VANCOUVER, BC | January 27, 2024
Refracting the Light: AI and Technology in Education
The British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) will be hosting two New Teachers’ Conferences this year. One regional conference in Prince George and one Metro conference in Vancouver. The conferences are designed specifically for teachers and teachers teaching on call in their first five (5) years of teaching, as well as teacher candidates.
REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST—(7:00 a.m.)
OPENING CEREMONY—(8:30 a.m.)
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Vanessa Andreotti (9:15 a.m.)
Dr. Andreotti is a former Canada Research Chair in Race, Inequalities and Global Change and a former David Lam Chair in Multicultural Education. She is the author of Hospicing Modernity: Facing humanity’s wrongs and the implications for social activism (2021) and one of the co-founders of the Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures (GTDF) Arts/Research Collective. Most of her published articles and OpEds are available at academia.edu.
WORKSHOP SESSION 1 (10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.)
Assessment in an AI World: Using AI in Educational Practice
In this session, we will provide real-life examples that demonstrate how we can effectively combine the best teaching practices with technological advancements. 1. We will focus on metacognitive instruction, which teaches students about growth mindset and helps them become aware of their own thinking processes. 2. By integrating A.I. tools into the learning experience, we can create authentic learning tasks that showcase student progress and foster engagement. 3. By harnessing the concept of assessment triangulation we will share meaningful formative assessment practices leading to valid and precise summative assessment understanding of students’ success.
Climate Justice 101
This workshop provides an introduction to the science and politics of climate change, and then explores how we can be agents for change within the education system. The first section of the workshop explores the reality of our changing climate, including modelling for future warming and extreme weather events. Actual impacts on BC teachers are foregrounded, as well as the inequitable distribution of impacts worldwide. This includes how climate disproportionately affects indigenous peoples, racialized folks, women, and the global south. In the second half of the workshop, teachers examine how school districts have or haven’t addressed carbon emissions and planning for a carbon zero world, and then how teachers and students can advocate to influence this work.
Decolonizing our Spaces
In this session members will engage in conversations around colonialism at many levels. Colonialism systemically permeates education, media, government policy and our whole society. Creating awareness is essential to understanding alternative value systems and how we are complicit by inaction. Decolonization demands a close look at Indigenous perspectives, ways of knowing and being and making change in our personal and professional lives.
Inquiry and Collaboration with your Teacher-Librarian
In this workshop, new teachers will explore collaboration opportunities with teacher-librarians at their schools and also talk about inquiry in the library learning commons with the TL.
Reality 101: A Day in the Life of a TTOC
This workshop is designed to support Teachers Teaching On Call with current teaching practices and resources, and to enhance their confidence in their professional status.
Creating a Comprehensive Literacy Program
Creating a literacy program can be a daunting task for a new teacher. What to include? How to teach it? What resources to use? Am I covering it all? In this session, we will review foundational elements of literacy programming, reflect on instructional practices that support these elements, and explore the role that assessment plays in creating a responsive and inclusive literacy program. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their current literacy programming in light of the information shared.
Comment l’Intelligence Artificielle peut assister le personnel enseignant
Dans cet atelier, nous examinerons ce qu'est l'IA et comment elle peut être un outil précieux pour les éducateurs·rices en les aidant dans certaines tâches administratives, en fournissant des recommandations pédagogiques et en soutenant l'enseignement individualisé. Nous découvrirons quelques plateformes d'IA qui soutiennent les éducateurs·rices dans la planification des leçons, la création de grilles d'évaluation, d'images ou la recherche de ressources éducatives. Enfin, nous aborderons les questions éthiques liées à l'utilisation de l'IA dans l'éducation.
WORKSHOP SESSION 2 (1:00–2:15 p.m.)
Artificial Intelligence and the Classroom: Using AI in Educational Practice
Participants who attend this workshop will understand modern AI models and their capabilities and limitations. They will also develop skills for equipping students to use AI responsibly and ethically in class and learn how to use AI themselves in ethical and pedagogically sound ways in order to increase efficiency, reduce workload.
