BY students.  Find out what it\u2019s like to be in a community where student voice and student choice are a main priority and walk away with plans (both big and small) to incorporate student voice in to your school community and classrooms.","Description":"What would it look like if students not only got to pick their courses starting in their freshman year but were also able to decide which courses were offered?  What would happen if students were asked to evaluate both their courses and their teachers at the end of every quarter and if that feedback was then used to improve teaching practice?  The NYC iSchool was founded on three main beliefs: that students thrive when given choice and responsibility, that learning should be real-world relevant, and that the high school experience should be developmentally appropriate and individualized.  Paramount to the implementation of each of these beliefs is creating a school community where students are getting what they want and need when they need it and the iSchool knows that one of the best ways to determine student needs and wants is to ask the student\u2019s themselves.  During this conversation, our students will lead a discussion about how their voice is heard at the iSchool and how other schools use student voice.  iSchool students will then provide participants with tangible ways to incorporate student voice in their own classrooms and schools.","Link":["http:\/\/www.nycischool.org"],"Audience":["All School Levels"],"Practice":"After a very brief introduction to situate the NYC iSchool in the context of other public high schools, students will facilitate a speed-dating-type protocol that will encourage participants to engage in conversations about various common student experiences: schedules, curriculum, class projects, clubs, etc. Each student will facilitate a conversation with one of these experiences, will share how their own voice has transformed these experiences at the iSchool, and will invite participants to share their own stories. Each group will rotate after about 10 minutes, with time for a closing activity.","Presenter":["Michelle Leimsider","Christina Jenkins"],"PresenterAffiliation":["NYC iSchool"],"PresenterEmail":["cjenkins@nycischool.org","mleimsider@nycischool.org"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":3,"SubmitterID":79,"AdditionalComments":"We developed this proposal in collaboration with our students. I drafted the language for convenience and clarity, but our kids would lead this one. They all have experience as school tour guides for prospective 8th grade families, and are very comfortable interacting with adults from diverse backgrounds. I tried to add their first names, separated by commas, in the presenter box above, but the form wouldn't accept first names only. - Christina","LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3},{"ID":382,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1386685687,"CreatorID":88,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"Choice. Motivation. Electronic Things.","Handle":"Choice-Motivation-Electronic_Things","ShortDescription":"This workshop will ask participants to consider standard\r\nassignments within their classrooms or colleagues' classrooms and\r\nthink about how they can be re-imagined given what we know about\r\nthe importance of choice, our understanding of motivation, and the\r\nelectronic devices available to them.","Description":"Bring an assignment you'd like to workshop.","Link":["https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/19st0-V-KR-GRlxxyUjh-rMndkqpbe2diqOHp6ZrZLe4\/edit?usp=sharing"],"Audience":["All School Levels"],"Practice":"Participants will work together to examine traditional assignments and workshop them to move closer to the aspirations of situated motivation and seamless, logical use of electronic things.","Presenter":["Zac Chase"],"PresenterAffiliation":["St. Vrain Valley School District (Former SLA Teacher)"],"PresenterEmail":["zac.chase@gmail.com"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":13,"SubmitterID":88,"AdditionalComments":null,"LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3},{"ID":387,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1387663339,"CreatorID":88,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"Gamification: A framework for instructional design","Handle":"Gamification:A_framework_for_instructional_design","ShortDescription":"Gamification refers to using elements of game design, specifically video games, as a model for instructional scaffolding. Join us in exploring how gamification can be leveraged to create an instructional cycle that supports challenge-based inquiry, differentiation, and cooperative interdependence, as learners \"play\" to unlock \"powers\" for greater learner autonomy.","Description":"Gamification refers to using elements of game design, specifically video games, as a model for instructional design and scaffolding. In this conversation we will explore a model where learners \u201cplay\u201d to earn badges and skill points to unlock greater autonomy in directing their own learning. \r\nLike compelling video games, a gamified classroom engages learners with achievable, incremental challenges, designed to build skills and knowledge necessary for meeting more sophisticated challenges as learners move from one level to the next.  A \u201cGamified\u201d class uses a mastery system and so failure is encouraged. Failure (making mistakes) is valued as a legitimate technique for practice and feedback provides learners with cues, hints, and partial solutions to keep them progressing and motivated, as well as acknowledgement of incremental goal progress. If students fail a quiz, lab, or assignment challenge, they may repeat it until they have mastered the skill.  