NCED Connect Symposium 2025

Imagine you were tasked with creating a National Football League sports team, and you could pick the best players—any players you want—to build this dream team, this miracle team. Now, think about how, as educators, we have the same opportunity when planning instruction. We can assemble our own dream team of resources and tools to help us create instructional content that truly benefits our students.

This session is designed for anyone in education looking to help teachers optimize their planning time, allowing them to focus on other essential tasks. You'll gain insights and strategies from this demonstration of free, powerful tools, equipping you to share and train teachers on practices that will ultimately benefit and positively impact students.

In this session, participants will explore how AI can enhance instructional content by incorporating technology and fostering the 4Cs: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. The session begins with a live demonstration using ChatGPT and Notebook LM, showcasing how AI can support lesson planning and resource creation that engages students in deeper learning experiences. Following the demonstration, participants will collaborate with AI to develop instructional materials that integrate the 4Cs and innovative technological elements. Through guided, hands-on activities, attendees will apply strategies modeled during the session, gaining practical skills to immediately enrich their content and instruction. Throughout the session, participants will engage with AI, discuss experiences, and reflect on ways AI can be a collaborative tool for enhancing instructional quality and engagement.

Inclusive education starts by integrating the voices of diverse learners. This session explores how AI, LMS tools, and OER can transform digital learning into accessible and equitable experiences. Participants will examine assistive technologies like screen readers and speech-to-text tools, learn to implement LMS settings that address IEP accommodations, and design alternative assignments that align with student needs.
Through hands-on activities, attendees will apply AI prompting techniques, test LMS features, and explore accessible OERs. A focus on collaborative course design highlights the value of input from students, educators, and support systems to foster innovation and inclusivity.
This session provides actionable insights and practical tools to design accessible courses that empower all learners, ensuring equity and engagement in digital learning environments. Join us to transform your instructional practices and foster truly inclusive learning.

This session will focus on utilizing blended learning instructional practices that allow for small group instruction in secondary classrooms. Participants will explore Station Rotation and Playlists through small group discussions, collaborative activities, and by modeling both methods in the workshop. Participants will leave with concrete ideas on how to support secondary students more effectively and to truly differentiate instruction. Participants will also learn how to use the FREE K-8 Course Content for ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Math to support this small group instruction.

Imagine you were tasked with creating a National Football League sports team, and you could pick the best players—any players you want—to build this dream team, this miracle team. Now, think about how, as educators, we have the same opportunity when planning instruction. We can assemble our own dream team of resources and tools to help us create instructional content that truly benefits our students.

In this session, participants will explore how AI can enhance instructional content by incorporating technology and fostering the 4Cs: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. The session begins with a live demonstration using ChatGPT and Notebook LM, showcasing how AI can support lesson planning and resource creation that engages students in deeper learning experiences. Following the demonstration, participants will collaborate with AI to develop instructional materials that integrate the 4Cs and innovative technological elements. Through guided, hands-on activities, attendees will apply strategies modeled during the session, gaining practical skills to immediately enrich their content and instruction. Throughout the session, participants will engage with AI, discuss experiences, and reflect on ways AI can be a collaborative tool for enhancing instructional quality and engagement.