EdVolution: Transforming Education with Digital Innovation
New date, same great program
The symposium has moved from September 10 to October 29, keeping all the great programming in place. If you have already registered and have questions, please email Emily Hiatt.
Looking to expand what innovation looks like in your classroom or institution’s pedagogy, instruction, and culture? Join the Center for Digital Learning and Innovation for their second annual symposium.
Through interactive workshops, engaging discussions and inspiring presentations, you will discover how digital innovation has the power to transform education and equip our students as digital world changers.
Audience: K12 educators, teacher educators, and preservice teachers
Registration Fee: $45 (includes lunch and parking)
Explore current topics including:
- AI in Education
- Coding
- Stop motion animation
- VR & AR
- Technology in early childhood
- Policy and curriculum with technology
Interactive Workshops
Engage in hands-on workshops led by experienced educators and technology specialists.
Engaging Panel Discussions
Join renowned experts in education and technology as they discuss a range of important topics such as coding, AI, virtual reality, multi-media production, and other innovative technologies that have the potential to impact teaching and learning.
Networking Opportunities
Expand your professional network, exchange ideas, collaborate on future projects, and engage in meaningful conversations about innovation and creativity in K-12 education.
A certificate for 6 contact hours earned is available. Speak with your LPDC concerning using these hours towards CEUs.
Schedule
- 8:30 am - Registration opens
- 9:00 am - Welcome, Acknowledgements, Overview of the day
- 9:15 am - Keynote presentation delivered by Crachad Laing
- 10:15 am - Break
- 10:30 am - Session 1 workshops
- 11:30 am - Break
- 11:30 am - Lunch session
- 12:30 am - Break
- 12:45 pm - Session 2 workshops
- 1:45 pm - Break
- 2:00 pm - Afternoon discussion panel
- 3:00 pm - Closing & dismissal
Keynote Speaker
Crachad Laing is the Head of Digital Literacy at Windsor School in the Bahamas. An active advocate for engineering and technology education, he leads programs that impact hundreds of students across the Bahamas.
Born and raised in Nassau, Crachad has always had a passion for problem-solving. He pursued higher education in the United States, earning a BS in Engineering Technology and Engineering Management.
His professional journey led him to education, where he has applied his engineering expertise in the classroom. An engineer by training but an educator at heart, Crachad is dedicated to fostering the development of young people in STEM fields. He aspires to inspire a generation of innovators.
Panelists
Kathryn Moser, Deputy Superintendent of Academics, Columbus City Schools
Kathryn Moser has dedicated 28 years of service to Columbus City Schools, excelling in roles such as Teacher, Principal, Executive Director for School Leadership, and most recently, the Interim Deputy Superintendent of Academics.
Throughout recent years, Kathryn has played a pivotal role in supporting the District's principal pipeline work, ensuring the development of strong educational leaders.
Additionally, she has led the CCS strategy for securing grants such as ESSER, Title I, and other state and federal funding, underscoring her proficiency in navigating complex educational systems.
With a career spanning 31 years and a relentless commitment to educational excellence, Kathryn Moser continues to inspire and empower students, teachers, and educational leaders within Columbus City Schools.
Mark Pohlman, Director of Instructional Technology at Hilliard City School District
My primary role is to oversee the implementation of technology integration planning, strategies and processes from grades PK-12 in a district of over 16,000 students. I have an incredible team of educators who work directly with classroom teachers and students to not only help them take full advantage of the technology resources and tools available to them, but to also help prepare our students for tomorrow and the world they will live and thrive in as producers and creators, not just consumers.
I also work closely with the Professional Development Department to strategize and offer a wide variety of PD opportunities for all staff and administration throughout the school year. In 2013 our district embarked on a journey to move our entire K12 institution toward a One2One learning environment. I have been a part of this adventure from the beginning and I've overseen the planning, strategizing, implementation and evaluation of distributing over 18,000 iPads district-wide to students as well as staff. We have seen the tremendous creativity and benefits this initiative has brought to our school district and my team and I will continue to help teachers and students leverage the tools and resources being brought to them to help make our graduates "Ready for Tomorrow". This is certainly a district doing incredible things for students!
Andrea Vescelius, English teacher at Olentangy School District.
Andrea Vescelius is a highly accomplished educator with over two decades of experience working to transform high school education. She has consistently driven innovation and excellence, including spearheading the implementation of programs and pioneering different initiatives from the beginning of her career at West High School in Columbus City Schools to where she currently serves as an English teacher in the Olentangy School District.
