Professional Learning Opportunities
Welcome to the IU13’s professional learning offerings from the Educational Technology and Teaching and Learning Collaborative teams!
Discover tailored professional learning opportunities, easily filtered by category below or explore our calendar on Frontline for a wide variety of sessions designed to elevate your skills.
For more information or to initiate collaboration, please contact our Educational Technology team or our Teaching and Learning Collaborative team.
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Beyond Recall: Unveiling 3-Dimensional Understanding
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)/ IS
December 5, 2024
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Welcome to the future of STEELS education, where traditional multiple-choice tests give way to 3-Dimensional assessments, spotlighting science and engineering practices (SEPs) and cross-cutting concepts (CCCs) alongside disciplinary core ideas (DCIs). In this transformative workshop, we'll explore innovative strategies for assessing students' conceptual understanding through real-world, authentic scenarios. Empower your...
Welcome to the future of STEELS education, where traditional multiple-choice tests give way to 3-Dimensional assessments, spotlighting science and engineering practices (SEPs) and cross-cutting concepts (CCCs) alongside disciplinary core ideas (DCIs). In this transformative workshop, we'll explore innovative strategies for assessing students' conceptual understanding through real-world, authentic scenarios. Empower your students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, preparing them for the complexities of the real world. Lunch on your own
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Computational Thinking: An Essential Skill
Explore the fundamentals of computational thinking in this engaging and self-paced asynchronous workshop. Designed for educators across all content areas, this workshop unpacks the importance of computational thinking as a critical 21st-century skill and provides practical strategies for beginning to integrate it into your teaching practice. Participants will: * Reflect...
Explore the fundamentals of computational thinking in this engaging and self-paced asynchronous workshop. Designed for educators across all content areas, this workshop unpacks the importance of computational thinking as a critical 21st-century skill and provides practical strategies for beginning to integrate it into your teaching practice. Participants will: * Reflect on assumptions about computational thinking and its relevance.> * Discover the core components of computational thinking * Understand why computational thinking is essential for students' success in both academic and real-world contexts * Learn how to intentionally incorporate computational thinking into their specific content area to develop computational thinkers in all classrooms. Through interactive activities, reflective prompts, and content-specific applications, you will gain the tools to foster computational thinking skills in your learners, empowering them for success in a rapidly evolving world. Time Commitment: Approximately 6 hours, self-paced Start Date: June 9, 2025 End Date: June 30, 2025
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Summer Civics Institute: Executive Power and the Bureaucracy
Concerns over executive power have existed for as long as there have been executives with power. Fear that an executive would wield power unjustly led to various mechanisms for checking such power in modern states. This workshop will explore executive power in the United States in both theory and practice....
Concerns over executive power have existed for as long as there have been executives with power. Fear that an executive would wield power unjustly led to various mechanisms for checking such power in modern states. This workshop will explore executive power in the United States in both theory and practice. How much power do presidents possess and how much should they be given? How has presidential power evolved over time? Because executive power is exercised, in large part, through the bureaucracy, what are the checks on technocratic power? Does the president have unlimited control over the bureaucracy or are there limits to what the president can do with - and to - the bureaucracy? This workshop is designed to answer these, and other, questions by providing historical, constitutional, and analytical tools to better understand executive power. Topics to be explored include the constitutional design for separation of powers; the growth of executive power over time; key Supreme Court cases on executive power and the administrative state; the Administrative Procedure Act and the (now nullified) Chevron doctrine; the unitary executive theory; the civil service; and the status of independent agencies.
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Bridging yesterday and tomorrow through technology today: How Teens can embrace their own digital skill set and utilize it to generate a lasting impact in their communities
Curriculum and Instruction/ IS
July 22, 2025
11:30 am to 2:30 pm
As part of the newly launched NextGen Navigators Program, come hear Heather Gate, EVP of Digital Inclusion for Connected Nation, will address youth and mentors alike as she discusses the digital divide, how an ever-widening gap can be detrimental to all generations, and one unique (and fun) way students can...
As part of the newly launched NextGen Navigators Program, come hear Heather Gate, EVP of Digital Inclusion for Connected Nation, will address youth and mentors alike as she discusses the digital divide, how an ever-widening gap can be detrimental to all generations, and one unique (and fun) way students can be the change their community needs. Through programs like Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, young minds are empowered to harness their own tech-centered upbringing to educate their parents, teachers, and senior community members on basic digital skills, gaining fundamental leadership tools, community planning and service experience. By tackling the digital literacy barriers which prevent many of these adults from thriving, students are making a difference in the lives of those they help by supporting their ability to navigate a digital world. This lunch & learn is open to all who are interested in learning about empowering students to help bridge the digital divide in their communities Cost: Sponsored by KINBER
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Refresh, Set, Go!: A Strategic Approach to Continuing Student-Centered Learning
Previous cohorts/attendees who have participated in previous station rotation or hybrid workshops will reflect on current practices and collaborate to create student-centered learning environments. Through personalized strategies like reflective practices, goal-setting, and planning, educators will learn to implement evidence-based, future-ready practices that prioritize their learners' needs and interests.*Participants invited to...
