BLC16

While the Maker Movement is lauded as the latest technological panacea for education, many educators struggle to understand and implement the tenets of this cultural return-to-craft. In this presentation, JD Pirtle, director of innovation at Catherine Cook School in Chicago, will demonstrate how to build a permanent culture of creating and true innovation that involves every student, teacher, and staff member in your school. Attendees will learn how Catherine Cook School has grown from 1:1, document cameras, and Smartboards into a leader in the intentional use of emerging technologies, such as 3D printing, data visualization, robotics, and computer programming in the last few years—culminating with hosting a national conference on emerging technology in the classroom.

Attendees will see/learn:

- Real-world examples of engaging curriculum that begins with preliterate 3 year-olds, and grows with each student through high school.
- Best practices for incorporating emerging and traditional technologies into all aspects of school life and disciplines.
- Empowering students and faculty to be producers, not just consumers of technology.
- How to get buy-in from board of directors, administration, and parents.
- Methods for conducting transformative professional development for faculty.