IETA 2025

Embark on an interactive journey to discover the foundations of AI algorithms and their potential in education. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, create a text adventure game using generative AI, and share insights on the impact of this innovative technology in teaching and learning. Join us for a thought-provoking session that combines active learning strategies with basic and cutting-edge AI applications. This session offers participants a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of AI while exploring practical ways to engage students and peers in active learning experiences that are both fun and educational.

Transform your school’s programs with this interactive workshop designed for administrators and educators. Discover how to secure grant funding, leverage our collaborative Community Platform, and integrate AI into your classrooms for free!. Plus, you’ll hear quick 5-minute pitches from key partners who can provide direct support for your initiatives. With prize drawings throughout the session, there’s even more incentive to join and leave with valuable resources! Walk away with practical strategies, new connections, and the tools you need to drive innovation, empower your staff, and elevate student achievement.

Explore ways that artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in student film production. We’ll look at some free tools that can assist in the process by creating a short movie together. Come have some fun and learn from each other as we see what AI can do.

Using AI to Save Time

In this engaging and informative session, we will explore how cutting-edge (and free) AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini can revolutionize time management for educators. As middle school educators, we have firsthand experience with the challenges educators face in balancing administrative tasks, lesson planning, rubrics, parent contacts, student engagement, and so much more. This session will demonstrate practical applications of AI to streamline these processes, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and less on busywork.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction to AI in Education: Understanding the basics of AI and its potential impact on the education sector.

Microsoft Copilot: A deep dive into how Copilot can assist with writing emails, creating presentations, and managing schedules.

Google Gemini: Exploring the capabilities of Google Gemini in automating routine tasks and enhancing productivity.

Real-World Examples: Case studies and success stories from schools that have successfully integrated AI tools.

Interactive Demonstrations: Live demonstrations of AI tools in action, showcasing their ease of use and effectiveness.

Q&A Session: An opportunity for attendees to ask questions and discuss their specific needs and challenges.

Anticipated Outcomes:

Enhanced Understanding: Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how AI can be leveraged to save time and improve efficiency in educational settings.

Practical Skills: Participants will leave with practical knowledge and skills to implement free and accessible AI tools in their own schools.

Inspiration and Motivation: Educators will be inspired to embrace AI technology, seeing it as a valuable ally in their daily tasks.

Introduce a little chaos (theory) in your computer science or gen-ed classroom! In this session you will walk away with a ready to use activity for your students 6-12. This activity blends plugged and unplugged elements that will engage every learner. Students will be exposed to concepts such as measurement, critical thinking, computer science (CS), and a little bit of chaos theory. The goal of this session is to get educators in any capacity excited about CS concepts and give them the confidence to know that they can teach fundamentals of CS without having to be an expert. More information will be provided about professional development opportunities related to CS and specific curriculum and courses available.

In the diversity of classrooms, educators face the challenge of meeting the needs of students with varying learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds. This session will explore a range of tech tools designed to foster an inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive. Attendees will learn about digital resources that support differentiated instruction, assistive technologies that aid students with disabilities, and strategies for leveraging these tools to enhance engagement and accessibility.

Participants will leave with practical knowledge of how to implement these technologies in their own classrooms, ensuring that all learners—regardless of their individual needs—have the opportunity to succeed. Join us to discover how technology can be a powerful ally in creating equitable learning experiences for all students.

This session will explore how we have intentional conversations with Middle School students around AI tools and usage. It will center on an 8th grade elective entitled "Rise of AI," where students learn about how AI works, how it is currently being applied, and grapple with ethical questions around where it is going. This session will focus on the activities and conversations that the teaching team sets up, and discuss how to apply those same principles within a core classroom. Attendees will walk away with example activities, discussion prompts, and a framework for setting up conversations and tool explorations.

This class would cover different online and AI tools, as well as old-school strategies, that help make grading and planning more manageable for teachers. By easing the load on the planning and grading side of things, teachers can then focus on building relationships and personal health and wellness.

This class is intended for beginners. We will cover basic uses for spreadsheet, tips and tricks to make spreadsheets easier, and ideas on how to use spreadsheets in your classroom.

This session will explore using the Chalk app to create lesson plans and units.

The recently developed Digital Navigator badges are a collaborative microcredentialing project aimed at bolstering Adult Education and Digital Literacy across Idaho. Key stakeholders involved in this initiative include the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, Idaho Commission for Libraries, University of Idaho Extension, and numerous postsecondary institutions. During this presentation, attendees will gain insights into the new Digital Navigator badge content, curriculum, and the SkillStack® microcredential platform. The content will delve into the various aspects of Digital Navigation, encompassing topics such as:
• Understanding the fundamentals of digital literacy.
• Navigating online resources effectively.
• Evaluating digital information critically.
• Protecting personal data and cybersecurity.
Attendees will learn how Digital Navigator educators can utilize the SkillStack® microcredential platform to track their progress, earn badges, and showcase their accomplishments.
Attendees will leave the presentation with a deeper understanding of the Digital Navigator badges, their potential impact on Adult Education and Digital Literacy in Idaho, and the role YOU might play in driving this initiative forward.

Ensuring digital content is accessible to all learners is critical for equitable education. This session will provide attendees with practical approaches for meeting WCAG 2.1 Standards in their schools or districts. Using real examples from Idaho Digital Learning Academy’s accessibility initiatives, the session will cover key areas such as creating accessible digital content, leveraging tools for language and disability accessibility, and conducting thorough accessibility audits. Participants will leave with a framework for implementing accessibility improvements that support all learners, regardless of ability.
Outcomes: Attendees will:
Learn actionable steps for implementing WCAG 2.1 Standards in digital content.
Understand how to conduct accessibility audits and use feedback for continuous improvement.
Gain practical tools and strategies for enhancing accessibility for diverse learners.

We will jump into learning how to use classwork, assignments, grades and insights. What are the recent updates and streamline learning for you and your students.

Computer Science or CS-adjacent classes are becoming more prevalent and needed at the secondary level. Boise State University has a new online graduate certificate designed to teach teachers the skills required to teach a CS course, from how to write code to how to teach students to think critically and write code. This new certificate is an Idaho-approved teacher certificate program. This session will provide all the details about the new certificate. Participants will leave with an understanding of the content of the certificate, why this certificate is invaluable to a secondary STEM teacher, and how to apply for admission and full-coverage scholarships.

The session will cover resources teachers can look to utilize and teach about AI in a variety of classroom spaces, especially if digital literacy requirements become a new Idaho requirement. The session will focus on code.org and lessons put out by Stanford (CRAFT).

"Phish and Tips" is a 45-minute interactive session designed to equip school IT professionals, teachers, and administrators with the skills to recognize and respond to digital threats. Through engaging scenarios, participants will test their instincts and decision-making abilities to identify and combat deceptive emails, scams, manipulated media, and other AI-generated content. Attendees will walk away with a virtual "Tackle-box" of resources to share with staff, students, families, and the broader community, empowering their institutions to stay ahead of emerging digital risks.