This in turn creates a system that is leveled, allowing for differentiation and students to progress at a personal pace.","Link":["http:\/\/www.21stcenturylab.org\/","http:\/\/classroom2pt0.wikispaces.com\/Gamification"],"Audience":["High School","Middle School"],"Practice":"Implementing a gamified class requires planning, curricular reorganization, and a pedagogical shift. Participants will be provided with all session materials in advance (http:\/\/prezi.com\/hzqbzhjmcuyl\/gamification\/) and challenged to use the templates and exemplars, Google Apps and an LMS of choice, to begin designing their own gamified units of instruction, ideally leaving with the tools and framework for scalable implementation. At checkpoints we will share innovations and challenges that emerge. At the conclusion, participants will be invided to join the Gamification in Education Google+ community, for continued collaboration.","Presenter":["Philip Vinogradov"],"PresenterAffiliation":["Centennial School District"],"PresenterEmail":["vinogradovphilip@gmail.com","pvino1@mac.com"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":9,"SubmitterID":88,"AdditionalComments":"Presenter Background:\r\nPhilip Vinogradov is a Google Certified Teacher and the Instructional Technology Specialist for Centennial School District in Warminster PA, providing embedded and sustained professional development for faculty in leveraging emerging technologies. He is also the program developer for the district\u2019s 21st Century Learning lab and Classroom Initiative, working to build learner and teacher capacity for authentic project based learning. He has led workshops on gamification and the flipped classroom at ISTE 2013, PETE&C, Google in Education Summits, and other regional conferences. He has also presented on topics of leveraging emerging technologies to support instruction, collaboration, and design thinking at PETE&C, NAIS, and NSTA conferences.","LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3},{"ID":322,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1383094895,"CreatorID":88,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"Positive Psychology in the Classroom: Creating Happy, Healthy Schools","Handle":"Positive_Psychology_in_the_Classroom:Creating_Happy-Healthy_Schools","ShortDescription":"Positive Psychology is the scientific study of what makes individuals and communities happy. This session will center around how to infuse classrooms and school environments with more joy--for learning, for life pursuits, and for building lasting relationships. Be prepared to workshop  practical, useful ideas to infuse into your school. C'mon, get happy!","Description":"The conversational focus centers around this notion of Positive Psychology and how we can apply it to our school environments. With 7 workshop facilitators (all working in myriad schools: public, charter, cyber, etc), we envision being able to create panel discussion, and also break out sessions to tackle how to enact these practices in various school settings.","Link":[],"Audience":["High School","Middle School","Elementary School","All School Levels"],"Practice":"Conversation will happen with panel discussion and then workshop break out sessions led by teachers.","Presenter":["Alexa Dunn (SLA) & UPenn GSE\/TFA Teachers"],"PresenterAffiliation":["SLA\/UPenn"],"PresenterEmail":["adunn@scienceleadership.org"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":12,"SubmitterID":88,"AdditionalComments":"Just a reminder: Chris was good with scheduling TFA sessions for Saturday.","LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3},{"ID":317,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1382992232,"CreatorID":88,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"Say goodbye to the textbook.","Handle":"Say_goodbye_to_the_textbook","ShortDescription":"Are iTunes U Courses a new disruption in education? Our teachers said goodbye to textbooks and hello to collaboratively building courses in iTunes U, becoming course designers, creative problem solvers, better researchers, collaborative team members, and authorities about content as it relates to curriculum standards and student needs.","Description":"Our new faculty will soon to be published authors of personalized curriculum, aligned to state and common core standards. Academic subject area teachers are collaboratively building courses that are delivered to our students through iTunes U on the iPad.  No more printing, copying, or shuffling papers for our teachers. No more heavy book bags, notebooks, folders, papers and pen for our students. Now our students have immediate 24\/7 access to carefully chosen digital resources that meet the needs of all learners. Our students are equipped with an iPad and a stylus to write with. Could this be a better way to guide instruction and ask students to research, question, and discuss topics? Let's talk more about this new model for creating, teaching and learning that can change the ways of traditional educational practices.","Link":["http:\/\/www.stringtheoryschools.com"],"Audience":["All School Levels"],"Practice":"In groups, the conversation is designed to help answer \"what\" is purpose of a textbook? and continues as we collectively discuss \"so what\" is so great about textbooks? Finally \"now what? Can we think about moving away from printed materials to digitally created content that is personalized to guide instruction?","Presenter":["Christine DiPaulo","Dr. Margery Covello","Dr. Chris Penny"],"PresenterAffiliation":["String Theory Schools"],"PresenterEmail":["christinedipaulo@gmail.com"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":15,"SubmitterID":88,"AdditionalComments":null,"LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3},{"ID":285,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1378611499,"CreatorID":1676,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"Supporting Democracy Beyond Content","Handle":"Supporting_Democracy_Beyond_Content","ShortDescription":"Preparing students for citizenship gets less attention these days than it deserves. Let's try to rectify that as we talk about what democracy demands from its citizens. From old-fashioned brainstorming to Google Docs collaboration, we'll build ideas to bring democracy beyond content and into the fabric of our schools.","Description":"One reason that our schools face such challenges in creating a democratic culture is that many people continue to disagree about what democracy entails and what it demands from its citizens. This conversation will bring those questions to the forefront and, if not resolve them, provide some clarity and possible direction for the future.\r\n\r\nJane Addams had a vision of the social settlement as an educational institution that would be directly connected to the concerns of the community and give citizens the knowledge that they needed to actively participate in democratic society. Many theorists today argue for a definition of democracy that does not require the public to be so involved. The first part of the conversation will highlight and compare these different visions of democracy.