Previous cohorts/attendees who have participated in previous station rotation or hybrid workshops will reflect on current practices and collaborate to create student-centered learning environments. Through personalized strategies like reflective practices, goal-setting, and planning, educators will learn to implement evidence-based, future-ready practices that prioritize their learners' needs and interests.*Participants invited to attend by their district under an established contract are welcome to register at no additional cost (costs are already included in the established contract). For participants who want to attend a workshop outside of a previously established district contract, the cost is $169 for IU13 district participants and $199 for non-IU13 district participants.
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Phenomena 2.0 Workshop
Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
July 30, 2025
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Ready to see MORE examples of phenomena-based learning in the classroom? This brand new workshop will go through additional strategies and examples of how to incorporate the STEELS standards into your classroom. Examples for elementary, middle, and high school will be shared. Be prepared to be immersed in the classroom...
Ready to see MORE examples of phenomena-based learning in the classroom? This brand new workshop will go through additional strategies and examples of how to incorporate the STEELS standards into your classroom. Examples for elementary, middle, and high school will be shared. Be prepared to be immersed in the classroom examples and walk away with classroom ready strategies! Lunch on your own
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The Student-Centered Learning Foundation – Station Rotation Implementation 2025 Summer Cohort
This professional learning series prioritizes student-centered learning, starting with a focus on the station rotation learning model. Participants will gain hands-on experience and strategies for implementing personalized and individualized learning approaches through the three learning modalities: direct, small group instruction; focused independent work; and effective collaborative learning. In this 2-day...
This professional learning series prioritizes student-centered learning, starting with a focus on the station rotation learning model. Participants will gain hands-on experience and strategies for implementing personalized and individualized learning approaches through the three learning modalities: direct, small group instruction; focused independent work; and effective collaborative learning. In this 2-day workshop, attendees will engage in various instructional activities and strategies with direct applications in classrooms including active learning strategies and learner-centered techniques. *Participants who are invited to attend by their district under an established contract are welcome to register at no additional cost (costs are already included in the established contract). For participants who want to attend the 2 day series outside of a previously established district contract, the cost for IU13 Schools/Districts is $399 per a person and Non-IU13 Schools/Districts is $424 per a person.
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Designing Meaningful Assessments for STEELS Classrooms
Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
July 31, 2025
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Welcome to the future of STEELS education, where traditional multiple-choice tests give way to 3-Dimensional assessments, spotlighting science and engineering practices (SEPs) and cross-cutting concepts (CCCs) alongside disciplinary core ideas (DCIs). In this transformative workshop, we'll explore innovative strategies for assessing students' conceptual understanding through real-world, authentic scenarios. Empower your...
Welcome to the future of STEELS education, where traditional multiple-choice tests give way to 3-Dimensional assessments, spotlighting science and engineering practices (SEPs) and cross-cutting concepts (CCCs) alongside disciplinary core ideas (DCIs). In this transformative workshop, we'll explore innovative strategies for assessing students' conceptual understanding through real-world, authentic scenarios. Empower your students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, preparing them for the complexities of the real world. Lunch on your own
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Apple and Seesaw: A Powerful Duo for Student-Centered Learning
Instructional Technology/ IS
August 5, 2025
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Join us for an exciting collaborative professional learning event with Seesaw and Apple! The day will be filled with interactive sessions where you'll experience the power of using iPads and Seesaw together to support student-centered teaching and learning. Participants will work with members of the Apple team as well as...
Join us for an exciting collaborative professional learning event with Seesaw and Apple! The day will be filled with interactive sessions where you'll experience the power of using iPads and Seesaw together to support student-centered teaching and learning. Participants will work with members of the Apple team as well as the Seesaw team and hear from local educators on how they utilize Seesaw and Apple tools in their classrooms. Attendees will rotate through a variety of engaging stations, focusing on student agency, creativity, and hands-on opportunities that promote student-centered learning with educational technology. Each participant will be provided with an iPad from the Apple team for use during the session. If you do not already have a Seesaw account, you will receive a premium Seesaw account from the Seesaw team to explore all of Seesaw's powerful features. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to ensure you stay energized throughout the day!
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From Teaching to Designing Learning in Mathematics
Are you ready to move beyond delivering content to designing powerful learning experiences? This workshop explores how to shift from traditional math instruction to a learner-centered approach that deepens understanding and engagement. Drawing inspiration from Jason Kennedy's Let's Stop Teaching and Start Designing Learning, we will examine how lesson openings...
Are you ready to move beyond delivering content to designing powerful learning experiences? This workshop explores how to shift from traditional math instruction to a learner-centered approach that deepens understanding and engagement. Drawing inspiration from Jason Kennedy's Let's Stop Teaching and Start Designing Learning, we will examine how lesson openings and closings play a critical role in shaping deep mathematical learning. Participants will also explore NCTM's Effective Math Teaching Practices and apply these principles to enhance their instructional design. This blended learning experience includes a 3-hour synchronous virtual workshop with a 3-hour asynchronous component for reflection and lesson application. By the end of the session, participants will: * Identify key differences between teaching mathematics and designing learning experiences. * Explore strategies for effective lesson openings and closings * Explore NCTM's Effective Math Teaching Practices. * Apply session learning to improve upon lesson design for the upcoming school year Dates and Time Commitment: Approximately 6 Hours Virtual Synchronous: August 5th on zoom 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Asynchronous Work due in two parts: 1. August 7, 2025 which includes learning and application 2. August 11, 2025 which includes gallery walk, reflection, and feedback **Fully funded by PDE Accelerated Learning
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