Recognized as a “Consistently High Performing Teacher” by the Ohio Department of Education, Andrea has earned accolades such as Teacher of the Year at Olentangy Orange High School, and she has been a National Board Certified Teacher in English Language Arts for Adolescence and Young Adulthood.
Her impact extends beyond the classroom through her involvement with influential research projects such as “Re-imagining Motivation in High School and College Classrooms” and “Cultivating Creativity and Civic Consciousness” as well as contributing to various professional development initiatives. In addition to her educational roles, Andrea is a small business owner and consultant, applying lean thinking and continuous improvement strategies. Her career reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation in and out of the classroom.
Adrienne Winders, Millersport Elementary – Walnut Township Local School District
J. Christopher Woolard, Ph.D, Chief Integration Officer, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Development
For nearly two decades serving the State of Ohio, Dr. Woolard has focused on improving student achievement through the effective use of school and district data to inform decision-making. With a focus on academic growth, accountability, and strengthening statewide education partnerships, Dr. Woolard champions best practices and collaborative strategies to advance opportunities for all students.
Currently serving as chief integration officer for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Dr. Woolard works closely with the Department’s program sections to oversee all initiatives related to student and academic supports, advancing professional supports, performance and impact, educational options, workforce readiness, and literacy achievement and academic success. He leads work focused on the Future Forward Ohio state priorities supporting literacy, learning acceleration, workforce readiness, and student wellness.
Prior to serving as chief integration officer, Dr. Woolard served as the senior executive director of the Center for Performance and Impact where he led work focused on state assessments, development of Ohio School Report Cards, implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the creation of data tools for educators and state-level policy research.
Dr. Woolard received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Political Science from Muskingum College and a Master’s Degree and Doctorate in Political Science from Miami University. He completed a prestigious fellowship with the Harvard Strategic Data Project and has previously received the Data Quality Campaign’s State Data Leader Award for promoting data use to improve student learning and achievement.
As a father of three, Dr. Woolard understands the importance of education and is committed to ensuring all Ohio students receive the tools necessary to build successful futures. In his spare time, Dr. Woolard enjoys staying active through running and biking, and watching his children play soccer.
Workshop Information
Animate Across the Content Areas - Digital Storytelling with Stop Motion Animation
Facilitated by Dr. Julie Johnson
Join us for an engaging hands-on workshop where you'll explore using stop motion video as a creative tool for the classroom. In this session, you'll learn how to animate key concepts across various content areas using everyday materials, bringing your lessons to life through visual storytelling
Gen AI - “Proof-of-Process" for Maintaining Academic Integrity
Facilitated by Mariah Hagadone-Bedir and Dr. Rick Voithofer
In this interactive session, participants will learn to apply "proof-of-process" strategies to maintain academic integrity while responsibly using AI-enhanced tools in student assignments.
Programming in the Classroom
Facilitated by Emily Bricker, Josh Doran, and Phillip Freeman
Swift is a powerful and intuitive programming language for all Apple platforms. It’s easy to get started using Swift, with a concise yet expressive syntax and modern features you’ll love. Swift code is safe by design and produces software that runs lightning‑fast.
Swift Playgrounds is an easy design within an app platform to create apps. You may use text and images to display a fun, interactive, and creative app design. Swift bridges the gap between simple beginner app development and strong programming language skills for experienced users. A key to be successful is to allow yourself to be vulnerable with students who may know more than you do when you first start coding. The teacher does not have to be the expert. There is a community to help you develop your own app ideas or lessons for your students. Avoid teacher burnout by learning something new with Swift.
Coding with Sphero and Drones
Facilitated by Emily Bricker, Josh Doran, and Phillip Freeman
Participants will engage in a hands-on coding experience using Spheros and drones. Presenters will outline specific missions or challenges, and participants will work to program their devices to successfully complete the tasks. This session will combine coding skills with problem-solving and spatial reasoning, offering a dynamic and interactive learning experience that can be used in the classroom.
Digital Storytelling with iMovie
Facilitated by Michael Garrett
Participants will explore digital storytelling by engaging in this hands-on workshop with iMovie.
Asynchronous Instruction (w/ consideration to Digi pedagogy + eLearning tools)
Facilitated by Channell Walker
Participants will expand their Asynchronous instruction toolbox by exploring new ideas in eLearning tools and digital pedagogy