Behaviour and Technology: Expecting the Unexpected (Elementary)
In this workshop, new teachers will explore 1- A list of apps/tech that will help students with diverse needs access the curriculum, demonstrate their learning and be successful in class. 2- Understanding how behaviour is communication: Strategies and resources for challenging behaviours, mental health, and self-regulation. 3- Setting yourself up for success and how TIE BC can help.
Infusing Aboriginal Content
While teachers express interest in incorporating more Aboriginal content in their classrooms, they are sometimes unsure of where to start and how to find authentic materials. This workshop is designed to create awareness around integrating Aboriginal perspectives and quality Aboriginal resources in the classroom through hands on activities.
Roles & Responsibilities of the Learning Assistance Teacher
In this workshop, new teachers will explore 1. Roles and responsibilities vary across the province (information sharing). 2. Collectively learning support teachers around BC can support each other in this work to benefit all students (networking). 3. Student support is most effective with coordination between classroom teachers and learning support teachers.
New Teachers: Learning About the BCTF and Your Local
This participatory workshop introduces new members to their union’s services and familiarizes them with collective agreements. Content also includes teacher evaluation, professional challenges and support, health and safety issues, and the roles of school union reps.
WORKSHOP SESSION 3 (2:30–3:45 p.m.)
Data Science & Desmos
Blending whole bodied activities and technology so that students can learn? Yes, please! Come prepared to get loud, cheer on your peers, and be surprised by just how quickly patterns erupt from the data we collect! This session is an invitation to participants to run and play before successfully engaging with problems of linear regression. This session will be an introduction to Data Science (Jo Boaler) and Desmos Technology (Dan Meyer).
Behaviour and Technology: Expecting the Unexpected (Secondary)
In this workshop, new teachers will explore 1- A list of apps/tech that will help students with diverse needs access the curriculum, demonstrate their learning and be successful in class. 2- Understanding how behaviour is communication: Strategies and resources for challenging behaviours, mental health, and self-regulation. 3- Setting yourself up for success and how TIE BC can help.
Antiracist Strategies for Educators
This interactive workshop equips teachers with a better understanding of antiracism and how it can be incorporated into their daily teaching practice. Participants will consider key skills students and teachers need to discuss and implement antiracism and will have the opportunity to explore teaching strategies and resources to integrate this approach into their classrooms.
Building Conflict Resolution Skills to Effectively Communicate with Other Adults
In this workshop, new teachers will explore becoming energy-efficient when it comes to conflict, understanding your responses to conflict and learning Active Listening Strategies
Learning in the Primary Years
In this workshop, new teachers will explore knowledge about the Updated Primary Document with the importance of SEL and Play highlighted and modelled with possible strategies, as well as the importance of infused Indigenous and inclusion through responsive teaching.
Work/Life Balance for Early Career Teachers
Participate in this intricate yet highly valuable discussion on work/life balance as a new teacher. The BC Early Career Teachers Association (BCECTA) is offering this workshop based on the needs of new teachers. In this workshop, you will: 1- Identify the areas of your life that are your priorities and those needing your attention. 2-Discuss your concerns and learn practical strategies (ie. productivity tips, managing resources, support network, ...) to support you in your journey through teacher wellness. 3- Learn about communities of practice and how BCECTA supports early career teachers.
Teaching Elementary/Middle School Core French with Confidence
In this workshop, new teachers will explore 1. Teaching Elementary/Middle School Core French can be joyful for both the students and teachers. 2. AI and other technologies can add to the joy of teaching Elementary/Middle School Core French. 3. A whole provincial community of specialists and classroom teachers are teaching this subject and ready to share resources and help problem solve any concerns.
Register for this conference
Register using the rate most appropriate for your situation
General Registration
For non-BCTF members teaching in independent schools
$175
BCTF Member
For BCTF members in their first five years of teaching
$175 $75
BCTF Members (TTOC)
For BCTF members who are TTOCs
$175 $60
Teacher Candidate
For teacher candidates
$175 $45
Faculty Associate
For faculty associates
$175 $90
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