\r\n\r\nEven the least-participatory vision of democracy requires some engagement by the citizens, and theories such as deliberative democracy place strong demands on content and skills. Research skills, knowledge of government institutions, and the ability to evaluate arguments are examples of what citizens in a democracy may need in order to be effective. The second part of the conversation will be a group brainstorm to identify as many of these essential elements as possible.\r\n\r\nSome elements can be taught as part of classroom content. Others can be conveyed through extracurricular activities or school culture. Others may involve organizing the school community for external activism. The final part of the conversation will share ideas that we can take back to our schools to support democratic culture.","Link":["http:\/\/www.notnews.org"],"Audience":["High School"],"Practice":"You can check out the [outline for the conversation in this presentation](https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1Ozbh_Xmu6qyaSD-vxBd6__GyjrlG9nT96qaj_oMpeYw\/edit?usp=sharing). The presentation has links to three Google Docs that we'll work on as a group, and which will serve as a digital \"take-home\" resource. The goal of the conversation is to lay out the challenges and brainstorm solutions rather than present an argument for one particular method. Of course, [I have my own opinions on the matter](http:\/\/www.notnews.org\/philosophy\/the-school-for-society-principles-for-a-school-centered-reform\/), so as a backup in case the people in the room are feeling shy, I will have a few ideas ready to present as proposals for review in order to create some conversation starters. But feel free to bring your own instead!","Presenter":["Dave Thomer"],"PresenterAffiliation":["Parkway Center City High School"],"PresenterEmail":["davethomer@gmail.com"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":7,"SubmitterID":1676,"AdditionalComments":null,"LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3},{"ID":376,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1386114803,"CreatorID":62,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"Toward a \"Modern Learning Alliance\"","Handle":"How_Do_We_Keep_The_Conversation_Moving","ShortDescription":"It's time to for progressive, connected educators to start building a larger movement for modern learning in schools and communities. Let's talk about how to do just that.","Description":"Students First. Foundation for Excellence. Network for Public Education. All around us, education reform \"movements\" are growing. Most center on doing school \"better\" through privatization, charters, or a return to traditional schooling without standardization and testing. For progressive, connected educators who see the world of education and learning fundamentally changing because of technology, however, no organized movement exists. \r\n\r\nLet's have a conversation around how to create just such a movement. What groups might align with such a movement? What would be the principles we promote? How would we create an organization? And more.\r\n\r\nWe won't build it in 90 minutes, but we can get the conversation started.","Link":["http:\/\/willrichardson.com\/"],"Audience":["All School Levels"],"Practice":"Short contextual presentation, process discussion, Google Doc, interaction with live webcast audience.","Presenter":["Will Richardson"],"PresenterAffiliation":["Modern Learner Media"],"PresenterEmail":["weblogged@gmail.com"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":10,"SubmitterID":62,"AdditionalComments":null,"LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3},{"ID":369,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1384310937,"CreatorID":79,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"What if Schools...","Handle":"What_if_Schools","ShortDescription":"Please join this conversation to imagine what is possible for schools and classrooms. \"What if Schools...\" is a prompt to encourage us to think beyond traditional models of school structure and strategy.  With each other as resources for innovation, we can develop new lenses through which we can imagine education.\r\n\r\nThe source of innovation is within each other, our experiences, and our ideas. Therefore, please join this opportunity to push for transformation of traditional school models.","Description":"\"What if schools...\" is a prompt for educators to tap into their own innovation and imagine what is possible within and beyond schools and classrooms. When teachers enter the profession, we face a tradition and paradigm of education that has merit, but also needs to be constantly modernized and rethought for the present age and the future. We can become mechanicized by the boundaries of the classroom, and we may not even consider what is else is possible, unless we start asking ourselves, \"What if...?\"\r\n\r\nThis conversation has many potential threads: 1) School structures, locations, and identities. 2) Equity in education. 3) Technology in education. 4) Instructional practices that should not be lost in the process of \"too much\" innovation. 5) Teaching beyond classroom walls and communities.\r\n\r\nBy encouraging people from many different backgrounds to brainstorm and collaborate, everyone should be able to walk away with an enriched sense of what schools and education are capable of.","Link":[],"Audience":["All School Levels"],"Practice":"This is completely intended to be a conversation. Whereas I may share some photos of different classrooms in which I have taught in America and in other countries, they would only be conversation starters. I would prefer to meet in a circle and have people work in small groups to collaborate and share ideas about the prompt, \"What if schools...\" \r\n\r\nIn addition, I would like to capture the ideas with either a twitter hashtag or a googledoc.\r\n\r\nAn ultimate goal is also to have a \"What if Schools...\" Wordpress blog. I would like to use some of the ideas from the session for a potential opening essay for the blog. Also, I would hope to solicit future writers for writing entries.","Presenter":["Luke Zeller"],"PresenterAffiliation":["SLA Beeber","School District of Philadelphia","Philadelphia Writing Project"],"PresenterEmail":["lzeller@slabeeber.org"],"ScheduleSlotID":36,"ScheduleLocationID":8,"SubmitterID":79,"AdditionalComments":"Thanks!","LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":3}],"conditions":{"Status":"Accepted","ConferenceID":3,"ScheduleSlotID":36},"total":9,"limit":false,"offset":false}